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Updated 5.07pm
SIPTU REPRESENTATIVES MET with a number of local politicians in Waterford earlier today to discuss the threat of job losses and wage cuts at the Bausch and Lomb manufacturing plant in Waterford.
Last Thursday, Valeant, the company which controls the contact lens manufacturer, said it would close the plant if the union did not agree to a 20 per cent pay cut and 200 redundancies. Speaking yesterday, SIPTU sector organiser Alan O’Leary said the ultimatum had “hit workers like a lightening bolt”.
“If the large number of indirect jobs linked to the 1,200 manufacturing jobs at Bausch and Lomb including suppliers, cleaning and catering staff, transport workers and local shops are considered, the impact of these threats if followed through, would be devastating to the South East region,” he said. “Governmental assistance and support to prevent this from occurring must be a top priority.”
Full support of local politicians
Speaking after the meeting, Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane said all Oireachtas members present today have sought an urgent meeting with the vice president of Bausch and Lomb, Angelo Conti.
“It is important that he and the company management understand the importance of maintaining as many jobs as possible and the future of the plant long-term in Waterford,” he said.
“No stone can go unturned and there is a clear responsibility on the Government to provide support and assistance,” he added.
It is important that the trade unions and the company management are given the time and space to negotiate in good faith to get the best outcome for the workers and their families.
Talks
SIPTU’s Vice President Patricia King has sought a meeting with Minister Richard Bruton to find out why workers and the union were not informed of talks between his department, the IDA and Valeant that had been going on for months before the announcement last week.
Workers have been given until 17 June to reach an agreement on the wage cuts and job losses.
“This is an unrealistic timeframe and the union is considering requesting the urgent assistance of the Labour Relations Commission and Labour Court to assist in brokering a more balanced resolution,” O’Leary commented.
SIPTU will be entering into formal negotiations with Valeant tomorrow morning.
First published 1.02pm
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A bit like Ireland so….
@Tweed Cap: Nothing like Ireland. Ireland is a Utopia compared to this place
@Tweed Cap: Nothing whatsoever like Ireland. FYI, you live in a high income country with a raft of equality legislation and strong redistribution of wealth through taxation and welfare.
@Tweed Cap: Reading the first paragraph of the article, it could not describe Ireland any better.
“They’re tired of the scandal after scandal; election promises broken; politicians profiting while the overall wealth of the ordinary citizen goes down; and very slow progress in terms of human rights or state infrastructure.”
Just to be clear, this is Serbia we’re talking about?
@Piotrek Król: Yes. Most Eastern European countries are very regressive when it comes to human rights and equality, you find in countries where nationalistic fervour is common, that people are scared of change.
@OpenBorders:
Don’t expect a conversation with me, you disgusting creep.
@OpenBorders: The one upside to that nationalism is that they dont appear to be getting invaded by Islamic Neanderthals determined to destroy their way of life..Why is this I wonder?
@Lord Clanricarde: Maybe because they massacred thousands of ‘islamic neanderthals’ in Bosnia in the early 90s. Besides that, Serbia has a sizeable muslim population and was bombed by the US for wanting to ensure that the predominately muslim Kosova remained part of their territory. Don’t forget, that the former Yugoslavia very successfully held together a federation of multicultural Catholic, orthodox and muslim citizens until Milosevic decided he wanted to create a greater Serbia.
I know Belgrade quite well. It’s an extremely dynamic city with a young, creative population. Yet you can feel the uncertainty of which way to turn. On the one hand, the EU is pumping in a lot of money in the form of study abroad grants for students etc. But, they do a roaring trade in I love Putin t-shirts
@Lord Clanricarde: The big downside was a genocide in the 90′s though, you may recall the thousands of Muslims slaughtered and buried in mass graves.
@OpenBorders: I agree with the culture in most East Eu countries which is to not accept open borders and protect their culture. The Eu has no right to dissolve their culture.
Serbia is a classic example of how nationalism and conservatism lead to stagnation, what a dreary outlook for the youth in that country.
Centuries of threat from the Ottomans will leave a people damaged.
@OpenBorders:
Was there last September for the Ireland game. Beautiful country, with very friendly and interesting people. Hope it works out for them.
Serbian yutes
@George Roche: what’s a yute? :)
@William Clay: Rasta slang, from the phrase “wasted youth”. That’s what it struck me as anyway.
@John Considine: oh I thought he was referencing My Cousin Vinny? oops
You were right William :)
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