Crystal workers reject cost-cutting plan

WORKERS at Waterford Crystal have rejected the company’s cost-cutting proposals, describing plans to shed 234 jobs as disgraceful.

More than 100 voluntary redundancies are being sought among the permanent staff and 129 temporary contracts, some of them spanning up to six years, will not be reissued. The company also plans to impose a pay freeze for its remaining 1,400 employees.

Chief executive officer John Foley said the cuts are necessary to safeguard remaining jobs. He said up to half of the company’s products can be manufactured for 30% less in its other European plants in Germany, Austria and Italy.