175 Independent staff facing compulsory redundancy

ONE hundred and seventy five staff at Independent News & Media (INM) face compulsory redundancy next month after the newspaper’s voluntary programme failed to attract interest.

Management at INM told unions yesterday that its patience had run out after only 30 people accepted the package put to clerical and administration staff last August. Staff were offered payments of up to €260,000 or could take jobs with companies that provide outsourced services to INM, which include Cork-based SWS in Clonakilty or a call centre in Armagh city.

Human resources director Declan Carlyle said the offer was “extremely generous” and he expected people to take redundancy rather than transfer from Dublin. INM will bring in compulsory redundancy if the 175 staff affected fail to sign up for the deal by May 21. Mr Carlyle warned that the €23m package would be withdrawn at that point, with staff only getting statutory entitlements after that.