Siptu urges Brinks Ireland to help save 200 jobs

Trade union Siptu said it hopes to save some of the 200 jobs that Brinks Ireland said will go in the Republic, but only if the contracts are transferred to rival operators.

Brinks Ireland is closing its cash in transit business in the Republic and is trying to sell its business in the North, according to Siptu official Brendan Carr.

Mr Carr said 130 jobs will be lost in Dublin, while 70 job will go in Cork and Galway.

The union yesterday condemned the announcement saying that as recently as last month, Brinks’ staff had accepted savings to try to save jobs at the firm.

The 200 lost jobs involve licensed personnel and represent a huge proportion of the 1,200 jobs involved in the industry in the Republic, Siptu said.

Mr Carr said he welcomed attempts by Business and Employment Minister Ged Nash to try and save as many jobs as possible.

The hope remains, he said, that the contracts operated by Brinks would be transferred to other firms.

“These jobs have been endangered, in part, due to the operation of low-cost employers in the security industry,” said Mr Carr.

“These companies do not adhere to the established terms and conditions of employment in the cash in transit sector.

“These operators are expanding by undermining workers’ conditions in what is an extremely difficult industry with a resulting decline in standards.”

Brinks Ireland could not be contacted for comment.