Irish Sugar redundancy talks collapse

Irish Sugar workers in Mallow have been balloted for industrial action following the breakdown of redundancy talks.

SIPTU, AMICUS and TEEU members in the north Cork town voted yesterday following the failure of attempts to reach agreement at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).

Irish Sugar workers at a number of other locations — including Carlow and Thurles — are also being balloted, with the result expected on Wednesday.

A local workers’ spokesman said all offers had been withdrawn by management, and that 325 Mallow workers were now in line for only statutory payments.

“The Labour Court is the next step, but no progress has been made. All offers are off the table and the company, for all its talk about looking after the workers, has pretty much told us where to go. We didn’t expect a kick in the teeth like this,” he said.

He stressed the need for quick progress, with the May 12 closure date looming.

“Time is running out if we want to reach an agreement. Our fear is that the company will let the clock run down, and try to force us into an agreement,” said the worker’s spokesman.

SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Gerry McCormack stressed that the prospect of industrial action was not an idle threat.

“Irish Sugar will continue to supply customers after May 12, as they still have sizeable sugar silos in place. As well as that, there are further EU restructuring funds to be negotiated by the Government. We think all of that gives us some leverage as, if there is no deal, that complicates matters for the company,” he said.

Mr McCormack said workers were looking for the same terms agreed by Carlow Sugar Factory workers last year, along with a “top-up” payment to recognise the end of the industry.

Following a Labour Court hearing, Carlow workers agreed a deal equivalent to eight weeks pay per year of employment, plus additional payments for long service.

A company spokesman insisted that a “generous offer” had been made to workers before the collapse of talks, but would not be drawn on further details.

He added that parent company Greencore has written to the relevant unions seeking clarification on the ballot.