Picket at Kerry Group over driver redundancies

Kerry Agribusiness to outsource milk collection to independent hauliers, making five long-serving drivers redundant

In a statement, Kerry Group said following a comprehensive review of its milk collection procedures in 2023, Kerry Agribusiness made the decision to transition all remaining milk collection operations to its existing independent hauliers.

A picket has been placed outside Kerry Group headquarters in Tralee, Co Kerry, in support of drivers who are being made redundant.

Five milk collection drivers who have been with the company between 29 and 45 years are being replaced by existing independent hauliers by Kerry Group after talks failed to achieve a reversal of the decision.

Siptu industrial organiser Sharon Ryan said the picket would continue "for as long as it takes". 

However, there are no immediate plans to escalate the action. There are 100 Siptu members in Kerry Agribusiness, which is part of the Kerry Group.

"Our driver members have dedicated a lifetime of committed work to the company with service ranging from 29 to over 45 years and it is extremely regrettable that they now face compulsory redundancy," Ms Ryan said. 

"We urge the company to reverse its decision to make our members compulsorily redundant and to provide a window of opportunity to find a resolution to this dispute. They want to stay working. The work is still there and it is going to be contracted out to hauliers. That’s why we are on the picket line,’ she added.

Strike action

Siptu sector organiser Denis Gormalley said members had reluctantly voted in favour of strike action after pursuing every other avenue open to them in their efforts to avoid compulsory redundancies of five drivers in the company.

“These workers sought a reasonable engagement with the company to avoid any compulsory redundancies and, as it has refused to enter discussions, will continue on a campaign of strike action.” 

In a statement, Kerry Group said following a comprehensive review of its milk collection procedures in 2023, Kerry Agribusiness made the decision to transition all remaining milk collection operations to its existing independent hauliers.

"Subsequently, Kerry Agribusiness entered a transparent redundancy consultation period and began detailed discussions with the remaining drivers in November 2023. 

"The employment of these drivers terminated on 31 December 2023, without mutual agreement between the parties involved."