147 plant jobs lost with another 119 in jeopardy

THE loss of 147 industrial jobs, in Co Kerry, with a further 119 jobs also in serious danger, was described as a major blow to the area, last night.

The American-owned Sport Socks Company (Ireland) Ltd, announced 147 jobs are to go from the end of next month at its Caherciveen plant and the remaining employees 21 in Caherciveen and 98 in its Tralee operation are being put on immediate protective notice.

However, the announcement did not come as a total surprise to workers, who said the company has been experiencing problems with its markets for some time.

But the non-unionised workforce, which were told of the job losses yesterday afternoon, did not expect the closure of Caherciveen along with so many job losses.

Caherciveen is the hometown of Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue, who lives close to the factory. Both he and Tánaiste Mary Harney last night promised to make every effort to find alternative jobs.

Ms Harney also said every effort was made to save the jobs.

Sport Socks, whose workers had been on short-time for the past year, had been in negotiations about a takeover with what is believed to be an Israeli company, but this did not materialise.

Mr O'Donoghue described the announcement as a grave disappointment, adding that he was only too well aware of the hardship it would cause.

He said he would be working with the Tánaiste and the relevant state agencies to help find replacement jobs. In a statement issued through a Limerick public relations firm, the company, which employs 266 in Kerry, said manufacturing in Caherciveen would cease at the end of September, but the company would continue to evaluate options for the Tralee facility.

General manager Stephen Barter said the company regretted having to make its decision.

The company acknowledged the contribution of the employees over many years and their flexibility in meeting fluctuating workloads in recent years.

"It (the decision) is the result of ongoing, unsustainable business losses caused by increased costs and reduced customer demand," he said.

Last year, Sport Socks, established in Caherciveen in 1989, was taken over by Missouri-based company Kellwood, which has a turnover of $700m and is mainly involved in the retailing and distribution of clothes.

Sport Socks is the single biggest employer in Caherciveen, and Denis O'Sullivan, chairman of the local development company, ACARD, called on state agencies and politicians to take a serious look at the situation in the area.

"The latest closure comes after the shutting down of the Deelis ESB station, the creamery shop and ESB offices locally.

"There's a need for a new focus on Caherciveen to create more jobs here," he said.

"We believe there's potential for creating jobs in the water leisure area, especially, and we have a fine marina in place."

Many workers in Caherciveen and Tralee were too upset to talk to reporters following the shock announcement.

However, long-serving employee Hugh Horgan from Caherciveen said he was surprised at the scale of the

redundancies.

"It's a devastating blow and many of the workers may now be forced to leave the area to find employment," he said.

Mary O'Malley from Direen, Caherciveen, said the redundancies will affect many families as several couples work in the plant.

"The closure will not only affect Caherciveen town but also the wider rural area from which the workforce is drawn," she said.

The company has promised to meet its statutory obligations to the workers and negotiations will take place in the coming weeks.