Fire leaves workers with uncertain fate

Jimmy Woulfe, Mid-West Correspondent

A union spokesman said if the company decided to replace the destroyed facility, workers could face months on social welfare.

Management at the factory are calling staff to a meeting today at which they are expected to brief them on whether the factory can be replaced or not.

SIPTU branch secretary, Pat Condon said: “I am hopeful rather than optimistic. From talking to management they are looking at trying to relocate to a vacant factory unit.

“But they will have to purchase and fit machinery, and all that then would depend on what can be obtained from insurance and how long it would take to start up.”

He said that the meeting called by management at the Courtney Lodge Hotel at 5pm today may clarify the situation.

“If the jobs are lost, it will be the third major blow to this area, as more than 300 were made redundant at poultry production factories in Castlemahon and Kantoher in recent months, all in the radius of four miles of Newcastle West,” he said.

Mr Condon said the union is also endeavouring to clarify the situation regarding holiday pay, as the factory was due to close for the last week of July and first week of August.

He said the 75 SIPTU members employed by the company will have to live on social welfare payments for the immediate future.

If there is no replacement work within 13 weeks, the workers can seek statutory redundancy, he said.

Myson Heating Controls makes components for central heating systems.

Senior executives flew in from Scandinavia yesterday to assess the situation alongside local manager Donal O’Grady. Management have not yet commented.

Gardaí do not believe the fire was malicious.