Double blow as 341 workers lose their jobs

WORKERS and unions yesterday spoke of the “unbelievable shock” after ADM announced it was to close its plant in Cork with the loss of 146 jobs.

The company, which makes citric and gluconic acid products, is to immediately begin an “orderly shutdown” of the Ringaskiddy plant, which could take up to two months.

There was further bad news on the jobs front yesterday as aircraft maintenance firm SR Technics announced it is to shed almost 200 jobs at Dublin Airport.

The company is to make 155 direct staff and 40 indirect staff redundant.

A company spokesperson said SR Technics was facing serious competition from low-cost economies in Eastern Europe in particular.

SIPTU Cork secretary Eddie Mullins said unions and ADM workers were not given any warning of the closure.

“The workers are dejected and disgusted,” he said.

The company, which yesterday issued a 30-day statutory notice to the Department of Trade and Enterprise, did not inform IDA Ireland of its plans.

Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Micheál Martin, in whose Cork South Central constituency the plant is situated, yesterday pledged “every possible support” to the affected workers.

Mr Martin said neither he nor his department was aware in advance of the company’s decision to close.

In a lunchtime announcement, the company said the decision to cease operations was due to intense competition in world citric acid markets in recent years.

“With these market conditions, the operation is no longer economically viable for the company,” managing director Brian Leahy said.

Most of the workers have up to 30 years’ service with ADM. Workers were furious when told the news.

Father-of-two Jim O’Neill from Frankfield said: “My future, financially, is up in the air. I’ve 34 years’ service here and I’m totally shocked.”

Shop steward Joe Power, 58, who worked at the plant when it was previously owned by Pfizer, said he felt sorry for young employees.

“My heart goes out to the younger workers, some of them at the plant for just two years or so and having just taken out mortgages. What will they do?”