Struggling Waterford Crystal lays off staff

STAFF at Waterford Crystal are facing lay-offs and short-time work as the flagship company struggles with falling international sales.

The company, which employs 1,500 people at its plants in Waterford and Dungarvan, said short-time working for the next seven months is needed to safeguard its long-term viability.

The move has been on the cards for several weeks a number of temporary contract workers were laid off in the last two weeks and more will go next Friday.

At meetings with employees in Dungarvan yesterday, Waterford Crystal chief executive, John Foley, said the company was experiencing trading difficulties, especially in the critical North American market.

He said they were urgently seeking a new designer name in the United States, which was crucial in the overall context of Waterford Crystal.

The chief executive said the introduction of short-time working would mean the laying-off of staff for a total of seven weeks up to March 2005.

Mr Foley said this was necessary because of a significant slow-down in manufacturing, adding that while he was aware of the difficulties this will cause for employees, the decision was the correct one in all their long-term interests.

He regretted that some of the people he was speaking to would lose their jobs next weekend, but hoped they would be able to return as soon as possible.

The main union within the company, the ATGWU, is concerned by the latest proposals and is planning to meet workers in both Dungarvan and Waterford tomorrow.