Other sugar factory jobs ‘unsafe’

Ray Ryan, Agribusiness Correspondent

That’s the view of the SIPTU regional executive committee for the midlands and the south east, which has pledged full support for the campaign to keep the Carlow factory open.

Irish Sugar, part of Greencore, has decided to close the Carlow plant and consolidate all sugar processing in Mallow as part of a plan involving the loss of 189 full-time and 137 seasonal jobs.

SIPTU regional secretary in the midlands and south east Mike Jennings said the decision is proof that private greed and stockbroker morality predominates over the common good.

“Management at Greencore made no effort whatsoever to consult with its workforce or their union, or with its suppliers, in advance of making their decision.

“In these circumstances does anyone seriously believe that the cabal who decided to close the Carlow plant would hesitate for one moment to close the plant in Mallow also, if a quick profit could be turned on the transaction?” he asked.

Mallow Mayor Seán Sherlock, speaking earlier, said increasingly aggressive tactics by French producers in trying to poach Irish Sugar customers forced the company to decide to close Carlow. This pre-emptive action guarantees a future for Mallow employees for at least 10-15 years.