Unions question need for plant closures

TRADE unions representing Guinness brewers across the country yesterday warned the large-scale job cuts and redundancies proposed represented a black day for the black stuff.

Sean Mackell of the Guinness Staff Union questioned the need for the changes when Diageo, in Ireland alone, made a €250 million profit last year and is on track to make even greater profits this year.

“We do not see the point in closing down Kilkenny or Dundalk. They both stand very well against other breweries in Europe. The only rationale the staff seem to have is to grow profits even more.