Frustrated Waterford workers storm plant

WORKERS at the Waterford Crystal Kilbarry plant, which ceased production at lunchtime yesterday, vented their frustrations by storming the Gallery Kilbarry plant shortly after 3pm.

The receiver appointed by the banks to the Waterford Wedgwood group, David Carson, yesterday told workers that approximately 480 redundancies would occur at the plant.

About 70 workers, shocked and angered to learn the closure was immediate, forced their way past security at the crystal showrooms.

Tense and angry scenes were witnessed, as workers jostled with and overcame three security personnel, occupying the restaurant and foyer areas into last night. A pane of glass was smashed in a scuffle and at least one employee suffered minor injuries.

Gardaí arrived on the scene but maintained a discreet presence outside.

Unite’s regional organiser Walter Cullen was critical of the security arrangements in place at the plant and the manner in which the news of the receiver’s plans for the company had emerged.

“People received text messages and calls this afternoon that something was going to happen,” he said.

“I rang the receiver to find out and he confirmed it.”

Pat Croke, who has worked at the plant for almost 36 years, said: “The workers are very angry and very frustrated and don’t know who to take it out on.”

Mayor of Waterford City, Jack Walsh, said he hoped that a successful outcome could be achieved

“There have been very many twists and turns in the Waterford Crystal story over the years and it has some way to run yet,” he said.

Meanwhile, more than 40 staff at Cash’s mail order business in Cork — a subsidiary of Waterford Wedgwood — were also made redundant yesterday.

Cash’s, one of Cork’s oldest companies, provides a mail order and call centre business in Togher.

According to SIPTU Cork branch secretary, Marie Kearney, at 4.30pm yesterday, the receiver, who said he had no money left to run the plant, called the staff in to tell them their fate.

“They were told that their jobs had been terminated with immediate effect. They were shocked,” she said.

A small number of staff, she said, were kept on a temporary basis to help with stock clearance.

“They are shocked because two buyers were in discussions with the company,” she said.

Ms Kearney said it was “extremely sad”.

“Some of these people have given 30 years service and now they face long dole queues and statutory redundancy.”

Mail order firm Cash’s was purchased by Waterford Wedgwood in 2002 and went into receivership along with its parent firm.