Union to meet as workers feel strain at Waterford Crystal sit-in

MEMBERS of the UNITE trade union at Waterford Crystal have been asked to attend a meeting this weekend to be briefed by their union officials on more developments regarding the company’s sale.

Last month, Waterford Wedgwood’s Irish and British subsidiaries, including Waterford Crystal, were bought by private US equity firm KPS Capital Partners and it is understood contracts are due to be signed very soon.

The workers’ sit-in at the Waterford Crystal manufacturing plant in Kilbarry is about to enter its eighth week. Meanwhile, behind-closed-doors meetings are understood to be continuing between members of a private interest group, headed by Waterford-based architect and businessman Nicky Fewer, regarding a business plan they intend to propose to KPS Capital Partners which aims to keep manufacturing in the city.

Mr Fewer has confirmed work is ongoing, but says it is “too sensitive” to be made public as yet.

The meeting scheduled for Sunday by UNITE will take place at the city’s Tower Hotel and is expected to be attended by hundreds of Waterford Crystal workers. “People are beginning to feel the strain and the mood is very subdued at the moment because people don’t know what’s happening,” said one worker who’s involved in the continued sit-in at the plant, but did not wish to be named.

“There are a lot of rumours going around about KPS... some that they’re signing contracts, others that they’re not supposed to be. At the moment, we’re still sitting in at Kilbarry and we’re going to stay here.”

The employee acknowledged that he and his colleagues had not expected the sit-in to last into eight weeks, but they would be staying there “until the finish”.

“We hope to get at least some jobs back, keep the factory and brand name in Ireland. If the factory leaves, it is going to be detrimental to the city,” he added.