Up to 140 Tesco head office staff set to lose jobs
It was one of four companies which yesterday announced a total of more than 300 job losses.
Just over a fortnight after the company declared a €3 billion turnover from its Irish stores, it announced that it was restructuring its central office operations “due to changes to our market and supply structures”.
The company said the staff would be offered a voluntary redundancy package.
“However, with continued investment in Ireland, including further new stores, and an expanding international business across Europe, Asia and the US, we will be offering all affected staff the opportunity of redeployment and retraining for roles elsewhere in Tesco, either in Ireland or abroad,” a spokesman said.
Elsewhere, travel group Thomas Cook confirmed it was seeking to close three of its stores in Dublin and restructure its tour operations business.
A Thomas Cook spokesperson said the changes could affect 77 employees in Ireland.
In Donegal, Ballyshannon-based electrical contractor, James Likely has gone into liquidation with the immediate loss of 75 jobs. The construction downturn was blamed.
Law firm Matheson Ormsby Prentice, announced 25 redundancies from its total staff of more than 600 people.
Meanwhile, SIPTU trade union has revealed said it is “not optimistic” about a successful conclusion to social partnership talks on the national pay agreement and a new economic recovery plan and has advised staff to start preparing for strike action.
In a circular issued to its 200,000 members, union president Jack O’Connor said union leaders expected to be briefed on the Government’s position on pay and the recovery plan in the next few days.
“The Government’s priorities are rescuing the banks – which they see as avoiding nationalisation no matter how much it costs, correcting the exchequer deficit entailing extensive cuts in public services and improving competitiveness by cutting wages across the economy,” he said.
“In the circumstances it would be wise to prepare for effective action to resist pay cuts and other attacks on the quality of employment, as well as to try to leverage agreement either locally or nationally.
“Accordingly, branches are requested to consult with section committees, workplace representatives and shop stewards to draw up plans for effective campaigns,” Mr O’Connor said.
The move by the country’s largest trade union followed warnings last week from IMPACT public sector leader Peter McLoone that any attempt to cut public service pay, conditions or staff numbers would be met with stiff opposition.
