Cadbury and Diageo warn of strike’s threat to jobs

DIAGEO and Cadbury, two of the country’s largest employers not directly involved in the electricians’ strike, have warned of the row’s knock-on effect on jobs.

Business lobby group IBEC claimed many companies hit by the stoppage of 10,500 electricians could force firms to cut production and jobs.

Last night, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan appealed to both sides in the dispute to come together, under the aegis of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), in the understanding that the economic climate had changed. “This is a very serious issue, happening at a time of unprecedented economic difficulties and serious job losses.”