Remaining Crystal workers on notice

THE bulk of the remaining 176 staff at Waterford Crystal have been given 30 days’ notice of redundancy.

Following a sit-in last April, Waterford Crystal workers voted in favour of a package that saved 176 jobs the Kilbarry plant for a six-month agreement.

According to union Unite, staff started receiving letters on Tuesday notifying them that they were to lose their jobs from August 26.

One former worker yesterday described the news as “the end of an era” for crystal manufacturing in Waterford. The only people who will remain will be workers from the visitors’ centre.

Discussions continue on a plan which could see investment to have some production of Waterford Crystal at some point in the future.

Meanwhile, as Coca-Cola distribution workers prepare to strike across the country this morning, their union has written to a number of companies warning them not to take on the staff on lesser terms and conditions.

The drinks manufacturer wants to outsource or make redundant 130 logistics staff.

According to SIPTU, a number of transport companies have written to some union members telling them it will take them on, but on conditions inferior to those that they currently have.

SIPTU branch organiser John Dunne has written to those companies telling them: “The European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations require the transferee to observe the terms and conditions of employment of our members as part of the regulation.

“As this union has collective agreement with Coca-Cola HBC Ireland, the terms of that agreement are also protected under the above regulations. The changes you have outlined to our members in their terms and conditions are unacceptable and contrary to the protection of the transfer regulations.”

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola said it is “disappointed” by a claim made by SIPTU that the company is unwilling to engage in consultation regarding the outsourcing of its logistic operation.

Gokhan Bilgic, managing director, said: “We entered into immediate consultation with our employees and trade union representatives at the start of June and, at the union’s request, a number of alternative options to full outsourcing were examined and analysed to determine if a suitable alternative existed.”