SIPTU seeks all-out picket of Coca-Cola as dispute intensifies

SIPTU has sought permission from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for an all-out picket of Coca-Cola’s operations across the country over the ongoing seven-week dispute between the company and former workers.

The union’s president Jack O’Connor has also sought the intervention of the National Implementation Body over the company’s decision to outsource or make redundant 130 of its distribution staff.

Yesterday, the company claimed SIPTU had rejected a “very substantial” redundancy package for the affected staff, with an average of €90,000 per person. It said the maximum pay-out offered was €180,000.