Liebherr staff to vote on pay row in new year

Workers at the Liebherr crane factory in Killarney, Co Kerry, who are seeking clarification on Labour Court recommendations arising from a pay dispute, will vote on the vexed issue early in the new year.

Fri, 20 Dec, 2013 - 00:00

Donal Hickey

The dispute at the huge plant involves 300 Siptu members who have already staged a one-day, official strike but have lifted an overtime ban.

The Labour Court has recommended a 2.5% pay rise backdated almost two years.

Liebherr has said it is prepared to pay the increase, subject to changed work practices.

A statement from the firm — a multinational with 130 operations spread across all continents — that it is re-evaluating its dependency on the Killarney plant has led to fears locally that it could close an operation that has been running for 55 years.

The situation is delicately poised, at present, from an industrial relations viewpoint and Liebherr has declined to make any further statements.

Employment levels at the plant now stand at 670, the highest ever, and 150 additional people have been taken on in the past 18 months.

The plant has an annual wage bill of €40m, with further payments totalling €30m to other companies and suppliers.

Also, it has invested €50m in the Killarney operation in recent years, including €30m in a new, 17,000sq m production hall.