Fears for Liebherr jobs as Siptu workers reject court recommendation

Workers at the Liebherr crane factory in Killarney, Co Kerry, were last night awaiting a reaction from the company after Siptu workers rejected a Labour Court recommendation on backpay.

Local politicians said everybody needed to “unite to safeguard” jobs at the company, which is one of Killarney’s most important employers.

About 300 Siptu members are in dispute with Liebherr and yesterday voted on the court’s recommendation that the company pay a 2.5% increase, backdated to May 2012. It is understood that 160 of the 265 members who voted said no.