Discussions resume on Element 6 survival plan

Discussions on a rescue plan for the troubled Shannon-based company Element Six have resumed this morning.

The Unite trade union has agreed to meet management to discuss the plan, which would prevent the loss of 163 jobs at the industrial diamond manufacturer.

However, SIPTU is refusing to re-enter negotiations on the plan until an improved redundancy package is offered to workers who will still lose their jobs.

More than 170 workers staged a lunchtime protest at the plant yesterday after bosses wrote to them saying the plant is edging closer to being shut down.