C&C defends decision to cut at least 100 jobs in €15m cost-cutting drive

C&C is defending its decision to let more than 100 staff go at its bottling plant in Co Tipperary.

News broke this morning that management hope to save €15m each year by shutting two sites - its water-bottling one in Borrisoleigh, where 140 staff are employed, and its cider-making facility in Shepton Mallet, Somerset in the UK.

The shutting of both plants could see more than 260 job losses. It is believed that Borrisoleigh will retain some warehousing and storage facilities, with an as-yet unknown number of staff.

It is also reported that C&C may continue to pulp fruit at the Somerset plant. The pulp will be shipped to Clonmel, where all of the company's cider will be produced.

C&C claim its base in Clonmel will become the core manufacturing plant for both Bulmers cider and Tipperary Water.

It intends to invest more than €10m in the plant in a move which will create 80 new jobs.

However, it has not been confirmed whether those made redundant elsewhere will be able to automatically relocate to Clonmel to take advantage of the new jobs, if they wish to do so.

SIPTU organiser Terry Bryan, who is representing the workers, said they had been left in the dark.

"We're seeking an urgent meeting with management at both sites in Clonmel and Borrisoleigh to clarify for our members exactly what is going on here," he said.