Negotiation can resolve the ADM impasse

THE greater Cork harbour basin is home to many multinational companies. In the main, they tend to be pharmaceutical/chemical-based companies which have been enjoying industrial peace and harmony within their workforces for many a year.

This can be attributed to the good relations built over the years between employees, unions and management.

Employees within these industries embrace change, which is part of ongoing improvements in technology, new concepts, designs and training.

However, before implementation, these changes are discussed in full by the negotiating teams, and health and safety is of paramount importance in all circumstances.

Of course, some difficulties will arise. However, with common sense and goodwill, 90% of these situations are resolved internally. And if not, we have an excellent industrial relations process in which both sides can come together in an agreed environment to resolve their differences with the aid of industrial relations officers of the LRC and/or the Labour Court.

In December 2002 employees of ADM Cork, were congratulated for achieving production targets which were outside normal targets. Management thanked its workforce for their continued commitment towards the company in achieving their goals. Each employee received a gift from the company.

In January 2003, ADM shop stewards and union officials were called to a meeting with ADM management. Shop stewards were advised this was the start of 2003 wage talks.

They were met by warlords dressed in full battle gear (ADM management) insisting on changes in work practices without further discussion or third-party intervention.

Over the following months, several attempts were made by shop stewards and union officials to enter into a consultative process in order to resolve the impasse. Their attempts were met with silence.

On March 5, the general manager of ADM stood outside the entrance to the site preventing employees access to their jobs unless they accepted these changes unconditionally.

The actions of management resulted in the lockout at ADM which still exists today.

Employees have received no wages since March 5, ten weeks at this stage. What dark secrets lie behind these actions?

I ask the management of ADM to let common sense prevail and return to the negotiating table immediately.

Frank Fehily,

President,

SIPTU Cork No 2 Branch,

Connolly Hall,

Cork.