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Element 6 boss warning to staff on strike action
AS workers at troubled Shannon firm Element Six gave an overwhelming mandate in favour of industrial action, general manager Ken Sullivan has again appealed to the workforce not to take any action that might force the outright closure of the manufacturing operation.
Industrial action, Mr Sullivan has warned, could persuade the company to forge ahead with its original plan to shut production and distribution in Shannon with the loss of 370 jobs. A rescue plan agreed with Element Six chief executive and presented to the workforce will not be discussed until, according to SIPTU, the company "deals honestly" on improving the redundancy on offer to over 200 people who would still lose their jobs under the new plan.
One hundred per cent of TEEU members and 99 per cent of SIPTU members have backed industrial action to gain a better redundancy deal. While it has been improved from the initial offer put on the table three weeks ago, SIPTU regional secretary Pat Keane has said it doesn't go far enough.
"My members all have between 25 years and 35 years service with the company so that the shape of the redundancy package is immensely important to them, especially in the current jobs climate. It is time for the company to engage seriously," said Mr Keane.
"When it made its opening bid of 0.68 weeks per year of service, plus statutory entitlements, this was not much more than a quarter of the standard package they offered in five previous redundancy deals. Then, less than two weeks ago, they announced they could save an extra 163 jobs at the plant and could increase the redundancy fund from €6.5 million to €8 million."
SIPTU claims the 60 per cent clawback from the Government redundancy fund will amount to almost €2.9 million.
"In other words the Irish taxpayer will be bankrolling the operation for them."
"This company made an operating profit of US$564 million last year and yet it still wants to get rid of Irish workers on the cheap. We will not let this happen. We need some honest dealing if we are to resolve this dispute," Mr Keane said.
Mr Sullivan, however, has warned any escalation of the dispute will endanger the entire operation.
In response to the outcome of the ballot, he said:
"All of us working here in Shannon should show that we can agree on a plan that will sustain jobs here. Clearly, anything which disrupts operations can have no positive effect whatsoever.
"Again, I urge all involved to work together to save jobs, not take actions that can only endanger them," he said.
After staff were persuaded from staging a sit-in in recent days, Mr Sullivan also warned that any disruption to production would only harden the resolve of the Element Six executive to force through the original plan with the loss of 370 jobs.
Unions have also rejected a claim from management over an outbreak of "blue flu" among Element Six workers, where there has been an alleged rise in the number of uncertified sick days taken by staff.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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