Our way or the highway, Element Six tells staff
MANAGEMENT at Element Six have said just two options now remain to employees and their respective unions: do they wish to lose all 370 jobs, or save 163 jobs?
The latter option, they pointed out, would also include a better redundancy package for 207 employees, than previously indicated.
A spokesperson for the company said there is now "a sense of urgency" in relation to third party talks surrounding the future of the troubled Shannon company, which appear to have reached a stand-off in recent days.
"The company has consistently said from the outset that it is willing to engage in third party discussions to save the jobs in Shannon," said the spokesperson.
However, he added that there appears to be "no great willingness" from the unions to negotiate.
Sources at the plant said "time is now running out" to address the matter, as the company's chief executive Cyrus Jilla said 10 days ago there was only a matter of weeks in which to resolve the dispute.
Some workers at the plant have been informed that they could be laid off in early to mid September.
Unions have warned, however, that the company will be issued with one week's notice of industrial action if it takes any steps to implement a redundancy package without agreement.
Earlier this week, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea urged all parties involved in the dispute to attend talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) "without any preconditions".
Minister O'Dea said he believes "there is everything to be gained" if both management and unions involve the LRC.
General manager of Element Six, Ken Sullivan said they are again requesting the Labour Relations Commission to facilitate discussions between management and SIPTU and the TEEU.
The unions have welcomed the move, but said the company must be in a position to negotiate on the redundancy package.
At present, the package stands at two and a half weeks' wages for every year of service, on top of the two-week statutory payment.
Yet, eight months ago 150 workers at the plant received substantially more - eight weeks for every year with the company.
Shannon and District Chamber said they are also hopeful of a positive outcome to the dialogue between parties at the company, formerly known as De Beers.
A negative outcome, however, could have long-term repercussions for Shannon and the country in general, according to Helen Downes, chief executive, Shannon and District Chamber of Commerce.
Ms Downes said the price of keeping the company in Shannon "may well mean new work practices and accepting things which would not have had to be considered some decades ago".
Some of these new work practices have been outlined in the company's survival plan for the Shannon plant, however the company has refused to comment on potential savings these plans would entail.
Ms Downes said the feelings of shock, aggrievance and anger at wage cuts and job losses are no doubt being felt by hundreds of thousands of people across the country.
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