Talks over job cuts at Limerick car parts manufacturer scheduled for next month

UNION representatives are to sit down with management at automotive parts manufacturer Kostal next month to discuss plans to cut up to half its workforce in Abbeyfeale.

There are fears that 200 jobs out of the 400 on site in the town on the Limerick-Kerry border could go, as Kostal, the German parts manufacturer transfers a key production line to China.

Following the news, which emerged last month, Siptu representatives held talks on site in Abbeyfeale late last week.

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There’s been no further development since then, with Government not yet notified of any job losses.

In situations where there are widespread redundancies, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, need to be formally informed.

Siptu organiser Rory Hawkins confirmed a meeting was held on Thursday, October 9 last.

“There is no news yet. Kostal are still in talks with clients. They cannot commit to the line overseas until they have agreement with these clients,” he said.

A further meeting is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 7.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Kostal has been present in Ireland since 1981 and remains committed to acting in a fair, balanced and constructive way as the company navigates the current challenges facing the automotive industry.”

Sinn Fein Senator Joanne Collins said Government need to step up its efforts to help staff facing redundancy.

“A lot of the workers in there would have gone straight into Kostal from secondary school. That’s the way it was done in the 1980s. Sixteen and 17-year-olds wouldn’t have known anything else. They wouldn’t have done an interview in 40 years.” she said.