Bad news for workers at Waterford Crystal as jobs are to go despite growing profits at the company.
Waterford Crystal has announced that 234 people are to lose their jobs as part of cost cutting plan for the company. Management say that the job cuts are needed if the company is to remain competitive. Trade unions say that the plan has yet to be agreed with the workers.
As the bad news was announced inside the factory, tourists continued to flock to the visitor centre. Visitor numbers are up three per cent on last year.
According to Waterford Crystal, 129 people employed on a contract basis will be laid off. Trade Unions say that many of these workers are on contracts ranging from one to six years or more and are in fact full-time employees. A further 105 voluntary redundancies will be sought from permanent staff.
John Foley of Waterford Crystal defended the decision saying that the company had to keep costs under control in order to remain competitive in an international market. Waterford Crystal also plans to save €5 million by introducing a pay freeze. Shop stewards at the factory have spent the morning discussing the proposals set forth by management. Sean Kelly regional organiser, with ATGWU, says that negotiations with the company will commence next Tuesday. Chief shop steward Jimmy Kelly said that the company will announce profits for last year at the AGM due to take place on 31 July.
The workers at Waterford Crystal made those profits and we think that it's a disgrace that this proposal is coming to reduce the jobs.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 July 2003. The reporter is Damien Tiernan.
