SIPTU representatives have met management at the Leprino cheese plant in Co Laois which is set for closure next year.
The American dairy products company announced yesterday it will close the Portlaoise plant in the second half of 2026.
132 people work at the facility which produces mozzarella and string cheese.
The company said the plant has not been profitable and it took the "difficult but necessary" decision to shut it down.
Leprino plans to move its production to its other facilities in Magheralin Co Down and Llangefni in Wales.
The company also said it will continue to explore opportunities for the Portlaoise site with any potentially interested third parties.
"We understand the impact this announcement will have on our colleagues, their families, and the local community," Paul Vernon, the chief executive of Leprino Europe, said.
"We want to express our sincere gratitude to the talented team at Portlaoise. This decision does not lessen the value of their hard work or contributions," he added.
One of the largest producers of mozzarella cheese in the world, Leprino also supplies lactose, whey protein, micellar casein, and sweet whey.
It employs more than 5,500 people worldwide and has global sales in 79 countries.
'State of shock'
SIPTU organiser in the Agri-Food & Drink sector Terry Bryan said he could not understand the decision to close the facility.
"It's my understanding that this facility cost approximately €140 million to build, and there's been further investment in it since, as I say, it is state of the art, and it is really a difficult decision to comprehend, with that type of investment and the highly skilled and committed workforce," Mr Bryan said.
"It's our intention over the coming weeks to continue to engage with the company on an ongoing basis, whereby our priority will be to try and explore all alternatives with the company, with a view to not only saving jobs, but also as well, to reach an agreement with the company that is satisfactory," Mr Bryan said
He said many workers are still reeling following yesterday's announcement.
"This announcement came out of the blue, so the workers are still in a state of shock. It's just a case of really trying to absorb the announcement that has been made and then to, you know, engage with the company in a meaningful way over the coming weeks to see, can we find all alternatives that could be looked at," Mr Bryan added.
CEO of the Laois Chamber Alliance Jackie Carroll said she is "absolutely flabbergasted" by the decision to close the plant.
Ms Carroll said the news has also come as a shock to the 130 workers at the state-of-the-art facility, which opened less than five years ago.
She called on the Government and state agencies to respond quickly.
