FACTORY CLOSURE HARD TO SWALLOW
Union critical of food company for ‘persistent refusal to engage with the workers’ over past number of weeks
THE decision by The Authentic Food Company (TAFC) to cease production at their Dundalk facility and call in liquidators on Friday last was met with widespread criticism.
The UK company, which bought the former Heinz plant, has been criticised for its ‘persistent refusal to engage with the workers or their union over the past number of weeks’, according to trade union UNITE.
Up to 180 staff are now ‘in limbo’ with promises from the Department of Social Protection to expedite claims for unemployment support for the many staff impacted by the job losses.
THE Authentic Food Company (TAFC) have confirmed the closure of its Dundalk facility with the loss of up to 180 jobs.
Despite the speculation over recent weeks, the closure on Friday afternoon last came as a ‘ huge shock’ to staff, according to shop steward Ciaran Maguire.
Speaking to the Argus, he said workers were devastated at the loss of their jobs in the run up to Christmas.
‘It was a huge shock, some people just didn’t want to be believe it to be honest. We have no answers as to why this has happened, just excuse after excuse from the company.’
Ciaran, from Belfry, had been working at the former Heinz Plant for 25 years. He added that there were many more staff ‘who had been working there for a long time.’ Staff and their representatives are, he added ‘now fighting for severance packages and answers as to why this happened.’
In a statement on Friday afternoon, Nik Basran, managing director of The Authentic Food Company (AFC), said the firm have faced some ‘serious business challenges in recent months that have been specific to this site.’
‘While we have worked tirelessly to meet those challenges head on and carried out a comprehensive review of the business to try to find a way to make it profitable over the long term, unfortunately, that has not been possible,’ he said.
‘We have therefore had no option other than to close the Dundalk facility.’
The company had been making frozen ready meals for a number of supermarket chains.
In a letter to Louth TD Declan Breathnach, the firm gave some further insight into its reasons for closing the Dundalk plant.
‘In recent months, the business has operated in an extremely challenging environment. This summer’s hot weather, together with difficult trading conditions, including significant increases in raw material prices have all had a deeply negative impact on the long term viability of the Dundalk facility.’
Court appointed liquidators Deloitte LLP were called in on Friday to manage the closure of the plant.
Deputy Breathnach said ‘My thoughts go out to the workers, their families and all those affected by this devastating news this weekend. The impact of these job losses cannot be underestimated.
This plant has been a feature of the local community for quite some time and when taken over by Authentic Food Co it became an important employer in north Louth.’
‘I am calling on the Taoiseach and the Minister for Jobs, Heather Humphreys to set up specific supports and training for these workers. It is crucial that they are given every support necessary to retrain and apply for other jobs in our local community. These latest losses should act as a wake-up call for this Government. Sustainable investment is urgently needed beyond the M50 – not everyone can be expected to commute to the Capital for work,” he concluded.
Louth TD Gerry Adams added ‘It is extremely bad news for the 180 staff at The Authentic Food Company that operations are to cease at the Dundalk facility. I first wrote to the company on 21st September, asking them to clarify their future intentions following representations to my office from concerned staff. The company did not respond. These staff have been treated deplorably. They have been in limbo for the past month with no communication from the company. I have contacted Nik Basran, Managing Director, again today and asked that he meet with staff and offer them terms which reflect their commitment over many years.’
He added: ‘I understand that The Authentic Food Company is a profitable business. It should now offer optimum redundancy terms to its workforce in Dundalk.’
Dundalk TD Peter Fitzpatrick said he had met with management at the plant and raised concerns. He also raised the issue with government.
‘It’s come to the stage where it’s push or shove as far as the workers are concerned. The 170 workers who have given their loyalty and dedication for the last 25 years deserve answers from management as soon as possible.’