Union bosses quash down sizing rum ours

February 2005

UNION bosses have moved to quash rumours circulating about the imminent downsizing at the Glanbia plant at Inch, between Arklow and Gorey.

Negotiations on the matter of the plant’s future have been ongoing between Glanbia and SIPTU for the past five months.

Michael Wall of SIPTU said there was nothing to be worried about.

‘ These are normal standard talks on contracts of employments as we work on a modernisation agreement’, he said.

‘I would see these talks as positive and progressive. It’s just an updating of all existing agreements.

‘It happens in different industries at different times.’ He said that they have been reassured about the future of the employees.

‘We’re certainty upbeat about the future of Inch, because that’s what the company is telling us’, he concluded.

While Glanbia bosses were remaining tight lipped yesterday over the company’s plans for the yoghurt manufacturing plant, a spokesperson for the company confirmed that negotiations were scheduled to conclude on February 14.

News of an unofficial work to rule was reported in this paper last September.

However the spokesperson confirmed that this work to rule was over.

‘We can’t comment on any rumours’, she added. ‘Such speculation is not helpful at the present time.’