BASTA JOB LOSSES ‘A HAMMER BLOW’
THE loss of 48 jobs at the iconic BASTA factory in Tubbercurry has been described as a hammer blow for the South Sligo town.
The factory, which has been operating since 1955, shut its doors for the last time last Thursday.
Standing orders at the monthly meeting of Sligo County Council on Monday were suspended to discuss the job losses.
Independent Councillor Margaret Gormley said that while a number of jobs were lost at the factory in October, last Thursday’s announcement was the “hammer coming down”.
“The final blow came last Thursday when the hammer came down and the door was closed, and the famous factory is no more.
“This is another blow for Tubbercurry and my thoughts are with those who lost their jobs.”
Cllr Gormley said this shocking news came after the loss of 100 government jobs from the town and the transfer of 55 jobs from Tubbercurry to Sligo and the loss of jobs in Aurivo.
“Basta came to Tubbercurry in 1955 and was established by the Gallagher family and gave great employment to many families in that area and surrounding areas.
“It made hinges and locks and the brand was known all over the world,” she said.
Cllr Gormley said it was “now important that a replacement industry is found for the workers”.
She proposed a motion calling on the relevant Minister Heather Humphreys to ensure that those lost jobs are regained and to give help and support to find a replacement industry.
She hoped the Minister would work closely with the IDA to ensure that Tubbercurry got a replacement industry.
“This is a body blow for Tubbercurry and I am calling on all our public representatives to put their shoulder to the wheel and ensure we have that replacement.
In seconding the motion Independent Councillor Michael Clarke said it was a “sad day for rural Ireland and a total of 200 jobs had now gone from Tubbercurry in recent times.”
He added: “The government will need to sit up and see that rural Ireland is dying.”
Acting Chairperson Fianna Fail’s Paul Taylor, who agreed to a suspension of standing orders to allow councillors discuss the motion, said some members of his family had worked in Basta.
He said the community in Tubbecurry had worked so hard to develop the town and it was now time to bring it back from the brink.
“Generations of my own family have worked in Basta.
“The loss of 48 jobs in Tubbercurry would be the equivalent of several thousands of jobs in Dublin”.
Cllr Taylor said Tubbercurry and Sligo were treated the same when it came to paying taxes, but we don’t compare “at times like this”.
“It is beyond belief that this can happen,” he said.
Cllr Gormley’s motion was passed unanimously.