More than 1,600 Fruit of the Loom workers have signed a petition urging the US multinational not to remove three of its Irish directors, including managing director, Mr Willie McCarter. The petition, signed by around half of the company's Irish workforce, has been faxed directly to the group chairman and chief executive, Mr Bill Farley.

In the letter, the workers "respectfully request" that Mr Farley reconsider the decision of May 29th to remove Mr Willie McCarter, Mr John McCarter and Mr Seamus McEleney from the company.

The employees added that they were "deeply saddened" that events have had such a "tragic outcome" but are aware of the global pressures that continually affect the company.

The letter continues: "However, we do feel that, as most of us have worked nearly half of our working lives with these people, it is incumbent upon us to urge you to review that decision."

The workers stressed that they were "proud" to work for Fruit of the Loom, attributing its success to date to both their hard work and the vision shown by Mr Farley and its senior Irish management team. "People's hopes within our small community have been dealt a severe blow and we feel that if there is any possibility of reinstatement it would go a long way to restoring that much needed hope," the letter continues.

The workers stated that they have all given their unquestioned loyalty to the company in the past and will continue to do so without question in the future. In view of the "seriousness" of the situation and the "deep seated anxiety" among the workforce, they have urged Mr Farley to reply promptly to their request.

A spokesman for Fruit of the Loom said yesterday that the company will not be making any further statement on the management changes underway until the challenge to the three redundancies which is before the Dublin High Court is settled.

The three directors' application for an injunction to block their threatened redundancy is due to be heard in court next Wednesday unless a settlement is accepted before then. Meanwhile, the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, will meet the Fruit of the Loom chief executive officer, Mr Dick Lappin, in Chicago on Monday. The meeting has been planned for some time as part of the Tanaiste's visit to the US.