SIPTU, the main union at Irish ISPAT, the State's only steel-maker, has said there is serious concern about the future of the Cork plant.
ISPAT management has called for a 10 per cent reduction in basic pay for the 400 employees as well as a ban on overtime, up to 50 lay-offs, a week's reduction in paid leave and an increase in annual production from 350,000 to 420,000 tonnes. ISPAT has made it clear that unless the targets are reached, the plant will have no future.
SIPTU has asked management to announce its long-term plans to the workers by today and management has indicated it will respond.