Management and unions at Guinness have welcomed an invitation by the Labour Relations Commission to participate in talks tomorrow on the company's plans to shed 290 jobs in Dundalk. "We have continuously indicated our interest in engaging in consultation and are very happy to go along," Mr Pat Barry, the Guinness corporate affairs spokes man said.
Workers' representatives on the Guinness joint union forum were also enthusiastic and sought to put the proposed closure by Guinness of Dundalk Packaging with the loss of 200 jobs and the shedding of 90 brewing jobs there in context.
The leader of the Guinness Staff Union, Mr Sean Mackle, called on the company to reconsider its priorities - the expenditure of £3 million in promoting the Witnness pop concert in Dublin at the weekend - as against savings of £2 million a year in Dundalk from its planned redundancy programme.
The GSU has about 1,000 members affected by the proposed redundancies, said Mr Mackle, including managers and clerical staff, brewers, engineers and sales personnel. The ATGWU, SIPTU, TEEU, AEEU and UCATT, which are also represented on the Guinness joint union forum, between them have about 800 members in these areas.
"We will be looking for the removal of the threat over Dundalk," said Mr Mackle, "and engaging in negotiations to examine the overall situation, and to see if management have a case to make." The joint forum is currently considering the balloting of union members on industrial action, and is recommending strike action or a series of one-day stoppages. The recommendation was a response to Guinness's initial refusal to enter into negotiations over the proposed loss of 100 jobs at the Harp brewery in Dundalk.
The unions maintain that an agreement reached with the company in April provided for 40 voluntary redundancies at the Dundalk plant and stipulated that brewing there would continue under newly agreed conditions. While that particular redundancy programme has been accepted, and is currently under way, the unions are determined to do everything to ensure that there are no involuntary job losses over and above what has been agreed.
The LRC initiative was welcomed yesterday by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, TD for the Louth constituency. He said: "I and my Louth Oireachtas colleagues had very much exhorted this type of procedure when we met with Guinness officials recently. I look forward to meaningful discussions at this forum."