200 jobs to go at Co Louth firm

Bitech Engineering,a company which is part of the Glen Dimplex group, has announced it is to close its Co Louth facility with the loss of over 200 jobs.

Trade union Siptu expressed anger at the decision to close the Dunleer-based factory with regional organiser John King describing it as "devastating" both for employees and the wider community.

The closure comes after staff rejected a cost reduction programme late last year which would have led to a significant number of redundancies and a 20 per cent pay cut for the remainder of staff.

“The package in totality was unacceptable to the workers, who are already low paid, earning less than the average industrial wage while the Glen Dimplex Group is very profitable,” said Mr King.

Siptu is to meet with management at the facility later today.

Fine Gael said it would be extremely hard to find another employer to replace Bitech and called on the Government to intervene to ensure jobs are saved..

 "If Bitech does close, all State agencies must ensure that no effort is spared in finding an alternative employer. And in particular, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan should make sure that staff are able to avail of retraining and upskilling services in order to help them find another job.said the party's TD for Co Louth Fergus O'Dowd.