Some 27 workers at the Fermoy, Co Cork, branch of one of the State's largest builders' providers and timber importers are to lose their jobs at the end of next month. Olivia Kelly reports.
The workers at ITEC, a McMahon Group company which manufactures roof trusses and timber frames for the construction industry, were told last Friday that they were to be made redundant.
Redundancy package negotiations began yesterday, but foundered almost immediately when, according to SIPTU, which represents the workers, an offer of only a statutory redundancy payment was made.
"Ten minutes after the meeting started we were told that the offer was statutory redundancy and it was non-negotiable," local SIPTU branch secretary, Mr John Cooney, said. "This is not a company going broke, it's a company that has money. The site in Fermoy alone would be worth a fortune. We don't accept that they can't afford it."
Mr Cooney said he contacted the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) directly after the meeting and is seeking an emergency hearing at the earliest possible date.
"The fact that they are taking a 'no negotiations' stance has really angered us." Mr Cooney added that he hoped for a response from the LRC later today.
The group's human resources manager, Mr Tony Delaney, said ITEC had run into financial difficulties which had forced its closure.
"As a result of indirect and direct costs, the closure has been forced upon us by the industry through increased insurance, manufacturing costs and increased competition."
Mr Delaney would not confirm what redundancy offer had been made to the workers, some of whom have been working at the Fermoy plant for more than 30 years. The company was entering into negotiations through the LRC, he said. "We are following due process, and because negotiations are ongoing, that is all we can say at the moment."