SIPTU representatives are expected to meet Braun Ireland management today in a bid to resolve a dispute which resulted in the issuing of protective notice to about 600 workers in the Carlow factory yesterday. Alison Healy reports.
The factory, which makes electrical and hair care products, is the largest private sector employer in Carlow town, employing about 700 people.
Braun established its Irish operation almost 30 years ago and employed 1,400 people at its peak. The company occupies a landmark site in Carlow.
The protective notice was issued to staff in the industrial and technical area yesterday, following a dispute with SIPTU over redundancy terms.
In a statement issued yesterday, Braun Ireland said it was placing its industrial and technical workforce on protective notice "resulting from an unofficial ban on overtime endorsed by SIPTU".
The statement referred to the dispute between the company and the union over redundancy terms and said the grievance resolution steps had not been exhausted before the unofficial overtime ban was initiated.
"Management have stated their readiness to resume discussions with SIPTU representatives upon the ban being lifted, and in the event that the discussions are inconclusive, the matter to be referred to the Labour Court. This offer has been rejected by SIPTU representatives."
However, yesterday evening SIPTU's Carlow branch secretary, Mr Michael Browne, said the union was entering discussions with Braun Ireland and was hopeful that a resolution could be found.
Braun Ireland is part of Gillette since 1967. During recent job losses, the company blamed the global economic downturn and the availability of cheaper labour in eastern Europe for its decision to shed jobs here.
Carlow Chamber of Commerce has expressed its concern about the issuing of protective notice but stressed that no job losses had been announced yet.
Ms Jacqui McNabb, the chamber's chief executive, said the factory was crucially important to the area as it generated €300,000 in wages alone every week.
There had been "vast growth" in Carlow's retail sector in recent years so the area was hugely dependent on a manufacturing base to generate revenue for spending in these outlets.
Any loss of jobs in Braun would affect the entire south-east, Ms McNabb said, as it attracted workers from four neighbouring counties.
A new 70-acre business and technology park was completed in Carlow during the summer and is awaiting investors, but Braun would always be the flagship factory in Carlow, Ms McNabb said.
Meanwhile, local Labour Party deputy, Mr Jack Wall, called on the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, to take immediate action to avert the threat to jobs in Braun.
"For once, the Tánaiste has been given sufficient time to intervene on behalf of these workers. This announcement is devastating news for Carlow and South Kildare," he said.
Mr Wall said the employment crisis in the east midlands had continued to escalate "while the Government continues to sit back and ignore the problem. The Tánaiste has proved unwilling and unable to respond to recent losses, but now has been given time to come-up with a rescue plan for the area".
He called on Ms Harney to initiate a targeted job creation programme for the region to counter the impact of the losses.
"The situation has gone beyond the need to set up a task force. It demands fresh initiatives from the Tánaiste to spearhead job creation in the area," Mr Wall said.