THE senior shop steward at Packard has suggested that the 800 strong workforce meet to consider more militant action. Mr Liam Bernie said he was not hopeful that the workers would obtain the redundancy terms recommended by the Labour Court.
Packard has rejected the court recommendation, which added £2 million to the overall cost of the redundancy package the company had offered.
Asked if he was any more hopeful of the company accepting the Labour Court recommendation after meeting the Ministers, Mr Bernie said. "I am not hopeful we will get it peacefully." He would not say what action the workers might take.
A trade union delegation, including Mr Bernie, had earlier met the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, and the Minister of State at the
Department, Mr Pat Rabbitte.
They received commitments from both that the issue would be raised at the highest levels in Packard Electric and its parent company, General Motors. But they were pessimistic.
I can understand why workers are feeling angry," Mr Rabbitte said afterwards, "but it is important that wider negotiations which are going on [over the future of the plant] are not undermined."
He added that it was the "wish of the Government that this dispute be resolved with the minimum fuss. It is not the Government's wish to see open conflict between the workforce and General Motors."
On Monday the Opel Dealers Association obtained a High Court injunction preventing Packard workers from picketing car sales showrooms. These are a likely target for future protests. Workers appear resigned to the prospect of imprisonment if they defy the injunction.