Waterford Crystal has refused to comment on reports that it is to close its operations in Waterford City and Dungaravan for a week as part of a cost-saving measure.
Management and unions at the company are meeting to consider ways of reducing costs because of the downturn in the US economy.
Closing the two plants for a period of five days is among the measures being considered, it emerged today. If agreed, over 1,600 workers could be without pay for a period of one week.
The plants may close as early as next Monday with operations resuming on October 22nd. A company spokesman said he could neither confirm or deny reports that the plants would close.
Staff at Waterford Crystal reacted angrily last month to confirmation that short-time working was to be introduced at the company because of the slowdown in the US.
Union officials described the move as short-term and designed to match supply with reduced demand for its products, but said it could not predict the effect on the company's operations of the September 11th attack on the World Trade Centre in New York.
However management has said the move would have been necessary regardless of the New York attacks.
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