A STRIKE by production workers at Wellman International will not lead to immediate lay offs for the rest of the 500 staff. A company spokesman says clerical and administrative staff will continue working as normal for the moment.
Pickets were mounted by 260 SIPTU members on the Mullagh plant, Co Meath, at 8 a.m. yesterday. They are striking because of the company's decision to unilaterally introduce new work practices and to redeploy 35 production workers in the plant.
The SIPTU regional secretary, Mr Bob Brady, says the union is still available for talks. It was the company's refusal to enter new talks which has led to the strike.
However, the company says it has exhausted the negotiation process and has complied with a Labour Court recommendation drawn up to resolve the dispute. It says the changes are necessary to ensure the success of a £5 million investment plan and the continued competitiveness of the plant.
Wellman, a subsidiary of Wellman Incorporated, New Jersey, makes polyester and nylon staple fibres. It is one of the largest employers in the north east of the Republic.
There were no signs of an early intervention yesterday by the Labour Relations Commission or the Labour Court. It is widely expected that the strike will last well into August.