CADBURYS JOB LOSSES A HUGE SHOCK FOR WORKFORCE - KENNY

Posted on March 3, 2015 6:05 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Dublin Bay North Labour TD Sean Kenny has expressed concern during a debate in the Dail at the recent news of job losses announced at Cadbury's in Coolock.

"News of these job losses has been a shocking bombshell which has come out of the blue to the workforce in Coolock. It is predicted that somewhere between 90 and 110 people will lose their jobs. For the workers who will be selected for redundancy it will be a dark day when this happens."

"For many years Cadburys in Coolock was an iconic brand and a provided good employment on the Northside of Dublin. They were taken over by Mondelez which part of the food multinational KRAFT. The workforce in Cadburys/Mondelez have given sterling service to the company over the years and it is very galling for them to learn that their jobs will be gone when the lines that they currently produce will be transferred to Poland where there are lower wage costs. This fact has added to their anger and to that of the colleagues in Tallaght and Rathmore also."

"There is concern also that Mondelez are planning to restructure existing terms and conditions of employment and number of shifts with 12 lines being consolidated into 6 lines. Paradoxically all of this is happening after a recent announcement that €12m was being invested in the Coolock plant."

"Furthermore, concern has been expressed to me regarding the future of the Cadburys pension fund and the position of retired workers currently in receipt of a pension from the pension fund. I understand that their position is not secure under the TUPE legislation and I would like the Minister to clarify this."

"I understand the unions representing the workforce met with Mondelez management yesterday and that further talks are planned. It is imperative that workers who lose their jobs are able to undergo retraining and reskilling to get them into a position where they can move on to other jobs."