90 jobs under threat at Cola-Cola in Lisburn

Staff were told on Monday afternoon that 90 of the 450 posts in production, engineering and distribution were under threat and the company was beginning a a 30 day consultation period.

It is understood union representatives will meet with the company some time this week.

Lisburn Councillor Stephen Martin said: “This news has come as a bolt out of the blue. Coca-Cola has always been viewed in Lisburn as one of our leading employers having taken a very active role in the community.

“The news that the company is to undergo a major restructuring exercise is yet a further example of the impact of the global economic situation on our local economy.

“The conventional wisdom has been that we can produce and manufacture our way out of the recession but here we stand on the verge of losing a huge number of established jobs with one such key employer.

“We have got to look at ways in which we can work with Coca-Cola to lessen the impact of these job losses.

“The 30-day consultation period within the company, while a commercial decision, gives no real time to allow for alternative solutions to be worked out or for staff to come to terms for the changes that lie ahead. The impact on staff cannot be underestimated.

“What is important now is that those impacted by the decision are given all the support they need.”

The company moved to new premises at Lissue three years ago after combining their operations from both sides of the border at one site.