Union working to minimise redundancies
THE union representing the majority of workers at the Coca-Cola site at Lisburn, Usdaw, has held ‘constructive’ talks with management after the company announced a 30 day consultation period over proposals to outsource distribution at the bottling plant.
Up to 90 jobs were thought to be at risk at the Knockmore plant following a company-wide restructuring exercise. Usdaw’s Northern Ireland area organiser Kieran Smyth said: “We’re working hard to minimise the number of compulsory redundancies. I’ve met with the Usdaw reps and management on site and we’re hopeful we can find ways to mitigate the number of job losses. Some staff may transfer under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) regulations to the new distribution company and we’re exploring ways of redeploying other staff.
“These constructive talks have already gone some way to reducing the headline figure of 90 and I’m hopeful over the next week or two more progress will be made.”