SIPTU has said that the proposed outsourcing of Shannon Heritage DAC staff will result in redundancies at some of Ireland's most iconic tourist sites. Workers are still reeling from the announcement that Clare County Council intends to outsource the food and beverage, and retail jobs at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Craggaunowen and Knappogue Castle, and the retail unit at the Cliffs of Moher Experience. The union now says that this outsourcing will reduce the overall staff headcount by 30 percent, resulting in targeted redundancies at Shannon Heritage, and that workers have already been warned that their jobs are at risk. Rachel Keane, SIPTU Industrial Organiser, said: "Following the initial announcement by the company that it intends to outsource the retail, food and beverage departments, we are now aware that 18 workers received calls to attend individual follow-up meetings offsite on Tuesday, 21st November. "They were not advised of the nature of these meetings and did not have any union representation, yet they were told their role was at risk of redundancy. This is an appalling way to treat long-serving, loyal staff who welcomed the transfer of these iconic sites to Clare County Council. "Shannon Heritage DAC failed to advise SIPTU of any targeted redundancies and while we can identify 18 workers affected, there is no information on the extent of the company’s further plans. We have advised our members not to attend any further meetings without SIPTU representation. We have written to Shannon Heritage seeking an urgent meeting." Dolores Broderick, SIPTU shop steward, said: "We are distraught. We can’t believe that our colleagues, some of whom have over 30 years of service, would be treated in this manner. It now seems that all of the promises to develop the sites and increase jobs were a lie."
SIPTU members angry over threat to Shannon Heritage jobs
