SIPTU representatives to meet Novartis management today to discuss threatened job cuts

SIPTU representatives and senior management of pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novartis, will meet today (Thursday, 24thOctober) following the announcement by the company of major job cuts at its plant in Ringaskiddy, county Cork. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Alan O’Leary, said: “Following the announcement yesterday by Novartis of up to 320 job losses at the Ringaskiddy plant, SIPTU sought an urgent meeting with management. “Union representatives and senior management will meet today to discuss the planned job cuts. The announcement yesterday came as a complete shock to the community in the Ringaskiddy and Carrigaline area. It was a very difficult day for hundreds of workers employed in Novartis and their families.” He added: “At the meeting today union representatives will be seeking specific details concerning the rationale around the devastating decision to cut up to 320 quality manufacturing jobs.”  SIPTU Organiser, Allen Dillon, said: “We have been advised that there will be no job losses at the plant this year.  Union representatives will be actively seeking alternative options in order to minimise these dramatic cuts and engaging extensively with Novartis management to try to provide more certainty of employment for our members.”