SIPTU members at the Bausch and Lomb plant in Waterford have welcomed the unveiling of an extension to the facility which it is anticipated will secure its operation into the future. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Alan O’Leary, said: “Our members welcome the unveiling of the new extension and confirmation that the Bausch and Lomb parent company, Valeant, has invested €200 million in the Waterford plant since 2014. “In 2014, our members in the plant faced its threatened closure with the potential loss of 1,200 jobs. In response they took the very tough decision to accept reductions in their pay and conditions of employment in order to secure the long-term future of the plant. A pay restoration agreement, that will restore the pay cuts they endured, was subsequently accepted overwhelmingly by our members in December 2016. He added: “A key goal for the union in reaching both negotiated agreements in 2014 and 2016 was that the parent company Valeant would invest in existing jobs and in extending production facilities at the Waterford site. Valeant has now delivered on these commitments.” SIPTU Organiser, Allen Dillon, said: “The last few years have been very difficult for our members in Bausch and Lomb in Waterford and their families. However, with the Valeant investment and its creation of a further 300 jobs over the past three years the future now looks more secure for our members. This investment is very important to the plant workers, the local community in Waterford and the wider economy of the South East of the country.”
SIPTU welcomes extension of Bausch and Lomb plant in Waterford
