SIPTU representatives have written to the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, demanding an urgent meeting to discuss the threat by the management of Coca-Cola to close its plant in Athy, County Kildare, with the loss of more than 80 jobs. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Michael Browne, said: “The announcement by the company at the beginning of this month that it intends to close its concentrate manufacturing plant in Athy and transfer production to its facility in Ballina, County Mayo, came as a complete shock to our members. “If implemented, this move will result in more than 80 jobs losses by December 2019 and have a devastating effect not only on those directly affected but the wider local economy in Athy.” He added: “We have written to the Minister outlining our members concerns about their livelihoods and the impact the closure would have on the local community. Our members have requested that the minister meet them, their union representatives and the management of Coca-Cola as a matter of urgency to discuss what can be done to save the plant. “She must also begin a process of examining all measures that can ensure that, whatever the outcome of talks on the plant’s future, alternatives can be found to avert the possible devastation of the local economy in Athy.”
SIPTU writes to Minister calling for action over closure threat to Athy Coca-Cola plant
