Fears emerge for Waterford jobs after workers told shift work to finish

THERE WAS concern last night that more jobs would be lost in Waterford after management at one of the biggest pharmaceutical plants in the city told workers not to turn out for shift work last night.

Staff at Teva, a pharmaceutical company on the IDA industrial estate and owned by an Israeli consortium, were yesterday told not to turn in for work today.

Teva, which operates as IVAX, is a manufacturer of inhalers and tablets for conditions such as asthma. Workers at the plant, which employs about 730 people, were told to attend a meeting with management this morning.

This follows news that more than 125 jobs are under threat in the midlands. Some 50 jobs are to be lost at Banagher Concrete Ltd, the largest employer in the Co Offaly town.

“It’s 50 more jobs gone and 50 less wage packets in circulation. And as well as that we have all the subsidiary companies. There is a huge circle of spin-off involved,” local Cllr Connie Hanniffy (FG) said.

Banagher Concrete employed more than 400 at the height of production. The latest layoffs will mean less then 100 workers remaining at the factory.

Fine Gael Laois Offaly TD Olwyn Enright described the job losses as a “hammer blow” for the region.

Some 16 jobs have been also lost at the Morrison Utilities company due to the loss of a contract, Ms Enright said.

Up to 60 mail processing jobs are under threat at the An Post parcel depot in Portlaoise. Staff were briefed yesterday. An Post said it had lost a large contract to another supplier.

It is in negotiations with the Communications Workers’ Union about the options. However, an An Post spokeswoman said it “was not in a position to carry surplus staff”.

Meanwhile, seven jobs are to go at the Connaught Telegraph in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Founded in 1828, it is among the oldest provincial newspapers in the country. Pay cuts are also being implemented for remaining staff, in the printing department, newsroom, administration and a retail outlet.