Independent workers to ballot today

Workers at Independent Newspaperswill ballot today on whether to take industrial action over the plan to outsource the work of 205 people.

Operations are to be shifted to Cork, Armagh and Hertforshire in England, and employees have been told that they have a choice between accepting the redundancy package offered by the company or taking statutory redundancy.

Arguing on behalf of the workers, SIPTU say they have been effectively bullied into taking the package on offer and that Independent Newspapersis in breach of the Sustaining Progress partnership agreement.

Independent Newspaperssays that 190 employees have accepted the redundancy package, leaving approximately 15 undecided.

460 union members are expected to ballot today but results are not expected until tomorrow morning.

As it stands, the remaining workers will be given statutory redundancy, if they have not come to a decision by Friday May 21st

A company spokesman told the Irish Timesthat the package on offer was a "very generous" one and ranged from €40,000 for an employee with short service to € 260,000 for a worker with 40 years service.

Also part of the package is an enhanced deferred pension and maintenance of life assurance cover.