Intel staff latest to suffer chill wind of recession as firm announces layoffs

INTEL STAFF became the latest group of workers to be faced by the waiting media following bad news when they left work yesterday evening.

The company has been linked with Leixlip since it opened a technology campus in the north Kildare village in 1989, and began production of motherboards and systems the following year.

Given the uncertainty about the job losses, workers leaving the non-unionised plant were reluctant to talk to the media. One man walking into work at 6.30pm said: “I don’t know anything. I’m just out of bed.”

But most people arrived and left in cars, highlighting the fact that many Intel staff live all over Leinster.

Some rolled up their windows when they saw the television cameras and shook their heads as they passed. “Nobody knows what’s going on, you know,” said one man. Asked if there was a sense of uncertainty about other jobs, he said: “Yeah, same with everybody I guess.”

Intel had been very good for Leixlip, said Vincent Sutton, managing editor of the Liffey Champion, which is based in the village.

“We have been hearing rumours since last week . . . that further redundancies were imminent,” Mr Sutton said.

“This latest announcement brings to over 500 the number of jobs lost at Intel this year.”

One man from Sligo leaving the plant had heard those rumours. “I think it’s been on the cards now . . . for a while,” he said.

Mr Sutton pointed out that the numbers on the local live register in nearby Maynooth had risen by 138 per cent in June, compared with the previous June, “and the fear is that it will get much worse before we see an improvement”.

He said Intel had played a positive role in the local community and, despite the job losses, he was confident it would continue to play that role.

People were clearly unhappy when some staff paused to talk to the media. Several cars beeped their horns impatiently as one motorist rolled down his window.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen next,” he said. “Nobody’s happy.”

But he added: “No, I’m not worried. We just keep our fingers crossed. Maybe by the end of the day the story might change.”

Another man leaving the plant said: “Sorry, I’m not allowed say anything.”

Asked what the atmosphere was like in the plant, he added: “Not too good at the moment.”