Intel workers angry about planned shift work changes

There were angry scenes and tears at Intel's assembly plant in Leixlip yesterday, as workers were briefed on the company's restructuring plans. Under the new arrangement, assembly operations - where 750 people are employed - will gradually be phased out and workers will be re-deployed to a new production process.

Workers were initially told the change would take place within the next 12 months, but it has now emerged the process will begin in a matter of weeks. Under the new plan, workers will be required to change from a fixed pattern of either day or night shifts to a mix of day and night shifts in which they will initially work four nights, followed by four days for a six-month period.

Industry sources have said those affected will receive no extra pay apart from the standard night work premium. Workers have also been told that if the new arrangement does not suit them, they will have to leave the company without redundancy payment.

All of the 750 workers have been with Intel at least four-and-ahalf years, and a significant proportion are mothers. According to one source close to the company: "People are just stunned because it's a whole change of life. People have their entire lives planned around the fixed shifts, only to be told either go on the new rota or tough."

Intel workers are now understood to be seeking official advice on their position. Although the company does not recognise unions, it has a number of SIPTU members among its workforce. One industry source says Intel has put the workers in an impossible position, and they would welcome the intervention of the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Ms Harney, to put the employees' case forward.

A spokesman for Intel said it recognised there would be change in shift patterns, and a "transition team" would be set up to manage the transfer process beginning next week. "Where people identify they will be unable to make the transition, they have been encouraged to talk to their supervisor about their position," he said. "We have 18 months to work this all out."

He refused to comment on the issue of redundancy or remuneration, only to say there will be a one-to-one transfer of jobs within the same grade.

Intel is one of the largest employers in the country, currently employing 4,100 people. It is investing £300 million (€380.92 million) in the shift to more sophisticated microchip technology which will allow it to produce greater volumes of higher-performance chips at lower cost. It is expected to reach the market next year.