SIPTU and management in the O'Reilly's Bookbinders dispute are to meet the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) tomorrow afternoon to discuss the findings of the assessor with regard to the future of the company.
The 14-strong workforce of the Wicklow company have staged a sit-in at the company's premises for the past three weeks in protest against the potential closure of the facility. The company has proposed to relocate its business to the Czech Republic, claiming insolvency.
The company which carries out the binding of journals, documents and reports has been based in Wicklow for almost 30 years. Customers of O'Reilly Bookbinders include several Government departments, local authorities and a number of universities and libraries around the country.
According to a SIPTU spokesman, the company was bought by Dunne and Wilson Ireland Ltd approximately four and a half years ago; two and a half years ago the premises was sold to the Wicklow County Enterprise Board whilst the business operations were sold to Dunne and Wilson Group Ltd.
According to a statement issued this afternoon by SIPTU, The LRC-appointed assessor, Brian Aylward, sent his report to SIPTU this morning, outlining four options which include an injection of capital from the company.
However the company has already almost exhausted its overdraft facilities, is running up rent and wage bills of €30,000 a month and will have to find new premises to continue operations.
The assessor also suggests a buyout by the employees, a buy-in by external parties and finally, liquidation or receivership.
The organiser of the Irish Print Group division within SIPTU, Shane McKean, said today that the only realistic option was the last one. "I will be seeking the co-operation of the company in putting O'Reilly Bookbinders in receivership," said Mr McKean.
"The sooner we can do this the better, for all concerned."