Workers at Coca-Cola Ireland are picketing the company’s main distribution centres today over management’s decision to outsource 130 jobs.
Siptu said they were forced to take the action after bosses refused to discuss any alternative to the cost-cutting measure.
The trade union said the industrial action would continue until the company involves industrial relations troubleshooters to help resolve the dispute.
However, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland today urged Siptu to re-enter talks and end their strike, and said the action involved "a minority" of Coca-Cola HBC employees.
Gokhan Bilgic, managing director of CCBHC Ireland, said the strike was "regrettable" but that the decision to outsource the logistics operations "was in the best interests of the company and its employees".
“We would strongly urge the union to resume talks in order to reach mutual agreement on the redundancy package and the transition," he said.
"The company is, and has been, fully compliant with due process at all times and has offered a significant redundancy package or the option to transfer to the external logistic companies who will be carrying out the work from Sept 8th.”
He said Coca-Cola was "extremely surprised" by Siptu's claim that the company has been unwilling to engage in consultation regarding the outsourcing of its logistic operation.
In a statement, the company said the redundancy package being offered by the company is six weeks per year of service up to €125,000 or the option to transfer to third party logistic providers selected.
But union branch organiser John Dunne said: “Coca-Cola HBC has refused to engage in discussions at the Labour Relations Commission on the issues in dispute including any serious examination of an alternative to the planned outsourcing of these jobs.
“We will be placing pickets on Coca-Cola HBC depots in Tuam, Cork, Dublin, Waterford and Tipperary from 8am on Thursday unless the company agrees to use long-standing dispute resolution procedures, including the LRC and the Labour Court to resolve matters and reach an acceptable agreement.”
The pickets will be placed at Coca-Cola depots in the Ballycoolin Business Park, Cappagh Road, Dublin; Carrigrohane Road in Cork; the Galway Road, Tuam; and at shared depots in Waterford and Tipperary town.
Siptu served notice on bosses after talks at the Labour Relations Commission ended without agreement last week.
Coca-Cola HBC managing director Gokhan Bilgic said the strike would not affect business continuity.