There is still uncertainty this afternoon over the future of jobs at Monaghan Poultry after the Department of Agriculture re-imposed a suspension on the plant’s licence to operate.
SIPTU's Monaghan branch secretary Mr Jim Mullary told ireland.com today the union was worried about the 300 jobs at the plant and said the indications were that unless the company meets Department requirements the licence won't be restored.
He said at a meeting this lunchtime with management the company was waiting on notification from the Department as to when and if the licence would be restored.
The union is due to meet with management again later today. Mr Mullary said the situation centered on the restoration of the licence and if it is not forthcoming there were real fears about job losses.
Earlier Mr Mullary said the union was prepared to take an active role in ensuring that the plant resumes operation and would make clear to management its responsibility to put everything in order.
On Monday the Department suspended the licence after it discovered that the plant was in breach of meat hygiene regulations governing food for human consumption.
The plant was then re-opened on a trial basis on Wednesday to see if the company could comply with Department requirements. However, the suspension was re-imposed again last night.
Mr Mullary also said there were worries about the impact of the suspension on the company’s customer base, and said staff may suffer some financial loss due to the suspension.
The plant process 180,000 chickens per week and in addition to the 300 people working there, 50 farmers involved in chicken and egg production are dependent on the company.