Hopes of averting next week's strike at Guinness Ireland Group rose yesterday when members of the company's staff union opted for a negotiated settlement. However, workers in other unions are still expected to vote for strike action today to prevent the closure of the Dundalk packaging plant, with the loss of 140 jobs.
The Guinness Staff Union is the largest in the company. According to its general secretary, Mr Sean Mackell, 87 per cent of members voted for a negotiated settlement and only 13 per cent voted for strike action.
Mr Mackell said his union would now begin negotiations with Guinness to secure the best deal for staff in Dundalk
However, the remaining 40 per cent of the workforce is expected to vote for strike action. The SIPTU national industrial secretary, Mr John Kane, said yesterday the strike would become necessary only if the company persisted in its plans to close the Dundalk plant.