IN a letter to Element Six staff this week, the company’s CEO, Cyrus Jilla, warned that there is a need for speedy action on the implementation of the sustainability plan. “I believe there are many of you who wish to discuss the plan, want to see it successful and want to maintain an attractive job at Element Six in Shannon for many years.
“For whatever reason, a vocal minority of you and some of your union representatives have slowed down this process at every juncture,” he claimed.

He also said that dragging things out wouldn’t help anyone.
“I wish that we did not have to close the operations. I was excited when the plan emerged as a way to save jobs in a sustainable way. So I’m amazed that some of you, including at least one of your union representatives, seem to think that stringing out the process will improve the package without any consideration for saving jobs.
“Some of you must think that simply ignoring the plan will work as a tactic or that we need Shannon and won’t close. Quite the opposite is true. A longer process reduces our affordability of any package even further and increases the likelihood that we are forced to closed.
“I am also extremely worried about the uncertainty you must all feel. We all need this resolved quickly so you understand your future and can get on with your lives.”
Progress needs to be made in advance of the Labour Court hearing later this month, he said.
“We need engagement now prior to the Labour Court hearing on the terms of the plan. Given our financial circumstances, we have a deadline of the end of this month for all matters to have been fully resolved regarding the plan. Given a Labour Court hearing of September 17, we are all running out of time.
“If there has been no discussion of the terms of the plan beforehand we may have to revert to 50% short-time across the operations post the hearing, given our financial position.
“In addition, we will begin to enact our contingency plan as necessary. If we reach the end of the month without complete resolution on the plan and the package, we will have no choice but to wind down operations completely.”
Mr Jilla concluded with an appeal for prompt action.
“It’s up to you. Do you want the 163 jobs on offer, or do you want closure and a much lower package for everyone? Let’s engage quickly on the plan now, so we are prepared as the Labour Court state their recommendation regarding the package. Otherwise, whatever their recommendation, I fear we will run out of time to pursue the sustainability plan, even if we all consider it the best way forward.”
One worker at Element Six said he wasn’t happy with the letter.
“It’s being seen here as another attempt to turn up the heat. They want talks to take place before the Labour Court date on the new terms and conditions. I’d expect that there will be discussions about having those talks in the next few days.
“Everyone is working away here but they don’t understand what the big rush is from the company. In Waterford a company is closing but they’re winding it down over a year; here they want everything done in two weeks.”
It’s understood that a number of workers at Element Six have recently joined the Unite trade union. Up until now, the TEEU and SIPTU were by far the most significant unions at the plant.