Tag Archives: job losses

ALMOST 9,000 jobs in hospitality and tourism in Clare are at immediate risk, with the sector braced for what industry leaders are calling “an impending disaster”. While hotels and pubs serving food are set to re-open from next Monday, representative groups are concerned about the chances of salvaging the 2020 season. An industry briefing for Clare, prepared for the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), reveals that 8,800 jobs are at risk in 2020. The figure represents close to 75% of all jobs in the industry in Clare, and the same percentage of the total revenue the sector generates for the county. “Up until recently, tourism and hospitality across Clare supported 12,000 jobs and generated €266 in revenues annual for the local economy,” the IHF briefing stated. “We are now facing a deepening crisis with 8,800 tourism jobs at risk across Clare and local tourism revenues estimated to drop by €200 million as businesses fight for survival,” Responding to the figures, North …

MORE than 500 jobs have been lost at Molex in Shannon. Management held a meeting with staff this afternoon (Tuesday) where it was confirmed that the job losses would be effective from the first quarter of 2020. All jobs will be phased out next year. In a statement, the company said that “following a review of product lines manufactured at its facility in Shannon, Molex today (Tuesday) Molex has announced its intention to close that facility by the end of 2020, subject to an employee consultation process.’ “This decision in no way reflects on our Shannon employees, who have made an invaluable contribution to our business over many years,” the statement added. There will be more detail in Thursday’s print edition of The Clare Champion.

WHILE a document is going to Moneypoint workers with proposals for major cost cutting, union members at the plant are very likely to reject it. It is understood that a general meeting of staff, with union officials attending, took place at the plant last Friday. A substantial document has been completed but one worker said that its contents are “just sh*te” from an employee’s perspective and that workers will not accept its terms. A ballot is due to conclude by early September but it is expected that these initial proposals will be rejected comprehensively. One of the major flaws in it, from the workers’ perspective, is a perceived lack of clarity about how people would be selected for redundancy. The ESB plans to lay off around 106 workers later this year, retaining just 86. However, there are fears that under the current document, people who wish to stay could be made compulsorily redundant and people who would like to avail …

IN a statement issued today (Tuesday) The Clare People newspaper has announced that it has closed. Since it first published in June 2005 the newspaper had become an integral part of the media fabric of Clare. There was shock and sadness following the announcement, particularly relating to the loss of jobs. “Unfortunately our newspaper cannot continue to sustain the losses we have incurred in delivering a quality product to the people of Clare on a weekly basis in the face of consistently declining circulation and advertising revenues. As a consequence of the rapid impact of the internet and free online platforms, the marketplace for quality local newspapers has changed fundamentally,” the Clare People statement said.  “This is a sad day for staff and all who have been part of The Clare People journey. We are immensely proud of the contribution of all our journalists, photographers, sales and marketing teams, admin and office staff have made to our county, our culture …

MORE contractors are set to cease employment at Moneypoint within weeks and there are genuine fears that after their departure, permanent ESB staff will be the next targets. Councillor Ian Lynch said on Wednesday that he understood the remaining contractors are to leave at the end of this month. “I have spoken to a lot of people and I’m quite annoyed over the whole thing,” the Kilrush man said. He said that he believes management are looking to cut jobs now, but that Moneypoint will not be closing and in the future those who are let go will be replaced by lower paid workers. “Anyone who thinks that Moneypoint is going to be gone for the future is not with it, they have spent quite a lot of money in upgrading the emissions and that hasn’t paid for itself yet, so the facility will stay going until that’s paid for. They have now refurbished all three turbines, following the issues …

There will be no job losses in Roche’s manufacturing facility in the short term, despite yesterday’s confirmation of its shock closure over a three-year period. A company spokesperson has confirmed it is business as usual in Roche and stated there will be no redundancies before June 2016. After that time, in the event of a reduction in production of its products in its Clarecastle plant, the spokesperson explained the company would take another look at employment levels at that stage. Managing Director, Roche Ireland Limited, Gerry Cahill acknowledged Thursday was a very difficult day for all of its employees. “Clarecastle has been a significant and successful manufacturing site since 1974 and the proposal for Roche to exit the site is in no way a reflection on the performance of the people or the site. “We will do our utmost to support our colleagues during this transition,” he said. Roche has informed the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the IDA of …

Beckman Coulter, the biomedical testing company, has announced it is to close its Galway facility transferring production to other facilities, with the largest component moving to its plant in County Clare. The Galway facility, where Beckman Coulter have been operating for 42 years, employs 140 people. Between 70 and 80 of the jobs based in Galway are expected to transfer to Beckman Coulter’s facility in O’Callaghan’s Mills. In a statement issued by the company Beckman Coulter says it expects to offer incentives to encourage its existing associates to accept positions in Clare. “The Galway production will be phased out over the next 12 to 15 months and the facility is expected to close by the end of 2015,” a spokesperson for the company said. Beckman Coulter has been in County Clare for the past nine years, having acquired the diagnostics business of Olympus corporation. By Carol Byrne

SHANNON Free Zone is facing another jobs hit, with news on Thursday that electrical switchgear company  Kraus & Naimer will cease production at the end of January. It will result in 63 direct employees losing their jobs, as well as two contractors. There had already been a handful of redundancies there and staff had been on short time. It’s understood that many of the workers have long service behind them and that union officials came to the Shannon plant on Thursday to meet with management. Clare TD Timmy Dooley said he was sorry to hear of the jobs going.  “My initial reacion is that I’m very disappointed to hear of the jobs going. It’s a devastating blow to the workforce and my thoughts are with the people losing their jobs as Christmas approaches.” Local Councillor Sean McLoughlin also said it was a difficult time of year to be receiving the news. “It’s a big blow, particularly at this time of …