Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said news that Three Ireland may cut up to 150 jobs will come as a “significant concern to workers” and called on the company to engage with employees and their representatives in a bid to avert collective redundancies.
 
Chairman of the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade, and Employment Committee, Maurice Quinlivan TD, said the government, IDA Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland must engage with workers and explore all options to save the jobs.
 
Teachta O’Reilly said:
 
“The news that Three Ireland may to cut up to 150 jobs from its Irish workforce is an incredible shock to the workers, their families and their communities.
 
“Given the number of jobs involved, this amounts to a collective redundancy which requires a 30-day consultation period.
 
“It is essential that the company engage quickly and in good faith with the workers and their representatives during this period with a focus on saving as many jobs as possible.
 
“Throughout this 30-day period the Minister for Enterprise, Trade, and Employment must meet with Three Ireland and workers representatives to see if there is any prospect of saving the jobs, and failing that, he must ensure the company engages with employees and their representatives so the best possible deal can be achieved for the workers.
 
Chairman Quinlivan said:
 
“If it is a case that jobs are lost, then then the Department of Enterprise must work with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to understand the skills profile of impacted staff and ensure that profiles are shared with client companies of all state agencies who may be hiring or looking for similar skills.
 
“This situation reinforces the need for all workers to join, and be active, in their trade union. Workers need a strong voice in the workplace and the only way to achieve this is through trade unionism.
 
“The workers in Three Ireland must be the priority here and it is imperative that the government stands up for them.
 
“I offer mine and Sinn Féin’s solidarity and support to the workers at Three Ireland in what is a very difficult time.”