The trade union SIPTU has expressed shock and anger at the scale of redundancies sought by management of the Kostal Abbeyfeale plant.
Kostal is a major employer in West Limerick and North Kerry, but last night it was confirmed up to 140 jobs will be lost at the Abbeyfeale facility.
The redundancies follow Kostal’s decision to transfer the production of on-board chargers from Abbeyfeale to China, which it’s understood will occur in the last quarter of this year.
SIPTU organiser Eva Mitchell says the confirmation of the scale of redundancies has caused deep distress and anger among employees, their families, and the wider community.
SIPTU says the 30-day statutory consultation period between the company and workers’ representatives is due to begin next week, and the union will fully engage in this process.
SIPTU also said any redundancies arising from the process will initially be voluntary.
The union says the loss of 140 skilled, high-value jobs will be widely felt and will have a lasting impact locally.
SIPTU also called on state agencies to engage with the community to plan for the creation of future high-quality jobs, on which the local economy depends.
