SIPTU says it hopes to hear BorgWarner’s reasons for cutting over 200 jobs.
Union representatives are meeting the company this afternoon, following the announcement on Tuesday that the plant will close in March, with the loss of 210 jobs.
IDA Ireland, the state body which supports foreign direct investment, says it will work to make the location in Tralee attractive for other investors.
SIPTU, which represents workers in the plant, is meeting the company to discuss the closure.
Organiser Joe Kelly says the announcement came as a bolt from the blue for the 210 employees, more so as the company had indicated an upturn in recent months.
He says the job cuts now contradict this improvement and he’s seeking BorgWarner’s reasons and rationale for the closure.
Mr Kelly says he’ll be seeing if any jobs can be saved at the Tralee factory – however, if this isn’t possible, redundancy talks will commence.
IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan says the company’s decision to close is very disappointing.
He says BorgWarner didn’t inform the IDA of its intention to close, despite support from the state body in recent years.
IDA Ireland understands the automotive sub-supply industry, in which the company operates, is facing significant challenges, including reduced customer demand; this is the key issue in the plant’s closure.
Mr Shanahan, who’s from Abbeydorney, says the IDA will work with Borg Warner to market the plant to potential investors.
He says the focus is on supporting existing businesses and attracting new investments to regional locations like Kerry.
