Double jobs blow for Southside

ALMOST 400 jobs
are on the line after two companies on the Southside revealed plans to cut
staff numbers.

SIPTU is to meet
with Allied Foods in Tallaght after the company revealed that it is to cut 175
jobs.

Allied Foods
management informed workers that they are seeking to reduce their workforce
from 250 to 75.

The job cuts
have been linked to the company losing a contract for the distribution of
chilled and frozen products from a major retailer.

In a statement
issued last Thursday (September 15), the trade union said it wants to meet with
the firm to discuss alternative arrangements.

“As the union which represents workers on this
site, SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with the company to discuss all
alternatives to the proposed redundancies,

? organiser John White said.

He added that a
30-day consultation process between Allied Foods and SIPTU would seek to find
alternatives to the redundancies.

“SIPTU will use
this period to undertake a full and robust engagement with management
concerning all alternatives to these proposed job losses,

? he said.

Cllr Cathal King
(SF) said the job losses were a devastating blow to the Tallaght area.

“It’s an awful
loss,

? he said.

“The majority of jobs are local, so it means more people will
be forced to join the unemployment register. We’re hoping something can be
worked out, but we won’t be holding out for anything major.

?

Cllr Brian
Lawlor (FG) described the job losses as a

“terrible blow

? to the Southside.

“It’s just
terrible,

? he said.

“These are very difficult times for all those involved and
it’s a huge blow to the Tallaght area.

?

Meanwhile,
Pocket Kings in nearby Cherrywood, which provides IT services and marketing
support to online site Full Tilt Poker, said it is seeking up to 250
redundancies.

The announcement
came after the company revealed it is attempting to meet financial
restructuring worth

?¬12 million.

The company
employs a total of 750 people at its base in the Cherrywood Industrial Estate.
Last week, the company said it would commence a 30-day consultation process.

Management at
the company said if all savings were to be achieved through redundancies, 250
staff members would be affected.

Elsewhere, 25
new jobs are to be created in Sandyford.

Hollyban Ltd,
trading as the Bluebird Care, will be creating 25 positions.

Bluebird Care
provides non-medical services in the home.

The new jobs
will create care staff and management roles.