WORKERS AT A Cardbury production plant in Dublin say they have “no option” but to serve strike notice on management.

Union members at the Coolock factory are to begin work stoppages at 7am on Thursday over the planned outsourcing of 17 jobs in the facility’s stores section.

Siptu and Unite, which represent 350 staff at the plant, have vowed that the strike will continue until the matter is resolved.

The owner of Cadbury, Mondelez Ireland, said in a statement today that the restructuring is aimed at ensuring the facility’s future sustainability.

The company said individuals in the affected roles will be offered alternative equivalent opportunities at the Coolock site.

However, union members feel the move raises concerns about its long-term commitment to the facility.

The proposal follows the decision to move production of the Time Out bar from Ireland to Poland.

Labour Court recommendation

Siptu organiser John Dunne said the workers voted to strike after Mondelez decided to unilaterally impose a Labour Court recommendation to outsource 17 jobs.

The recommendation was previously rejected by a majority of union members at the plant.

Siptu and Unite said industrial action is being taken after factory management on Wednesday rejected union-proposed talks on reducing costs and increasing flexibility.

However, Mondelez said this morning that it “remains available” to meet union representatives in a bid to avert the strike.

“In line with many other manufacturing businesses in Ireland, the Coolock plant is under intense pressures from international competition and any form of industrial action only undermines the future viability of the entire site,” the company said.

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