LRC set to intervene in Trimfold redundancies issue

A dispute between management and workers at Trim manufacturing plant Trimfold following the company's announcement of 18 redundancies is to be referred to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). Last month, the envelope manufacturer, which currently employs 50 people, announced that it was to shed 18 jobs following the company's withdrawal from the UK market where it said it could no longer compete. SIPTU, the union representing workers, had put forward alternative proposals to the company in the hope of saving as many jobs as possible, and a meeting took place last Wednesday. Meath SIPTU branch secretary John Regan said the company had not made any formal response to the proposals and that when the union met with management last week, it was agreed to refer the matter to the Labour Relations Commission and the parties are now awaiting a date for hearing. Mr Regan said the company felt it "could not bridge the gap and that the gap was too wide between them" so it was decided to refer the issue to the LRC. He added that the union feels an independent facilitator may be a better option and that the company is considering the name of an independent facilitator given by them. Mr Regan said that the independent facilitator is a quicker process though there is no guarantee that agreement would be reached. The company is seeking 18 redundancies on a voluntary basis in the first instance and Mr Regan said the company is only offering statutory redundancy which has been rejected by workers. "If we have to face up to redundancies, it should be no less favourable than the package two years ago which was four-and-a-half weeks' pay per year of service," he said.