Fears for 100 jobs at Galtee Meats growing

Fears were growing last night for the future of some 100 jobs at the former Galtee Meats plant in Mitchelstown in north Cork after union representatives and workers were requested to attend separate meetings with management at the factory next Monday.

The future of the plant was also put in doubt by the news that a number of contract workers, many of whom are foreign nationals, were also given a week's notice yesterday and told to prepare to finish work at the plant next Friday.

The plant, which now operates under the name Breeo Foods and is part of Reox Holdings which is a spin-off of Dairygold, is involved in the processing of pork products such as rashers, sausages and hams under the Galtee Meats label.

A Reox Holdings spokesman confirmed that union representatives had been requested to attend a consultative meeting on Monday regarding the outsourcing of the sausage production unit which employs over 20 people.

Earlier this week, a Reox Holdings spokesman said the company "had no plans at present to cease manufacturing at the plant" even though the trend within Dairygold has been towards outsourcing of various activities including slaughtering and processing.

Between 2003 and 2005, Dairygold shed 1,100 jobs in a series of closures and sell-ons and although chief executive Jerry Henchy said in 2005 that the company had completed most of its rationalisation plan, he warned that costs at Galtee Meats would have to be brought into line.

Last night, Cork East Sinn Féin candidate, Cllr Sandra McLellan said that she had spoken to both people working at all levels in the factory and business people in Mitchelstown and all were unanimous in their belief that the plant was due to close.

Cllr McLellan said she had no wish to get into an argument with the company but she urged them "to be honest with what remains of their workforce".

She also accused the Government of ignoring huge jobs losses in both Mitchelstown and Mallow.