Workers locked out of Ennis plant

The future of 50 jobs in Ennis is in doubt after workers turned up for work to find themselves locked out. A security firm was employed to ensure that no one entered the Overland Bolling premises in the town.

The workers were later informed through the post in a letter dated last Friday that the company was to close for two weeks following a decision by its US-based board of directors. The letter stated that the shutdown was temporary and that, during this time, the company would carry out a review of its options going forward.

The news follows the loss of 94 jobs at Analog Devices in Limerick and as staff at Nortel's Galway's plant came to terms with news of 150 job losses.

Workers had received no notice of the closure on Friday last on leaving the plant. Overland Bolling, which manufactures electrical components, commenced operations in Ennis in March 2000.

Ennis SIPTU branch secretary Ms Mary O'Donnell received notice of the closure Monday morning by way of a phone message from the plant manager. SIPTU held a meeting with representatives of IBEC yesterday to discuss the situation at the company.

Company employee, Mr Fred Nightingale said workers at the plant "are still bewildered by what has happened. We still do not know why the plant has been closed down and we do not expect the factory to re-open. We are hoping that all payments to us will be honoured". A US-based company spokesman was unavailable for comment yesterday.