UNIONS at Avon more and Waterford Foods last night issued four primary objectives to the ongoing merger discussions, including a continuation of the policy of no compulsory layoffs and improved terms for voluntary redundancies.

SIPTU, the ATGWU, the AEEU and the TEEU said in a joint statement they would act collectively in defence of their members' jobs and were seeking guarantees on pay and terms and conditions of employment.

The unions also plan to ask for the implementation of the terms of the Partnership 2000 national agreement, including sharing in the financial benefits of the merger.