MEMBERS of the ATGWU may picket all Goodman International AIBP production plants if an alleged lockout of members at the plant in Ravensdale, Dundalk, continues. The union, claiming its 42 members have been locked out since November, picketed the company's Ardee headquarters in Co Louth earlier this week.
Shop steward Mr Jim Loughran said the union and company had negotiated on line speeds last year when Goodman brought in temporary workers who were paid up to £80 a week less than the rates in a long standing agreement.
The union then served 14 days' strike notice which it withdrew when Mr Larry Goodman bought the Meadow Meats plant in Clones, Co Monaghan. The union claims the company began to transfer work from Ravensdale to Clones and its members were locked out.
Mr Michael O'Reilly, secretary of the ATGWU, said the union, was seeking sanction from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for an all out picket and was prepared to picket all AIBP production plants where it has members. The union had the support of other unions in the group, he said.
In a statement issued last month, AIBP said employees were not "locked out" but were temporarily laid off on November 2nd when the plant was closed. This, it said, resulted from a decision by employees to begin industrial action on that date and the company was informed this action had been withdrawn 10 minutes before closing time the previous day.
The company also claimed the new pay rate was discussed with ATGWU official Mr Brendan Hodgers and was acceptable to him. It also said further strike notice was issued on February 1st.
The plant was permanently closed, said the company, because of market forces and its non competitiveness and not because of a "lock out".
Both parties are to attend a meeting at the Labour Relations Commission next Tuesday.