DUBLIN FACILITY:STAFF AT Dell's sales and marketing facility in south Dublin yesterday expressed dejection that the worst of their fears for their colleagues in Limerick had come true.
Although the 1,300 jobs at the Cherrywood Science and Technology Park were not affected by yesterday's cost cutting, there was little celebration in evidence. After a 9am briefing from senior management, staff emerged to stand around in small groups, some of them smoking, others just stamping their feet in the frost.
Approaches from the media led to anxious glances at the glass-walled buildings and few wanted to discuss the announcement at length. It was much the same in the nearby Spar, with workers nervously looking around as they answered questions.
"It is no surprise," said a woman worker, while her male colleague said that there had been some hope that what would be announced in Limerick would be a "restructuring rather than a pull out".
"We knew it, we all knew," said another man, who added that as the Cherrywood staff were told that as they were not in the production and supply chain areas targeted for review, their jobs would be safe. "For now," he added glumly.
No one to whom The Irish Times spoke wanted to reveal their names, while others referred questions to the company.
At the reception area, a member of Dell's corporate communications staff said it was a difficult time. "We all have friends and know people in Limerick, it is a difficult time for all of us," she said.
She referred questions to the Limerick offices and requested that workers not be interviewed on or around the premises.
Labour Party TD Liz McManus, who has followed the fortunes of the Dell workers since the plant relocated from her nearby base in Bray, said a large number of Cherrywood staff still lived in Bray.
Ms McManus said she had been speaking to staff by phone and the overriding emotions were of nervousness and dejection.
"A woman told me she was safe for the moment, but they just don't know what is going to happen in the future and they are fearful," she said.
Ms McManus said rumours had started to circulate about companies in the same industry preparing to make similar announcements. "There is a talk of others preparing to go, it is really a nightmare for the staff," she said.