A crisis meeting on Waterford Crystal was held in Dublin today. The meeting came after a public rally earlier at the Kilbarry plant to support workers staging a sit-in after the receiver closed it down yesterday.
At the meeting, the receiver, David Carson, met Ictu David Begg general secretary and officials from the Unite union, which represents most of the workers. The secretary of the Department of the Taoiseach, Dermot McCarthy, also attended.
In a statement issued tonight, Mr Carson reaffirmed he had no option but to cease manufacturing in Waterford "given that the monies he had borrowed to continue manufacturing were now spent".
Mr Carson said he recognised the situation is difficult for the employees concerned but has to deal with matters within the context of his legal role and responsibilities.
The receiver added he anticipates an "early conclusion" to talks with those parties who are interested in acquiring the companies' assets.
The receiver announced unexpectedly yesterday afternoon that manufacturing would cease immediately with the loss of 480 jobs out of a 708-strong workforce.
Over 200 staff there began a sit-in at the Kilbarry, Waterford site yesterday in the wake of his announcement. Today, workers operated a rota system with up to 100 people remaining in the plant at any given time.
Jimmy Kelly of the Unite trade union said there had been a "fantastic rally," today at which he estimated there were some 2,000 people. The rally was addressed by trade union leaders.
"It was great to have the expressions of support from right across Waterford," Mr Kelly said, adding that messages backing the Waterford Crystal workers had been received from across the country.
Workers last night welcomed the news that trade union leaders and senior civil servants are set to meet Mr David Carson today in a bid to get him to reverse his decision to close the troubled plant.
Earlier, Mr Kelly had said the willingness of the Government to remain involved in the process was very encouraging and Unite, which represents over 90 per cent of the workforce at Waterford Crystal, will call a mass meeting of all workers again on Sunday to brief them on developments.
In a statement earlier, Unite said the protest would continue until Mr Carson reverses his decision to shut down manufacturing.
Regional organiser Walter Cullen pointed out that Mr Carson has been in talks with two potential buyers, US-based investors, KPS Capital and Clarion Capital. He pointed out that the receiver had said he would consult workers and the union before taking a step such as yesterday’s.
“We have been in talks with the Government and the Ictu over the last four weeks since the receiver was appointed,” he said. “We had been given verbal assurance by the receiver that everything would be done to maintain the plant as a going concern to keep hope alive.”
A spokesman for the receiver said he has been in regular consultations with the union since he was appointed. Over 200 staff will continue working in areas such as customer service and logistics. Its on-site showroom was shut yesterday, but Mr Carson said this would be temporary.
About 10 per cent of manufacturing workers have been kept on to maintain its furnace, which is central to the production of crystal.
In his statement, Mr Carson said, “the decision to cease manufacturing does not necessarily preclude a resumption of operations in Waterford in the future”.
He added that talks were continuing with interested parties with a view to a sale of the company’s assets and those discussions are focused on agreeing the terms upon which a transaction could be completed.
Angry scenes greeted the news that the plant was closing. Workers attempted to enter its visitors’ centre and occupy it and scuffled with four security men. It is understood that one was knocked against a glass panel in the main door which shattered. But calm was quickly restored and workers began their sit in.