THERE was an angry mood among workers at the Cadbury's plant in Coolock last night as the last of the staff were laid off because of an unofficial dispute.
Non craft workers complained bitterly about the two rowing unions whose disagreement over demarcation has put the survival of the company at risk.
The threatened job losses have shocked the Coolock community, still trying to come to terms with the Christmas closure of another major employer Little Tikes toy plant in the nearby Clonshaugh estate.
Workers believed their jobs in the chocolate factory were safe following the successful launch of the Time Out chocolate bar.
As the last of the shift workers clocked out shortly after 10.00 p.m. last night, many felt they might never return to the plant.
Kathleen Rooney has been working in the canteen in Cadbury's for the last 25 years. The dispute between fillers and electricians as simply ridiculous, she insists.
"We are being held to ransom by a small group of workers. They run the place. We suffer. It is so sad that these fellas can bring the place to a standstill as they have. If we had a grievance we would have to go through the proper channels."
Collette Stapleton who worked as an operator on the Flake area fears that even if today's talks are successful, the lay offs will lead to permanent job losses. "1 think it is the first step to a smaller, leaner factory. There have been rumours all year about job losses and business being moved to other countries. I think this is just the beginning," she said.
"It's very hard for people to be laid off like this just after Christmas. People with young families would have borrowed money to buy toys for their children last week. They can not afford it.
"But in the end it will hurt the fillers and electricians more than it will hurt us. They earn more money," she said.
Coolock has already been devastated by unemployment agrees a local man, Philip Hedderman. "It could not cope with another blow, especially after the closure of Little Tike during Christmas week.
"Everyone believed that the company was doing well after the success of Time Out. If any thing happens as a result of the dispute, it will leave a better taste," he said.