Over 170 staff at Independent News & Media face compulsory redundancy after the company set a deadline for the acceptance of voluntary redundancy packages in its cost-costing programme.
The company's restructuring will affect mostly clerical staff based at Middle Abbey Street in Dublin city centre. The voluntary severance package, which offers staff €23 million in total, has been on offer since August 2003.
The company is hoping to entice 105 staff to accept jobs with external suppliers, while a further 70 staff are being made redundant "as a result of evolving technology and improved work practices", the company said in a statement tonight.
Mr Vincent Crowley, the Chief Executive of Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd, said the "disappointing" take-up of voluntary packages meant the company was "forced to revisit its policy of voluntarism".
"Compulsory redundancy will apply to those who have not accepted the voluntary package by May 21st, 2004," he said.
Unions and staff were informed of the board's decision at a meeting in a Dublin hotel this afternoon. The restructuring will not affect the printing operations at Citywest or editorial staff.