Many of those who work in manufacturing at the Jacob Fruitfield factory on the Belgard road in Tallaght have followed generations of family members into the businessm writes John Downes.
Tony Hogan, senior Siptu shop steward and an employee there for some 25 years, said that between 30 and 50 of the 220 people who are due to lose their jobs after yesterday's announcement, would have over 20 years of service there.
"A lot of people come in at the age of 18 . . . my own father started there at the age of 14, and retired in 1995 at the age 60," he said. "I was on the phone to him and he was almost more upset than anyone. There's a lot of history there."
Mr Hogan said a significant number of the affected employees would be under the age of 35, adding that the factory also has many female workers and some seasonal staff.
Among typical jobs at the plant are packaging, operating machines and ovens, and driving forklifts, he said.
According to Siptu's assistant branch organiser, Peadar Nolan, the decision to close the factory would see over 200 workers losing their jobs on a phased basis from August 2008 to March 2009.
It also intends to seek a meeting with Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin as soon as possible.
"There had been no negotiations with the union on this issue before today's announcement," he said.
"Part of the company's announcement was the outsourcing of production to sites in the UK and mainland Europe, with the possibility of retaining a small number of jobs elsewhere in Ireland.
"The prospects of alternative employment for so many workers is slim. The community in Tallaght has never really recovered from the loss of 800 jobs when Packard Electric closed down in 2004."
Mr Hogan last night echoed these sentiments: "I'm 47 years of age. If someone says give me your CV, how do you put together a CV when you're in the same job for 25 years?"