The Dawn Group has decided to merge the boning operations of its Meadow Meats factory at Rathdowney Co Laois with its factory at Grannagh, Co Waterford.
In a statement today the company said it had decided to amalgamate the boning work and said all staff at Rathdowney will be offered positions in Grannagh.
However, Siptu said in a statement that because the Grannagh plant was 90kms away only a few of the 100 staff involved in this work would be able to transfer.
Branch organiser Miriam Hamilton said a round-trip of 180kms per day was not financially feasible for a workforce where many were earning €9 an hour.
Around 150 staff are employed at Rathdowney and the 50 staff working in the abattoir will continued to be based in Co Laois.
Fine Gael TD for Laois-Offaly Charlie Flanagan said the transfer of operations Was simply impossible for many of the staff due to the distance. Mr Flanagan called on Dawn Meats to reconsider its decision.
The switch is due to be completed in August.