WATERFORD CRYSTAL workers on Friday received letters informing them that the Gallery showroom on the Cork road in the city is to close on February 5th with the loss of 20 jobs.
Walter Cullen of Unite, the union that has represented the majority of the Waterford workers, said the contracts concerned had been expected to run until the end of February.
Up to 20 workers at the gallery showroom were working on three-month fixed contracts, after about 30 workers were retained by the receiver until the end of November.
Ten of these contracts were terminated at that time, leaving the remainder on contract until the end of February.
It is understood that sales at the gallery could not sustain the cost of keeping the showroom open.
David Carson of accounting firm Deloitte was one year ago last week appointed as receiver to the Waterford Wedgwood group. Some weeks later, workers began a sit-in at the showrooms in Kilbarry when Mr Carson halted manufacturing because of a lack of available cash.
The occupation ceased seven weeks later, while the Waterford group’s business were sold to investment company, KPS Capital. Mr Carson sold the company’s businesses but not its manufacturing plant at Kilbarry, while KPS is now producing crystal under the brand in Germany.
The Kilbarry site was retained by the receiver.
Mr Cullen yesterday said: “It’s just another phase of people losing their jobs as a result of the sale of the company to KPS [Capital].
“Everyone would have hoped it could have stayed open longer – it’s just another bad day for the workers.
“We’re never going to give up on getting significant numbers of workers back manufacturing crystal,” Mr Cullen added.
