I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this important issue on the Adjournment. A stand-off has been going on for three weeks at the ADM plant in Ringaskiddy and concern has been expressed to me by families of the workers involved. The stress of being out of work after working non-stop for 20 years without a strike is terrible. It creates an air of uncertainty and a strong sense of unease.
Some workers feel they have been locked out while others, who have agreed to new work arrangements, feel it is unjustifiable that they have been temporarily laid off. This plant, which produces citric acid, was purchased from Pfizer's. The workers retained the conditions that applied in that company and all agreements were honoured by the new owners. The workers, as a result, gave loyal service so it is understandable that ADM now has an ageing workforce.
There have been ongoing problems with branch two workers of SIPTU for a number of years. The company, in trying to introduce alternative rosters, is conscious of setting guidelines for a generation of new workers but the "take it or leave it" attitude exemplified was contrary to all human resource procedures adopted by the company to date. The operators who have been locked out are anxious to negotiate – they are willing to discuss new working arrangements, they do not want to be inflexible. They are grateful for the employment they have been given by the company and they are anxious to be involved in normal trade union negotiations.
Unfortunately rumour abounds and there is an undercurrent suggesting that there is over-production of citric acid in the world and that it suits the company to close temporarily to save money while placing workers' families in financial straits.
I represent most of those workers and my interest is to save their jobs. I exhort all those involved to get back to work and restore harmony in a company that is held in the highest esteem in County Cork. The Minister of State and the Tánaiste have the power and capacity to ensure progress is made to reach acceptable, fair and just solutions to this problem. Given the uncertainty abroad and the fears expressed by the workers and their families, we as a Government must be seen to be actively involved in ensuring people get back to the table.
Progress is never made in a stand-off. The Tánaiste and the Minister of State are well aware that unless the parties are brought to the table, 170 jobs could be lost. They must actively seek ways and means where both parties to the dispute can come together for meaningful negotiations to ensure progress is made and people can go back to work in a company that has provided reliable, pensionable employment. That company will then retain the high status it has enjoyed since the plant was purchased in 1990.
