Hundreds of Cadbury production workers have gone on strike in Coolock, Dublin this morning, in a dispute over the outsourcing of jobs.
The move comes after Cadbury announced plans to outsource 17 positions in its stores division as part of a Labour Court recommendation – which was rejected by both Unite and SIPTU. Both unions have since voted to go on strike indefinitely, until the positions are returned to the local factory.
According to RTE News, Mondelez International who are the owners of Cadbury say the strike will undermine its future viability, disrupting the operation in Rathmore, Co. Kerry too.
Speaking about their decision to strike, SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser Gerry McCormack said:
“The attempt to outsource these jobs is seen as a further erosion of the viability of the facility. It follows the movement of the production of the Time Out bar from this plant to Poland.
“Workers at the plant have over recent years agreed to the major restructuring of operations and changes in work practices.
“However, the attempt by the management of Mondelez International to further downgrade the plant’s operations has caused outrage and increased fears among the workforce about its long-term commitment to the facility.”
Responding to the strike action Mondelez Ireland said the aim of outsourcing the role was to ‘streamine’ the company to become more sustainable:
“In February 2015, Mondelez Ireland presented proposals to our employees in Ireland to restructure our chocolate manufacturing business, with the aim of streamlining it to become more sustainable and competitive for the future.
“These proposals included an €11.7m investment in new chocolate making technology to enable our Coolock plant to concentrate on core chocolate brands Cadbury Dairy Milk 8-square, Flake, Twirl and Boost, for consumption in Ireland and the export market.”
“The company deeply regrets that SIPTU and UNITE have decided to take this step.
“Any form of industrial action only further undermines the future viability of both the Coolock and Rathmore manufacturing sites and this action ultimately endangers the jobs of the circa 700 people who are employed within the business.”
