Dooley describes Element 6 outcome as “bittersweet”

The decision by SIPTU affiliated staff at Element 6 to accept the recovery and redundancy package hammered out between unions and management with the help of the Labour Court has been welcomed by Clare T.D. Timmy Dooley who also described the news as “bittersweet”. Speaking after hearing of the decision, Deputy Dooley said “it is a bitter sweet day in the life of the company with so many people losing their job after years of dedicated service.”

“Unfortunately, the redundancy has come at a difficult time when there are not many alternative employment options. However the redundancy package is considerably better than what was originally proposed.”

Paying tribute to staff representatives and the management for developing a plan that will see an additional 163 jobs saved, Deputy Dooley said, “it was most important that the manufacturing base was retained at the Shannon facility, clearly there will be opportunities to increase employment as the economy begins to pick up in the markets where Element 6 sells its products. I believe the flexibility shown by the work force and the ingenuity of management must be recognised in what was a very difficult process.”

“I was pleased that the Government played an important role in securing the future of Element 6 through the provision of funding to support employment at the facility as part of the re-structuring process. Táiniste Mary Coughlan played an active role from the time the original announcement was made to close the facility and her assistance was beneficial in achieving this positive outcome,” Deputy Dooley concluded.