Job losses loom for Boxmore

Up to 25 jobs could be lost from the Boxmore Plastics facility in Ballyconnell in the coming weeks, writes Ultan Sherry.

The company, which employs 150 people, made the announcement of job losses recently following a two year process in the Labour Court to try to save some of the jobs.
The difficulties arose when one of Boxmore's clients, Glanbia, pulled their order from the plastics company and set up their own bottling facility.
'The company informed us that there would be redundancies. We've been to the Labour Court and our members voted on a redundancy package and accepted it,' explained Denis Sheridan, the SIPTU union representative for the Boxmore Plant.
'People are very dissappointed. They're losing their jobs, and it's down to the fact that the company have lost an order. Glanbia built their own bottling plant and they're taking the custom away and people are really upset about it. We're doing everything we can to try and assist people with this,' Mr Sheridan continued.
Mr Sheridan called for openess and transparency from Boxmore officials in proceeding with the redundancies, and noted that people on the ground have been very diligent in the process to date.
'Our members are very upset about losing their jobs and this is a very difficult period for them. As I said, we took the case to the Labour Court regarding the redundancy package which our members balloted on and accepted. Therefore there'll be an expectation that this will be paid for them now, going forward,' Denis Sheridan remarked.
'People will be feeling the pinch now becasue they rely on their income from Boxmore Plastics and now that's being taken away from them, so they face an uncertain future,' he concluded.

No comment

The Anglo-Celt contacted Boxmore managing director, Dermot Gates seeking the company's position on the job losses.
He declined to comment, stating: 'We do not make any comment to local newspapers or national newspapers regarding our affairs. That's the position which we have taken over the last 20 years.'