Union says investment in Waterford plant could protect 50 jobs and transform company’s fortunes

“Closure would be nothing less than industrial vandalism”, says union official

November 7th: Trade union Unite this evening expressed disappointment at the decision by Essentra Packaging to initiate a 30-day ‘consultation period’ on the future of the company’s Waterford plant, with a view to transferring the plant’s operations to the Dublin-based Dakota Packaging, which Essentra has recently acquired.

Speaking following a meeting of Unite members in Essentra, union official Brendan Byrne said:

“The news today that, following its acquisition of Dakota Packaging in Dublin, Essentra is considering closing its Waterford plant with the loss of around 50 jobs has come as a bombshell to workers, their families, and the wider Waterford community.

“Unite is convinced that a programme of targeted investment in the plant could transform the Waterford operation into a trail blazer in the packaging sector, and we will be putting forward argument in this regard during the consultation period.

“Closure of the Waterford Essentra plant would be nothing less than an act of industrial vandalism”, Mr Byrne concluded.