Company decision to abandon outsourcing illustrates power of collective action
March 23rd: Members of Unite and SIPTU working at the Cadbury’s Coolock site have voted by a three-to-one majority to accept the proposals put forward by the Workplace Relations Commission earlier this month on foot of intensive negotiations.
The proposals are in line with union demands that cost savings be achieved without any outsourcing.
The WRC negotiations and proposals came on foot of strike action by workers at the Mondelez/Cadbury’s Coolock plant following the company’s decision to outsource 17 roles in the stores without agreement.
Commenting, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Richie Browne said:
“The unions consistently argued that efficiencies could be delivered without outsourcing, and we were determined to resist any move away from good permanent jobs to precarious work.
“Following an overwhelming mandate for industrial action, our members downed tools on March 3rd and intensive negotiations followed on March 4th.
“The proposals put forward by the WRC will achieve cost savings without outsourcing, and this victory is reflected in the fact that our members have voted by a three-to-one majority to accept the proposals.
“Once again, the outcome of this dispute shows what can be achieved by workers acting collectively to defend their terms and conditions of employment”, Richie Browne concluded.
Unite the Union, Ireland Region 