One hundred and seventy six jobs have been saved at Waterford Wedgwood under a deal accepted on 22 March 2009 by the company“s workforce.
The agreement, which was approved at a mass meeting, brings …
One hundred and seventy six jobs have been saved at Waterford Wedgwood under a deal accepted on 22 March 2009 by the company“s workforce. The agreement, which was approved at a mass meeting, brings an end to the eight week occupation of a company visitor centre. The deal, between the equity firm KPS and the Waterford Wedgwood receiver David Carson, was approved in a vote by 90% of workers attending the mass meeting. Negotiated with the help of the Labour Relations Commisison, it involves KPS entering into a “transitional services agreement” to receive a range of back-office and related functions for up to an initial six months, with some or all of the jobs being retained after that. The arrangement leaves the remainder of the crystal operation“s 480 workers in Waterford still facing redundancy. However, there are hopes that some of these may be kept at a crystal manufacturing operation, which local business interests are hoping to launch to supply product to the new owners. Local business people, including architect Nicky Fewer, have formed a private investment group called Prestige Co., which has been in talks over the past fortnight about retaining manufacturing in the city. It is to continue with its efforts. No resolution is in sight, however, to a dispute over a shortfall in the Waterford Wedgwood pension fund. KPS has offered EUR 10 million to workers, but this would be divided among more than 800 present and former employees. The issue has already been taken up by Brussels, which may move against the Irish government for failing to protect pensions at the company. Walter Cullen, regional organiser of the Unite trade union, claimed on 22 March 2009 that the workers of Waterford Crystal had been “abandoned by the government”. He said the “fight to protect our members“ pensions will continue until we get justice”.