SIPTU members at the biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie, in Carrigtwohill, county Cork, are considering an escalation in their industrial action in a dispute resulting from the refusal of management to engage with representatives of the workers’ union for collective bargaining purposes.
SIPTU Organiser, Allen Dillon, said: “Members at the plant are currently in their second week of industrial action in the form of an overtime ban in the manufacturing process. They are considering escalating their industrial action if management continue to fail to fully implement two Labour Court recommendations, from 2017 and 2020.
“These recommendations call on the company to engage with SIPTU representatives on behalf of their members ‘in relation to all matters associated with terms and conditions of employment including pay’.
“SIPTU representatives have written to management on a number of occasions outlining our members concerns in relation to its failure to fully implement the two Labour Court recommendations and engage in collective bargaining with the union. However, to the huge disappointment and frustration of our members, management has refused to respond to or engage with their union either directly or indirectly.
He added: “The frustration of our members employed at the AbbVie Plant in Carrigtwohill is intensified by the fact that the company does engage with union representatives at its plant in Westport, county Mayo. In that plant management have a good working relationship with SIPTU members and representatives.
“SIPTU representatives are available to engage with management in talks to resolve this long running dispute at all times.”
