SIPTU has called on Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the closure of Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, to ascertain whether the company adhered to legalisation governing compulsory redundancies.

Worker representatives at the construction material manufacturing plant were informed it was closing only hours before it ceased operation on Friday, 15th December, with the loss of 27 jobs.

SIPTU Organiser John Regan said: "At 4.30pm on Thursday, 14th December, the management called in the company's two shop stewards and informed them that the plant was closing the following day and that a letter had been sent to employees informing them of this decision.

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"Worker representatives sought an immediate meeting with the company and SIPTU met with management at the company’s office in Kinnegad, county Westmeath. At that meeting the management informed us it had written to the minister, Richard Bruton, notifying him of its decision to implement compulsory redundancies.

"SIPTU takes issue with this process as it contravenes the Protection of Employment Act which obliges an employer to enter into a consultation process with workers’ representatives at least 30 days before a notice of redundancy is given. The aim of the consultation is to consider whether there are any alternatives to the redundancies."

John Regan has insisted that the company is in breach of the 30 day notice period by failing to inform them of this decision. SIPTU has written to the minister calling on him to undertake an investigation into the circumstances surrounding these redundancies.

Mr Regan added: "In February, the management informed us that it intended to undertake major capital investment in the plant. This investment failed to materialise and it is our position that the plant's closure is solely due to the management’s failure to meet this commitment."

(CD)