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SIPTU has called on all sides to seek a “speedy resolution to the crisis”, as a number of its members have been laid off amid ongoing factory disruption due to Beef Plan Movement protests.
Farmers are now protesting outside 22 factories nationwide and Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has stated that 14 meat plants have been closed temporarily as a result.
More closures
MII added that more closures could be expected if protests continued.
The workers union SIPTU is calling on the Beef Plan, Minister Michael Creed and his Department and MII to engage in meaningful negotiations.
Workers in beef processing plants are not paid at a level which places them in a position to endure significant losses in wages
“Due to this dispute, some of our members have been placed on temporary lay-off. This situation is not acceptable,” SIPTU organiser Terry Bryan said.
“Workers in beef processing plants are not paid at a level which places them in a position to endure significant losses in wages, they are facing real hardship as a result of this ongoing dispute.
“We are currently contacting all employers in the sector asking them to pay our members while they are laid off during this dispute.”
Jobs at risk
SIPTU sector organiser Mick Browne said that jobs were at risk as protests continued and that all sides needed to engage to solve the crisis, while SIPTU organiser Jason Palmer pointed out that workers in plants were not responsible for the decline in farmer profits and their livelihoods were also increasingly threatened.
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