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Abbott Announce Another Jobs Shock for Sligo

Still reeling from the shock of the loss of 250 jobs on Wednesday morning, Sligo is waking up this morning with the news that 40 jobs are to go at Abbott Ireland's plant at Ballytivnan on the outskirts of the town.

The company which employs 420 people locally has been in operation in Sligo since 1974.

Abbott has entered a 30-day consultation process with its employees at the Ballytivnan site in Sligo on its proposal to reduce the existing workforce of 420 by 40.  The demand for the products manufactured in the Ballytivnan site has decreased.

Abbott will seek these reductions on a voluntary basis and provide employees assistance of a competitive package and outplacement services.
 
The company has confirmed to SLIGO TODAY that no other Abbott sites in Sligo or in Ireland are impacted by today’s announcement.

Sligo/North Leitrim Fianna Fail TD Dr Jimmy Devins has described this latest announcement as ‘devastating’ and will meet with the Tánaiste on the issue next week.

Reacting to the news he said he would now be seeking an urgent meeting the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in order to stem the tide of local job losses.

He said the Abbott announcement was another significant jobs blow, following Wednesday's news of the closure of Stiefel facility in Sligo.

Deputy Devins expressed his sympathy for the staff of Abbots and also Stiefel following this weeks jobs blow.   He said these are highly trained and qualified staff, and it was important to ensure that the State agencies assist them to find alternative employment as soon as possible.

Sligo North Leitrim Fianna Fail TD Eamon Scanlon has raised concerns over multi national companies buying smaller Irish businesses and moving operations elsewhere.

Deputy Scanlon said that it is very worrying if multi-national companies are buying out smaller Irish firms in order to eliminate the competition.

He added that the Tanaiste has signalled that she will come down to Sligo to meet management at the plant .

Source: Ocean FM