Certainty needed about the future of jobs at Eir – Fórsa

Fórsa trade union has said that it will resist any attempts to impose compulsory redundancies at Eir following the telecoms company’s recent change of ownership.

Fórsa assistant general secretary Eugene Quinn said that while there has been significant speculation about the possibility of compulsory redundancies at the company, the union has agreements in place that provide very strong protections for its members against forced job losses.

The union represents IT staff, some management grades and clerical officers at the company.

The speculation about compulsory redundancies has been developed by external observers. It’s not helpful, but it happens in the absence of any detailed information about the future of the company under new ownership.

“We have agreements in place that ensure any staff reductions that have taken place have been voluntary. Those agreements have continued to protect our members as the company has gone through a period of significant change over the last couple of years.

We want to engage with management as soon as possible in order to get a clear picture of the company’s future, and put an end to any further speculation.

“The speculation about compulsory redundancies has been developed by external observers. It’s not helpful, but it happens in the absence of any detailed information about the future of the company under new ownership.

“We are, of course, prepared to ballot for industrial action if there’s any attempt to impose compulsory redundancies, but there’s no suggestion yet that this would be necessary.

“We want to engage with management as soon as possible in order to get a clear picture of the company’s future, and put an end to any further speculation,” he said.