SIPTU representatives have condemned an attempt by Carlow College – St Patrick’s management to postpone a meeting scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday, 16th June), as further evidence of the institution’s failure to adequately engage with workers’ representatives concerning the threat of mass redundancies.
SIPTU Organiser, Yvonne McGrath, said: “SIPTU has called on Carlow College – St Patrick’s to immediately engage in full and transparent consultation with our Union in relation to proposed redundancies. The College management’s reliance on minimum statutory consultation thresholds and delaying the provision of essential information is undermining meaningful industrial relations and will necessitate union members considering their options.
“Where financial necessity is being relied upon to justify 87 jobs being made redundant, sufficient information must be provided to allow proper assessment and response.
“Consultation must be genuine, meaningful and conducted in good faith. Employee representatives must be provided with sufficient information to engage effectively with proposals, explore alternatives to redundancy and make informed representations on behalf of affected employees.”
She added: “We fully expect that the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 16th June, at 2.30 p.m. will proceed as planned and that the information and documentation previously requested will be provided in advance of, or at, that meeting.”