SIPTU members at the Kostal Ireland plant in Abbeyfeale are to begin a campaign of industrial action – including work stoppages – early next month.
The dispute is over redundancy terms and what’s described as management’s refusal to engage meaningfully with their union.
Kostal announced plans in January this year to make 140 workers redundant at the end of March 2027, following a decision to move production of onboard chargers to China.
The union says workers will start industrial action with a work stoppage and the placing of pickets on Monday, November 16 at 2.30pm for four hours, with a possible further escalation of the campaign at a later date.
A SIPTU spokesman claims Kostal has refused to engage meaningfully with SIPTU, and declined an invitation to attend the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to discuss up to 140 members’ redundancy terms.
The company’s voluntary severance terms were rejected by 96 percent of members in a ballot.
Members subsequently voted by 90 percent in favour of industrial action, and 85 percent in favour of strike action.
Kostal, which produces electronic components for the automotive industry, is a major employer in North Kerry and West Limerick.
In a statement released on Friday evening, SIPTU says it’s willing and ready to enter negotiations with the employer directly, or with the assistance of the WRC.