Menu
19/11/2009
Processor Calls 'Fowl' As EC Threatens Jobs
New EU regulations are forcing big changes in the poultry industry in Northern Ireland with well over 100 jobs threatened in Co Antrim.
O'Kane, the leading poultry processor in the country, is likely to shed around 140 people from its plant in Ballymena.
The factory's management has held several meetings with workers over its future plans, which include this high number of redundancies.
O'Kane managers explained the situation is partly caused for one of the new EU regulations that will come into effect next May, which bans the sale of chicken as fresh produce after it has been defrosted.
The workforce has been placed on statutory 90-day protective notice period to prepare for the lay-offs and while the union declined to make any comment they did say they are currently dealing with a confidential and sensitive issue.
The area's DUP MLA, Ian Paisley Jr, commented that the possibility of 140 dismissed workers is "worrying" and said he will meet with the plant owners and will raise their needs with the Government.
He stated further problems are looming in this industry unless a solution to "unnecessary and restrictive EU regulations" on poultry waste is found.
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan said he knew that the company was doing its best to manage the situation, and is fully consulting the workforce.
Moreover, he expressed his sympathies to all the individuals who have just been informed that they will lose their jobs, receiving "horrible news in the run up to Christmas".
According to BBC NI Business Reporter Eddie O'Gorman, the poultry business is an industry where profit margins are small.
Speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, he said: "O'Kane's faces strong competition from big multinational producers elsewhere in the UK and overseas."
Three years ago O'Kane closed down a subsidiary company in Limerick, called Castlemahon Foods, to concentrate production at its Ballymena poultry processing plant.
This plant, which employs about 1,500 people, was founded in 1932 by the late W.P. O'Kane and has remained in family ownership since then.
Nowadays it operates two feed mills, three hatcheries and three processing plant.
(CL/BMcC)
O'Kane, the leading poultry processor in the country, is likely to shed around 140 people from its plant in Ballymena.
The factory's management has held several meetings with workers over its future plans, which include this high number of redundancies.
O'Kane managers explained the situation is partly caused for one of the new EU regulations that will come into effect next May, which bans the sale of chicken as fresh produce after it has been defrosted.
The workforce has been placed on statutory 90-day protective notice period to prepare for the lay-offs and while the union declined to make any comment they did say they are currently dealing with a confidential and sensitive issue.
The area's DUP MLA, Ian Paisley Jr, commented that the possibility of 140 dismissed workers is "worrying" and said he will meet with the plant owners and will raise their needs with the Government.
He stated further problems are looming in this industry unless a solution to "unnecessary and restrictive EU regulations" on poultry waste is found.
SDLP MLA Declan O'Loan said he knew that the company was doing its best to manage the situation, and is fully consulting the workforce.
Moreover, he expressed his sympathies to all the individuals who have just been informed that they will lose their jobs, receiving "horrible news in the run up to Christmas".
According to BBC NI Business Reporter Eddie O'Gorman, the poultry business is an industry where profit margins are small.
Speaking on Radio Ulster this morning, he said: "O'Kane's faces strong competition from big multinational producers elsewhere in the UK and overseas."
Three years ago O'Kane closed down a subsidiary company in Limerick, called Castlemahon Foods, to concentrate production at its Ballymena poultry processing plant.
This plant, which employs about 1,500 people, was founded in 1932 by the late W.P. O'Kane and has remained in family ownership since then.
Nowadays it operates two feed mills, three hatcheries and three processing plant.
(CL/BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2017
Closure Of Poultry Processing Plant 'Sad' - Unite
The closure of the poultry processing plant in Smethwick in the West Midlands on 23 June is "very sad", Unite the union has said. The 2 Sisters Food Group said that the factory at Bevan Way, Alpha Business Park is "ageing" which is the reason behind the closure.
Closure Of Poultry Processing Plant 'Sad' - Unite
The closure of the poultry processing plant in Smethwick in the West Midlands on 23 June is "very sad", Unite the union has said. The 2 Sisters Food Group said that the factory at Bevan Way, Alpha Business Park is "ageing" which is the reason behind the closure.
20 November 2014
New Pay Offer Agreed For HTC Plant Crane Drivers
HTC Plant crane drivers have agreed a new pay offer, putting an end to their industrial dispute. The strike scheduled for tomorrow, 21 November, has now been called off. The three-year pay deal is worth over 14% on basic rates.
New Pay Offer Agreed For HTC Plant Crane Drivers
HTC Plant crane drivers have agreed a new pay offer, putting an end to their industrial dispute. The strike scheduled for tomorrow, 21 November, has now been called off. The three-year pay deal is worth over 14% on basic rates.
30 January 2014
11 Job Losses At Doolan Plant Hire
Fianna Fáil Environment spokesperson Barry Cowen has said the first round of jobs losses arising from the creation of Irish Water in Offaly have been announced. Doolan Plant Hire has announced it is letting up to 11 staff go in Clara. Deputy Cowen commented: "This is very bad news for Clara.
11 Job Losses At Doolan Plant Hire
Fianna Fáil Environment spokesperson Barry Cowen has said the first round of jobs losses arising from the creation of Irish Water in Offaly have been announced. Doolan Plant Hire has announced it is letting up to 11 staff go in Clara. Deputy Cowen commented: "This is very bad news for Clara.
03 April 2007
Minister Welcomes Opening Of Food Recycling Facility
Irish Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheal Martin welcomed the award of a “Category 3 Intermediate Plant License” to Enterprise Ireland client company Food Surplus Management (FSM). The licence permits FSM to recycle packaged waste food into products for the pet food, animal feed, technical and bio-fuel industries.
Minister Welcomes Opening Of Food Recycling Facility
Irish Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheal Martin welcomed the award of a “Category 3 Intermediate Plant License” to Enterprise Ireland client company Food Surplus Management (FSM). The licence permits FSM to recycle packaged waste food into products for the pet food, animal feed, technical and bio-fuel industries.
17 May 2017
BNM Group Given Mandate To Negotiate With Littleton Management
The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions have been given a mandate to negotiate with management on the future of the peat briquette production facility in Littleton, County Tipperary.
BNM Group Given Mandate To Negotiate With Littleton Management
The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions have been given a mandate to negotiate with management on the future of the peat briquette production facility in Littleton, County Tipperary.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 7 °C.
