80 Jobs To Go At Tayto

Crisp firm Tayto has told staff it is likely 80 jobs are to go at its Tandragee site in Co Armagh, according to union Unite.

The union said the workers had been told of the possible job losses by management on behalf of Manderley Food Group.

Unite's regional officer Sam McKeever said: "This is only the latest in a series of blows to workers. It comes only days after they attempted to justify not paying the new national living wage by counting a monthly bonus payment made entirely separate to the basic wage.

"It's disgraceful behaviour from a group who announced pre-tax profits for 2015 of more than £7 million.

"The four directors of this company, including the wealthy Hutchinson family members, were paid more than £1.7 million last year in director fees alone and their wealth was estimated in the 2016 Rich List at £67 million."

Mr McKeever also confirmed the union would ballot its members for strike action.

Newry and Armagh Ulster Unionist representative Danny Kennedy said: "Tayto has been at the heart of Tandragee and the surrounding area for a very long time so this news will be of great concern to the whole community.

"I have contacted company representatives to request a meeting and have also spoken to Sean McKeever from the Unite union and will meet with Trade Union representatives and workers.

"In addition I have spoken directly to the Enterprise Minister and asked to be included in discussions and meetings with company management as soon as they can be arranged. It is imperative that all local public representatives work together to allay the concerns of the workforce and do what can be done to help the company at this time."

(CD)