BallyshannonMayor wants jobs loss rally
The Mayor of Ballyshannon says he will consider organising a mass rally to highlight the town's chronic unemployment problems.
Cllr. Brendan Travers said the Minister for Trade and Employment also needs to make a special case for the town in the wake of the latest job loss announcement.
Workers at BWG Foods in Ballyshannon were told in a shock lunchtime announcement on Tuesday that the plant would shut with all but three of the 24 jobs to go.
A company statement confirmed that following completion of a strategic review, BWG Foods has decided to transfer distribution activity from its Delivered Business Centre (DBC) in Ballyshannon to its DBC in Dublin. "The decision will result in the closure of the Ballyshannon DBC," the statement read.
"Ballyshannon DBC currently employs 24 people. The company intends retaining three roles within the BWG network and will therefore be seeking 21 redundancies as part of the reorganisation. A process of consultation with employees and their union representatives has commenced."
Tuesday's announcement follows the closure of a string of businesses in the town over the past few years. These include, James Likely, Donegal Rubber Co., Britvic/C&C, Donegal Parian China, Heitons, the ESB offices and numerous other smaller firms.
Mayor of Ballyshannon, Cllr. Travers said he was deeply shocked and
saddened by Tuesday's announcement and described it as yet another black day for the town. He claimed the employment situation in the town has never been so bad.
"In 2005, members of Ballyshannon Town Council met with the then minister Michael Martin. Not long after that the call centre jobs were announced - a similar project is desperately needed," he said.
Workers at BWG Foods were yesterday still coming to terms with Tuesday's announcement. One staff member said Ballyshannon seems to be
the forgotten town not just of this county, but the whole country.
"We are just witnessing job after job going and nothing new on the horizon. It is ridiculous when you consider that the only thing left in this town are the shops and there are not many of them. I would nearly go as far as saying that the biggest employer in the town is the Garda Station."
Meanwhile local councillor, Eugene Dolan, a former Town Mayor, said there was a lack of hunger for jobs in his home town.
"It is high time that business community of this town got together in a united front and went out on to the market place seeking investment, " he said.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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