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DHL workers in Ireland accept redundancy terms
3 July 2009
DHL employees based in Ireland have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a redundancy package negotiated by their union, the Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (Siptu). The union also managed to negotiate the retention of a number of jobs.
The deal gives workers six weeks’ pay for each year of service as well as some additional regular allowances. The package includes statutory entitlements. They also have the option of becoming “service partners”, working with DHL on a self-employed basis in locations where depots are closing, such as in Athlone, Cavan, Enniscorthy, Galway, Sligo, Tralee and Waterford.
In addition, Siptu worked successfully with the company to keep redundancies at three depots to a minimum.
“Besides ensuring a continuing stream of income for staff being let go, the service partner model will allow former DHL employees to work with other businesses and industries in the towns where depots are closing”, said Siptu branch organiser Pat Ward.
She explained that an organisation working for employee advancement would be involved in training and “up-skilling” former employees so that they could operate effectively on a self-employed basis.
She added: “We are also managing to preserve a significant number of jobs at the three central hubs in Dublin, Cork and Shannon.”
In May, the union brought in an economist to examine the company’s financial situation.
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