Manufacturing giant Thermo King is set to make an announcement this Friday that will affect the future of hundreds of employees at the plant.
Less than a week after it announced the loss of 110 jobs the Galway Advertiser understands that management at the refrigerated transport unit maker are now in discussion with staff over how to deal with a reduction in the company’s workload from the beginning of 2009.
A Thermo King spokesperson confirmed last night that the options being discussed include the possibility of a three-day week for full time staff, and the extension of Christmas holidays. The spokesperson added, “Thermo King will inform staff this Friday as how we intend to manage a reduced work load in January.”
There was a glimmer of hope though when the spokesperson added that some orders were still pending.
Local councillor Michael Crowe said he expected disappointing news on Friday but added, “The positive side to be taken is that it appears at the moment that when the company make an announcement on the staff’s future at least no one is going to be being laid off permanently.
“Businesses like this rely on international customers and these customers are being caught hard by the world-wide credit crunch. Their usual customers, as I understand, are just not in a position to buy as often as before.
“The impact of the world-wide credit crunch is coming home to roost here in Galway, but it could be much much worse.”
Last week in a move that sent shockwaves through the city Thermo King announced the loss of 110 jobs. This close to Christmas the news was another tough blow for the city, Mayor Padraig Conneely said at the time, “The Thermo King announcement is a devastating blow to Galway as it is one of the biggest employers here.” Currently there are approximately 550 workers still active on the Galway site.
