Confusion still Reigns over plant future as Gleeson’s workers Unite

From simple beginnings in the 1960s, the Gleeson family of Borrisoleigh made something special. They created an enterprise bottling soft drinks and stout. The business portfolio grew where wholesale companies were acquired, large deals with Diageo in 2005 and 2010 saw Gleeson’s buy out United Beverages business outside of Dublin as well as Gibney’s Wine Business.

The company was sold in the past to brothers Nicholas and Patrick Cooney in 1974. While under their stewardship, Gleeson’s became the leader it was in 2012 with major contracts with various supermarket chains. It was at this point C&C began their takeover of this firmly established business which gave jobs to so many around Borrisoleigh, Thurles and beyond.

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It started with C&C outsourcing part of their logistics operation at the former Gleeson’s plant which resulted in up to 12 drivers, some of them with up to 30 years service, being made redundant in favour of a logistics company.

It was at this time Sean Ely, a Nenagh native who worked in the Borrisoleigh plant for 12 years, recogised the challenges that would be faced by the staff in the coming years and months. After meetings with various officials, Sean set about establishing a Union for the workers. The membership began at just three and gradually grew until in 2015 almost 99% of staff were members of the workers Union.

Speaking to Tipperary Times, Sean was disappointed in the manner by which C&C conducted negotiations. “At first they did not recognise the Union. We started talks and our goal was securing the future of the Borrisoleigh plant and jobs for the Borrisoleigh hinterland. We understood the challenges facing the plant and it was our goal to help it return to profitability. Part of this agreement meant that the workers would have to take pay cuts. As painful as this was, we understood this was vital for the future of the plant”

Shortly after the agreements were signed, the news was leaked that the Borrisoleigh plant was to close. “The ink was hardly dry on the negotiations when we learned of the job losses.” Ely told Tipperary Times “At first they were only offering statutory redundancy, but after various talks it increased to 3, 4 and finally 5 weeks. It was tough for us to accept”

The future of the plant and potential buyers has been something the workers are keen to learn more about. “We have been told of potential buyers. Apparently there was one interested party and Michael Lowry has said there should be something after redundancies have been signed off. Alan Kelly has made many comments in the past but none have been helpful. Other representatives have offered support but Kelly has been both absent and unhelpful at best.”

When C&C acquired Bulmers in Clonmel and Gleeson’s in Borrisoleigh, we were told there was a bright future for the company and that there were expansion plans. Of course, the opposite happened. The company shredded jobs at both locations and the closure of Gleeson’s will result in 140 job losses.

That closure has been commented on by some as a cynical move to strip a former profitable company of its prized assets and lucrative contracts while offering false hope to over 140 long term loyal employees which will have a detrimental effect on the local economy.

In the midst of all this, C&C has and continues to have, support from Enterprise Ireland. Such cynical moves to destroy local economies should not be rewarded with funding which may well be best spent helping businesses around Borrisoleigh. While the future of the plant hangs in the balance, we must call on political representatives to stand up and be counted to help a new company save the jobs of these skilled workers and return much needed investment to North Tipperary. While some TDs pontificated on the promise of various jobs which they would deliver if elected, now is the time for TDs, our representatives to make good on their promises.