Union headquarters has received a number of enquiries regarding the content of a memo sent to all staff signed by Rex Comb, Chief Executive Officer of eircom.

The Union responded immediately on Wednesday last to the initial statement in the broad sheets and media, with a press release stating dissatisfaction with the communications process used.  However, the staff communication giving target numbers for staff reductions is wholly unacceptable to the Union.  We have spent the past nine months trying to get the new owners to explain their strategy to us.  At the end of March we were presented with an overview of their strategic thinking and we are in the process of giving details of same to the members at present. 

Nevertheless meaningful discussions have still failed to take place due to the Company management not being in a position to engage with us due to some key management
appointments not being filled till very recently.

In relation to the staff bulletin, it has always been and will continue to be the Unions main goal that this business must grow, customer service must remain at a high level and the guarantees received in writing from Babcock and Brown on all conditions sought by the Union in relation to pay, pensions and terms and conditions of employment will be kept.  There are structures in place to deal with both the Union and company’s agendas and those procedures must be adhered to if normal relations are to continue for business to be done between staff and management.  It is utterly absurd to contemplate the staff reductions by means of meetings as outlined in the memo and any attempt to do so will not be tolerated by the Union. 

It is regrettable that with the Union showing much understanding in the delay by
management in coming up with a strategy, that they have now decided to embark in a
communication process that can only diminish further any confidence or goodwill towards a new management team appointed to implement same.  We will continue to keep
members fully appraised.