End to dispute at Irish ADM plant ?

Proposals to resolve a three-month dispute at ADM's citric acid plant in east Cork, Ireland are expected shortly. Workers and management have been in discussions since March following a decision by ADM to change working conditions at the plant.

The Services Industrial Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) said this week that they expect to receive a set of proposals from ADM's management by Friday afternoon.

Union members claim that following a refusal to accept restructuring changes tabled by the company in March this year members were prevented from "attending to their normal duties and effectively were locked out".

"We have indicated to management our willingness to engage in constructive discussions on their restructuring proposals, either directly or with the assistance of an agreed third party, but they continue to refuse to meet us without pre-conditions,"​ said Eddie Mullins, SIPTU's branch secretary that represents 80 employees of the plant, in March.

If ADM's employees accept the new conditions, production of citric acid could well restart at the Ringaskiddy plant. If not, the plant could face closure.