Two sides blame each other for impasse
With over 200 workers set to lose their jobs at the Becton Dickinson factory in Drogheda by September 2026, negotiations between management and unions have all but broken down with each party blaming the other for the impasse.
In a statement issued yesterday evening, a spokesperson for BD said:
“Since the commencement of this process, BD has made every effort to negotiate in good faith to arrive at the best possible settlement for all those affected.
“We are extremely disappointed that these efforts have not been reciprocated by the trade unions who have been unwilling to cease industrial action at the site, which was a condition of entering the conciliation process with the Workforce Relations Commission (WRC).
“Because industrial actions continue to be actively in force by the unions, BD has no option but to withdraw from negotiations” they said.
“We have communicated this decision to all employees at the Drogheda site. We now anticipate that the matter will be referred to the Labour Court.
“Should that occur, we look forward to the adjudication hearing to bring closure and clarity to this matter for all employees at the Drogheda facility.”
For their part, SIPTU representatives said that this unilateral withdrawal by BD management from the WRC conciliation talks has undermined the good faith on which the redundancy negotiations are based.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Andrea Cleere, said: “We are absolutely surprised by this move by the company. Our members can categorically state that they are not currently engaged in any aspect of industrial action.
“The claims made by the company this evening (Thursday 14th November) that the membership is engaged in industrial action are false and extremely damaging to the relationship between the workforce and local management.”
“We consider that the withdrawal from the WRC conciliation talks and the suggested unilateral referral to the Labour Court is a bizarre move which has undermined the good faith under which we entered into this process. Our members are completely shocked and disheartened by this approach by the company.”
