Bausch + Lomb reportedly plans to cut 200 jobs at its contact lens plant in Waterford, Ireland.
RTÉ News reported that further cost reductions may also be required to keep the plant open, with a proposed 20 per cent pay cut for remaining staff on the table.
Discussions with staff and union representatives were to start next week.
Services Industrial Professional and Technical (SIPTU) sector organiser Alan O’Leary said: ‘The announcement today of 200 job cuts is very bad news for the workers in Bausch + Lomb, Waterford. This development comes at a time when retaining quality manufacturing jobs is a key priority. SIPTU is calling on the government to redouble its efforts to protect jobs in Bausch and Lomb, the largest employer in the South East Region.
SIPTU members would be seeking a meeting with local management concerning the proposed redundancies.
O’Leary added: ‘In line with our collective agreement the union will forensically look at the management proposal in order to reach a mutual agreement in an effort to reduce the number planned job cuts.
‘Each and every job saved is a household spared the considerable financial worry and concern associated with losing employment. Today the workers in Bausch + Lomb are trying to come to terms with this bad news. However, we have a period of consultation and negotiation ahead and during this period we will work with management in an effort to minimise the job losses.’
A spokesperson for Bausch + Lomb could not immediately comment on the reports when contacted by Optician.