The Darker side of Coke

I joined Coca Cola in 1979, based in Chapelizod Dublin it was one of the larger employers in the Ballyfermot/West Dublin area. Two years later we moved to a new "State of the Art" facility (at the time) on the Naas Road.

Over the years the company grew, everyone working there had a Brother/Uncle/Son/Cousin working in the company.

The Coca Cola Social Club was one of the best -- Run by the employees it organized Social Nights, Christmas Parties, Weekends Away, and the most popular of all, the Pantomime at Christmas for the kids.

Both management & staff got along very well, there were disputes over the years but management were ALWAYS willing to sit round a table and find a solution in everyone's interest. This all changed in 2006.

Coca Cola decided to pull its production of Coke out of the Republic of Ireland and move it to Lisburn Northern Ireland.

This decision had a very negative affect on a lot of people and there extended families.

They received a redundancy package but most felt their jobs had been "Snatched Away"

Distribution staff were not offered the same redundancy package as their jobs were remaining in the ROl. The unit on the Naas road remained operating as a Distribution centre until February 09 when the operation moved to Ballycoolin Finglas.

In June 2009 staff were called to a meeting informing them their jobs were being "outsourced "

The Drivers along with dispatching staff & office staff were no longer required by the company they had given the best years of their life..

Their choice was Redundancy (a much reduced package) or transfer to a logistics company (that did not want them.) Some choice!

After much discussion with SIPTU and as a very last resort with a vote to all its members, they felt they had no option but to strike.

Management were unwilling to sit around a table and try to save jobs or find a common solution.

After 40 years+ Coca Cola employees were in dispute with the company.

These men and women have hundreds of year's service to Coca Cola and did not want to end their careers with the company they have worked for all their lives on such a sour note.

It is very upsetting to think that after 30+ years of service this is how much their contribution to Coca Cola is valued.

Companies are made up of hard working people who are willing to promote the product they are proud to be a part of and I cannot believe a Company that strives to promote such a positive image would treat its longest serving employees so badly.

I will never willing purchase a Coca Cola product again.

I would rather die of thirst than increase the profits of a company that thinks so little of its most valuable assets ... Its Employees

--An Ex Coca Cola Employee

Reprinted from the website of the SWP in Ireland.