Tuam to be Axed at Christmas?
The Herald and Western Advertiser, Saturday, December 10, 1983.
By Francis Farragher.
Introduction
The closure of Tuam Sugar Factory is slated for Dec. 20th, according to an informed Fine Gael source, but this has been dismissed as "mere speculation" by Junior Agriculture Minister Paul Connaughton.
Following intense speculation on Wednesday that the 280 permanent workers at the Tuam plant could face a bleak Christmas on the dole, Deputy Connaughton told The Herald that no decision had yet been made on the future of the plant.
He said that a decision on the factory's future would be made on either next Friday or Tuesday and added that he was "quietly confident" there was a future for sugar processing in Tuam.
Deputy Connaughton said what he thought might happen was that the factory would be kept open but that it would be slimmed down as far as possible.
He added that there was a possibility of some redundancies if it is left open, but refused to speculate on what numbers might be involved. The East Galway Fine Gael T.D. said he wasn't aware of any specific move which the Sugar Company were making at present in relation to the Tuam plant, but added: "As far as the Sugar Company is concerned there is noting new in their attempt to close down the factory."
During the week tension has been mounting in the town as D—Day nears for the factory and there was a packed attendance at a special meeting of all local bodies in the Imperial Hotel, Tuam, on Monday night to discuss the factory situation.
According to Vincent Gaffney, secretary of the Workers Action Committee, it has been the finest ever campaign for the factory.
He said the factory was supposed to have a through—put capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day.
The savings involved would be massive he added — close on a fortnight's work.
Security Plans
There were unconfirmed reports on Wednesday that the Sugar Company had made certain contingency plans in relation to security matters if a closure decision was announced before Christmas.
Sources close to the Tuam Sugar Factory said that they had unconfirmed reports that the Department of Justice had been contacted on the matter of what security measures would have to be taken in the event of a closure.
Obviously if a closure decision was taken before Christmas there would be angry reactions from the 500—plus part—time and full—time workers.
"The costs are looking very good and we are well below our budget. I am more and more surprised at what can be achieved. We hope to keep it up if we get a chance," added Mr. Gaffney.
Meanwhile Senator Mark Killilea has launched a scathing attack on the Government's attitude to the West.
"They intend to scourge, persecute and crucify all in the name of economics. Social or political reasons don't count any more," he said.
"I have noted the Government track record on other closures in the Western area and the pattern seems to be the same for Tuam and the factory. A closure or a slimmed down factory shouldn't be accepted by the workers, farmers and people of the West.
"If the factory closes Fianna Fail will re—open it but I think the time has come for the Government to resign."
Senator Killilea also alleged that higher up Sugar Company officials had engaged in a "spiteful and hurtful campaign" to turn farmers against workers and vice versa by giving a sudden hike to the price of pulp. He said they did this to try and get the idea across that the workers cared nothing about the farmers.
Slicing of beet for the present campaign is expected to finish on December 15th and it would take a further two or three days to complete the production process. That campaign finishing time has also fuelled rumors about a December 20th announcement.
Local Chamber of Commerce President Pat Hardiman said that despite all the rumors he was confident that the government would keep the factory open.
In addition to the 280 permanent staff in the sugar section about 200 temporary campaign workers are employed with close on 50 more in the engineering section.