I AM writing to highlight my concerns about the recent redundancies, and pending redundancies, of Nortel Networks workers.
I am sure you are familiar with the details of Nortel's actions, but I would like to take the opportunity to express my personal fears and concerns.
I have been employed by Nortel for the past ten years, and have now three young children whom I need
to provide for.
On 30th March 2009, 87 employees from Monkstown were effectively 'sacked' as they received no consultation, redundancy or payment in lieu of notice.
The Administrators, Ernst & Young, notified employees of the decision, which came just a week after the company obtained approval in the US and Canadian courts to pay 8 senior managers more than $23 million in bonuses.
Nortel went into administration in January with more than £250 million cash in the bank, and continues to trade as normal.
I appreciate that the economic slowdown has affected many companies, but all I ask of Nortel is for them to honour their obligations to pay redundancies and give due and proper notice and consultation in advance of terminating workers' employment.
I ask this as I have real fears for the remaining jobs at Nortel. I need this redundancy to keep a roof over my family's head during the incredibly tough period, of searching for new employment.
Only recently 20 more employees were informed that there jobs were at risk and that they would also leave without any consultation, redundancy or payment in lieu of notice.
This comes only weeks after senior managers, accepted bonus payments under the Annual Incentive Plan (AIP).
How can they justify receiving bonus payments, while at the same time be responsible for effectively 'sacking' employees without consultation, redundancy or payment in lieu of notice?
The members of the Unite Union, within Nortel, put proposals to the management stating that they were prepared to take a pay cut in order to save jobs.
This has resulted in 5 out of the 20 jobs being saved. Is it possible to have a more stark contrast between those who are prepared to make a sacrifice to save jobs, while there are others only content with feather ing their own nests?
The management obviously have no interest in preserving jobs at the Nortel Monkstown site.
Concerned former Nortel worker (via email).
