Further escalation of industrial action not ruled out 

Fianna Fáil candidate for Louth, Alison Comyn, visited the beleaguered Becton Dickinson manufacturing plant in Drogheda as SIPTU members employed there staged a lunchtime picket at the entrance to the plant. 

This latest move is an escalation of their ongoing campaign of industrial action, after it was announced in July that the profitable plant is to close fully by September 2026. 

SIPTU representatives are seeking to work with management on alternatives that they say could maintain it in operation.  

 “Members of the union say they have remained patient for months while seeking meaningful engagement with this US-headquartered company but to no avail.” says Drogheda-native Comyn.

“The members began a work-to-rule industrial action at the plant last month, but they tell me the company has still failed to engage with the Union in a manner that could resolve the dispute at meetings between the sides.” 

The initial redundancies at the plant will involve around 110 workers and are set to begin in March 2025. The remaining job cuts are planned to take place by September 2026. 

BD, which has operated in Drogheda for six decades, stated that the closure is a result of a comprehensive review of its worldwide manufacturing and supply chain operations. 

SIPTU spokesperson Andrea Cleere says their members will continue with their industrial action in an attempt to bring about meaningful negotiations with management concerning the future of the plant.  

“SIPTU representatives remain committed to resolving this dispute through direct negotiations with management, we are also available and willing to attend mediation,” explained Ms Cleere. 

 “Our members believe it is only through a continuation, and if necessary, further escalation of their industrial action that the conditions can be created to resolve this dispute.” 

One staff member who has worked at the plant for seven years said the action was regrettable but they felt they had no choice.  

“I’m not doing this to close the place, just resolve this’ he said.