Fears for Ballina United Drugs jobs

Fears for Ballina United Drug jobs


Anna-Marie Flynn

BALLINA is waiting with bated breath as locals fear job losses will be announced in one of the town’s most successful industries, United Drug Plc.
Last week, it emerged that the Ballina-based leading healthcare services provider may make 90 people in its Irish division redundant after the company announced its plans to restructure the company in response to ‘an ongoing acute set of economic circumstances’.
Employing a total of 900 people between its bases at Lord Edward Street, Ballina and Citywest, Dublin, it said the company’s current consultation process may see ten per cent of its Irish sections being cut.
But the north Mayo town will have to wait until mid-February to hear details of the restructuring and in what capacity it will affect the Mayo operation, if at all.
One worker told The Mayo News: “It came as a bit of shock really, as we are still quite busy. It is frightening to think what might happen. That said, we are all hoping against hope that the news will be positive for Ballina when the details are made known.”
The company stated yesterday (Monday) that it cannot release any particulars of the proposal until it collaborates its findings and makes the information known on February 17 next.
Ballina Chamber of Commerce has said it has high hopes that all jobs can be maintained in the local operation. CEO, Sandra Cribben, said the company is seen as a ‘very well-established and well-respected outfit’ in the town. “Obviously we would hope that such a long-standing employer in Ballina would not have to downsize and the Chamber would hate to see any jobs being lost in what is a pioneering industry that began here in Ballina and is now recognised internationally,” she said.
United Drug Plc has a traditional association with Ballina after it was founded there in 1948 and celebrated its 60th anniversary in the town last year. Originally set up to provide services to pharmacists in the west of Ireland, it extended its operation to Limerick and subsequently purchased facilities in Dublin.
In the last few years, United Drug Plc made a considerable investment in the town when it moved its Ballina headquarters from Emmett Street to a purpose-built premises at Lord Edward Street.