Google must adopt a voluntary redundancy first approach

• Minister Coveney should intervene and call for Google to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Labour Leader, Ivana Bacik TD, has today called on the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney to support her call for Google to adopt a voluntary redundancy first approach to redundancies. Google announced a 6% cut in its staff number a few months ago which has resulted in 240 redundancies in its Irish branch. The thirty-day consultation period with its employee council is underway with concerns over visas and the criteria for redundancy forming part of these discussions.

Commenting on the ongoing situation Deputy Bacik, who is a local TD for the area said:

“Today, I was briefed by the Financial Services Union (FSU) on the current position in relation to the redundancy process in Google. I share the view expressed by the FSU that compulsory redundancies must be avoided, and the company should adopt a voluntary redundancy first approach. My thoughts and that of all of us in Labour are with those employees who are affected by the announced job losses – many of whom are my constituents here in Dublin Bay South.

“Irish legislation demands that everything possible is done to mitigate against compulsory redundancies. It is incumbent on the company to explore all options and work in a fair and transparent manner with its employee council to avoid compulsory redundancies and provide clarity on outstanding issues of concern to staff, including the issue of visa and immigration status in some cases.

“I will be contacting the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment urging him to call on Google to work with the FSU and with staff representatives, and to set a standard in the sector that others can follow of no compulsory redundancies.”