Bausch and Lomb workers at the pharmaceutical plant in Waterford return to the picket line as they continue to strike for pay increases in light of the cost-of-living crisis.
The initial industrial action started on Saturday, with SIPTU members employed at the plant stopping work for two hours. Employees say management is not providing an adequate pay rise for them. The strike action tomorrow will be another two-hour work stoppage.
SIPTU Sector Organiser Neil McGowan said they've yet to receive an offer from the company through the Workplace Relations Commission proposal that adequately recognises the sacrifices the workers in since 2014.
"Management made promises in 2014 that with improved efficiencies and increased profitability that the workers would share in those profits. We haven't seen any offer that adequately reflects that," he said.
"That is against the backdrop of inflation that we haven't seen in a generation that is putting serious strain on the workers. That is why people need to see their wages increased to protect their standard of living as much as possible."
Mr McGowan said that they haven't had any contact from management since the first strike action on Saturday.
"We want to resolve this, but we need to get a deal that reflects the sacrifices the workers have made and will go a way towards protecting their standard of living," he said.
The company said it regrets the industrial action being taken by its employees. It also urged SIPTU to defer any further industrial action and allow employees vote on the most recent company proposal.