Fears for jobs at VMware facility in Ballincollig

FEARS of job cuts have hit staff at VMware’s facility in Ballincollig after workers received notification of “organisational changes and possible redundancies” following the completed acquisition of the company.

Last week, Broadcom Inc - a global technology firm that designs, develops, and supplies semiconductor and infrastructure software solutions - announced that it had completed its acquisition of VMware, Inc.

Staff at VMware, which now goes by VMware by Broadcom, in Ballincollig this week received correspondence from the employer notifying them that the company is “proposing some organisational changes and possible redundancies”.

“As a next step, you will have the opportunity to set up employee representatives so that we can begin a collective consultation process with those representatives,” the document, seen by The Echo, states.

“Consultation with the representatives will involve discussion about ways of avoiding or reducing the number of redundancies and mitigating the consequences of any redundancies that the company does have to make,” it continues.

The tech company, which opened in Barrack Square, Ballincollig, in 2005 is a major employer in the region.

Local Fianna Fáil councillor, Colm Kelleher, said the correspondence sent to employees of the tech company had sparked serious concern.

“Staff, just before Christmas, are obviously very worried. It’s very unfortunate to have this specter hanging over people,” he said.

“I’ve made contact with my colleagues in Government and I’ve been speaking to the relevant ministers and they’re aware of the situation and they’re monitoring it.

“They’re committed to engaging with all relevant parties to see where this is going.” ]

Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, Mick Barry, echoed concerns for employees.

“It's very unfair that these workers will have all this hanging over their heads in the Christmas holiday season.

“I will bring the matter up in the Dáil and will urge Minister Coveney [Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney] to intervene.

“I encourage workers to organise now to protect their interests and any worker who wants advice in this regard should feel free to contact me through my office.” 

The Echo has contacted Broadcom for comment.