Galway Aviva workers hope city escapes jobs axe

Date Published: 19-Oct-2011

Some senior workers at Aviva Insurance in Galway – where almost 250 are employed – remain hopeful that the local operation will be saved, despite swingeing job cuts confirmed by the company this week.

But staff are “completely furious” that little information was offered at a meeting specially convened by management at the Knocknacarra offices in Galway yesterday (Wednesday) morning.

It’s known that the lease on the building in Knocknacarra is about to expire and is currently being renegotiated – which is seen by some as a positive indication.

However, Taoiseach Enda Kenny confimed the sheer scale of the news. "This is a very stark reminder of what the government has to do in facing the competitiveness challenge. This is an awful day for employees at Aviva," he said.

During the 45 minute meeting in Galway, one of the management team from Dublin explained that of the workforce of around 1,800 in Ireland, 950 jobs will be cut. Around 300 jobs will be outsourced, although management did not clarify if they are in addition to the jobs cuts.

Around 230 staff are employed at a call centre, claims service centre and administration building in Galway West Business Park in Knocknacarra, with twelve more in general insurance and life assurance at an office in Eyre Square.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.