Portarlington meeting for workers affected by Fastway closure

A meeting will take place in Portarlington Community Centre at 5pm this evening (Friday) to support workers affected by the recent closure of Fastway couriers in Portarlington.

Fastway's parent company, Nuvion, went into receivership in recent weeks, impacting hundreds of jobs, many of them in Offaly and across the wider Midlands region.

Local Sinn Féin councillor Claire Murray announced the meeting this evening in Portarlington.

She said it would will bring together representatives from Intreo, the Local Enterprise Office (LEO), the Laois/Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and MABS to provide advice on payments, redundancy entitlements, retraining options and business supports for those impacted.

Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh spoke about the Fastway situation in the Dáil on Wednesday, saying its "workers, subcontractors and franchisees were left high and dry" last week.

She said the workers, some of whom were in the Dáil gallery on Wednesday, "were told they would not be paid during the 30-day receivership period," adding: "It is eight weeks before Christmas. They cannot apply for another job. They cannot get jobseeker's allowance.

"They are afraid to take supplementary welfare allowance without having written confirmation that it will not affect their redundancy. There are serious questions as to how we can allow companies to operate like this in the first place.

"(What are Ministers) doing to protect these workers, the small businesses and the road haulage companies that have suffered acute losses?

"What is the Government going to do to get the 50,000 parcels delivered to customers who are waiting for those parcels?"

Responding, Minister Jack Chambers said he regretted what had happened at the company, adding: "I know how concerning and difficult it is for everyone involved."

He said the receivership process was long-established. "The Department of Social Protection is engaging directly with the receivers in the context of the information that has emerged, and a collective redundancy notification has been received by the Department of Enterprise as well.

"There are limitations given the independence of the receivership process. Of the two respective Departments, one has been notified and the other is engaging directly. That work is ongoing in the context of what is emerging."

Local councillor Claire Murray said this evening's meeting was about seeking to address the "limbo" in which workers found themselves.

"Over the past week, I've spoken with Fastway workers and drivers who are deeply worried about how they'll manage in the weeks ahead. They've been left in limbo — unable to access payments and unsure about redundancy. That's simply not acceptable.

"This meeting will provide clear information, practical advice and direct access to agencies who can help right now."

The meeting is open to all Fastway and Parcel Connect employees, subcontractors and delivery partners affected by the receivership.