Smurfit Westrock has announced plans to cut 55 jobs at its Lurgan packaging plant, prompting concern from local politicians and union representatives.

The company, which employs approximately 165 workers at the site, has not publicly stated a reason for the proposed redundancies. The announcement was made on Monday.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Mary O’Dowd, said her thoughts are with the workers and their families. She described the potential redundancies as deeply concerning and said they would cause significant uncertainty for affected employees.

O’Dowd said she intends to meet with the company and trade union representatives to understand the situation and explore options to protect jobs.

Smurfit Westrock has operated in Lurgan for many years and is considered an important local employer, according to O’Dowd.

Unite, the union representing many of the plant’s workers, said its members fear the job cuts could be a first step towards transferring production to the company’s Dublin site.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said there is no justification for the job cuts, describing the company as highly profitable and paying out large sums to shareholders each quarter.

Unite regional officer Sean McKeever said workers face losing their livelihoods due to a long-term failure by the company to invest and modernise. He said the union is engaging with members on options to respond to the announcement and the potential threat to the site’s future.

McKeever said members are concerned this could be the first step to closing the site. He noted the area has already experienced a series of job loss announcements and said it is past time Stormont intervened.

Sinn Féin council group leader Keith Haughian expressed solidarity with the workers, calling the potential job losses a devastating blow for those affected, their families and the wider community.

Haughian said the workers are skilled and have given years of service to the company. He said he shares the union’s concerns about the future of the plant and the need for investment to secure jobs long term.

The council said it will work with statutory partners to help affected workers access advice, guidance and support for their next employment opportunity.