Aviva staff escape axe – as Galway workforce doubled

BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM

Workers at Aviva Insurance in Knocknacarra have escaped the axe wielded by management as part of nationwide cuts – instead the workforce is set to be doubled to 440 in Galway.

Management announced this week that 220 new jobs are to be created at a new ‘Centre of Excellence’.

The plans – first revealed by our sister newspaper the Connacht Sentinel five weeks ago – will see the opening of new insurance claims and sales centres of excellence which will serve the Irish and British markets.

Recruitment for the new positions is set to begin this summer, and will see the workforce in Knocknacarra doubled

The announcement will mean a huge sigh of relief for the 220 existing workers there whose futures were left ‘in limbo’ for more than a year

Aviva previously threatened to cut 950 jobs in Ireland (between Galway, Dublin and Cork), and that a further 300 jobs would be outsourced.

Brian Gallagher, Regional Officer with UNITE said: “We are pleased to have secured an initial 220 new positions in Galway as well as maintaining strong existing bases in Dublin and Cork. This reduces the net loss of jobs in Ireland by 450 from what was previously announced,” said Mr Gallagher.

Read more in today’s Galway City Tribune