SIPTU says it is unacceptable that loyal Irish workers have to witness their jobs being outsourced abroad.

It follows the news that 170 jobs are to go at UPC. The telecommunications company is to relocate some of its operations to the Philippines.

The majority of the job losses will be in Limerick and Dublin, with a lesser number in Galway, Cork and Waterford.

SIPTU, who represent many of the staff at the company, is to begin talks with the company on a voluntary redundancy scheme.

SIPTU organiser, Dennis Hynes,said staff at UPC are heartbroken at the news:

Originally posted at 12.00pm