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WORKERS AT THE closed Vita Cortex manufacturing plant in Cork are set to “escalate” their protest after two weeks of a sit-in failed to achieve results.
The union supporting 32 workers at the facility said it would being staging protests at the relevant Government departments and Nama as well as the company’s facilities. A Siptu organiser added that the union would “not rule out any action”.
Vita Cortex, which manufactures packaging, closed its plant on Kinsale Road in Cork ten days ago on Friday 16 December. The employees were told they would not be receiving any redundancy payments – and have been holding a sit-in at the company ever since.
Before Christmas, the company reportedly offered workers a lump sum of €1,500 each if they would leave the plant and allow the owner to clear out equipment. However, Siptu said the offer was “derisory”.
The union said the 32 workers had won extensive support from the local community in Cork.
Siptu organiser Gerry McCormack said: “The employer, NAMA and the various government agencies were given ample time to resolve this issue prior to the new year but they have all failed to agree a method to resolve the dispute. It’s totally unacceptable that this dispute should continue when it’s clear that a solution could easily be found.”
The company also operates facilities in Belfast, Dublin and Athlone.
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Good luck lads
Yeah and they’ll need it,if they’re depending on that so called working peoples union SIPTU to represent them!
Encouraging words Nettles.
Yeah good luck lads
Good to see people with the balls to take a stand for what they’re entitled to. Respect and wishes to them and their families.
pawns in lowlife scumbag SIPTUs PR exercise. Did Jack O Connor have a good Christmas?
Good luck to these workers. Their treatment is a disgrace.
No point in protesting outside government buildings – protest in Enda Kenny’s front garden or his town, then you would see some resolution. As soon as his people are disrupted veering out their shopping or work they will soon apply pressure on him to act. Marching on Dail means nothing and nobody cares. Enda is probably not even there.
1500 euro, I’ve heard one guy there has over 40 years service, 1500 is an insult!! I hope these guys get what they deserve in the end!! Best of luck with they’re fight!!
They are fighting a losing battle. Government will not move. they knew 5 years ago this was coming. I know some of there drivers and they knew there product was not up to EU regulations. I do hope they get looked after but I feel they are losing the battle
They knew 5 yrs ago they wouldn’t get the redundancy they are entitled to because their employer is caught up in NAMA?
Vita Cortex workers can be followed on twitter @vcortexworkers
It’s truly heartwarming to see so many people coming out in support of these workers,it could happen to any of us so giving reasons as to why the company went under is not needed on this page that was mr.ronans responsibility,these people came and did a job and have been robbed blind,what they need right now is support not negative comments ,which most people seem to understand.
Where is their union? That’s a disgrace and these union bosses should be ashamed of themselves.
Mags, have you read this article, or indeed any of the press. Would this dispute be in the media were it not for the fact that this group is organised within a union?
its nothing to do with nama, thats just a crutch being used by all sides
I’m sorry but the union are s joke and a pr disaster. The unions(hence I cover all) are constantly making threats and no one takes them seriously because we know nothing will come of it. This should be the straw that broke the camels back with unions calling for a national day of protest and not some Micky mouse protest for 5 mins on the streets of Dublin which will be consequently high jacked by sinn fein. Personally I detest unions for loads of hot air and getting nothing
How did they know about Nama 5 years ago? Offering €1500 is a slap in the face. Good luck to them and the workers of Lagan bricks too
Can’t they take it to court? If they have a case, they should win.
If you are on Twitter please follow then @vcortexworkers and they are on facebook too
These workers should not be left ‘high and dry’ by their employers, the state should act responsibly towards the workers and make some provision for their future as they have done for the employer.
are they not legally entitled to at least 2 weeks of pay per year of service from the gov?
@Frank. Yes the employer is way out of line and if the law was on the workers’ side the company’s equipment should be used to pay for the redundancy. The government via Nama should have stepped in when it was obvious the company was going to wash its hands. These are real people who are hurting and my point is the unions should ramp this up, and shouldn’t have let it slide for two weeks. Obviously the powers that be want this to go away, so push it straight in their faces. Shame them into looking after the workers. Go to the other VC factories en-masse with families in tow. Camp out on Enda’s doorstep. I don’t know what else to say but push harder. Shame on VC and Nama.
I agree that this should be ramped up.
Another shameful result for the shameful, self serving unions.
Does the employer have no guilt? Or do we just blame the union for the employers ill-treatment of workers?
Maybe these workers should try get jobs in siptu. We’ve just had one of the worst years for workers in this country, yet the siptu lads still get nice fat salaries and a nice fat Christmas bonus for a job badly done.
Vita Cortex workers can be followed on twitter @vcortexworkers and facebook
@Frank. “the union would not rule out any action”. Wtf? Having these people spend two weeks over Christmas sitting in a factory was bullish*t. Not good enough Frank….
Mags, these people are the union
have your say