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THE COUNTRY’S LARGEST trade union will today step up its campaign to seek improved redundancy terms for former workers at the Vita Cortex plant.
32 staff at the plant were told last month that the company would not be able to fund the workers’ redundancy entitlements, with the company – a foam manufacturer – complaining that it could not meet them while its assets were frozen by NAMA.
Staff then commenced a sit-in, and turned down a revised lump sum of €1,500 each – offered to the staff if they left the plant and allowed the premises to be cleared – claiming the offer was “derisory”.
A series of SIPTU demonstrations will begin today when the families and friends of the 32 affected staff join their sit-in, in solidarity at the workers’ treatment.
Though the workers are entitled to a State redundancy payment, the company must prove its inability to pay the staff any other agreed redundancy payments.
The decision to escalate the action at the plant, on Cork’s Kinsale Road, was made after a meeting of staff last Thursday.
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Vita cortex worker hold a protest today between 12.30 to 1.30pm at Vita Cortex, Kensale rd, Cork. And can be followed on twitter at @vcortexworkers and on facebook. Best of luck to them
The government were right to stop companies like vita cortex shafting the tax payers of Ireland. SIPTU need to stand up and be a union instead of sleeping with companies and government, these workers need assistance and need it now. SIPTU want to knock liberty hall and rebuild on the back of membership it’s time they put people first and get the fat cats out of siptu.
SIPTU are SCUM, They shafted us when the company was profitable and still is. There is only a very small group left out of hundreds still paying dues to them.
Peter murphy we the people of this country need more people like you in running this shit hole that they have turned it into and i mean the politicians
A national disgrace that these people can be treated like this, losing their livelihood is hard enough without their entitlements being attacked, where the hell is the Govt support,hand billions to foreign gamblers and allow our own to be treated so wrongly, every worker in the country should be supporting them-beware precedence.
Couldn’t agree more rodger.
How right u are Roger if this kind of unfair treatment of people is allowed to happen in this case then it will continue to happen & then it will become the norm
Surely siptu can help these people out in the mean time financially. The guys at the top of these unions are making a small fortune and are out of touch with reality. How well they appear on the tv all the time shaking hands to be noticed. And why the he’ll do they love facial hair so much?
The very best of luck to you all and stick with it
As the daughter of one of the workers I’d like to thank everyone for their kind words and support.my father worked forty years for cortex and gave his every waking hour to these people when he wasn’t home taking care of us.that was my dad work and family and he was happy as Larry,so to see him older now,not as physically healthy as he was in younger years ,having to worry and fight for what he’s owed sickening.so again thank you all and positive comments and support is what these workers can benefit from right now as they continue the fight that will make all of our future employers think twice before robbing us.cheers to the vita cortex workers for taking a stand for all of us.
Leah, I used to work with your dad at cortex. He’s a lovely man and I saw how much he gave to the company – he doesn’t deserve to be in this position. I hope they get this sorted out soon.
SIPTU my bollox !
Maybe SIPTU will campaign against Labour/Fine Gaels austerity measures that target the needy, the unemployed and the most vulnerable of ! Social leaders…… What social leaders leaders !!!!!!
Social Democracy doesn’t change society equitably ! it tweeks it so as to appear to care !!!
that is “vulnerable of society” sorry !
Not sure whether to call Jack O Connor a puppet or a muppet because he does both so brilliantly. I too cancelled my subs about 4yrs ago. Emancipation!!
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