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A protest in support of the Vita Cortex workers Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Taoiseach welcomes end of Vita Cortex dispute

Enda Kenny said that the agreement reached had brought to an end “a long period of uncertainty” for the workers and their families.

THE TAOISEACH HAS this evening welcomed the end of the long-running protest at the Vita Cortex plant in Cork, saying that the agreement reached had brought to an end “a long period of uncertainty” for the workers and their families.

“I am relieved that a resolution has been found and a conclusion has been brought to a long period of uncertainty and anxiety for the Vita Cortex workers and their families,” Enda Kenny said in a statement this evening. “The workers have displayed enormous dignity and fortitude throughout their almost 20-week campaign.

Thirty-two workers at the closed plant had staged a sit-in for 139 days over redundancy pay they say they were owed by management.

After talks this evening at a Cork hotel, the workers confirmed they had accepted new proposals. A statement from Siptu, which represents the workers, said the settlement would mean an “equitable conclusion” to the dispute.

Kenny he had mentioned in the Dáil this week that the workers deserved respect for their “long years of committed and diligent service” and that he hoped today’s resolution would bring closure to what has been a traumatic period for them.

“I was deeply impressed by their determination and sincerity when I met them eight weeks ago and I wish them all the best in the future now that their long campaign has come to an end,” he added.

Labour Party TD for Cork South Central Ciaran Lynch also welcomed the news of the resolution, saying that while it was “regrettable” that it has taken 139 days for the situation to be resolved, the workers at the centre of the dispute should be commended and congratulated for “sustaining their campaign to be treated with fairness and respect”.

He added that the episode underlined the need for an extensive examination regarding how companies who plead an inability to pay claims redundancy payments are dealt with in the future.

Read: Vita Cortex sit-in ends as workers agree settlement

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19 Comments
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    Mute david whelan
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:31 PM

    united we stand divided we fall – congrats to the workers – Connolly and Larkin would be proud.

    162
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    Mute Kenny McLawrence
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:36 PM

    These guys have their place in history. Irish labour history anyway. An example for us all what can happen if you stick together and stay united. Well done vita cortex workers and thank you for your courage.

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    Mute Eddie Barrett
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:34 PM

    Well done Workers – a huge dignified stand for your ordinary Civil Rights .

    122
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    Mute Paraic Simpson
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:37 PM

    Well done to the 32 individuals for their strength and perseverance. Now they can return to their homes and loved ones and get on with their lives.

    103
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    Mute Thomas Mc Grory
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    May 2nd 2012, 10:03 PM

    Enda Kenny did nothing to help

    87
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    Mute Michael Heneghan
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    May 2nd 2012, 11:04 PM

    He was only comenting!

    32
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:50 PM

    No thanks to you Inda…not enough votes to be gotten I suppose…

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    Mute Annette Carroll
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    May 2nd 2012, 10:37 PM

    Well done vita cortex 32, so proud of you all, you have put the ” Rebel” back into cork

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    Mute Alan Dempsey
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:45 PM

    Well fair play to them

    57
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    Mute Phil Howlin
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    May 2nd 2012, 11:22 PM

    Shows what can be done when right is on your side

    33
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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    May 3rd 2012, 12:44 AM

    Who needs taoishits two cents. He obviously wants to be seen to have had some influence on it. You might as well ask a giraffe’s opinion- it has the same weight and relevance.

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    Mute Bridie Greene
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    May 2nd 2012, 9:40 PM

    Well done Mister Enda Kenny sir for ending this dispute in such a timely fashion. Hip hip hooray

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    Mute S P Mc Grath
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    May 2nd 2012, 11:29 PM

    Every bit of land we have is covered

    10
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    Mute Oisin Murray
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    May 3rd 2012, 7:47 AM

    We should all take a leaf from their book and stop putting up with shite from bullies & banks etc… Protest does work, we need to change our narrow minded attitude towards protest in this country and save our nation…!

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    Mute Carlin Ite
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    May 3rd 2012, 6:58 AM

    I reckon the government a little worried about the vita cortex workers resolve. If the irish people start thinking that by gathering united together until their just demands are met the gov might have to deliver some election promises!

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    Mute Joe Keegan
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    May 3rd 2012, 1:05 AM

    So what was the deal?
    If we do not hear about it then the whole thing was a waste of time !!!!

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    Mute Leah O Reilly
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    May 3rd 2012, 5:37 PM

    Confidentiality clause joe,the option is not there for either side to go public with the terms ,this was not a fight to share the terms of a settlement for all of us in the public to discuss ,it was a fight to demand an uber wealthy employer live up to his responsibilities and not stroll off leaving everyone hanging with all of their money in his pocket and the government unable to stop him.Well these people stopped him and they are smiling today,that for anyone who cares about their fight or cares about upholding moral standards in business relations is enough of a result,it’s all we need to know ,they stood up ,they got a result,a well worth fight sir,let the confidentialities to the workers and their families ,they’ve been through enough and are heroes to all fair minded people.

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    Mute Ireland for Change
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    May 3rd 2012, 7:37 AM

    Exactly what was the deal newspapers reporting that the stand off has come to an end is grand but without the details or comments from any of the 32 all it is is a story in the paper

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    Mute Leah O Reilly
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    May 3rd 2012, 5:39 PM

    Same as my comment for joe.

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