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10/01/2012
Support Grows For Vita Cortex Workers
The nationwide outpouring of support for the Vita Cortex workers has continued to grow after they outlined their struggle for justice on RTE’s Late Late Show on Friday 6th January.
Vita Cortex worker Helen Crowley, who worked for the company for over 26 years, told Late Late Show host, Ryan Tubridy, that she had taken part in the sit-in throughout the festive period and "didn't think at this hour of my life I would be sleeping on the factory floor".
However, the workers said they had no option but to undertake the sit-in in order to secure their agreed redundancy payments. According to Jim Power, a Vita Cortex employee for over 42 years, they had been made "feel like 32 fools" by the company management and owner Jack Ronan. The workers were led to believe that monies would be made available to meet their redundancy payments from another Vita Cortex account under the control of the National Assets Management Agency.
"From the 16th September we were being told work away with full co-operation and the money would be there on the 16th December when we were leaving. In the meantime we were being shown memos that were supposed to have been sent to NAMA and memos that were supposed to come from NAMA. On the 9th December we were told to bring over bank account details because the money was being posted directly from NAMA into our bank accounts. On the 14th December we were told there was no money there," Mr Power added.
The Vita Cortex workers, whose sit-in at the company's facility in the Kinsale Road in Cork is in its fourth week, are seeking payment of an agreed redundancy package of 2.9 weeks per year of service. The full amount needed to fund the redundancies is just over €1.2 million and because the plant’s closure predates the last budget the State will pay 60% of that amount.
For further information visit: Vita Cortex 'Inability To Pay' Claim Must Be Assessed
Vita Cortex worker Helen Crowley, who worked for the company for over 26 years, told Late Late Show host, Ryan Tubridy, that she had taken part in the sit-in throughout the festive period and "didn't think at this hour of my life I would be sleeping on the factory floor".
However, the workers said they had no option but to undertake the sit-in in order to secure their agreed redundancy payments. According to Jim Power, a Vita Cortex employee for over 42 years, they had been made "feel like 32 fools" by the company management and owner Jack Ronan. The workers were led to believe that monies would be made available to meet their redundancy payments from another Vita Cortex account under the control of the National Assets Management Agency.
"From the 16th September we were being told work away with full co-operation and the money would be there on the 16th December when we were leaving. In the meantime we were being shown memos that were supposed to have been sent to NAMA and memos that were supposed to come from NAMA. On the 9th December we were told to bring over bank account details because the money was being posted directly from NAMA into our bank accounts. On the 14th December we were told there was no money there," Mr Power added.
The Vita Cortex workers, whose sit-in at the company's facility in the Kinsale Road in Cork is in its fourth week, are seeking payment of an agreed redundancy package of 2.9 weeks per year of service. The full amount needed to fund the redundancies is just over €1.2 million and because the plant’s closure predates the last budget the State will pay 60% of that amount.
For further information visit: Vita Cortex 'Inability To Pay' Claim Must Be Assessed
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26 January 2012
Vita Cortex Workers Protest At Co-Owners Home
Vita Cortex workers brought the campaign to secure their agreed redundancy payments to the home of company shareholder Sean McHenry in Douglas, Cork, on Tuesday. Six of the 32 Vita Cortex workers, who are in the sixth week of their sit-in at the former foam manufacturing plant on Kinsale Road in Cork, distributed leaflets outside the McHenry home.
Vita Cortex Workers Protest At Co-Owners Home
Vita Cortex workers brought the campaign to secure their agreed redundancy payments to the home of company shareholder Sean McHenry in Douglas, Cork, on Tuesday. Six of the 32 Vita Cortex workers, who are in the sixth week of their sit-in at the former foam manufacturing plant on Kinsale Road in Cork, distributed leaflets outside the McHenry home.
13 January 2012
Vita Cortex Campaign Brought To The Dáil
Over 300 people gathered outside Dáil Eireann yesterday to support the campaign by the Vita Cortex workers for their agreed redundancy payments. The crowd gave a rapturous welcome to 14 Vita Cortex workers who travelled from Cork to attend the demonstration.
Vita Cortex Campaign Brought To The Dáil
Over 300 people gathered outside Dáil Eireann yesterday to support the campaign by the Vita Cortex workers for their agreed redundancy payments. The crowd gave a rapturous welcome to 14 Vita Cortex workers who travelled from Cork to attend the demonstration.
04 January 2012
Minister Concerned Over Vita Cortex Factory Workers
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has expressed his concern at the continuing situation at the Vita Cortex factory in Cork which has involved workers at the plant engaging in a sit-in arising from a dispute with their employer over redundancy payments.
Minister Concerned Over Vita Cortex Factory Workers
The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has expressed his concern at the continuing situation at the Vita Cortex factory in Cork which has involved workers at the plant engaging in a sit-in arising from a dispute with their employer over redundancy payments.
16 December 2011
Protect Cortex Workers Rights, Says SIPTU
The trade union SIPTU has said a way must be found to provide 32 Vita Cortex workers with their legal redundancy entitlements when the company's Cork plant ceases operation today.
Protect Cortex Workers Rights, Says SIPTU
The trade union SIPTU has said a way must be found to provide 32 Vita Cortex workers with their legal redundancy entitlements when the company's Cork plant ceases operation today.
27 March 2012
SF Pledges Continued Support For Lagan Brick Workers
Representatives of the Lagan Brick workers met with Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and six party councillors on Monday to update them on the long running dispute at the brick manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.
SF Pledges Continued Support For Lagan Brick Workers
Representatives of the Lagan Brick workers met with Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and six party councillors on Monday to update them on the long running dispute at the brick manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.
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