Workers at the Vita Cortex plant in Cork are planning a “major escalation” of their protest following the company’s refusal to take on board the guidance offered by mediation officials who attempted to find a solution to the four-month dispute.
The 32 workers workers engaged in the sit-in have appealed to the public to rally around them in the wake of what they have termed the “disgraceful treatment” to which they have been subjected by management at the former foam manufacturing plant.
Last Friday, management at Vita Cortex issued a statement in which they claimed the “guidance proposals” suggested by mediators did not provide a solid basis for a resolution to the dispute.
Vita Cortex also repeated that the outcome of the mediation process “ignores the company’s confirmed inability to pay redundancy”. The company insists it has discharged its duties and obligations as required by all relevant authorities.
Siptu organiser Anne Egar said the guidance issued by the independent mediators on April 20th, if accepted by the company, would have provided for a fair and equitable conclusion to the dispute.