Workers at a tannery in Co Tipperary are entering the second week of a sit-in in an attempt to get assurances about their future from the company.
Employees at the tannery, owned by John Ronan & Sons, in Clonmel, who are members of the ATGWU, took the decision to hold a sit-in after they were informed that they were being laid off for several weeks due to the lack of orders and the situation in Iraq.
A trade union representative said the workers, who have decided to stay on the factory premises at Dudley Mills, Clonmel, are in high spirits, are resolute and are determined to get some assurances about their future.
A senior shop steward, Mr Billy Shoer, said the workers intended to continue the sit-in until the company reopened the plant. The sit-in began on Wednesday of last week.
"All we want is our jobs guaranteed, and our current terms of employment kept in place," said Mr Shoer, who is an elected member of Clonmel Borough Council.
Last week the company, which processes animal hides, announced that with regret it was laying off some 100 employees.
In a statement issued to workers and the media, management said the reason for this closure was the poor economic situation in the markets and the war in Iraq.
The firm, which said it had no choice but to take this action, promised to review the situation early next month.
It would not be making any further statements.
The sit-in is continuing round the clock, with workers taking shifts.
According to sources, there are usually 20 employees in the plant at any one time, and they are being fully supported by friends and relatives.
"A lot of people here have given 30 to 40 years' loyal service," said Mr Shoer, who pointed out that there was still stock on the premises.
According to him, union representatives met management at the Labour Relation Court in Kilkenny on Tuesday, where they discussed a number of matters, such as when the workers could return to work and terms of employment.
"We put down a plan with six key recommendations. However, we were not able to get an agreement with the company," said Mr Shoer, who added that the firm had denied it had a hidden agenda.
According to the union, the workers were given an assurance that the firm does not intend to give up the business.
Mr Shoer pointed out that the company admitted that the war in Iraq was only 10 per cent of the problem.
Despite the fact that the workers' representative felt that the exercise in Kilkenny had failed to resolve the matter, the ATGWU says it is more than willing to enter into negotiations any time anywhere with management.
"We are prepared to go to the moon in order to solve this," said Mr Shoer. The last thing the tannery workers wanted was to damage the business.
The plant has operated in the town since the late 1950s.