Employees at a DIY superstore in north Cork have ended a sit-in that began yesterday after they were informed they are to be made redundant.
Staff decided to call off the sit-in after management at 4Home agreed to meet unions representing the workers to discuss redundancy packages.
The demonstration began at the company's Mitchelstown store yesterday after employees met to discuss the company's move to issue 15 staff members with statutory redundancy notices, which take effect on Sunday.
Staff want an improved redundancy package or the chance to relocate for continued employment.
Three Co-op Superstores, which operate under the 4Home brand, are to close this weekend, with the loss of 40 jobs in Cork and Limerick. The affected stores are located in New Square, Mitchelstown, Patrick Street, Fermoy and Annacotty in Limerick.
Seven other outlets in the DIY and homeware chain have been closed throughout the country in recent weeks, including stores in Ballincollig and Macroom.
A 4Home spokesman said the company had no option but to close the stores.
"It is no longer viable for the company to sustain the continuing operation of the stores as a consequence of the severe impact of the recession on the DIY and homeware sector," he said.
4Home said yesterday it was expecting to hold talks with employees today. Negotiations between 4Home and parent company Reox Holdings, which is a spin-off from Dairygold, are ongoing about the possible acquisition of the company's seven remaining stores in Munster.