16/12/2011

SIPTU Calls For Redundancy Pay For Plant Workers

One of Ireland's largest unions has said a way must be found to provide Vita Cortex workers with their legal redundancy entitlements when the company’s Cork plant ceases operation on Friday.

Vita Cortex, a foam manufacturer, announced in September it intended to close the Cork plant stating the operation’s assets had been frozen by the National Asset Management Agency (Nama).

However, after a meeting between company representatives and Nama on Thursday, it was confirmed no funds would be provided for payment of the workers redundancy entitlements.

SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar, said that while uncertainty remained concerning who has responsibly for releasing the redundancy funds, the plant's workers were facing the Christmas period with neither a job or the monies they were legally entitled to.

“NAMA does have access to a bank account with €2.5 million of Vita Cortex money in it which relates to the Cork plant’s trading, however the state agency is claiming that these funds cannot be made available as they are held in a different, but related, Vita Cortex company account.

“The workers are currently considering what action can be taken to further their case and highlight the callous nature of their treatment,” Anne Egar added.

Speaking to the union, Sean Kelleher, who has worked at the facility for over 47 years, said: “I think we were treated very badly. There should have been money in place for all the workers here but there is nothing at the end of the day.”

(DW)

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