Noam Chomsky Backs Vita Cortex Workers

World famous academic and socialist campaigner Noam Chomsky has given his backing to the workers at the Vita Cortex plant, adding further pressure to the ongoing negotiations.

Workers union Siptu reported on Thursday that Mr Chomsky sent an email of support to the workers as talks aimed at resolving the redundancy pay dispute for the plant's 32 workers - who are into the fifth weeks of a sit-in protest at the Cork – continue at the Labour Relations Commission.

In his email on Thursday, addressed “to the workers of Vita Cortex, Cork, Ireland”, the renowned author and activist said: “I have just learned of your struggle and occupation, and your determination to carry on in the face of suffering and repression - and the unconscionable failure of the state to act on its responsibilities to you and other working people, symptomatic of all too much that is happening around the world today.”

The email concludes: “I hope that your courageous and honourable actions will be a model that will inspire others as well to act instead of succumbing passively, and wish you the greatest success in this just and crucial campaign for basic rights.”

Noam Chomsky’s pledge of support follows similar expressions of solidarity from former President Mary Robinson and singer Christy Moore for the Vita Cortex workers campaign to secure their agreed redundancy terms.

SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar, said: “Receiving backing for the workers’ campaign from such an internationally respected figure as Noam Chomsky is staggering. It clearly highlights the massively important issues that are at stake in this dispute concerning workers’ rights and the failure of employers to live up to their responsibilities.”

Formal talks aimed at bringing a resolution to the dispute will resume at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) at 12.30am in the Carrigaline Court Hotel, Cork.

(DW)