Protect Cortex Workers Rights, Says SIPTU

The trade union SIPTU has said a way must be found to provide 32 Vita Cortex workers with their legal redundancy entitlements when the company's Cork plant ceases operation today.

Vita Cortex, a foam manufacturer owned by businessman Jack Ronan, announced in September that it intended to close the Cork plant stating that the operation's assets had been frozen by NAMA, the government's 'toxic debt' management organisation.

Following a meeting between company representatives and NAMA yesterday, it was confirmed no funds would be provided for payment of the workers redundancy entitlements.

Now, SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar, said: "While uncertainty remains concerning who has direct responsibly for releasing funds to pay these redundancy entitlements one thing is certain, our members are facing into the Christmas period with neither a job or the monies they are legally entitled too due to the failures of others.

"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.

"In the final analysis, as the workers employer, Jack Ronan has a responsibility to ensure these workers receive their redundancy payments that he must face up too," she said.

"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.

Among the workers who will become unemployed when the Cork plant is closed is Sean Kelleher who has worked at the facility for over 47 years.

"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," Sean Kelleher said.

(BMcC)