Former Irish Sugar workers in north Cork have reacted angrily to a proposal by Greencore to spend €500 million on the redevelopment of the site at the old Mallow sugar factory.
They have described the move as premature, particularly as grievances still persist in relation to redundancy packages.
Workers are at loggerheads with the company over redundancy payments, despite recommendations by the Labour Court on the matter. Union representatives claim that the redundancy package should be funded for €32.8 million but Greencore is only offering €28.4 million.
Kieran Buckley, chairman of the committee of former Irish Sugar workers, said their futures were being put in jeopardy due to the intransigence of the company in refusing to abide by the Labour Court ruling.
"It is disheartening to think they are refusing to pay out the money due to the workers but they can talk about spending €500 million on redeveloping the site. We aren't looking for a penny more than we are entitled to. It is very hurtful to workers, many of whom have given 35 years of service to the company.
"Over the past eight months, the workers have been put through a lot of hardship. It is difficult for many workers in their mid-50s to get real meaningful employment."
Mr Buckley said a number of them were in dire straits, having to borrow money to pay their mortgages or to fund their children's education.
Mayor of Mallow Jerry Mullally (Labour) boycotted a briefing on the Greencore project yesterday morning as a gesture of solidarity. "I believe the workers need to be looked after first," he said. "Greencore needs our support more than we need theirs.
"I think I sent home a very strong message by not attending that meeting. The sugar factory workers must be looked after first."
The Green Party has also strongly opposed Greencore's proposals to redevelop the site.
Green Party TD for Cork South Central Dan Boyle said Greencore seemed to be proposing that the company would rather become property speculators than produce goods which would meet market needs.
Mr Boyle said Greencore had failed to compensate its former workers at Mallow properly and until that materialised, development should not go ahead.
Meanwhile, many former Irish Sugar workers have spoken of their lack of confidence in the company. Liam Lucey said it was difficult for people in the town to trust Greencore.
"I have heard so many lies from Greencore - both personal and for people I represented. I don't believe Greencore - I just can't. I don't believe there will be 2,000 jobs for Mallow. I think this is all a charade by Greencore to keep the share prices up."
Greencore has consistently claimed that the package it offered to staff in Mallow complied fully with and emanated from the company/union agreement on redundancy and that it was not prepared to pay the amount the Labour Court recommended.
It says the commercial, residential and recreational development will create 2,000 new jobs, more than the former sugar plant supported.