Talks to find a resolution in the Vita Cortex dispute began in Co Cork today with the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) chairing a private meeting between management and workers.
The 32 employees at the foam packaging plant are seeking a €1.2 million redundancy package – 2.9 weeks per year of service for each worker – which they believe Vita Cortex owner Jack Ronan has the capacity to pay.
Siptu organiser Anne Egar said before the talks that workers are not prepared to accept a sum less than the one they have requested. “I don’t know how you could possibly compromise on that. It is a very modest redundancy settlement. These people have suffered enough.”
Jim Power, one of former staff who have been occupying the plant, said he and his colleagues were “very hopeful” of a positive outcome to the talks. “We would prefer if Jack Ronan came himself instead of the managing director but we are very hopeful now that they (the talks) are taking place,” he said.
The workers were represented by employees Sean Kelleher, Cal O’Leary and Amy Collins while Vita Cortex managing director Ian Kirby attended the talks on behalf of the company.
LRC director of conciliation Kevin Foley said getting both parties to the talks was progress in itself.
“The first thing to be said is that we have invited the parties to meet with us here today and the first positive step is that both parties have accepted that invitation and we are taking it that they will be working with us to find a way forward here.”
LRC chairman Kieran Mulvey stressed that every effort would be made to obtain a mutually satisfactory conclusion.
More than 400 people took part in a rally on Saturday in support of the former Vita Cortex workers in Cork city. The rally was attended by the families of the sit-in workers, former La Senza workers, politicians and trade union officials.