At a full meeting of workers at the Vita Cortex plant in Cork a decision was taken to escalate the dispute in order to achieve a just outcome for the workers and their families.

Vita Cortex manufactures flexible polyether foams, polyester fibre fillings and aircraft seating products.

The meeting was addressed by the Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Gerry McCormack.

Mr McCormack said that the resources of the union and the Manufacturing Division would be called upon to support the Vita Cortex workers now in their second week of a sit-in at the plant. Before Christmas they rejected as "derisory" an offer from their former employer, Jack Ronan, who said that he would pay each a lump sum if they ended the occupation and allowed him to remove equipment and goods over the Christmas period. Workers some of whom have more than 40 years employment with the company are seeking proper redundancy entitlements and have won extensive support from their local community and from workers across the country.

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He said: "The employer, NAMA and the various government agencies were given ample time to resolve this issue prior to the new year but they have all failed to agree a method to resolve the dispute. SIPTU will not rule out any action but will commence initially with protests targeted at the company, NAMA and the appropriate government departments. It's totally unacceptable that this dispute should continue when it's clear that a solution could easily be found to resolve it."

(CD/GK)