Lagan Brick workers occupied the company's Belfast headquarters yesterday (4th April) in protest at the owners failure to agree to negotiations aimed at achieving a just resolution to the long running dispute at the brick manufacturer’s facility in Kingscourt, Co Cavan.

More than 35 Lagan Brick workers and their supporters entered the company’s offices at Lagan House, Clarendon Road, at approximately 12.45 p.m. The move followed a refusal by the company to accept a letter requesting its participation in negotiations.

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The peaceful occupation of the entrance area of the office building ended after approximately 20 minutes when company representatives agreed to accept the letter outlining the workers’ demand for immediate negotiations. The letter was handed over by a four-person delegation which included workers and SIPTU Organiser, John Regan.

"The workers have been in dispute with the company for more than 100 days. They believe a just settlement is possible but have met with a complete refusal by the company’s owners to enter a meaningful negotiations process," said John Regan.

"The workers believe they had no option but to bring their protest from county Cavan to the headquarters of the Lagan Group in Belfast. The owners of this company are among the richest people in Ireland and must accept their obligation to honour long established redundancy terms for these workers."

(CD/GK)