The Vita Cortex workers left the company’s plant on the Kinsale Road in Cork for the last time, bringing to an end their 161 day occupation of the facility.

The move follows the payment by the company to the workers of the monies agreed as a final and just settlement to the long running dispute.

SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, said: "The last of the payments agreed between the workers representatives and the company as a final and fair resolution to this dispute have been paid into the workers’ bank accounts. The conclusion of the sit-in at the Vita Cortex plant is a great relief for the workers and their families. It also brings to an end the longest sit-in by workers in Irish industrial relations history."

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SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar, said: "The satisfactory conclusion of the Vita Cortex dispute comes as a result of the great resolution and determination shown on the part of the 23 workers involved. I hope the Vita Cortex dispute will be an example to other workers that if you stay together and never give up justice can be achieved."

Among those who left the plant for the last time today is SIPTU shop steward Sean Kelleher, a Vita Cortex employee for 47 years.

(CD/GK)