The press conference marks 185 days since the start of the dispute.
SIPTU Utilities and Construction Division Organiser, Christy McQuillan, said: "For the last six months the Lagan Brick workers have faced nothing but intransigence from their employers. It is this complete unwillingness by the management of Lagan Brick to enter into serious negotiations which has led to the breakdown of two attempts by independent mediators to find an equitable solution to this dispute."
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Christy McQuillan dismissed a statement released by the management of Lagan Brick on Monday, 11th June, as "a totally inaccurate misrepresentation of the dispute".
He said: "For example the company statement refers to Lagan Brick fully meeting their redundancy commitments, in fact the company has not paid any redundancy to any of the workers. The company has also claimed that 'fair offers' have been made to the workers. This is completely inaccurate. The fact is these workers are still on the company payroll but are not getting paid. The workers are simply seeking the same redundancy terms as their colleagues in 2009 while the company is offering a fraction of this."
He added: "The two principals in the Lagan Group are on the Sunday Times rich list as having an estimated worth of €240 million while what the workers are seeking as an equitable redundancy payment is in total a six figure sum. The workers are committed to seeing their campaign through to a just resolution and will escalate their actions in order to achieve this aim."
Workers at the Lagan Brick manufacturing plant in Kingscourt were informed it was closing only hours before it ceased operation on Friday, 15th December. Since then 25 SIPTU members employed at the plant have been in dispute with the management of Lagan Brick over its failure to pay established redundancy terms.
(CD)
