McGrath supports occupying workers

OCCUPYING VITA Cortex workers have been given another morale boost with former Republic of Ireland soccer player Paul McGrath…

OCCUPYING VITA Cortex workers have been given another morale boost with former Republic of Ireland soccer player Paul McGrath pledging his support for them in their bid to secure what they say is their full redundancy entitlement.

A former Manchester United and Aston Villa player, McGrath said yesterday he would visit the former Vita Cortex workers on Saturday.

They have been occupying the plant on Kinsale Road in Cork since December 16th in a bid to secure redundancy terms which they say they are owed.

"I believe in what they are doing," McGrath told the Neil Prendeville Showon Cork 96FM. "It's a great achievement. Since before Christmas . . . they put their time on the line and they believe in what they are doing and that's why I am getting involved."

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McGrath’s pledge comes a day after the workers received a boost from Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who rang them to express his support.

The 32 former workers say they are owed 2.9 weeks in redundancy pay for each year of service, which other workers who took redundancy from foam maker Vita Cortex over the past two years were paid.

They have been occupying the premises in pursuit of this.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times