Singer-songwriter Christy Moore paid tribute to the former Vita Cortex workers who spent five months fighting for redundancy entitlements by inviting them to appear at his Live at the Marquee concert in Cork at the weekend.
Moore had played a fundraising concert in February for the 23 workers during their five-month occupation of the Cork plant in pursuit of their redundancy payments, and they joined him on stage at the marquee on Saturday night.
Moore dedicated Ordinary Man to the workers, who said they were honoured to be invited by the Kildare-born troubadour. The workers began their sit-in on December 16th last after losing their jobs, but no redundancy payments had been agreed.
The campaign was bolstered by a series of famous names who lent support. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, world champion boxer Katie Taylor, actor Cillian Murphy, footballer Paul McGrath and human rights campaigner Noam Chomsky were among them.
Final payments were transferred into workers’ bank accounts in May, heralding the end of the campaign.
The Live at the Marquee series continued last night with Jedward, who have added a second show next Saturday. Dara O’Briain, Jessie J and Olly Murs will each perform two shows before this year’s event wraps up with Steps on July 6th.
