A sit-in at a Co Wicklow bookbinding firm is set to continue this afternoon despite a U-turn by the company owner who promised to save the jobs of 14 staff.
Management representatives met Siptu officials today at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to discuss the impasse between staff at O'Reilly's bookbinders in Wicklow town, who had been told the company was insolvent, and Richard Geraghty, the owner of Dunne and Wilson Group.
Ten women and four men have staged a sit-in at the Murrough Industrial Estate premises in the town since July 18th in protest at the firm's refusal to pay them statutory redundancy following the announcement of plans to relocate the business to the Czech Republic.
Today, however, Mr Geraghty said he would not be relocating the company and would keep it running in Wicklow town.
Siptu spokesman Shane McKean told ireland.com,said that "given the company's previous claims that it was insolvent it would be necessary for an independent assessment to be carried out" to see if it could meet the commitment to remain operational in Wicklow.
Following a union proposal, the company and Ibec representatives have agreed to the appointment of Brian Aylward, a member of the independent financial assessors panel set up under Towards 2016, to make an assessment of the company's viability and report back to the LRC.
Most of the employees have worked for the company for between 15 and 20 years, while some staff have accumulated between 25 and 28 years.
Staff have said they will continue their occupation until a resolution is found through the LRC to ensure that equipment and customers' goods are not removed.
If the company is found to be insolvent, Mr McKean says, staff will seek the liquidation of the business.
Local Labour TD Liz McManus, who visited the factory on Monday, has also backed calls for a liquidator.
"This would offer the opportunity for the continuation of employment of these highly skilled workers. The idea that an employer can walk away in such an irresponsible fashion is insupportable," she said.
Customers of Reilly Bookbinders include the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Agriculture, the Courts Service, and Trinity College Dublin.