Vita Cortex:The former Vita Cortex workers who have been sitting in at the factory are expected to receive their redundancy payments from the company over the next few days, with the protest due to be called off formally when all money is paid.
Earlier this month a confidential deal was agreed between the 32 workers and management to end the sit-in which was been under way for 158 days at the factory in Ballyphehane, Cork.
Trade union Siptu said the deal reflected “an equitable conclusion” to the five-month protest involving workers with a combined service of 847 years.
The workers will receive undisclosed sums in the coming days. The legal paperwork that will facilitate Vita Cortex owner Jack Ronan’s access to money to pay the workers was signed off by lawyers for the National Asset Management Agency last week.
The workers have confirmed that they will continue their sit-in until each of them has received funds in their bank accounts.
Vita Cortex ceased trading before Christmas and bosses refused to hand over redundancy pay which they had promised to allocate for the workers.
The workers expressed their gratitude for the support they have received from the public.
“Thanks to all those who have shown us that human kindness is alive and well in 2012. Tomorrow is our 24th week on the sit in. We hope it is our last. Hope with us.”