09/01/2012

LRC Steps Into Vita Cortex Dispute

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has said it has been in touch with both workers and employers over the ongoing dispute over redundancy payments.

Workers are continuing their sit in protest at the plant, which has last over a month, as they protest against receiving no redundancy payments after being let go. An LRC spokesperson said it was "on standby" to lend any help if requested by either side, although no arrangement is in place to bring both sides together.

Last week, workers' union Siptu claimed the owner of the Vita Cortex plant, had more assets that he previously made out in order to avoid paying worker's redundancy.

Siptu, who are representing the workers currently engaged in a sit-in protest at the plant in Cork, said information emerged indicating the owner of Vita Cortex has considerably more assets than has been previously acknowledged.

The union said reports on Thursday indicated Vita Cortex owner Jack Ronan has interests in over 20 other companies as well as a "substantial property portfolio", which includes a penthouse apartment in Cork, a stud farm in Tipperary and two retail parks.

“Jack Ronan has openly stated that he accepts his legal and moral obligation to pay his former employees at Vita Cortex their just redundancy payments but that he does not have the funds to meet this commitment. It is clear from today’s newspaper reports that this claim is very much open to question,” said SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar.

The company has refused to pay workers at the plant any redundancy payments despite closing the plant some weeks ago.

The Union went on to say that among the companies that Ronan is listed as being currently, or recently, a director is Print Works Ltd, a business whose other major shareholders include state agency Enterprise Ireland, Renard Pig Farms and Web Circle Ltd.

Ronan’s other business interests include a Tipperary based bloodstock company, PIC Ireland Ltd (which assists in the genetic improvement of pigs) and a 50% share in two profitable crèches in Cork and Arklow.

(DW/GK)

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