Publicity jeopardising jobs, says Vita

VITA Cortex has warned the jobs of its 60 remaining staff are being put at risk by the “negative publicity” from the ongoing sit-in by its former workers in Cork.

In a statement issued last night, the company said media reports of the sit-in were undermining management’s efforts to “maintain the existing levels of business and the employment needed to service it. which is heading to further potential job losses in the very near future”.

“We restructured the group, resulting in the closure of the loss making division at Vita Cortex Cork, in order to save the group as a going concern and protect the 60-plus jobs which remain,” it said.

“The continued sit-in relating to the closure of the Cork plant and subsequent media coverage has led to the loss of some customers. The group now employs 60 people at locations in Cork, Athlone and Belfast.”

Vita Cortex owner Jack Ronan has submitted an “inability to pay” application to the Department of Social Protection which, if accepted, means the 32 workers engaged in the sit-in would lose almost one third of their redundancy entitlements.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton said the company’s application would hopefully “provide an opportunity to resolve this (sit-in)”. “It’s a difficult time of year and it’s very disappointing and very disruptive for families, but hopefully the system will respond, now that a proper application has been submitted.”

The workers were seeking 2.9 weeks’ wages per year of service but, if Mr Bruton’s department accepts Mr Ronan’s application, the state will only provide them with two weeks’ pay per year of service.

The minister said yesterday his sympathies were with the workers, but, “if there is an industrial relations issue, the Labour Relations Commission always stands available to support the parties”.

Mr Ronan has a wide list of assets, including stud farms, supermarkets, retail parks and housing developments. Workers, some of whom have been at the plant for up to 40 years, believe he has the ability to pay. His spokesman said: “these assets have significant debts attached to them and Mr Ronan, like many developers, is working with NAMA”.

He said the Vita Cortex owner is upset by the impression that he doesn’t care about his workers.

“He is very concerned by what is happening to his workers, but his hands are tied.”