Rug workers end marathon factory sit-in

One of the longest factory sit-ins in Irish history ended today after staff agreed to a cash settlement.

All 64 employees of Peerless Rugs in Co Kildare began the protest in July 2001 after the company was shut down.

It closed after parent company Reffond ceased production and put the Athy firm into receivership.

Workers at the plant – which made rugs and bath mats – staged a sit-in on an eight-hour shift basis, making it one of the longest running occupations in the history of the country.

Numerous protests have been held since the closure and staff have called on shoppers to boycott products made by Reffond.

Today it was confirmed that workers have agreed on a cash payment, although the amount was not disclosed.

At the time of the closure the Labour Court awarded the workers three weeks’ pay for each year of service, in addition to their statutory entitlements, but the company rejected the decision.

It is believed that today’s settlement is lower than this original recommendation.