Sacked worker joins hunger strike

A sacked Green Isle worker joined protesting colleagues on hunger strike tonight – despite being told his visa had been revoked and he must return home.

Filipino John Recto was dismissed from the Kildare frozen food plant in July with two other staff members for alleged breaches of IT policy.

The father-of-three, who has now learned he must leave the country within days, will join co-workers striking over the company’s refusal to reinstate or compensate the employees.

Green Isle shop steward Jim Wyse has been living on just water and salt for 15 days and last week former Offaly All-Ireland footballer John Guinan also embarked on the protest.

Despite hearing his work visa was being revoked, Mr Recto said he was determined to get involved in the hunger strike after months spent picketing outside the Naas workplace.

“Jim and John weren’t directly involved in it yet they showed their support for us, so I felt that I should take part myself,” he said.

“It has to be done. We’d been out there for six months already, if this is not done maybe it will be a year more outside the gates.

“All we want is for the company to recognise the Labour Court recommendations.”

The electrician said his wife – who is four months pregnant – was concerned about how he would cope.

“She is supportive of my actions but I can see it in her eyes that she’s very worried. It’s a really hard decision but I’m really committed to this.”

Mr Recto’s move comes as mediation talks between the firm and the union near conclusion.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) said while it hoped a resolution could be reached, it was not optimistic about the crunch talks.

The union claimed more staff would embark on the hunger strike each week if the company did not come up with an acceptable deal.

According to the TEEU, the three workers were dismissed when a confidential file with restructuring proposals was mistakenly sent to an employee who shared the information with co-workers.

But Green Isle maintains the three staff dismissals followed a company probe into breaches of its IT policy relating to pornography and copyright material.

A spokesman for the food firm said it was deeply disappointed by the hunger strike action.

“The only way the dispute will be resolved will be through the independent mediation process the company initiated some weeks ago,” he added.

“The company’s focus remains on resolving the dispute through talks.”

Meanwhile, Mr Wyse said he was determined to continue his protest.

“I’m going to stay on hunger strike until we get a just resolution to this dispute,” the 58-year-old said.

“It is desperation, there is no other place for people like us to go.

“It’s either walk away and leave three colleagues sacked even though the Labour Court says they shouldn’t be, or just be ground into the mud – I can’t do that.”