Vita Cortex sit-in: Difference between revisions
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The '''Vita Cortex sit-in''' is an ongoing [[Nonviolent resistance|peaceful protest]] at the Vita Cortex plant on the Kinsale Road in [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], which began on 16 December 2011 after workers were made [[Layoff|redundant without pay]] with immediate effect. The dispute has led to nationwide protests, television appeals and debates in [[Dáil Éireann]].<ref name=irish_independent_11_01_2012/><ref name=irish_times_13_01_2012/> According to the trade union [[Unite the Union|UNITE]], it is part of a growing trend of workers being “left in the cold” after being made redundant.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/union-says-ex-workers-being-left-in-the-cold-by-nama-banks-323166-Jan2012/|title=Union says ex-workers being ‘left in the cold’ by NAMA, banks|date=8 January 2012|accessdate=8 January 2012|work=TheJournal.ie}}</ref> |
The '''Vita Cortex sit-in''' is an ongoing [[Nonviolent resistance|peaceful protest]] at the Vita Cortex plant on the Kinsale Road in [[Cork (city)|Cork]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], which began on 16 December 2011 after workers were made [[Layoff|redundant without pay]] with immediate effect. The dispute has led to nationwide protests, television appeals and debates in [[Dáil Éireann]].<ref name=irish_independent_11_01_2012/><ref name=irish_times_13_01_2012/> According to the trade union [[Unite the Union|UNITE]], it is part of a growing trend of workers being “left in the cold” after being made redundant.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/union-says-ex-workers-being-left-in-the-cold-by-nama-banks-323166-Jan2012/|title=Union says ex-workers being ‘left in the cold’ by NAMA, banks|date=8 January 2012|accessdate=8 January 2012|work=TheJournal.ie}}</ref> |
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The staff have worked for a total of 847 years for Vita Cortex, with the most senior employee having worked there for 47 years.<ref name=cork_independent_21_12_2011/> |
The staff have worked for a total of 847 years for Vita Cortex, with the most senior employee having worked there for 47 years.<ref name=cork_independent_21_12_2011/> The strike has received support from, among others, the Cork senior [[hurling]] team and [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] manager [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]].<ref name=irish_times_12_01_2012/><ref name=joe_stick_in_there/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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On 11 February 2012, thousands of people marched through Cork city centre in solidarity with the Vita Cortex workers in one of the largest such marches in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0211/vitacortex.html|title=Vita Cortex protest takes place in Cork|date=11 February 2012|accessdate=11 February 2012|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}</ref> |
On 11 February 2012, thousands of people marched through Cork city centre in solidarity with the Vita Cortex workers in one of the largest such marches in recent years.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0211/vitacortex.html|title=Vita Cortex protest takes place in Cork|date=11 February 2012|accessdate=11 February 2012|work=RTÉ News|publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}}</ref> |
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On 13 February, [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]] personally telephoned the workers to express his support for their plight and spoke about his involvement in an apprentice boys’ strike in Glasgow in 1961. He told the Vita Cortex workers to "stick in there".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.joe.ie/news-politics/current-affairs/alex-ferguson-gives-vita-cortex-protestors-a-call-to-voice-his-support-0020905-1|title=Alex Ferguson gives Vita Cortex protestors a call to voice his support|date=13 February 2012|accessdate=13 February 2012|work=JOE.ie}}</ref> |
On 13 February, [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]] personally telephoned the workers to express his support for their plight and spoke about his involvement in an apprentice boys’ strike in Glasgow in 1961. He told the Vita Cortex workers to "stick in there".<ref name=joe_stick_in_there>{{cite news|url=http://www.joe.ie/news-politics/current-affairs/alex-ferguson-gives-vita-cortex-protestors-a-call-to-voice-his-support-0020905-1|title=Alex Ferguson gives Vita Cortex protestors a call to voice his support|date=13 February 2012|accessdate=13 February 2012|work=JOE.ie}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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Revision as of 23:53, 13 February 2012
| Vita Cortex sit-in | |
|---|---|
| Date | From 16 December 2011 (4613 days so far) |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Redundancy without pay |
| Methods | |
| Status | Ongoing |
| Number | |
| Thousands | |
The Vita Cortex sit-in is an ongoing peaceful protest at the Vita Cortex plant on the Kinsale Road in Cork, Ireland, which began on 16 December 2011 after workers were made redundant without pay with immediate effect. The dispute has led to nationwide protests, television appeals and debates in Dáil Éireann.[1][2] According to the trade union UNITE, it is part of a growing trend of workers being “left in the cold” after being made redundant.[3]
The staff have worked for a total of 847 years for Vita Cortex, with the most senior employee having worked there for 47 years.[4] The strike has received support from, among others, the Cork senior hurling team and Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.[5][6]
History
December
Vita Cortex Industries produced foam for furniture and packaging industries. On 15 December 2011, staff were told that it would close the following day, and that they would not receive a cent. Vita Cortex Industries blamed the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) for the development.[7]
On 16 December, workers began a sit-in at the plant.[8][9] The sit-in is non-stop, with workers sleeping overnight throughout.[4] Members of the public have provided food to the workers and have offered shower facilities.[4] The sit-in continued over Christmas and into the new year.[10][11][12]
Lord Mayor of Cork Terry Shannon visited the workers on 21 December 2011.[13][14]
A delegation from SIPTU visited on 27 December 2011.[15]
January
The workers were interviewed on The Late Late Show on 6 January 2012.[5]
On 11 January 2012, the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) intervened.[1][16] That day also saw Cork senior hurling coach Jimmy Barry Murphy visit the workers to present them with a signed Cork hurling jersey and pledge the support of him and his team for the workers.[5]
On 12 January 2012, hundreds of people, including Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton, protested outside Leinster House in Dublin, in solidarity with the redundant workers.[17][2][18] Hundreds of people also protested in Cork two days later.[19][20]
February
On 11 February 2012, thousands of people marched through Cork city centre in solidarity with the Vita Cortex workers in one of the largest such marches in recent years.[21]
On 13 February, Sir Alex Ferguson personally telephoned the workers to express his support for their plight and spoke about his involvement in an apprentice boys’ strike in Glasgow in 1961. He told the Vita Cortex workers to "stick in there".[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b "LRC intervenes in Vita Cortex row over redundancy payments". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ a b Holland, Kitty (13 January 2012). "Minister joins Vita Cortex protest outside Dáil". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
- ^ "Union says ex-workers being 'left in the cold' by NAMA, banks". TheJournal.ie. 8 January 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2012.
- ^ a b c Hayes Curtin, Brian (21 December 2011). "No Yuletide cheer for former Vita Cortex workers". Cork Independent. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ a b c Roseingrave, Louise (12 January 2012). "Workers to meet Vita Cortex owners". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Alex Ferguson gives Vita Cortex protestors a call to voice his support". JOE.ie. 13 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ "32 Cork workers left in redundancy limbo". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ^ "Workers protest over redundancy payments". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
- ^ "Vita Cortex staff continue sit-in". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2011.
- ^ "Vita Cortex workers to maintain sit-in over Christmas". Newstalk. Communicorp - Denis O'Brien. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
- ^ "Vita Cortex workers in second week of sit-in". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
- ^ Roche, Barry; Kellegher, Olivia (27 December 2011). "Vita Cortex workers continue sit-in". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
- ^ "Cork Lord Mayor to visit Vita Cortex protests". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ "Vita Cortex workers continue sit-in". Newstalk. Communicorp - Denis O'Brien. 21 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2011.
- ^ "Vita Cortex sit-in enters its tenth day – with no end in sight". TheJournal.ie. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
- ^ "LRC intervenes in Vita Cortex dispute". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 January 2012. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- ^ "Dáil protest planned in support of Vita Cortex workers". Irish Examiner. Thomas Crosbie Holdings. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ "Vita Cortex workers to stage Dáil protest". TV3 News. TV3. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ Kelleher, Olivia (16 January 2012). "More than 400 attend Vita Cortex rally". The Irish Times. Irish Times Trust. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "Vita Cortex workers hold protest at factory". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 16 January 2012. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
- ^ "Vita Cortex protest takes place in Cork". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.