News Archive

Vita Cortex workers take protest to co-owner’s home

Date Released: 25 January 2012

Vita Cortex workers brought the campaign to secure their agreed redundancy payments to the home of company shareholder Sean McHenry in Douglas, Cork, on Tuesday (24th January). Six of the 32 Vita Cortex workers, who are in the sixth week of their sit-in at the former foam manufacturing plant on Kinsale Road in Cork, distributed leaflets outside the McHenry home.

The leaflets outlined the Vita Cortex management’s failure to live up to commitments on redundancy payments given to its former employees before the Cork plant closed on December 16th, 2011.

SIPTU shop steward Sean Kelleher, who has 47 years of service with Vita Cortex, said; “We feel that Sean McHenry is a fair minded man who realises that his wealth was built on the work of his employees at Vita Cortex. It was decided to take our protest to his home to remind him that he has a moral obligation to do all he can to settle this dispute justly and as soon as possible.”

SIPTU Organiser, Anne Egar, said; “This protest was conducted in a peaceful and friendly manner. Most of those taking part have known Sean McHenry for many years and wished to remind him that people are suffering due to the actions of the Vita Cortex management.”

Sean McHenry is a minority shareholder in the Vita Cortex group of companies. His son in law, Jack Ronan, is the company’s majority shareholder and directly responsible for paying the company’s former employees their agreed redundancy terms.

The Vita Cortex workers have received huge support from across Ireland and have also enjoyed messages of support from all over the world. Among those who have publicly pledged solidarity with their campaign are former President Mary Robinson, singer Christy Moore and renowned human rights activist, Noam Chomsky.