SIPTU members formerly employed by Rehab Enterprises protested in Limerick City this afternoon (Tuesday, 21st March) and delivered a letter into the office of Minister of State, Kieran O’Donnell, demanding action to ensure they are paid their outstanding redundancy entitlements. SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, said: “SIPTU members formerly employed at the Rehab Enterprises logistics centre in Raheen, county Limerick, until its closure in 2021 have been left fighting to secure their full redundancy entitlements. “This is despite the Labour Court issuing a recommendation that the workers should be paid their redundancy entitlements in line with an existing collective agreement between the organisation and SIPTU. The outstanding monies are very significant amounts for many of these workers, several of whom had more than 25 years’ service with the company.” He added: “Today, these workers and their supporters demonstrated outside the RehabCare office on Parnell Street in Limerick City, along with SIPTU organisers. We then visited the offices of Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Kieran O’Donnell, in whose constituency the Raheen facility is located, to deliver a letter calling upon him to take action in support of the workers.” SIPTU Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: “Our members have not accepted their unfair treatment after years of loyal service. Many of the 38 workers involved live with a disability and others have particular occupational needs. They expect Rehab Group to honour its obligations as a matter of urgency and pay them their outstanding redundancy entitlements in full.” He added: “The Rehab Group is in receipt of tens of millions of euros of State support each year. It should not be allowed to continue to ignore our members’ redundancy pay agreement and the recommendation of the Labour Court.” The protest was the second in a SIPTU campaign seeking justice for the former Rehab workers, following a demonstration outside the organisation’s headquarters in Dublin in February.
SIPTU members protest and deliver letter to Minister demanding action on Rehab redundancies
Mar 21, 2023 | Archives, PressArchive, PressArchive2023