FOR THE PAST 204 days, 25 former workers of the Lagan Brick Company have been engaged in a fight to receive redundancy payments due to them.
The men met with a group of senior politicians, including a number of TDs and Senators, at Leinster House today.
Hosted by Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, the Cavan delegation told the all-party gathering about their experiences over the past six months as they try and come to an agreement with their ex-bosses.
Siptu representative John Regan told TheJournal.ie that the workers have called for the dispute to be brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible. They have now been holding an around the clock protest at the gates of the company’s premises in Kingscourt for over seven months.
The firm shut its doors 10 days before Christmas last year and employees were only informed hours before operations ceased on 15 December. Since then, no redundancy terms have been agreed upon.
Workers are demanding four weeks pay for every year of service (inclusive of statutory payments), which Regan says was the previous precedent set by the company.
“We want a fair and reasonable solution,” added the trade union representative. “Something that shows it was worth all this.”
No money – including any statutory payment – has yet been received by any of the 25 men.
Ó Caoláin commended the group for its “strength and determination” and called on other deputies to follow up their attendance today with “concrete action”.
We are calling on the Lagan company directors to come to the table, engage with the workers and their Siptu representatives and agree to pay them the redundancy payments that they are entitled to and that they deserve.
The case is due to come before the Labour Court on 18 July but TheJournal.ie understands that an informal meeting may be held with the company’s owners prior to that in the hope of reaching a settlement.
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