Former Viking Glass workers end protest
NOTICE PAY PROMISE, TOUGH CHRISTMAS LOOMS
WORKERS LAID off at Viking Class have ended a protest outside the Wexford factory after a guarantee that notice pay due to them would be paid.
But even as the men were rewriting their placards to read ‘we won’, they conceded that it would be ‘a tough Christmas’ as they say it could take up to three months for the payments to be processed.
Word that the 32 Viking workers let go in August would receive their notice pay came after a meeting of the company’s accountants, the examiner appointed to the firm, and SIPTU.
Union official Mark Flynn, speaking after the meeting, confirmed that management at the firm in the Whitemill Industrial Estate had come to an agreement with the examiner that included the payment of the outstanding notice pay.
George French, one of the workers who took part in the protest, said he was ‘relieved’ and ‘delighted’ that the money would be paid. However, he expressed some concern that it may take up to three months for the payments to be processed.
‘It’s going to be a tough Christmas,’ he added.
At 2 p.m. last Wednesday the protesters suspended their picket outside the company and closed a Facebook page was used to rally local support.
Mark Flynn expressed his sincere thanks to the people of Wexford for supporting the campaign.
‘Many people came up to drop off food to the lads,’ he said.
‘Behind the scenes Minister Brendan Howlin and his colleague George Lawlor, along with staff at the local SIPTU office, did their bit to help resolve the situation.’
Management at the glass company could not be reached for comment.