Waterford Crystal sit-in to enter fourth night
Angry workers at the threatened Waterford Crystal factory dug their heels in tonight with a bitter attack on critics as they vowed to continue a sit-in for a fourth night.
Negotiations between receiver David Carson and the US-based Clarion investment consortium were continuing, with trade union leaders yet to be briefed in detail on any rescue plan.
Unite representative Walter Cullen hit out at accusations that the peaceful protest had descended into anarchy.
“These workers feel passionately about their jobs as something more than filling a shift,” he said.
“They have conducted themselves throughout with dignity and respect for the property.
“Those who are concerned about the image of Ireland might look more to the events surrounding some of our financial institutions rather than events in the south east as a cause for greater concern.”
Members of the Clarion group, which is believed to have the backing of Waterford Crystal former chief executive John Foley, and Local Government Minister Martin Cullen visited the Kilbarry plant.
Around 60 staff are planning to maintain the sit-in overnight in the visitor centre.
A rally in support of the workers is planned for Waterford on Wednesday, organised by the city’s trades council.
A Sinn Féin delegation led by enterprise spokesman Arthur Morgan met workers at the Kilbarry plant and expressed solidarity with them.
“With over 8,000 pensions now under threat, Government cannot walk away from this responsibility,” Mr Morgan said.
Meanwhile, the plight of the Waterford pension scheme took centre stage at Government Buildings in Dublin as unions, employers and Government officials continued negotiations on a €2bn public sector saving scheme.
Unite Irish regional secretary Jimmy Kelly travelled up from the Kilbarry factory to join the talks.
“It should have happened before now but at least the meltdown of Irish pensions is now being addressed in a meaningful manner and we are hopeful of a positive outcome,” said Mr Kelly.
Unite, which represents around 90% of staff, has backed the protest by current and former employees since Friday night after they heard that more than half of the 670-strong workforce were to be made redundant and operations were to halt until a buyer is found.
Workers are occupying the factory on a shift basis and have maintained a presence of more than 100 since they first stormed the building on Friday amid scuffles with security guards.
Local shops have been supplying them with food and drink while blankets and sleeping bags have also been brought inside.
