Former employees of a rug factory in Kildare took their campaign for a fairer redundancy deal to Waterford's streets yesterday.
The group of workers from Peerless Rugs, Athy - which closed in July last year - called on Waterford shoppers to boycott products made by the parent company, Reffond, which is based in Cork.
The former employees of the factory handed out leaflets explaining their cause to Dunnes Stores' customers in City Square Shopping Centre where Reffond products are stocked.
The group was approached at one point by gardaí who ensured the workers remained five feet away from the door of the store to allow shoppers access.
The 64 former workers at the Kildare plant, which made rugs and bath mats, staged a sit-in at the factory after it closed last year when the owners decided it was no longer viable.
Some 32 workers still continue the sit-in on an eight-hour shift basis, making it the one of the longest-running occupations in the history of the State.
Ms Ann Whelan, one of the 32 men and women still involved in the sit-in and the boycott campaign, believes the laws on redundancies are ridiculous.
"The Government should intervene and make changes to the provision for redundancy pay.
"I had 24 years of service and all I was entitled to get was €3,750, while another worker involved was offered €7,500 for 28 years in the factory. It is crazy.
"The workers are in a difficult age bracket for getting further employment and our former bosses knew that," Ms Whelan continued.