Dunnes Stores is to implement a 3% pay increase alongside other privileges on its 10,000 workers in 116 stores across the Republic of Ireland.
The retailer has seen increased pressure to implement changes since the Mandata Trade Union launched its 'Decency for Dunnes Workers' campaign in April 2014.
The full claim proposed by the Union included: the introduction of banded hour contracts; a review of pay scales and pay rates currently in operation in the business; a review of temporary contracts that are being over utilised; a claim for a 3% pay increase; and the right to representation for Mandate members in Dunnes Stores.
Gerry Light, Mandata Assistant General Secretary felt that the campaign was finally being recognised by Dunnes Stores management, but was quick to point out that the full claim has not yet been addressed. “On the day Mandate referred the full claim on behalf of our members to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), the company has decided to concede a 3 percent pay increase. This is obviously not a coincidence,” he said.
“Two important objectives of the campaign remain unresolved, the introduction of banded hour contracts, which would provide secure hours and earnings for Dunnes workers, along with an end to the unnecessary use of fixed term temporary contracts.
“We must also ensure that the increasing numbers of workers employed in Dunnes on temporary contracts do not suffer the ultimate sacrifice by losing their jobs altogether in order to pay for this increase”.
