A delegated group of Dunnes Stores workers attended a Labour Court hearing today, at which they put forward their case for secure hours and earnings for all workers at the retailer.
Each of the group were members of Mandate Trade Union (MTU) and attended the hearing as part of their Decency for Dunnes Workers campaign.
The campaign has four key demands: decent hours and earnings, job security, fair pay, and the right to trade union representation.
Dunnes worker Muireann Dalton said, “Our main issue is more secure hours and earnings. Thousands of us in Dunnes don't know how many hours we're going to work from week to week.
“It could range anywhere between 15 one week and 40 hours the next. It's virtually impossible to plan your life and pay bills and rent not knowing how much you're going to earn one week to the next.”
Dunnes management did not attend the Labour Court hearing.
Speaking about Dunnes management, Gerry Light, MTU Assistant General Secretary said, “They refuse to meet with their workers’ representatives, MTU, and refuse to engage with the state’s industrial bodies, including the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court.” Light added,
“Our members in Dunnes are only too aware of how workers in the company’s main competitors are treated.
“They have secure hours and earnings, they have the right to individual and collective representation and they have a level of job security that is simply not afforded by Dunnes Stores management.”
Mandate expects to hear a decision from the Labour Court in the coming days.
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Emily Horne
