Mandate Trade Union has condemned Dunnes Stores for allegedly punishing staff who participated in a nationwide strike last Thursday, 2nd April.
Union members from across the country have reported experiencing dismissals, cuts to hours, changes in roles and changes in shift patterns, in the wake of last week’s strike.
According to Mandate, one worker was dismissed just 24 hours after the strike, while newer members of staff who hadn’t been on strike remained employed.
Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light commented, “As a very last resort, and with no other option available to them, our members in Dunnes Stores took legitimate and reasonable industrial action.
“All they want is for their company to meaningfully engage with them through their union, with the objective of creating decent working conditions. Now, their employer is blatantly targeting people with the hope of intimidating their own loyal staff and turning them away from any future trade union activities.”
Light added that the actions of Dunnes Stores since the strike has only strengthened the resolve of the workers who are now more determined than ever to achieve their objectives.
Mandate’s National Disputes Committee, comprising of Dunnes Stores shop stewards from all over the country, will meet next week to discuss the next actions in the campaign, which may include escalation of the dispute and further industrial action.
Light concluded that Dunnes Stores “should simply sit down and enter meaningful negotiations with their workers through their trade union us as a matter of urgency, before they do any more damage to the business.”
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
