Van Drivers Protest Over Tesco

Some 25 drivers have launched an unofficial protest outside Tesco's dry goods distribution centre in Donabate in Dublin.

The protest was sparked after their terms and conditions were changed after moving to another transport company as a result of an outsourcing deal.

Some 80 drivers in total moved to the Stobart Group as part of the changes.

Drivers and Tescos have already been in talks at the Labour Relations Commission about a Labour Court recommendation over the issue, which centres on the loss of a privilege card and savings scheme, changes to pension arrangements and alleged loss of earnings.

Tesco says the action is unofficial and the centre is operating as normal.

The company has also denied that it has reneged on any of the terms of the outsourcing deal.

The news comes as one of Ireland's largest unions, Siptu, says its members in the commercial semi-state transport body, CIE, have rejected the Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan's recent call for pay cuts.

"We totally reject the suggestion by Brian Lenihan that our members in CIE should be forced to take pay cuts," said SIPTU organiser, Willie Noone.

"We have already agreed a cost cutting plan with Dublin Bus in which we have taken considerable pain while we have reached agreement with the management of Irish Rail on many different occasions at every level. That is the way we will continue to negotiate on behalf of our members," he said.

"I want to make it clear to the Minister and his colleague, Noel Dempsey, the Minister for Transport that our members will not accept pay cuts at CIE and will absolutely resist any attempt to enforce them," Willie Noone said.

(DW/KMcA)