02/04/2015

Dunnes Stores Workers Stage One-Day Strike

Thousands of staff employed by Dunnes Stores are staging a one-day picket across Ireland.

The retailer currently employs almost 10,000 workers in Ireland, and more than 6,000 of those are members of the Mandate trade union who are taking part in the industrial action.

The action has been taken by the workers in a dispute over secure working hours and earnings, job security, fair pay and the right to trade union representation.

It is understood today's strike will affect 109 stores.

Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary, commented: "Dunnes have left their workers with no other option other than industrial action following their refusal to meet to discuss all of the issues in dispute.

"The Company have also refused to accept a Labour Court Recommendation which clearly states they have an obligation to sit down with their workers' chosen representatives."

Meanwhile, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has urged its members to respect the picket. In a statement, Congress General Secretary Patricia King, said: "This dispute is about decency at work and people's ability to earn a fair wage.

"It is not acceptable in 21st Century Ireland that any employer should effectively own the lives of workers by failing to provide security about working hours and certainty over their income.

"Many Dunnes' workers operate on minimum 15 hour contracts and have no idea what they might earn from week to week, or even how long they might be at work. That damages their capacity to earn a decent living and intrudes on every aspect of family life. It is simply wrong."

According to RTÉ, management at Dunnes Stores have not issued any formal comment, but in a recent letter to staff they warned that the strike could harm the company and lead to redundancies.

(JP/MH)

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