Striking mayo dunnes stores praise public support

WORKERS at Dunnes Stores branches in Castlebar and Ballina joined with their colleagues nationally today for a one-day strike at the company’s 109 stores across the country despite adverse weather conditions.

Speaking on behalf of workers in Castlebar, Carmel Irwin said she and her colleagues were forced to take action following the company’s continued refusal to meet with their representatives to discuss a number of issues of concern, most notably hours and earnings and the right to trade union representation.

'We were left with no other option but to strike,' she explained.

She paid tribute to members of the public for their support so far today.

The Fianna Fáil spokesman on Jobs & Enterprise, Mayo Deputy Dara Calleary, said it is regrettable the impasse between the workers and management has resulted in strike action and he appealed to management to open talks.

Speaking in Dáil Éireann, Fianna Fáil leader Deputy Micheál Martin asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny to indicate when the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No.2 ) Bill will be introduced.

He said: “It is a bill to provide any legislative changes required to deal with the bargaining rights of trade unions and it is included in the programme for government. If it was in place, it would assist the Dunnes Stores workers.”

In response, An Taoiseach confirmed the Industrial Relations (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill is due to be introduced shortly.