Mayo Tesco workers protest for 'respect'

MORE than 20 members of Mandate Trade Union in Tesco, Castlebar, protested yesterday afternoon against the company’s refusal to agree an adequate pay increase for 2025 and denying workers their right to be represented by their union.

The protest was part of a wider national campaign and will continue until Tesco agree to 'respect their workers'.

Mandate has negotiated on behalf of Tesco workers with the company since it entered the Irish market in 1997. However, in recent years, Tesco management have refused to collectively bargain and instead imposed pay awards on workers.

Mandate say the imposition of these pay awards is wholly inadequate and is a sign of the disrespect Tesco has for its own employees.

“Tesco is a highly profitable company and that’s largely because of the efforts of their staff. That needs to be recognised,” said Eoin Coates, divisional organiser for Mandate.

“Tesco sales are up 9.4 per cent in Ireland, their after tax profits rose by 10 per cent and they paid a dividend of €100m to the parent company, but wages only went up by 4 per cent in 2024. The company announced a 3 per cent increase for 2025, which is only half the pay claim of 6 per cent that we lodged a number of months ago,” he added.

Mandate has condemned Tesco’s refusal to engage in meaningful collective bargaining and its disregard for the pay and benefits claims submitted by Mandate members.

“Mandate is highlighting through these protests the manner in which our members are disrespected on an ongoing basis.

“We will continue to engage with our members across the country to ensure that they receive fair play and fair pay. Our message is simple, 'Tesco, Respect Your Workers',” added Mr. Coates.