SHAW'S STRIKE CALLED OFF
Strike action has been averted at Shaw’s 16 locations across the country, including its store on Fermoy’s Patrick Street.
The department store’s employees had voted in favour of industrial action over a number of issues but Mandate, the trade union representing Shaw’s workers, have lifted the strike action following intervention from the Labour Relations Commission.
The LRC last Friday, May 8 put forward proposals for talks between management and staff which have prevented the strike which was due to take place today (Thursday, May 14). Having accepted the terms, both sides will now enter talks with the LRC this week.
Speaking to The Avondhu, Dan O’Malley of Mandate said that workers voted in favour of strike action over six issues, namely the non-payment of the 3.5% wage increase agreed under the National Wage Agreement, a change in trading hours, the non-payment of agreed wage scale increments, the removal of established overtime, compulsory redundancies, and a reduction in staff hours.
“At the end of the day for us as a union we wouldn’t be seen wanting when a company is in trouble. What we take issue with is a company unilaterally imposing changes without consulting staff,” Mr O’Malley said.
On Thursday, April 30 87% of staff at Shaw’s voted in favour of the strike. Mandate assistant general secretary, Gerry Light then said, “The decision by Shaw’s to introduce, without proper consultation and agreement, cost saving measures which negatively effect our members is something Mandate will not tolerate. If Shaw’s are genuinely in financial difficulty then Mandate will not be found wanting in terms of seeking a solution which will help protect the business and our members jobs.
“However, it would seem from the overwhelming result of the ballot that staff members in Shaw’s, even during these difficult economic times, are not willing to accept ultimatums and threats from the company, particularly when they recognise that Shaw’s is still a very profitable enterprise.”
Published:
Thursday 14th May 6:36pm
