Mandate Trade Union shop stewards in Dunnes Stores have voted overwhelmingly in favour of commencing a process of balloting for industrial action at the company.
The retailer employs more than 10,000 workers in 112 stores in the Republic.
The union, which represents more than 4,000 of the staff, says the ballot is taking place after the company refused to implement the terms of a Labour Court recommendation issued last November.
One shop steward in attendance said: “We’re extremely disappointed and frustrated that our company has continued to ignore our very reasonable requests. Equally, we’re determined to make real and lasting change in the company and feel we’ve been left with no other option but to ballot for industrial action.
She continued: “All we’re really asking for is respect and the implementation of standard conditions of employment that are already afforded to workers in Dunnes’ major competitors like Tesco and Penneys.”
Mandate Assistant General Secretary Gerry Light explained some of the key issues raised at the National Shop Steward Meeting: “The combination of low pay and flexible hours means that many Dunnes workers cannot afford to provide a basic standard of living for themselves and their dependents.
"Many of our members cannot access mortgages or loans because of insecurity of hours due to low-hour contracts. Dunnes workers want to have their right to trade union representation vindicated, particularly when it comes to disciplineries and collective bargaining. Key to all of this this is the fact they don’t feel respected by their employer,” he said.
