*

 

 

Please find below a brief update regarding a number of industrial relations matters which are ongoing within Tesco Ireland Limited.

 

Following the National Shop Stewards meeting held in November 2011, where the Labour Court Recommendation regarding Mandate and SIPTU’s pay claim was overwhelmingly accepted, negotiations with the company commenced in February 2012. A number of meetings took place and a proposals document regarding a pay is imminent. These proposals will be put to a ballot of all the members’ in May 2012.

 

Following a conciliation conference in the Labour Relations Commission in November 2011 and further local discussions, a document clarifying the operation of the scheme going forward has been agreed. Copies of the process, along with sample pay slips which demonstrate how sick pay and social welfare deductions will be recorded in the future will be forwarded to you in the near future. This has been a very difficult issue to address given the various different schemes in existence (see attached document for breakdown) the manner in which it affects individual members differently and hopefully the agreed process will bring resolution to this issue.

 

Members employed in all Express stores have been instructed by local management to perform cleaning duties previously carried out by a contract cleaning company. This cleaning involves using an industrial cleaning machine and is not the work proper to members employed as sales assistants. We have written to the company advising them of the union’s position and members should be cognisant of this when instructed to perform such tasks. The company have responded stating that staff should carry out this form of cleaning under protest if necessary, a position not accepted by your representatives. Members are requested to contact their shop steward or local representatives should they be asked to carry out such cleaning duties or have any concerns regarding related tasks.

 

It has been brought to our attention that the company have issued information regarding revised/updated company policies and that “the union” have agreed same. Members should be advised that your representatives reviewed policies in relation to compliance with company/union agreements as we have done in the past. Concerns regarding the application of any policy should be raised through your local representatives in accordance with the agreed procedures and subsequent issues brought to the attention of your respective official. Members are advised not to sign for policies which they either do not understand or agree with. Remember your signature is interpreted by the company during disciplinary procedures as acceptance and understanding of a policy.

 

A meeting of the group to discuss has been arranged for the 16^th April at 2pm in the Clarehall store.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the orderly full implementation of the time and attendance system and identify any potential difficulties that may arise as a result of same. The group will comprise of senior company representatives, shop stewards from Clearwater and Clarehall and Mandate Officials. We will keep you informed of developments as appropriate.

 

 

The working group will meet on 19^th April at 10am in Clarehall. The purpose of the group is review the working conditions of the Dot Com drivers, operation generally and identify areas which need to be improved upon. The group will consist of senior company representatives from Ireland and the Dot Com operation in the UK, 4 drivers and Mandate Officials. The progress of the group will be feed back as appropriate.

 

 

Following the Labour Court Recommendation regarding the proposed redundancy terms applicable to the Chargehands affected by the Management Re-structuring Agreement, the affected population left the company on March 16^th 2012 on the terms outlined by the Labour Court.

 

A revised store forum agenda had been drafted and is currently being reviewed by the National Forum representatives. It is imperative that all stores submit their forum minutes in the revised agreed format to the relevant Official in the return envelopes which will be forwarded to you.

 

We recently collated all recent Tesco/Mandate Agreements and put them into a single document which is available from your Mandate office, these will help shop steward/representatives deal with any queries that you may have in store. 

 

In addition, shop stewards have been issued with a meeting record book which should be used to record proceedings at all formal meetings with the Company. Members wishing to make a complaint/grievance should use the appropriate grievance form.

 

Copies of all the aforementioned documents are available from your local representative.

 

All upcoming training courses are available on the mandate website.

 

In addition, we would encourage members to log on to the Mandate Website www.mandate.ie as we constantly update same with news and events.