UP TO 250 JOBS LOST IN WOMENS HIGH STREET RETAIL CHAIN PRINCIPLES

Mandate trade union have declared their anger at women’s high street retailer Principles today (Thursday, 12 March 2009) following the announcement that the company has gone into liquidation.

It is estimated that Principles employs approximately 250 workers in the Republic of Ireland.

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Linda Tanham said, “The way in which employees in Principles were informed that they had lost their jobs is nothing short of disgraceful. Yesterday Mandate called on the company to open communication channels with their staff members in order to inform them what was taking place in the company and yet today the liquidator arrives into stores at 2pm to announce the liquidation of the company.

“It is inconceivable why Principles management, as the employer, could not inform their own staff members of their future. Instead Deloitte, who is acting as liquidator to the company, sent representatives to the stores to tell staff members what was happening. This is grossly insensitive and shows shocking disregard for workers who have families depending on incomes from the store.

Ms Tanham went on to say, “Staff members in Principles, which employs approximately 250 workers, have no idea when they will be paid for the work they have been doing. Most of the workers are paid on a monthly basis and they have been told they will need to claim their wages from the liquidator.

There are several Principles outlets operating in Ireland including concessions in Arnotts, Debenhams and stores in Blanchardstown, Dundrum, Arklow, Blackrock and Limerick amongst others.