87% OF WORKERS IN SHAWS VOTE FOR STRIKE ACTION

Thursday 30 April 2009

The Mandate trade union announced today that 87% of their members in Shaws department stores have voted for strike action. The retail outlet has sixteen stores throughout the country employing over 1,000 staff members.

Mandate has now informed the company of their intention to serve strike notice but they have told Shaws they are available to discuss and possibly resolve the dispute, but only on condition that the company withdraw the unilateral introduction of measures which negatively affect their members.

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light said, “The decision by Shaws to introduce, without proper consultation and agreement, cost saving measures which negatively effect our members is something Mandate will not tolerate. If Shaws 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 Shaws, even during these difficult economic times, are not willing to accept ultimatums and threats from the company, particularly when they recognise that Shaws is still a very profitable enterprise.”

Mandate claim that the company are also planning significant reductions in hours for staff members which at worst could result in actual job losses and at best a wage cut for the remaining workers. The company has also refused to pay the terms of the National Wage Agreement.

NOTE TO EDITOR

Shaws has Department Stores in the following locations:

· Athy, Co. Kildare;

· Ballina, Co. Mayo;

· Carlow Town;

· Castlebar, Co. Mayo;

· Drogheda, Co. Louth;

· Dungarvan, Co. Waterford;

· Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin;

· Fermoy, Co. Cork;

· Limerick City;

· Mountmellick, Co. Laois;