Workers in Tomangoes Nightclub strike over pay

Security workers in the White Sands Hotel in Portmarnock, better known as Tomangoes Nightclub, took industrial action last night (Tuesday, 25 August 2009) and picketed the nightclub premises. The dispute is in relation to pay where Mandate Trade Union says the workers involved have not received an increase in take-home pay since 2001.

During the official industrial action, which involves six workers, the union said that a DJ who worked in the nightclub for 28 years was sacked for refusing to pass the picket. The union also claim that the head doorman was told that he was “on thin ice” for supporting the workers.

Eddie Cassidy, Divisional Organiser for Mandate Trade Union said; “The behaviour of management in the White Sands Hotel leaves a lot to be desired. The staff received threats and abuse from representatives of management which upset all the workers.

“This was an official picket of a company that has an official dispute with its workers. This action was balloted for and the workers unanimously voted in favour of this action. It is extremely unfair that the company would treat their staff like this and even sack another worker with such a long and good employment record because he doesn’t want to be a scab in this dispute,” continued Mr Cassidy.

Mandate say that the six workers involved in the dispute have been working for the company for between ten and twenty years. The union claim that they have not only had a freeze in their take-home pay for over eight years, but they have also seen a reduction in the amount of shifts they are given.

Mr Cassidy said, “The Company is increasingly offering shifts to security agencies which denies our members any sort of possible wage increases through extra hours. Instead of offering extra shifts to their loyal workers who have been with the company for many years, they are outsourcing the workers jobs to security agencies right under their noses. This is a very difficult thing for any worker to take.”

Mandate said the workers received enormous support from the public during the dispute last night. Mr Cassidy stated that, “Taxi drivers even refused to drop potential customers to the venue in solidarity with the workers out on strike. Mandate and the workers would like to thank those who supported them during last night’s official picket.”

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