Arnotts workers must be included in any restructuring discussions

Wednesday 28 July 2010

Mandate seeks urgent meeting with management

The Mandate Trade Union has today (Wednesday, 28 July 2010) insisted that any plans by Anglo Irish Bank and Ulster Bank, who are the new owners of Arnotts, to restructure or change practices in the business must include the workers representatives. The union has over 900 members in the company.

Mandate is seeking an urgent meeting with management regarding the future control of the business and any possible implications this may have for staff members.

Mandate General Secretary John Douglas said, “Any difficulties which Arnotts has found itself in is a direct result of management erroneously deciding to enter the property industry and has absolutely nothing to do with the staff members or the operation of the retail business.” He added, “Any plans to stabilize the business should take account that staff members have been a vital component in the success of the retail business, but are in no way at fault for the situation Arnotts now finds itself in.”

Mr Douglas says he has already written to Arnotts in order to seek an urgent meeting between management and the union.

“We are seeking a meeting to clarify what the immediate future is for the business and we are insistent that the best way forward for everyone concerned is to include the worker representatives in any future discussions.”

Mr Douglas concluded, “If the company wishes to implement long term viability plans, it can only do so successfully with the support of its staff and their trade unions.”