Laura Ashley threatens striking Workers with Legal Action for Speaking Out

The workers have been picketing the profitable furniture and fashion retailer’s flagship premises on Grafton St. since Friday 22nd October in protest at the company’s refusal to offer them suitable alternative employment or more than the legal minimum of statutory redundancy.

Mandate Industrial Officer, Dave Moran, said “Laura Ashley’s attempt to threaten the workers with legal action represents a new low in Irish industrial relations.” “Clearly the four staff members were shocked and disappointed to be on the receiving end of such heavy handed tactics. The Laura Ashley brand has been built upon the notion of style, class and quality. There’s very little class, fairness or indeed morality in a highly profitable company making its workers redundant, offering them the legal minimum redundancy and then threatening to take them to court if they speak out about their grievances in public.”

Mr Moran further explained that on 24th September, staff were informed their positions were at risk due to the company’s intention to shut up shop within less then a month. Adding insult to injury, the workers later discovered that the company was only willing to offer statutory redundancy payments and that all employees who wished to remain in employment at one of Laura Ashley’s six remaining retail units would be obliged to once more undergo an interview.

“These are just ordinary workers, who having found themselves jobless at the worst time possible and are trying to get fair treatment from an employer they have served loyally. Surely, a reputable retailer like Laura Ashley should have more regard for its loyal and dedicated staff, some with upwards of ten years service, than to force them into silence after treating them like this”, he continued.

Mr. Moran concluded that the company’s actions come on the back of bumper pre-tax profits of £10.5million for the 26 weeks to end July, 2010 with total turnover growing by 5.7% to £135.1million.