Dunnes Stores workers distressed at withdrawal of parking facilities

Tuesday 19 November 2013

Workers to lose out financially and face increase in health and safety risks

Mandate Trade Union, which represents thousands of workers in Dunnes Stores, say staff at the company are very troubled, anxious and angry at the decision to withdraw parking facilities for employees over the Christmas period in a significant number of its stores across the country.

The union is condemning the unfair burden this inconsiderate decision will place on the shoulders of its workforce which includes a financial burden and a potential risk to their health and safety.

Mandate Assistant General Secretary, Gerry Light, said, “A very large proportion of our members in Dunnes have contacted us telling us their concerns.

“With the lack of rural transport in certain areas, workers, in many instances, have no option but to drive to work. This means they face extra costs to pay for private parking and also face the risks associated with having to walk long distances in isolated areas at unsociable times.

“Parking rates can be €1 per hour to €2 per hour meaning a full time worker could lose between €38-76 per week from their income,” said Mr Light.

“These are very difficult economic times for everybody but to add this expense to retail workers who are already low paid is simply mean and will result in no savings for the company but a lot of anxiety for their staff,” he said.

“Dunnes workers, many of whom are female, can start at 6am and finish anywhere after 11pm at night. If the company refuses to back down on this, many will be forced to walk 10 minutes in very isolated areas and this puts a very unnecessary risk on the individual involved,” said Mr Light.

The company has communicated to staff in a number of stores nationwide informing them that the company is withdrawing parking facilities in the Christmas trading period.

What is even more worrying is that workers in several other stores have been informed that this is a permanent measure.

Mandate has written to the company seeking that they rescind their decision or to offer appropriate alternative facilities to the staff concerned.

The journal.ie website is running a poll on whether employers like Dunnes Stores should provide their staff with parking facilities. You can participate in this poll by clicking here.