Mandate Trade Union warn public of two-day closures in Lloyds Pharmacy as workers continue strikes
Sunday 2 September 2018Workers apologise for any inconvenience, but say company is to blame
Mandate Trade Union is warning the public that at least six Lloyds Pharmacy outlets will be closed for the next two days (Monday, 3rd & Tuesday, 4th September), while up to 30 more stores will be impacted by a strike as workers escalate their campaign for decent work and fair pay.
The closed stores include: Tonlegee and Coolock in Dublin 5, Killester in Dublin 3, Crumlin in Dublin 12, Neilstown in Dublin 22 and Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. The company has not yet confirmed other closures but others may be expected.
More than 30 additional Lloyds Pharmacy stores (full list below) will also have official pickets placed outside them and the workers are asking for understanding and support from the public.
The Union said it is regretable and disappointing that senior management have forced their workers into striking.
Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary, said:
“The decision to strike is a very difficult one for our members and is a very last resort. They have tried in every possible way to have their right to trade union representation affirmed, but management have frustrated them at every opportunity.”
He said: “Lloyds Pharmacy management have refused to accept a Labour Court recommendation which instructed them to negotiate with Mandate Trade Union.
“The Minister for Business has backed the workers and the Seanad has unanimously backed the workers in their claim for trade union representation. When your company ignores this, you are left with only one other avenue to have your rights recognised, and that is to participate in industrial action.”
Mandate Trade Union, which represents 270 staff, or 35 percent of the workforce within Lloyds Pharmacy’s retail operations, say this strike can easily be resolved by Lloyds Pharmacy management if they simply agree to meaningful negotiations with their workers’ representatives.
Mr Light concluded: “If members of the public need medication while this dispute is ongoing, they may wish to move their prescriptions to another pharmacy.”
The strike relates to a claim by Mandate Trade Union which includes:
- A pay increase with adequate incremental pay scales (Lloyds workers’ pay scales start at €10ph);
- A sufficient sick pay scheme;
- Security of hours and the elimination of zero hour contracts; and
- Improvements in annual leave entitlements and public holiday premiums.
Dates for future strikes include:
- Monday 3rd and Tuesday 4th September 2018
- Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd October 2018
- Thursday 1st, Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Monday 5th November 2018
Locations on strike include:
| Artane Castle S.C. | Artane Castle S.C., Kilmore Road, Dublin 5, Dublin |
| Ashleaf | Ashleaf S.C., Crumlin Cross, Dublin 12 |
| Ballyfermot | 292 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, Dublin |
| Baltinglass | Main St., Baltinglass |
| Blackrock S.C. | Blackrock SC, Blackrock, Co. Dublin |
| Blanchardstown Main St. | 2 Main Street, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Dublin |
| Blanchardstown S.C. | SuperValu S.C., Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Dublin |
| Castle Street S.C. Bray | Supervalu SC, Castle St., Bray, Co. Wicklow |
| Castleknock, Castle Court | Castlecourt S.C., Castleknock, D 15 |
| Castlenock, Carpenterstown Rd. | Spar S.C., Carpenterstown Road, Dublin 15 |
| Crumlin | 20 St Agnes Rd |
| Coolock S.C. | Coolock Village S.C., Coolock, Dublin 5, Dublin |
| Drumcondra | 10 Upr Drumcondra Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, Dublin |
| Dublin delivery drivers | Various locations |
| Finglas | 47 Main Street, Finglas, Dublin 11, Dublin |
| Glasnevin | 4 Fitzmaurice Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, Dublin |
| Kilbarrack S.C. | Kilbarrack S.C., Kilbarrack, Dublin 5 |
| Killester | Supervalu S.C., Killester, Dublin 3, Dublin |
| Knocklyon S.C. | Supervalu SC, Knocklyon, Dublin 16 |
| Lucan | Superquinn S.C., Lucan, Co Dublin, Dublin |
| Mill S.C. Clondalkin | The Mill S.C., Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Dublin |
| Neilstown | Neilstown, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, Dublin |
| Northside S.C. | Northside S.C., Coolock, Dublin 17, Dublin |
| Nutgrove S.C. | Nutgrove SC, Rathfarnham |
| Omni Park S.C. | Omni Park S.C., Santry, Dublin 9, Dublin |
| Pearse St. Mullingar | 20 Pearse Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Westmeath |
| Raheny | 413 Howth Road, Raheny, Dublin 5, Dublin |
| Rathborne | Unit 7 The Village Centre, Rathborne, Ashtown, D 15 |
| Rowlagh | 1 Chaplains Place, Rowlagh, Dublin 22, Dublin |
| Shankill | Main St. Shankill |
| Sligo | Toghers Chemist, O’Connoll St., Sligo |
| Stoneybatter | 39 Stoneybatter, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7, Dublin |
| Tallaght Aylesbury S.C. | Aylesbury S.C., Tallaght, Dublin 24, Dublin |
| Tallaght Main St. | Main Street, Tallaght, Dublin 24, Dublin |
| Tonlegee Rd | 44 Tonlegee Road, Coolock, Dublin 5, Dublin |
| Wellingtonbridge, Wexford | Main Street, Wellington Bridge, Co. Wexford |
| Wicklow | Main St., Wicklow Town |
NOTE TO EDITOR
LloydsPharmacy is Ireland’s largest pharmaceutical chain operating 88 stores across the country with approximately 800 workers employed in their pharmacies.
LloydsPharmacy is owned by the McKesson Corporation which is the largest pharmaceutical company in the world with revenues of €183.88 billion in 2017 – more than double the revenue of the Irish state.
McKesson also own UDG Healthcare (formerly United Drug) which is headquartered in Ireland, and where the workers are afforded their right to trade union representation (SIPTU and Unite represent staff in Ireland).
Lloyds Pharmacy argues it does not operate zero hour contracts despite Mandate publishing a number of the contracts. A number of employment experts have also stated that the contracts do not guarantee any hours of employment for workers.
