Dunnes Stores Workers On The Picket Line At Tralee Branches

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Dunnes Stores North Circular Road workers out on strike were, from left: Neassa O'Connor, Margaret Cronin, Vari Vackova, Christine O'Hanlon and Beada Tzyrkiewicz. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Dunnes Stores North Circular Road workers out on strike were, from left: Neasa O’Connor, Margaret Cronin, Vari Vackova, Christine O’Hanlon and Beada Tzyrkiewicz. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

WORKERS at Tralee’s two Dunnes Stores branches were out on strike as part of an industrial dispute with over 6,000 other employees nationwide taking part.

The industrial action has come about because of a long held dispute between management and employees over contracts which have left many part-time workers without what they see as decent pay and conditions.

The Mandate trade union, who represent over 6,000 Dunnes Stores employees, organised the strike after members voted to take industrial action.

Over 150 workers were out on the picket line at Dunnes Stores in North Circular Road, while management took up their duties inside.

While many people refused to cross the  picket line, some people crossed the picket line and went about their shopping.

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“If management sat down and discussed these issues, we wouldn’t be here at all,” said a worker at Dunnes Stores who wished not to be named.

“Part time workers are on 15 hour contracts, these contracts can be increased to 35 hours, but management can cut those hours back,” they said.

“People have trouble getting mortgages or a loan, they have no stability in their lives, that’s where the big problem is. People on 15 hours a week are trying to raise families, it’s a serious problem,” they added.

Dunnes Stores North Circular Road workers out on strike were, from left: Hugh Keenan, Breda Flynn, Kevin Fitzell, Sinead Fitzgerald, John Lenihan (Siptu) and Willie O'Gorman (Tesco). Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Dunnes Stores North Circular Road workers out on strike on Thursday. From left: Hugh Keenan, Breda Flynn, Kevin Fitzell, Sinead Fitzgerald, John Lenihan (SIPTU) and Willie O’Gorman. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

Up in the Dunnes Stores in the Horan Centre it was much the same story, with workers out on the street where they received a lot of local support.

MJ’s Diner just opposite the Horan Centre, provided food for striking workers.

A worker who wished not to be named spoke about her situation of being on a part-time contract for 16 years. She feels her work conditions don’t offer her enough stability.

“I have a mortgage, I’ve kids. Next month it’s possible I won’t have enough to pay my mortgage,” they said.

“We’re looking for stability and security, we’re looking for better working hours, we’re looking for the abolition of temporary contracts. What is happening affects the part time staff more, but everyone is standing together,” they said.

“We’ve had a lot of local support, but surprisingly a lot of locals have crossed the picket line and gone in,” she said.

Other major unions have rowed in behind the Dunnes Stores workers in their nationwide dispute while management has not made any comment today. They did however state recently that Dunnes will “not enter into direct discussions” with a trade union.

Dunnes Stores Horan Centre workers on strike were, from left: Sharon O'Sullivan, Fiona Barrett, Trish Ryle, Michelle O'Sullivan, Bernie Hawkins, Joanna O'Connor, Janet Jones, Helen Stack, Seamus Deady and John McCaffery. Photo by Gavin O'Connor.

Dunnes Stores Horan Centre workers on strike on Thursday. From left: Sharon O’Sullivan, Fiona Barrett, Trish Ryle, Michelle O’Sullivan, Bernie Hawkins, Joanna O’Connor, Janet Jones, Helen Stack, Seamus Deady and John McCaffery. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.

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