Dunnes Stores strike can be averted - Seán Crowe TD
Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe has said that a possible Dunnes Stores
strike can be averted by senior management but they need to move from
their backward early 1900s labour relations approach and into a more
enlightened 21st century mode.
The strike threat comes on the
back of a survey carried out by the Mandate Trade Union among Dunnes
Stores workers and suggests that three quarters of those employed are
trapped on part-time flexible contracts.
Crowe said that the
Dunnes Stores controversy also highlighted the need for the introduction
of robust anti-victimisation legislation and collective bargaining
rights in line with International Labour Organisation conventions.
Deputy Seán Crowe said:
"A pending Dunnes Stores Strike due early next year can be averted by
senior management but they need to move from their backward early 1900s
labour relations approach and into a more enlightened 21st Century
mode.
"The survey carried out by the Mandate Trade Union among
their Dunnes Stores members suggests that three quarters of those
employed are trapped on part-time flexible contracts. A huge amount,
eighty five per cent, felt that insecurity around their hours and
believe that hourly rostering is being used as control mechanism over
workers and that their hours are being distributed unfairly.
There is understandably widespread dissatisfaction with this policy that
has them locked into part time hours, trapped in poverty and with no
security of hours.
"An added difficulty faced by workers is the
abject failure of Dunnes Stores to engage in any meaningful discussions
with their workers' unions or any Irish Labour Relations apparatus.
"According to Eurostat, over one fifth of the Irish workforce is now in
low-pay employment, there is a widening of the gap in terms of income
distribution and there is an increase in the number of adults and
children living in poverty.
"One hundred and one years after
the 1913 Lockout, Ireland has the dubious distinction of being only one
of three countries in the EU27 where the right to collective bargaining
is not enshrined in law.
"Collective bargaining rights need to
be introduced without delays that are in keeping with more progressive
International Labour Organisation conventions.
"I believe the
Dunnes Stores controversy highlights the need for new legislation to
copper fasten the right to trade union recognition treating collective
bargaining as a basic right.
"The Dunnes Stores strike can be averted but senior management need to move and join the rest of us in the 21st Century."