Iceland workers in Waterford stage sit-in following 'abrupt' closure

According to SIPTU, staff were given just 30 minutes to vacate the premises

23/8/2023

Workers at Iceland's Waterford store have occupied the premises following an "abrupt" order by management to close the supermarket on Tuesday evening.

According to SIPTU, employees were given minimal notice to leave the store while still owed unpaid wages, holiday pay and redundancy, with Industrial Organiser, Mark Flynn saying, "Workers were informed at 4.30pm yesterday that they had thirty minutes to vacate the premises. 

"Having seen what happened to their colleagues in the Clonmel store, they decided to stage a sit-in."

A notice placed on the shop door by workers yesterday evening read, "forced closure," with "30 minutes to close," apologising to customers for the short notice.

Impacting 12 Waterford employees, the latest closure has prompted SIPTU to call for an immediate meeting with the examiner responsible for Iceland supermarkets in Ireland over outstanding staff entitlements.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for SIPTU said that the examiner has reached out to Iceland workers in Waterford, and that they hope to enter negotiations with them in the next few days.

Examinership

Iceland staff across the country have faced constant uncertainty since the chain was bought and franchised earlier this year by Project Point Technologies, with more than 20 stores placed into examinership in June, including shops in Douglas, Ballincollig, Talbot Street and Clonmel.

Last month, the High Court heard that "a number" of Irish retail stores in the Iceland chain would not reopen, affecting a “large number” of employees.

At the time, an examiner appointed by the court to Metron Stores Limited, which operates the Irish stores, reported that about 160 employees had been temporarily laid off, while 12 of the 26 Irish stores had temporarily closed.

Staff sit in at Iceland in Waterford. Kamila Unigawska store manager working in Iceland 9 years, Janet Phelan 5yrs, Catherine Nolan working in Iceland 10 months, Yvonne Kennedy working in Iceland 5 years all from Waterford phtoographed with union officials Mark Flynn Industrial organiser and David Lane sector organiser. Photo; Mary Browne

Joe Walsh, of JW Accountants, was appointed interim examiner to Metron in June, with the court told that the company was insolvent and unable to pay debts of about €36m as they fall due.

"The company has the protection of the courts through examinership, the workers only have their union," Mr Flynn continued.

Earlier this week, staff from Iceland on Talbot Street, who have occupied the store since being laid off, were present at the High Court for the presentation of the most recent report from the company's examiner.

In a statement on behalf of staff and the Independent Worker's Union, Donna Grimes, who has participated in the Talbot Street sit-in, said there are still thousands owed to laid-off employees.

"The company from day 1 of take over did not pay rent to many landlords, nor did it pay their energy bills, commercial rates, or, in some cases, even suppliers," said Ms Grimes. "This, alongside the refusal to pay correct wages, caused huge and obvious alarm as it revealed a level of premeditated calculation."

"We ask for orders to be issued compelling the company, which, with its cash reserve exceeding €300,000, can afford to settle all outstanding wage issues and unfair dismissals."

'Messages of support'

In a post on social media, the Waterford Council of Trade Unions said, "Iceland SIPTU members have occupied the store on Cork Road. Send messages of support and drop down to the store to show solidarity," adding that staff are owed wages and holiday pay and that many have "a number of years of service."

"SIPTU is determined that these low-paid workers will not be abandoned.," Mr Flynn continued. "We call for an immediate meeting with the examiner to secure their outstanding entitlements and ensure a just resolution."

Iceland has been contacted for comment.