In Arklow, TK Maxx workers represented by the Mandate trade union are on strike today.

Almost half of the of the unpaid wages secured by the Workplace Relations Commission last year were for workers in the hospitality and retail sectors.

Strikes at Tesco stores nationwide have been suspended, pending talks due to begin over the weekend at the Labour Court.

Workers at eight Tesco stores are beginning their second day of strike action today in a row over contracts for some long-standing staff.

The Government has avoided a prospective controversy as John Halligan will be out of the country when an opposition water bill, which he signed before entering government, comes before the Dáil.

An unpublished “minority” report by a third of the Low Pay Commission recommended a “significantly higher” minimum wage hike than the 10c increase that has been announced. 

Tesco workers have warned they will place pickets outside stores as soon as the company changes their pay and conditions.

A coalition of 50 groups is calling on the next government to hold a Referendum on repealing the 8th Amendment.

Dunnes Stores had no option but to sack a checkout assistant for selling alcohol to a 16-year-old schoolgirl who bought it on the instructions of an undercover garda, a judge has ruled.

Dublin department store Boyers will shut its doors for good at the start of next year with the loss of up to 83 jobs.

The Mandate trade union is going to ballot its 4,000 members at Penneys for a 2% pay rise in the coming weeks.

Dunnes Stores workers are hold a one day strike on Thursday April 2.

A trade union strike committee will decide on Tuesday what form of industrial action up to 5,000 staff will take at Dunnes Stores.

A rally in solidarity with the people of Greece and the newly-elected Syriza-led Government will take place in Dublin today.

Staff at Dunnes Stores are to ballot for industrial action.

A group of disgruntled Dunnes Stores workers made a special delivery to the company’s head office yesterday — a Christmas wish list signed by 1,300 —employees, demanding improved working conditions.

The Cabinet is today expected to agree a short delay in the introduction of water charges as part of a new package of measures to be announced tomorrow.

SuperValu’s decision not to sell Israeli carrots evokes memories of the Dunnes Stores strike relating to apartheid from 30 years ago, writes Ryle Dwyer

A long running dispute at Marks and Spencer has been resolved.

Strike action planned for tomorrow at Marks and Spencer has been called off, after workers voted to accept a recommendation by the Labour Court.

Penneys has agreed to give its staff a 3% pay rise.

Mandate Trade Union has criticised the decision by Marks and Spencer to open some of its smaller stores around the country today - while more than 2,000 workers are on strike.

The lights are on. The crowds are on the move. Wallets are being prised open. It is make or break time for large retailers.

More than 2,000 staff at Marks & Spencer are due to start a series of one-day stoppages in the run-up to Christmas, beginning next Saturday.

Management at Boots Retail Ireland are threatening staff with a cut to bonuses if they don't accept an 18 per cent pay cut.

Around 14,000 staff at Dunnes Stores are to get a pay rise, it was revealed today.

Education Minister Ruairi Quinn was derided at Easter when he suggested that the depth of the economic crisis had not yet been understood by some people in the education sector.

The Mandate Trade Union is urging its 45,000 members to vote No in the EU Fiscal Treaty referendum.

La Senza workers have agreed to call off their demonstration following discussions between the Mandate Trade Union and the administrators KPMG.

The La Senza sit-in has come to an end following discussions between the Mandate Trade Union and the administrators KPMG.

The Mandate trade union has described a meeting held this morning between La Senza staff and the administrators KPMG as "very positive".

THE future of 2,800 jobs at Superquinn has been secured after its directors dropped a legal challenge to put the business into examinership.

The dispute over the appointment of receivers to Superquinn will come before the High Court later today.

THE Musgrave Group is facing serious competition and obstacles in its €220 million-plus bid to take over rival retailer Superquinn.

The three unions representing Superquinn's 2,800 staff have appealed for the proposed sale to the Musgrave group to go through immediately.

The Mandate trade union has been meeting with Superquinn’s senior management team since 8am this morning.

THE future of more than 2,800 jobs at Superquinn was uncertain last night following the appointment of a receiver to the supermarket chain.

HUNDREDS of workers have been hit with a hammer blow for the new year as a spate of job losses was announced across the country yesterday.

The Mandate trade union has accused the Government of "scapegoating" workers on lower and middle incomes in this afternoon’s Budget.

The Government's plan to cut the minimum wage by €1 or 12% to €7.65 has come in for criticism.

The Mandate Trade Union has said it is looking forward to engaging with the new management at Arnotts.

THERE is no evidence to suggest that cutting the minimum wage will either save jobs or boost the economy, a cross-party group of politicians has been told.