Union: Dunnes Stores reducing hours

DUNNES STORES has been accused of significantly reducing its staff hours in the fact of the economic downturn.

Mandate trade union, which represents the staff, claims workers’ hours have been reduced by as much as 50% in some cases and that a large percentage of its 4,000 members working in the sector have been affected.

“We are very keen to sit down with the company on this,” said Gerry Light, Mandate assistant general secretary. “We made that request two and a half months ago in accordance with our current procedural arrangements. Under those arrangements they have agreed that if there is a grievance that affects more than one store, there is an obligation on the parties within 23 days to discuss that grievance.” Mr Light said all he has received from the company were letters which he said were “holding” correspondence.