Douglas Tesco staff end strike for talks

TESCO’S newest multimillion euro premises in Cork will be able to open today after the company and its staff reached a temporary agreement on terms and conditions.

More than 80 workers at the Douglas store went on strike on Wednesday over the company’s intention to compulsorily buy out the terms and conditions accrued by long-term staff when the operation moved into new premises close by.

Mandate trade union, which represents the staff, had accused the company of breaching long-standing agreements and claimed even though Tesco announced worldwide profits of €3.2 billion only recently it was intent on reducing the entitlements not just of staff in Douglas, but also nationwide. The pickets which began on Wednesday were lifted yesterday morning and the staff returned to work in the new store after the union and management agreed to attend the Labour Relations Commission yesterday afternoon.

Following two hours of discussions, it was agreed the staff would all start today in the new store on their existing rosters, and terms and conditions. The sides will return to the Labour Relations Commission next week to continue talks on the company’s intention to cut overtime entitlements.

Meanwhile, Mandate yesterday announced that 87% of their members in the 16 Shaws department stores around the country had voted for strike action.

Mandate assistant general secretary Gerry Light said: “The decision by Shaws to introduce, without proper consultation and agreement, cost saving measures which negatively affect our members is something Mandate will not tolerate. If Shaws are genuinely in financial difficulty then Mandate will not be found wanting in terms of seeking a solution which will help protect the business and our members jobs.

“However, it would seem from the overwhelming result of the ballot that staff members in Shaws, even during these difficult economic times, are not willing to accept ultimatums and threats from the company, particularly when they recognise that Shaws is still a very profitable enterprise.”

Mandate has now informed the company of their intention to serve strike notice, but they have told Shaws they are available to discuss and possibly resolve the dispute, but only on condition that the company withdraw the introduction of the measures.