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.