4Home sit-in ends after talks plan agreed

A HIGH-profile sit-in protest by staff at a north Cork 4Home store has been called off after management agreed to meet with worker representatives for showdown talks on Monday.

The protest began on Thursday after staff were told the store at New Square in Mitchelstown was due to close this weekend with the loss of 16 jobs. However, after a two-day sit-in by Mandate trade union workers, it has been agreed that the protest will be called off before showdown talks with management at the start of next week.

Staff involved in the protest were due to return to work today as part of the negotiated agreement, while management have also agreed to rescind letters sent to protesting employees which threatened them with dismissal.