State archives: Dunnes Stores strike demonstrated power of the few

The Dunnes Stores strike began on July 19, 1984.

The Irish Distributive and Administrative Trade Union (IDATU) had instructed its members not to handle produce from South Africa in a protest against that country’s policy of apartheid.

Working at a checkout counter, Mary Manning, 22, explained to a customer that she would not handle two South African grapefruits.