Domino’s threatened to sack drivers, says strike leader

Management at the Walkinstown branch of Domino’s Pizza told workers that they “would not be able to come back” if they joined a Tallaght workers in a protest over pay, according to a spokesman for the delivery persons’ strike.

Fifty Domino's Pizza drivers began their demonstration at the franchise's Tallaght outlet at 5pm today, before moving the protest to Walkinstown at around 8pm.

They then asked employees of the Walkinstown branch to join the protest, at which point the threat was made, according to driver Uzair Ahmad, who is acting as spokesman for the protest.

The drivers say they are paid €4 per hour, with an additional payment to them of €1.50 per delivery. They are looking for their pay to be increased to €5 per hour and the per-delivery payment to €2, which they say would be in line with other outlets in the franchise.

According to Mr Ahmad, around seven Walkinstown employees joined the protest. It is not known whether they are to remain employed at the pizza franchise.

Given the inclement weather conditions, it was decided to end the protest at 9pm, after which time the protesters, including the Walkinstown drivers, returned home, according to Mr Ahmad.

“We will be protesting again at the Tallaght branch tomorrow at 4pm,” said Mr Ahmad. “If nothing happens then, we will bring the protest to Government Buildings on Monday.”

Management at the Walkinstown branch of Domino’s Pizza declined to comment on the allegations.

From head office in the UK, Domino's Pizza said: “We can confirm that a number of our team members chose not to work their shift on Friday, December 8.

“We have listened to their concerns and must now begin a formal process that will ensure that this matter is brought to a satisfactory conclusion. It is our priority to create a friendly, safe and rewarding place of work.”