Spawell bar and restaurant workers protest against closure

Workers at a south Dublin pub and nightclub are staging a protest today against the closure of the premises.

Workers employed by CB Taverns who work in the bar, restaurant and snooker room at the Spawell centre in Templeogue were told those facilities would be shutting down immediately with the loss of 32 jobs and with approximately one month’s wages owed to each staff member.

Staff at the facility's entertainment centre and driving range are not involved in the dispute.

CB Taverns says it cannot afford to pay redundancy or holiday pay.

"This protest has a number of aims including raising awareness of the predicament these workers have been put in," said Eddie Cassidy of trade union Mandate.

"We’re hoping we can achieve payment for the work that the guys have already completed and also some compensation in terms of redundancy payments."

Mr Cassidy described the treatment of the Spawell workers as "appalling".

"Not only do they have to worry about where their next pay cheque is coming from, they also have to worry about whether or not they’ll receive their last one," he said.