Ex-Debenhams workers vote to end industrial dispute after 406 days

Two of the ex-Debenhams workers Madeline Whelan, activist, (left) and Valerie Conlon, shop steward, outside the former Debenhams store on St Patrick's St, Cork. Picture: Denis Minihane

It has been confirmed that former Debenhams workers have voted to accept the offer of a €3 million training fund.

The majority of workers voted in favour of accepting the offer with 319 voting yes and 102 voting no.

They said the moment has come to end the industrial dispute which has gone on for 406 days.

A statement by Debenhams Shop Stewards said the decision to accept the offered training fund does not mean the majority of the group view it as coming anywhere close to honouring the four weeks' pay per year's service redundancy that was signed off with Debenhams.

It is not considered an adequate reward for the struggle the people have waged over the past 406 days, the statement said.

"In the difficult and unprecedented context of a global pandemic, we sustained a struggle that involved pickets, protests, marches, occupations, defying court injunctions, blockades and sit-down protests right up until recent days," the statement said.

The training fund was originally offered in December following recommendations by mediator Kevin Foley.

The first ballot, which took place on January 13, was rejected as further clarifications were sought by members on issues contained within the proposal including how the fund would be managed and worker access to the fund.

Ex-Debenhams workers protesting in Limerick earlier this week.

Following Thursday's vote, Shop Stewards were critical of the Government saying they had "cynically expressed sympathy and ultimately drew us into a process whose recommendation for a training fund bore no relation to the actual discussions we had with the chairperson of the liquidator".

In addition to the Government parties voting down three Dáil proposals which the workers felt would have resolved the dispute, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste are accused of facilitating KPMG efforts to remove stock from stores during the Level 5 restrictions.

The statement is also critical of the workers' union Mandate.

"Once Mandate saw our willingness to fight they should have thrown their full weight behind us and pressured ICTU to do likewise and take up Debenhams as an important test case."

Instead, workers said that at an official level Mandate consistently adopted a passive minimalist approach and were acting in fear of the threat of injunctions and the Industrial Relations Act.

They said their experience shows that the trade union movement needs to be transformed from the bottom up with more power given to rank and file and elected shop stewards.

For their part, Mandate trade union said the outcome is a testament to the strong will and resilience of the strikers who refused to accept defeat in the face of adversity.

"These brave trade unionists maintained their legal pickets no matter the weather and in the midst of a global pandemic they socially distanced on picket lines whilst facing down the government and KPMG at every opportunity," said Gerry Light, Mandate General Secretary.

We acknowledge this is not a perfect deal as it falls short of our members original demands, however, it represents the best achievable negotiated settlement under very difficult circumstances.

Mr Light said it is important that the fund delivers the maximum benefit possible for the former Debenhams workers.

Mandate said a key objective of theirs going forward will be to pursue legislative changes to ensure a similar dispute is prevented from happening again.

"We must, without any further delay, have these legal protections urgently delivered by Government in order to protect workers into the future.

"Delivery on this key objective will not be made easy but we are fully committed to making this happen to honour the legacy of our ex-Debenhams members and their incredible trade union fighting spirit."

Some of the former Debenhams workers in Cork pictured last month as they marked one year since they received the email that their jobs were gone. Picture: Denis Minihane

Following the conclusion of the lengthy dispute, ex-Debenhams staff acknowledged the support and efforts of the public which could not be expressed as fully as it would have been under normal circumstances.

"We know that at various points they would have come out in their thousands to support us on the protests and marches.

"Similarly, we are grateful to the support we received, including donations, from union branches, executives and conferences and the unstinting support and advice of the left, individual trade union activists and a number of public representatives throughout."

While this specific dispute has concluded, a number of the workers have stated that they will continue to campaign in support of the legislative change required to strengthen the legal position of workers in liquidation situations.

Debenhams announced the end of its Irish operations last April with the loss of around 1,200 jobs.