Clerys workers have voiced their support for the decision of Dublin City Council to endorse a number of motions condemning their treatment and extend the protection of the specific use of the store on O’Connell Street, Dublin.

SIPTU shop steward, Gerry Markey, was among a number of Clerys staff who sat in the public gallery of Dublin City Council on Monday (29th June), to observe a special meeting of councillors to discuss the closure of Clerys called by the Labour Group.

He said: “The Council fully endorsed motions calling on the new owners of Clerys, Natrium, to meet with the workers. The councillors also made clear that they will be pursuing this issue in the coming weeks.”

SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “We are particularly pleased that the Council voted to extend the period of the Special Planning Control Scheme for the O’Connell Street Architectural Conservation Area beyond this September.

“This Scheme states that Clerys has a ‘special significance’ through its long association with the O’Connell Street area. The Scheme also states that it is established Dublin City Council policy that Clerys ‘particular use’ as a department store must be protected in order to maintain the 'social, cultural, economic and architectural character of the street'.”

A SIPTU petition calling on the new owners of Clerys to meet with the former staff of the department store has received over 20,000 signatures.  Click here to sign the petition.