Dear Editor,

Dunnes Stores management should be aware that customers (and I am one of them) who are in the store on a daily basis, are extremely unhappy with the attitude of Dunnes Stores’ head office management, particularly in not recognising trade unions and in refusing any discussions with their work force.

The proof that customers are unhappy should be evident from the day of the strike in April when there was literally no trade at all in their stores.

Having spoken to some of the workers on the day of the strike, I observed some staff went into work.  If they were non-union, then they should join the union, because remembering what Jim Larkin said during the Dublin Lockout – ‘United we stand, divided we fall. Those who went to work on the day of the strike might think they have become favourites with management, but they will learn a sorry lesson as time goes by.

I have no doubt that I speak for numerous customers of Dunnes Stores, but I am calling on the management to come to their senses and get around the table with their staff and start discussions, as recommended by the Labour Court. No-one should be contracted only 15 hours in the week, if more hours are available.

A Labour Court recommendation commits the management to nothing other than to sit down and talk with their workers and work out a solution.

If the company fails to come to an agreement in discussions with workers, then both the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are available to them.  The Labour Court would not make recommendations that would be damaging to the company.

It is a great credit to those organisations and businesses who supported the striking workers by providing teas / coffees, sandwiches, etc., and it shows there is plenty of support in the town of Dungarvan.

Donal Tobin
(Retired SIPTU Official)
Dungarvan, County Waterford