Staff at five more Tesco stores vote for strike action

Staff at five more Tesco stores have voted for industrial action.

It follows an announcement earlier this week that workers in nine outlets would go on indefinite strike from Valentine’s Day next week.

The new round of stores are:

Artane Castle Shopping Centre, Dublin;

Last year worst for social housing construction since 1970s

---

A Garda, a shoelace and a baby born at traffic lights in Galway

---

Naughten to discuss social media watchdog plan with Ministers

---

Rev Noble McNeely elected moderator of Presbyterian Church

---

Market Square, Ballina, Co Mayo;

Churchview Road, Ballybrack, Co Dublin;

Roselawn Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15;

and Monaghan Shopping Centre.

They are to strike on Friday, February 17th.

Earlier this week the Mandate trade union had warned the dispute might spread with a number of ballots due to be taken.

Tensions have followed what the union said are moves by Tesco to worsen the terms of employment for longer-serving personnel without agreement.

Mandate said new contracts would result in some workers experiencing reduced incomes of up to 15 per cent along with increased flexibility.

A spokeswoman for Tesco had said the nine initial stores due to strike next week would remain open. The company has urged Mandate to accept a recent Labour Court recommendation on changes to terms and conditions of staff who were employed prior to 1996.

In a statement following the latest ballot for action, John Douglas, Mandate general secretary said: "Tesco is a hugely profitable multinational retailer making enormous profits in Ireland, buying up distribution companies for billions of euro and paying out dividends to shareholders.

“Yet they are threatening their most loyal workers into taking cuts to their incomes. These are already low-paid workers and it simply isn’t fair.”

The nine stores that are due be affected by the planned strike on February 14th are:

Baggot Street Lower, Dublin;

Ballyfermot Road, Dublin;

Vevay Road, Bray, Co Wicklow;

Clearwater Shopping Centre in Finglas, Dublin;

Rear Main Street, Deanscurragh, Longford;

Navan Town Centre, Co Meath;

O’Connell Street, Abbeyquarter North, Sligo;

Manor West Retail Park, Ratass, Tralee;

and Tullamore Retail Park, Co Offaly.