Dunnes staff in Limerick to strike

Dunnes Stores workers in the Parkway Shopping Centre branch in Limerick will today stage a one-day strike in protest at what they claim is the company's failure to address issues of bullying and harassment at the store

Some 240 workers employed at the store, members of the Mandate trade union, are also opposed to changes in working hours and patterns.

Mandate's divisional organiser in Limerick, Mr Brian Higgins, said Dunnes Stores management was "acutely aware" of issues in relation to harassment as well as physical problems with the store, including a lack of heating and ventilation.

"There is lack of ventilation in the summer and a poor standard of heating during colder periods, and more recently the unilateral introduction of changes to working hours and working patterns, which were introduced without any form of consultation with our members or their union," he said.

Mandate said its national organiser, Mr John Douglas, had written to the company seeking a meeting to discuss the issues as long ago as last January, but had not received a reply. "Most recently management have decided to change the working hours and patterns of many staff, and for no apparent reason."

Staff are expected to picket the store today.