STAFF MEMBERS have said they are prepared to remain barricaded in the Thomas Cook offices on Dublin’s Grafton Street “for as long as it takes” the company’s senior management to approach them with an improved redundancy package.
The staff locked themselves inside the travel company’s offices yesterday afternoon in protest at management’s announcement that offices on Grafton Street and North Earl Street were to close with immediate effect.
Senior management are accused of “intimidation and bullying tactics” by staff members who say that their right to industrial action has been impinged upon by the immediate closure of the stores. The closure was brought forward from the end of August during recent negotiations with the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA).
The union balloted staff on industrial action during the past week and served strike notice upon Thomas Cook management yesterday following a redundancy offer made to staff of a five-week pay package.
Employees were informed that their refusal of the travel company’s proposal would result in an offer of a statutory two-week redundancy payment.
Staff are seeking an eight-week redundancy package to “help cushion the blow”, said TSSA representative Patrick McCusker. He criticised management for “thinking they can come here, bully the staff and get away with it”.
A spokesperson for the travel company said the closure was brought forward in an effort to minimise the effects on customers. He described the company as “outraged by the manner in which the TSSA is conducting itself”, adding that due to the staff occupation of the office Thomas Cook is “forced to close the stores early”.
Thomas Cook acknowledged that approximately 40 customers are due to travel with the company in the next week. It has advised that all bookings are secure and customers will be contacted prior to their trips.