Members of the Justice for the Clerys Workers Campaign finally met Natrium director, Deirdre Foley, prior to a press conference in the Mansion House this morning (Tuesday, 21st March) to announce a settlement to the 21-month long dispute which resulted from the closure of the iconic department store. The press conference was held to announce the broad parameters of a confidential settlement agreed between SIPTU and Naturim following an initiative by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr, aimed at resolving the dispute. SIPTU Clerys shop steward and Justice for the Clerys Workers Campaign spokesman, Gerry Markey, said: “We had one key demand in our campaign and that was to meet with the department's store’s new owner Deirdre Foley. Today, that aim was achieved along with agreement on a settlement which will protect working conditions in the Clerys Development into the future. “The settlement also provides for a goodwill payment for the former employees of OCS Operations Ltd in liquidation who were made redundant on 15th June 2015 who were employed on the O’Connell Street site.” Addressing the press conference, SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “Today is a good day for the former Clerys workers and their city. Above all else, the settlement shows that when workers effectively organise themselves into a union in the workplace, are loyal to one another and are willing to fight for the common good, significant progress can be made. “I wish to take this opportunity to salute the former Clerys workers for their bravery, fortitude and tenacity. Owing to their selfless campaigning, fair working conditions for the future workers in the Clerys building is their legacy.” Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr, said: “It will be the role of the office of Lord Mayor in coming years to ensure that a proper balance is maintained between the interests of business and workers in the Clerys Development. It is hoped that the framework agreed for this development may also become a template for others concerned with other regeneration projects in our city. Such an approach is in the best interests of the citizens of Dublin.”
Clerys workers meet Natrium Director Deirdre Foley after 21-month campaign
