ICTU President, John Douglas, has called on trade unionists to promote a rally in support of the Paris Bakery workers outside the Dail on Wednesday (4th June) at 1.00 p.m. In a letter to trade unionists, John Douglas, said: “As you are probably aware, the Paris Bakery workers have been occupying their former employers’ building on Moore Street in Dublin for more than 10 days in an attempt to get almost €100,000 in unpaid wages owed to them. The workers have been left high and dry by their employer and cannot access the insolvency fund as the company has not been deemed insolvent. They are now living hand to mouth on the goodwill of trade unions and the general public. One of the workers has become homeless as a result of the fiasco and others, some with young children, are struggling to pay their rents having been left for almost three months without pay. He added: “You’re probably also aware that this isn’t the first time this has happened. We’ve seen similar incidents in Vita Cortex, La Senza, Connolly Shoes and HMV, to name but a few. We need to close the loophole in the law that allows employers to get away with this type of behaviour. As such, we are asking that you do two things: 1. Please circulate this petition to as many of your contacts as possible. It is a call on the Taoiseach to open the insolvency fund for these workers; and 2. Please promote this rally being organised tomorrow (Wednesday, 4 June) outside the Dail at 1pm. We are very close to changing the legislation on this important issue which would protect all workers in the future.”
Rally in support of Paris Bakery workers outside the Dail on Wednesday
