The SIPTU Dublin District Council and the Justice for Clerys Workers Campaign have said that the reported new owners of the iconic department store must adhere to an agreement with the union, local community groups and city councillors concerning the development of the site. SIPTU Dublin District Council secretary and former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr, said: “In March 2017, the owners of the store and representatives of the former workers concluded a detailed agreement which brought to an end the dispute surrounding the unacceptable manner in which Clerys was put out of business. Utilising the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin I played a central role in brokering that agreement. “The deal included a payment to the former workers. However, also integral to it was agreement on co-operation between the developers, local community groups and unions on the future development of the site in a manner which ensured the maximum benefit for the North East Inner City of Dublin. “The agreement includes clauses concerning the employment of former Clerys workers, local training and employment programmes as well as measures to ensure the safeguarding and development of the cultural and historical importance of the site.” He added: “A Dublin City Council sub-committee, which includes representatives of the former workers and local community groups, councillors and city council officials was formed to oversee the full implementation of this agreement. The agreement still stands and I expect that the sub-committee and the new owners will convene a meeting in the coming days to discuss how they intend to co-operate on its full implementation.” Justice for Clerys Workers spokesman, John Finn, said: “An Bord Pleanála initiated a full public hearing into the proposed development of Clerys due to concerns over its adherence with the Scheme of Special Planning Control for the O’Connell Street area. “The agreement between SIPTU and the developers ensured that the future development of the site would adhere with the aims of this scheme which include that ‘workers are assured fair working conditions’. It also stipulates that the ‘special significance’ of Clerys in terms of its ‘social, cultural, economic and architectural’ aspects are protected.” He added: “Myself and my colleagues expect this agreement to be fully respected by the new owners. We look forward to their co-operation with the development the of O’Connell Street area as one that works for business, those who are employed there and the surrounding local communities.”
SIPTU and Clerys workers call for new owners to respect community benefits deal
