SIPTU representatives supported a protest this morning (Tuesday, 5th March) by workers at Roches Pharmacy, Main Street, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Staff decided to protest outside the store from 11.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. to highlight their frustration with the management’s refusal to negotiate with their union, SIPTU.SIPTU Organiser, Graham Macken, said: "SIPTU is organising workers in this pharmacy and the 59 others throughout the country which operate within the Uniphar Retail Services Group. The company has so far refused to recognise SIPTU for collective negotiations and has continued to implement unilateral changes to employees’ terms and conditions.”He added: “The union has not balloted its members throughout the group of pharmacies for industrial action as yet, pending the outcome of proximity talks with management which are due to reconvene at the beginning of April in regards to O’Sullivan’s Pharmacy in Bantry, Co. Cork."The company has continued to unilaterally implement new contracts of employment which contain an unacceptable clause stipulating that change can be implemented in line with business needs, which will invariably render void any agreed terms and conditions. The company also continues to make unlawful deductions from workers' pay despite a number of Rights Commissioner rulings that this is in breech of the Payment of Wages Act. The reductions in salary have left some employees literally on the bread line.“However, the company has refused to take part in direct conciliation talks aimed at finding an agreed resolution to issues raised by its staff. This intransigence on the part of management has resulted in the workers deciding to proceed with their protest today. SIPTU representatives fully support the workers and are attending the protest to show our solidarity with them. Two similar protests are planned for later this month.”
SIPTU representatives support Wexford members protesting outside Roches Pharmacy
