SIPTU retail staff in Tesco Ireland have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in response to an attempt by the company to unilaterally enforce pay cuts and changes to work patterns. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Teresa Hannick, said: “The management of Tesco Ireland has refused to fully implement a Labour Court recommendation issued on 19th February last. This awarded all retail staff a 2% pay increase and a 1.5% share bonus scheme payment. “Instead, the company is attempting to enforce pay cuts of between 15% and 35% from the 18th April, along with other changes to work patterns and loss of bonuses, on long serving staff. “This is a situation that our members cannot accept. The failure of management to engage in meaningful discussions with our members regarding this issue and its refusal to attend a Labour Court hearing has left them with no option but to take industrial action.” SIPTU Organiser, Derek Casserly, said: “SIPTU retail staff will take industrial action if management attempts to implement these pay cuts along with other changes to work patterns and loss of bonuses as planned on Monday, 18th April. “The impending industrial dispute could be avoided if the company confirms its acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation in full and withdraws its threat to unilaterally cut the pay and conditions of long serving staff.” Tesco Ireland employs approximately 14,500 workers in its 149 stores in the Republic of Ireland. The company does not separately publish its Irish earnings and SIPTU estimates that it is making up to €250 million in profits annually in this jurisdiction. SIPTU represents Tesco retail staff in the company’s stores in Portlaoise, Cavan, Edenderry, Mullingar, Athlone, Douglas in Cork and in-store butchers throughout the country.
SIPTU retail staff vote for industrial action at Tesco Ireland
