14/08/2009

Co-Op Staff Protest Over Jobs

Workers at a Co-op Superstore in Co Cork are staging a sit-in after being told they are to lose their jobs.

The workers at the Co-op Superstore in New Square, Mitchelstown said they were disappointed with the decision that was made without any consultation with their union.

On Wednesday staff were told the shop would close on Sunday and that they would receive statutory redundancy of two weeks pay per year of employment along with notice payments.

Lorraine O'Brien, Divisional Organiser with Mandate said: "The workers have told me they will be operating a sit-in protest due to the failure of the company to engage in any meaningful consultation with them or their union.

"They have said they will not be moving from their current position without proper discussions with Mandate and they are prepared to hold out for 'as long as necessary' in order to make their position known."

Ms O'Brien said staff are very angry about the redundancy terms and their main interest is retaining their jobs.

"This is clearly a situation neither the union nor the workers want protracted any longer than necessary and it was not an easy decision for the workers to make. Some of the women involved in the protest have young children at home and this will obviously be a distressing time for them and their families," she added.

Mandate said they were also troubled by redundancy notices issued in another Co-op Superstore in Fermoy, also in Cork, where eight staff members have been told their store will close on Saturday.

(DW/BMcC)

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