Argos flying in strikebreakers: Union
Saturday, 1 December 2007
Mandate, the trade union representing striking Argos workers, has claimed the company has flown in staff from the UK to staff stores during today's one day strike.
A spokespeson for Argos has confirmed that some staff were brought over from the UK to support those working in their branches today and to protect customer services.
Pickets have been placed at the 18 Argos stores around the country in a one day work stoppage as part of a campaign for better pay.
Stores in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Kilkenny, Athlone and Drogheda are among those being picketed.
Mandate is seeking a 10% pay rise for staff, two thirds of whom the union claims are earning just over €9 an hour.
It also wants the company to return to negotiating pay rises with the union.
Argos last year ceased dealing with Mandate and now applies increases in accordance with the national wage agreement.
Argos pointed out that the stoppage was outside the terms of the Towards 2016 national agreement.
Mandate Assistant General Secretary Linda Tanham said it was disappointing that Argos had flown UK staff in to provide cover in its Irish stores today.
- Six One News: Pickets placed on some Irish Argos stores
