Ex-Debenhams workers mark 300 days on strike

Padraig Conlon 03 Feb 2021

Former Debenhams workers are calling on the Taoiseach to make a €3m training fund established for the workers available as a cash payment.

Today marks 300 days since 1,000 Debenhams workers in the Republic of Ireland received an email telling them they’d lost their jobs and their company had entered liquidation.

Since then, the workers have mounted official pickets on 11 stores including four in Dublin – Henry Street, Blackrock, Blanchardstown and Tallaght, as well as Galway, Tralee, Newbridge, Limerick, Waterford and two stores in Cork – Mahon Point and Patrick Street.

Gerry Light, Mandate General Secretary said the Government can resolve this dispute immediately if the political will was there:

“The ex-Debenhams workers only have two demands,” he said

“Firstly, they want the €3m fund established for training purposes to be made available as a cash payment, and secondly, they want legislation implemented to prevent this from happening to any workers in the future.”

“These workers have paid their dues.

“They’ve paid their taxes for up to 40 years.

“The least the Taoiseach and the rest of the Government could do is show their appreciation and respect by making a genuine effort to resolve the dispute.”

Mr Light explained that Mandate had written to the Taoiseach on behalf of the ex-Debenhams workers on 13th January and again on the January 25 but they hadn’t received a response to either correspondence to date.

“We met with the ex-Debenhams members in recent days and to say they are disappointed is an understatement.

“They deserve better than to be ignored by the Taoiseach, and by the Government.

“I want to commend the workers for their courage and determination in both seeking a resolution for themselves and their families, but also for their solid commitment to ensuring that no other workers have to go through this again.

“The entire trade union movement is deeply proud of their 300 day action and we are firmly behind them.”

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