SHOPFLOOR MANDATE TRADE UNION • VIEW FROM THE
INDUSTRIAL NEWS
Make your vote count on May 31
mandate makes no apology for calling on its members to vote no in the may 31st referendum on the fiscal treaty. If passed, this treaty will not create a single job. Instead, it will choke the life out of our domestic economy pushing it from recession to depression. It will impoverish the Irish nation for generations to come and will lead us General Secretary into permanent austerity. Mandate Trade Union Don’t listen to those who claim this is about ‘good housekeeping’ or ‘managing the household budget’ – they are wrong, this is about locking our country into an internationally-binding agreement driven by and for the needs of a corrupt and immoral banking system. This anti-democratic treaty will mean that any future Irish government pursuing progressive economic and social policies that fall outside the narrow fiscal limits set out in this treaty will face international court proceedings. In essence, this treaty constitutes a derogation of sovereignty and is an attack on our basic hard-won freedoms. But make no mistake, you can be sure the bankers will continue to profit out of the continuing Market misery of Europe’s economies – out of the pain of Greek, Spanish, Portuguese and Irish workers – they will make billions on the way up and will make billions on the way down. And the EU’s political class seems in servile thrall to this madness – and they have engineered this treaty to build a firewall around the banking system to protect the rich and powerful at the expense of Europe’s peoples. Decades of social exclusion, mass unemployment and emigration – and further attacks on workers’ rights and the welfare system – lie ahead, unless we act now. Say No to permanent austerity. Vote No on May 31st.
John Douglas
Shopfloor is published bi-monthly by Mandate Trade Union. Mandate Head Office, O'Lehane House, 9 Cavendish Row, Dublin 1 T: 01-8746321/2/3 F: 01-8729581 W: www.mandate.ie Design & Editing: Brazier Media E: braziermedia@btinternet.com Shopfloor is edited, produced and printed by trade union labour
Daa ‘breached’ agreement DUBLIN Airport Authority, despite intending to launch a voluntary redundancy severance package aimed at cutting staff numbers at Dublin Airport, recently put a number of temporary retail staff on permanent contracts. Divisional Organiser Brendan O’Hanlon told Shopfloor this move was opposed by Mandate. He explained that while the union was obviously in favour of creating permanent positions, it could not support the appointments when it was clear the DAA intended to try and force long-serving existing staff to leave and replace them with other workers on inferior terms and conditions. In another move to casualise retail positions at the airport, the company 2
advertised for part-time positions to replace full-time staff that had left. This was done in the face of an agreement between Mandate and the DAA that the retail jobs would be full time. Mandate has written to the company about the ads and sought their removal pending a meeting to discuss the matter. Brendan O’Hanlon hit out at the firm for what he called a “blatant breach” of a deal with the union. He said: “It had been agreed to protect new positions created as a result of the opening of Terminal 2. The company are seeking to exploit the current unemployment situation, which actually requires the creation of meaningful jobs and ones upon which workers can build a better future.”
M&S store in Tallaght. Mandate’s first-class negotiating team scored a notable success during pay talks Picture:Informatique (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mandate hails 2.5% rise for M&S staff
MANDATE negotiators have scored a notable success after more than 3,000 staff at Marks & Spencer received a 2.5% pay rise. A total of 80% of Mandate members voted for the package which was brokered through direct bargaining between M&S bosses and unions. Welcoming the agreement, Mandate general secretary John Douglas said: “This ground breaking deal proves companies can and should reward staff for their dedication and hard work. “Thanks should also go to our superb negotiating team who did a first-rate job in the talks. Other companies in the sector should now take note and do likewise.” Talks between Mandate – which represents 2,500 staff at the international retailer – and management began last October. It is understood pay rates will be reviewed again in April 2013. Mandate divisional organiser
Meeting sought on argos issues mandate has sought a meeting with management at argos to discuss a range of issues. in the meantime, officials have asked for feedback from members working at the catalogue merchant. divisional organiser Willie Hamilton said: “if a member has an issue they want highlighted in any review of our current agreement or is aware of any changes managers are trying to introduce before a review has taken place, they should contact their shop steward or speak to a union official.”
Lorraine O’Brien: Difficult to imagine a better outcome for deserving staff at M&S
Lorraine O’Brien said: “The deal for a 2.5% pay increase reflects Marks & Spencer staff’s high level of co-operation in embracing change, their high level of customer service and their engagement with their employers. “Given the current economic climate, it is difficult to imagine that it would have been possible to achieve a better outcome from local collective
bargaining.” Ms O’Brien also praised Marks & Spencer for its foresight in valuing the commitment staff had shown to the company. She told Shopfloor: “This agreement is the result of working through collective bargaining to the benefit of both the employer and workers.” There were a number of conditions attached to the rise, including an acceptance of the need for ongoing adaptation and flexibility – including the introduction of new technology – both to improve competitiveness and boost productivity and employment. Both unions and management also agreed to adhere to agreed dispute resolution procedures and to remain committed to the promotion of industrial peace and stability. Ms O’Brien also expressed confidence that the deal would set a precedent for the retail sector generally with staff being rewarded for their hard work after a number of very difficult years.
Voluntary redundancy package at Superquinn an aGreement was reached between the company and the three unions that organise at superquinn that opened up a voluntary redundancy package to those members “red circled” at stores across the chain. Going to print, it is understood only a small number of staff had approached the company to express an interest in the redundancy package. the package was worth four
weeks per year of service with all the normal criteria attached. a list of “red circled” members was given to all stores. the closing date to apply for the package was friday, may 4th. divisional organiser dave moran said: “it was emphasised to all members that this was a voluntary package and there was no onus on anyone to accept the offer of redundancy.” SHOPFLOOR
y May 2012