The two workers sacked after 30 years service each in Connolly Shoes in Dun Laoghaire for refusing to have pay cuts and attacks on their conditions imposed without agreement deserve the support of trade unionists and the wider community.
Workers see it as a crude attempt by Mr Connolly Junior, who took over the chain from his father last year, to drive the workers’ union MANDATE out of the shops.
Workers were obliged to strike last year as a result of what they felt was his macho management. This ended in agreed terms at the LRC, which he subsequently refused to honour. The fact this dispute involves a small number of workers is immaterial, it is still a challenge to the trade union movement as a whole that needs to be met head on.
I encourage the local community in Dun Laoghaire to turn out in force this Saturday at 2pm outside the shop in Georges Street Dun Laoghaire at a rally to support the workers. Every effort should be made to bring out workers in the other Connolly shops in Bray, Arklow and Camden Street in support of their striking workmates as this would be the quickest means to force a settlement on the employer.
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