Protest outside Dunnes in support of Joanne Delaney

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | event notice Wednesday February 01, 2006 15:32 by Jim

There will be a protest outside Dunnes Stores on Georges Street this Thursday February 2nd at 6pm. The protest has been called by Labour Youth and everyone is welcome.

Joanne Delaney - sacked for wearing a union pin

22-year-old Joanne Delaney had worked in Dunnes Stores in Crumlin for almost four years but was suspended and later dismissed after refusing to remove a Mandate union membership badge. Joanne had been recently elected by her co-workers as the shop steward in the Ashleaf Dunnes Stores in Crumlin.

Dunes management then compounded its anti-trade union stance by refusing to attend a meeting about the disciplinary action with Ms Delaney because she was accompanied by her trade union official.

The management at Dunnes have acted disgracefully by sacking Joanne. If they are allowed get away with this it will set a new low in industrial relations.

International pressure on Dunnes is growing with thousands of emails coming in across the globe protesting against their unfair practices. Motions have been tabled in the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament condemning their actions.

Dunnes has a track record of provoking industrial problems. In 1984 Dunnes workers in Henry Street had to go on strike simply to support a colleague who had been sacked for making a stand against Apartheid and the handling of South African goods. The strike only ended when Labour in government took a leading role in the international campaign against Apartheid by banning all South African imports.

We are calling on Dunnes to immediately re-instate Joanne Delaney and to respect the rights of all their employees to wear union badges as is common practice in other supermarkets and stores.

This recent action by Dunnes is further evidence that the social partnership process in Ireland is now dead. Time after time, whether it be in Irish Ferries, GAMA or Dunnes workers and union members are on the receiving end of management tactics to undermine their pay and working conditions.