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Notice of industrial action served on Whelan's

Date Released: 24 Jan 2007

SIPTU has served notice of industrial action on Whelan’s in a dispute over redundancies and transfer of undertakings, to expire at midnight Thursday, January 25, 2007.

“Whelan’s are one of the main suppliers of goods to Dunnes Stores but on February 28, that arrangement will cease.  This means over 460 workers are facing a very uncertain future,” explained SIPTU’s Branch Organiser, John Dunne.

“Last December, management at Whelan’s gave the Union a commitment that it would clarify the company’s future for the workers, but to-date no such clarification has been received and management has failed to engage with the Union on the issue.

“Some workers may be made redundant at the end of February.  But so far there is no agreement on how many or under what severance terms.  Some may remain in employment at their existing location but with new contracts. But so far there is no agreement on how many and under what terms and conditions.  Some others may remain in employment but transfer to a new location with a new employer. But so far there is no agreement on how many and under what terms.

“Industrial action – up to and including strike action - will take place from midnight on Thursday, January 25, 2007, unless negotiations on these issues get under way.  This means that supplies to Dunnes Stores in the frozen food and textile goods area could be affect by Friday of this week with more significant shortages becoming a real reality if the strike involving over 460 workers continues,” he concluded.

Two prospective employers have expressed an interest in taking over some part of Whelan’s business but there are early signs that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employees) Act, may prove difficult to implement because of conflicting legal opinion as to whether or not the terms cover this situation.