A ballot for industrial action by retail staff at Tesco is a result of the company’s refusal to fully implement a Labour Court recommendation issued on 19th February last. This awarded all retail staff a 2% pay increase and a 1.5% share bonus scheme payment. Tesco has informed over 1,000 long serving staff members that they will not be receiving the 2% pay increase recommended by the Labour Court and that instead the company will force through pay cuts of at least 15% from the 18th April along with other changes to work patterns and loss of bonuses. SIPTU Organiser, Derek Casserly, said: “The impending industrial dispute could be avoided if the company confirms its acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation in full and withdraws its threat to unilaterally cut the pay and conditions of long serving staff. We have stated that our members are willing to engage in meaningful discussions but Tesco has refused our request to attend a Labour Court hearing on the issues which are now the subject of a ballot for industrial action.” Tesco Ireland employs approximately 14,500 workers in its 149 stores in the Republic of Ireland. The company does not separately publish its Irish earnings and the union estimates that it is making up to €250m in profits annually in this jurisdiction.
SIPTU retail staff commence ballot for industrial action at Tesco Ireland
