Dublin South West Sinn Féin TD, Seán Crowe, has described proposed moves by Tesco to renegotiate contracts held by their longest serving staff as “sharp practice” and all under the false God of competitiveness.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Tesco Ireland is one of the most profitable companies in the State, but in the so-called interest of competiveness, and at the stroke of a pen, it is looking to reduce the pay, terms and work conditions of its long term employees.

“Workers, like some of those in Tallaght and Rathfarnham with decades of service, are being asked to accept a cut in pay and a substantial cut in hours. This is sharp practice and another example of an extremely profitable company extending their margins by rowing back on workers’ pay and rights.

“We are supposed to be in the middle of a recovery, but many of those workers lucky enough to have a real job are saying that they are having to work longer hours and for a damn sight less pay.

“The Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton, throws around words like competitiveness, flexibility, and attractiveness, to justify an employment system that allows employers to reduce salaries, extend zero hour contracts, and refuse to recognise the right of trade unions to negotiate and represent large amounts of workers.

“Clearly building a recovery on low paid jobs and the hollowing out of workers’ rights is not sustainable or fair.

“The notion of decent work for decent pay should be becoming the norm, not the exception, in a growing economy.

“Tesco’s decision to introduce cuts in pay and working hours for long term employees is sharp practice, regrettable, and all under the false God of so called  competiveness.”

ENDS