Sinn Féin representative for Dublin South West, Sean Crowe TD has said he is appalled by the behaviour of Senior Dunnes Stores management in the ongoing industrial dispute with its workers who are represented by the Mandate Trade Union.

Speaking in response to news that the company had now issued an unsigned letter to its employees, which according to Mandate is making false claims about the dispute, Deputy Crowe said:

“This type of behaviour is nearly expected from fly by night employers but will surprise many that it’s happening with such a large and long established Irish company like Dunnes Stores.

“Surely it would be far more sensible and constructive if the company were to engage with the Mandate, the union representing a large proportion of the work force.

“Dunnes Senior management instead have adopted a circa 1900’s approach to labour relations with the mistaken belief that downtrodden austerity bashed Irish workers will somehow accept their dictatorial terms

“Dunnes have already rejected a conciliatory Labour Court’s recommendation which stated the company had an obligation to engage with the Union on the dispute.

“Dunnes Stores has made huge profits over the years from the Irish public and it is one of the oldest department stores in the state.

“It is truly appalling that a company with such a long and unique history treats its workers with such contempt and disrespect.

“Dunnes is an employer who seems to see nothing wrong with paying its staff minimum rates of pay and who thinks it’s acceptable to have over 80% of its staff on flexible contracts.

“This race to the bottom in terms of pay, insecurity of hours and the failure of companies to recognise and engage with unions is not acceptable in any progressive civilized society.

“Exploiting workers benefits no one. It is bad for business, bad for society and bad for the economy.

“Dunnes Stores needs to engage with Mandate and work constructively towards finding a long term resolution to this dispute.

“It’s time Dunnes put the welfare and dignity of their workers to the fore instead of the pursuit of unlimited profit and control.”