Labour Youth Press Release

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | press release Thursday February 02, 2006 17:41 by Dermot L - Labour Party

Labour Youth are to stage a protest outside Dunnes Stores, South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2, at 6pm this evening, Thursday 2nd February, against the sacking of company employee Joanne Delaney for wearing her union pin on her uniform.

Speaking ahead of the protest Labour Youth Chairperson, Graham O’Maonaigh, commented, “Joanne Delaney was sacked by Dunnes in November 2005 for wearing her union pin on her uniform, despite the fact that there is no reference made to union badges in the company policy.

“With more than four years service in the Ashleaf store in Crumlin on the south side of Dublin, the 22 year-old Mandate shop steward received a letter on the 29th of November 2005 informing her that she had been dismissed by the company.

"Labour Youth is calling for the immediate reinstatement of Joanne Delaney to her position in the Ashleaf, Crumlin branch of Dunnes Stores. This is the beginning of a campaign which will spread nationwide over the coming weeks, until such time as Joanne is reinstated.

“The management at Dunnes have acted disgracefully by sacking Joanne. If they are allowed to get away with this, it will set a new low in industrial relations. We cannot allow employers to continue to erode the rights of workers.

Commenting in advance of the protest, Brendan Howlin TD, Labour Party Spokesperson on Enterprise & Employment said, “Such abuses by employers represent a throwback to Victorian attitudes to industrial relations. The right to organise is a fundamental. The Government must send out a clear message that this and other rights cannot be trampled on."

ENDS