ONLINE EDITION MANDATE TRADE UNION DECEMBER 2020 SHOPFLOOR NEW DEAL FOR DISTRIBUTION & RETAIL WORKERS P4

UPFRONT GERRY LIGHT P2 l INSIDE STORY DEBENHAMS P20 COVEROPINION STORY FRONT COVER ILLUSTRATION: Barry McGowan 2020 – a year to reflect

THIS is the first opportunity I have had to pen that some businesses have done very this piece as the General Secretary of our proud nicely as a direct consequence of Covid and distinguished union and I want to say it is a through significant increases in turnover pleasure and honour to do so. and profits. Twelve months ago the term Covid-19 was unknown along UPFRONT Whether it is over the past nine months, with any understanding of the deadly virus to which it re- or indeed as we head into 2021, the best ferred. There can be little doubt that the rapid and intense General Secretary, way of facing uncertainty is not individu- spread of this global pandemic has virtually stopped us all in Gerry Light Mandate Trade Union ally. By acting in this isolated manner it will our tracks and forced us to not only look at always ensure that workers’ interests are how we reorganise our day-to-day lives but placed secondary to those of business and also to reassess the things which are impor- the market. tant beyond those of material value. If nothing else the Covid crisis has shown It is also an opportunity to challenge from a societal perspective what can be the societal and economic norms which achieved through acting collectively. The value a job purely from a financial per- notion of the common good has quite spective instead of asking what contribu- rightly been given a renewed sense of tion it makes to our society as a whole, focus and importance. particularly during a time of national cri- The workplace is merely a microcosm of sis. society. What we need now is to see a trans- Regrettably many sectors, industries and fer of these values by workers into their businesses have been ravaged over the place of work and to help them build an past nine months with the world of retail in understanding of how they can lead to particular being severely impacted. This greater levels of reward, respect, fulfilment stark reality has meant thousands of retail Picture: Jonathan Cutrer, Public Domain and dignity. workers have lost their jobs with others Being a union operating predominantly in They have put themselves literally in the having their incomes seriously depleted. the retail sector, Mandate has along with its line of fire and the least they deserve in re- The power and benefits that can evolve from a collective approach are clearly Those who have remained at work pro- members been very much in the eye of the turn is appropriate appreciation and due storm. Clearly the biggest impact so far has viding what now is generally accepted as consideration. proven all we need to do is reassert our been the loss of more than 1,000 good qual- an essential public service have to face the With the advancement of technology al- confidence in the belief that by joining to- ity retail jobs following the decision of constant threat and worry of contracting lowing for greater levels of automation and gether in common purpose this approach Debenhams to close its Irish operation. the virus. the way these developments have changed will continue to deliver in the future. What has followed over the past nine customers’ shopping habits there can be lit- As the recently appointed General Secre- months is a determined and heroic effort by tle doubt that the shape of traditional bricks tary of Mandate I give you an absolute as- our members who have been involved in and mortar retail has also significantly surance that myself, the staff and members actively picketing, in some cases 24/7, the 11 changed over the past number of years, the of our National Executive Council will con- ex-Debenhams stores in pursuit of a just arrival of Covid has served to accelerate tinue to tirelessly strive to lead our mem- and fair settlement to their industrial dis- these trends considerably. bers through the current challenges facing pute. Notwithstanding the promising news that us. Clearly this has been and continues to be is emerging on a daily basis about potential a long and difficult struggle for the mem- vaccines there can be little doubt the world We will ensure that the interests of our bers involved and we are committed to en- of retail that will emerge post-Covid has the members are always to the forefront – sure that their efforts will not be in vain. potential to be radically different. whether it’s in relation to issues directly im- Also significant numbers of our members This is why Mandate continues to demand pacting them in the workplace or indeed employed in the bar trade have seen their from Government the establishment of a the broader social justice matters that im- livelihoods wiped out with growing uncer- specific taskforce charged with the respon- pact them and their dependents. tainty about the future of the sector and the sibility of identifying supports for the future Never before has the wish for you, your many thousands workers it employs. of traditional bricks and mortar retailing and families and friends to have a happy, safe There is no price too great which can the thousands of jobs it supports. and enjoyable Christmas and New Year be placed on human health and Post-Covid some employers will seek, in been more sincere and appropriate. It’s that is why we will continue to the greedy pursuit of greater profits, to take been a tough year, unfortunately far too prioritise the absolute need to advantage of the situation – in fact, there is ensure that our members who many of us knew those who paid the ulti- evidence that this type of unscrupulous be- mate price. turn up for work on a daily haviour has already started. basis are afforded the great- However, as we head into 2021 let’s do so est levels of protection and Going forward it will be the role of your in the confidence of knowing that if we union in consort with you the members to respect from both employ- continue to have each other’s backs and fight back against these unjustified at- ers and customers alike. commit to acting in unity and common tacks on your hard-won, long-established There must be zero toler- terms and conditions of employment. purpose the future holds more promise ance against behaviour than fear. So let’s stop hoping for a better To those employers who were quick to from any quarter that has new year, instead let’s resolve to do what laud the contributions of their workers dur- the potential to nega- we can within our control to make it hap- tively impact our mem- ing the Covid crisis, we say it is now time to pen. bers’ physical or mental go beyond words of gratitude with other well-being. forms of meaningful recognition and re- Have a great Christmas and New Year, ward. It is hard to escape the ironic reality you deserve it.

Shopfloor is published bi-monthly by Mandate Trade Union. Mandate Head Office, O'Lehane House, 9 Cavendish Row, Dublin 1 T: 01-8746321/2/3 F: 01-8729581 W: www.mandate.ie Design & Editing: Brazier Media E: [email protected] W:www.brazier.media Shopfloor is edited, produced and printed by trade union labour

2 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWS BAH HUMBUG! LLoyds Pharmacy ‘Scrooges’ cancel Xmas staff bonus LLOYDS Pharmacy bosses have been they had of Christmas cheer. country. Lloyds staff kept the pharma‐ Mandate National Coordinator accused of acting like “cold‐hearted One worker, summing up the feel‐ cies open. Lloyds staff made sure that Brian Forbes slammed Lloyds bosses misers” after a Scrooge‐like decision ings of colleagues, said: “We feel we elderly and more vulnerable cus‐ and claimed the move was an “insult” was taken to cancel Christmas bonus should be given a bonus this year tomers were looked after… Lloyds to workers. payments. more than ever.” staff got Covid. Lloyds staff deserve a He told Shopfloor: “To be encour‐ Workers are furious they will not Brian Dowling’s virtual Christmas Christmas bonus.” aged now by the company to engage in now pocket a yearly ‘thank you’ pay‐ social – including festive TikTok ‘Equitable’ TikTok fun and games with Brian ment worth between €150 to €400 videos, games of charades and bingo – Dowling instead of being paid their each. took place on November 21st for Lloyds claimed the Christmas bonus hard‐earned Christmas bonus is And it comes after months of ex‐ pharmacy staff. was withdrawn as part of a new “more traordinary efforts by Lloyds workers Not to be outdone, Mandate mem‐ transparent and equitable” monthly frankly an insult to the tireless and sig‐ to keep the pharmacies open during bers at Lloyds Pharmacy launched a bonus structure to reward employees. nificant sacrifices made by these es‐ the Covid‐19 pandemic. virtual event of their own – an online However, the claim was disputed by sential frontline workers. Workers insisted a special seasonal petition to restore the bonus. Mandate lead organiser Bill Abom “Lloyds Pharmacy bosses are prov‐ online event hosted by former Big The petition stated: “It’s been eight who insisted this did not constitute ing themselves the cold‐hearted mis‐ Brother star Brian Dowling did abso‐ months since Leo Varadkar made his part of the talks arranged to restruc‐ ers and the big bad Scrooge of the Big Brother star Brian Dowling lutely nothing to restore any feelings Covid lockdown announcement to the ture a separate bonus. Irish pharmacy sector.” Picture: Public Domain

FESTIVE MESSAGE TO BOSSES, GOVERNMENT AND SHOPPERS... Mandate is calling on the Govern- ment to: l Provide clarity around the en‐ forcement of fines for the refusal to adhere to Covid regulations. Mandate is calling on shoppers to: Have a safe and respectful Christmas l Adhere to social distancing guidelines. MANDATE has called on all employ‐ l Use hand sanitizer and wash ers to strictly adhere to Covid‐19 pro‐ your hands regularly. tocols as the retail sector reopens in l Be patient with retail staff and the run up to Christmas. other customers and under no cir‐ And the union, which represents cumstances verbally abuse, threaten almost 30,000 workers in the retail or assault shop workers. sector, has also called on consumers Light said: “Christmas is always a to respect retail workers following an busy and very stressful period for ev‐ increase in abusive behaviour. eryone, but particularly shop work‐ General Secretary Gerry Light in‐ Picture: Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash Picture: Volodymyr ers, and this year will be more sisted the health and safety of work‐ difficult than most. ers must always be of paramount “We’re asking people to be mindful importance. of the pressures facing shop workers He said: “The current Covid regula‐ and remember that workers request‐ tions must be strictly adhered to if we ing that customers abide by health are to reduce transmission of this and safety policies do so at the behest deadly disease and ensure we don’t of their employer and government go into a third lockdown – which regulations.” would obviously be bad for employ‐ He added: “If we are genuine about ers, workers and the economy. our appreciation for the ‘essential “But crucially, we need to protect work’ of retail staff, then we must all the health and well‐being of retail workers and their families and that play our part over the coming weeks includes affording them dignity and and months. Respect retail workers, ers of the utmost importance. l Strictly adhere to the wearing of and remember that respect is not just respect at work.” All employers should: face coverings and manage social dis‐ Light added: “We have received nu‐ for Christmas.” l Ensure shops are not over‐ tancing, using qualified staff to police merous complaints from retail work‐ crowded by managing queuing sys‐ these policies. ers who have been verbally abused or tems and controlling numbers inside l Make regular announcements threatened by customers after they and outside of stores. on intercoms about social distancing were requested to wear masks or to l Investigate whether to extend and other health and safety mea‐ socially distance. Abuse is never part opening times to spread the cus‐ sures. of the job, and in these difficult times, Picture: Belinda Fewings on Unsplash l it’s essential that we recognise the ef‐ tomer base, while also allowing des‐ Ensure an adequate supply of forts of our frontline workers and we ignated times for vulnerable hand sanitizer is available at all times. customers. l Adopt a zero‐tolerance ap‐ all protect them from abusive be‐ l haviour.” Allow workers the voluntary proach from customers towards staff Mandate has calling on employers, option of working beyond their and remove abusive customers from consumers and the Government to agreed hours and times and ade‐ the premises while providing sup‐ ensure the health and safety of work‐ quately rewarding them for this. ports for workers. Mandate General Secretary Gerry Light McCauley pharmacy chain reinstates Christmas bonus for staff

A MANDATE delegation held a “constructive temporarily laid‐off during the year would also Mandate also spoke about understaffing, with brought to the attention of senior management. and informative” meeting with management at receive the bonus as normal, which the com‐ McCauley management stating that they were The Mandate delegation raised a number of McCauley Health & Beauty Pharmacy on pany plans to pay by the first week of Decem‐ beginning to “address the gaps” which they health and safety concerns at the meeting with November 18th, resulting in a number of what ber.” blamed on an increase in worker‐absenteeism management representatives reiterating their was described as “positive and welcome out‐ However, company representatives claimed due to the Covid‐19 pandemic. full commitment to all Covid‐19 related safety comes for members”, including confirmation they couldn’t afford the 2.2% pay rise but did Management, however, did confirm that tem‐ measures. that a Christmas bonus will be paid this year. promise to review the issue early in the New porary Christmas staff would be taken on as The family chemist chain operates more than Year. normal in December. Meanwhile, it was also confirmed that 30 stores nationally and employs over 500 staff. The source commented: “We made it clear to Company representatives also pointed out progress is being made on finalising a recogni‐ A Mandate source told Shopfloor: “It was con‐ them that we were seeking to have the pay rise that understaffing issues could be raised and tion/procedural agreement between Mandate firmed at the meeting that the Christmas bonus backdated to October when it was due. We will addressed with the shop manager and if no res‐ and the company. This agreement will set out would be reinstated, and that staff who were revisit this matter again early in 2021.” olution is found, the matter could then be how both sides engage going forward. 3 December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR NEWS PAN-UNION INITIATIVE

‘New Deal’ campaign launched for retail & distribution workers

RETAIL and distribution workers Work standards as a key priority, who has responsibility for the retail are demanding a ‘new deal’ that will including improved pay and sector. tackle low pay and insecure work conditions, trade union Speaking in support of the and help rebuild the sector after the representation and collective campaign, Mandate General Covid‐19 pandemic, as part of a bargaining, along with access to Secretary Gerry Light told Shopfloor: campaign launched by trade unions training and upskilling. “The pandemic exposed how representing workers across sector. Rebuilding the sector post‐ essential service workers in retail A New Deal for Retail & pandemic and ensuring fair and distribution are among the Distribution Workers sets out the competition between online trading lowest paid and least well protected. key measures needed to restore and and the traditional ‘bricks and “This must change and this 1. No state aid without rebuild the sector after the mortar’ high street model will require demand for change is supported by decent work pandemic, by tackling the serious significant financial and policy the workers, by a range of expert issues around low pay, working assistance from the Median weekly bodies and conditions and poor job quality that Government, according wage for wholesale commentators and by 2. Decent pay were exposed by the health to the document. & retail workers... political leaders. emergency. Trade unions and Indeed, it is an issue The campaign, launched on workers must play ‘an the Tánaiste Leo 3. Secure hours & benefits December 8th, is backed by the integral role’ in Varadkar has also been Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ developing a new vocal on. 4. A Voice at Work Retail Sector Group, which blueprint and ‘future‐ He added: “The comprises unions representing proofed model’ for the time for promises is workers in retail and distribution retail and distribution past. Now is the time across the island of Ireland, sector. Given the essential to act and to deliver a Picture: Alisdair (CC BY 2.0) including Mandate, SIPTU, Unite, roles played by retail and New Deal for workers new blueprint for this vital sector of Niall McNally agreed. He said: USDAW and the GMB. distribution workers in the sector.” our economy.” “Workers in the sector are also fac‐ A New Deal for Retail & during the pandemic, there Michelle Quinn, of North of the border, Usdaw Area ing challenges in respect of online Distribution Workers calls for the is a strong desire for progressive SIPTU, said: “The retail and Organiser Nicola Scarborough said: trading, automation and the wide establishment of a Retail change to employment standards distribution sector faces enormous “The pandemic exposed how essen‐ range of new skills that will be re‐ Stakeholder Group composed of within the sector. challenges into the future. We now tial service workers in retail and dis‐ quired into the future. trade unions, retail employers and Workers will not support “a return have an opportunity to break with “If we are to rebuild the sector in key government departments that to business as usual and to the old, the failed model of the past and build tribution are among the lowest paid would be tasked with devising a failed model,” the campaign a sector that delivers quality jobs and and least well protected. They de‐ a sustainable manner, we need to new blueprint for the retail and document points out. growth. serve and are rightly entitled to far prioritise the creation of good qual‐ distribution sector to help it recover The Congress Retail Sector Group “We need to address challenges better. ity jobs. The time for promises and after the pandemic. has called on all political parties to like online trading, automation and “As we move to rebuild the sector applause is past. Now is the time to The campaign document states support the New Deal for Retail & the range of new skills the future in the aftermath of the pandemic and deliver a new deal for workers in that workers in the sector can “no Distribution Workers campaign and workplace will require. To do this brace for the impact of Brexit, we the sector.” longer afford the price of the low proposals and is seeking an urgent successfully we need the voice, need to put decent work standards l A New Deal for Retail & pay and insecure work” and that a engagement on these key issues with knowledge and commitment of front and centre of that process.” Distribution Workers can be new deal must embrace Decent Minister of State Damien English, workers to help shape and inform a And Belfast‐based SIPTU organiser downloaded at: https://bit.ly/33WRPME

4 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWS Great support for striking service station workers MANDATE members working for a months ago staff members at the Carrick‐on‐Suir service station have service station joined the union and staged two days of strike action in had wanted it to negotiate pay, sick the run‐up to Christmas over the pay and rosters on their behalf. employer’s failure to engage with O’Sullivan’s was approached by their union on pay and working union representatives in early conditions. October but steadfastly refused to The workers picketed outside engage despite all the union's best O'Sullivan's Applegreen and Centra efforts to communicate by letter, Service Station at Ballylynch on email and phone. Thursday, December 10th and Friday, Dillon pointed out members were December 18th. left with no option but go on strike. They said they had received Mandate had, she said, served notice tremendous backing from passing of strike action ahead of the statutory pedestrians and motorists seven‐day notice period but this had throughout the two days in their bid also been ignored by management. to secure trade union recognition. A local newspaper reported that “This isn't anything that anyone the strikers had been greeted with wants to do but we have been left “honking horns of support” from with no other choice,” she said. many motorists driving past the Pill Dillon told the newspaper: “These Road station as well as messages of workers have worked on the good will from passers‐by. frontline all through the Covid‐19 It stated: “Most vehicles that pandemic and still are. This is 2020 approached the service station to use and just because staff join a union the the shop or get petrol or diesel drove sky is not going to fall in.” on rather than pass the picket.” She added that the dispute could Mandate Divisional Organiser be resolved very quickly by the Betty Dillon, explaining the owner picking up the phone and background to the dispute, said some engaging with Mandate.

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 5 NEWS Mandate warns of drone threat to retail jobs MANDATE has warned jobs in the re‐ deliveries – involving an initial range tail sector could be threatened by de‐ of 700 products – are being offered to veloping “game changer” drone customers from its local store. technology. But Forbes claimed there was a National Coordinator Brian Forbes number of what he called said: “Some companies, such as “unanswered questions” for the Amazon and UPS, have been touting drone industry in Ireland to answer the need for an increased use of as Irish laws play catch‐up with unmanned drone technologies for a European legislation. number of years. Weak “Much like the use of self‐service tills at supermarkets the increased He explained: “The Irish Aviation use of drones for deliveries will see Authority regards these unmanned jobs being endangered by this aerial vehicles as aircraft but the laws exponential growth in technology.” in Ireland for misuse are extremely He made the comments after it was weak with only one prosecution since Picture: Caleb Woods on Unsplash revealed that Oranmore, Co Galway, the laws were introduced back in delivered within 30 minutes to one 19 pandemic, and choose the small compensate all workers directly and has been chosen to take part in a 2015.” hour of ordering, The drones fly at Midlands town of Moneygall as its indirectly affected by the ‘pilot’ initiative to test the viability of It is understood Oranmore speeds of 80km/h with a capacity to test location. introduction of new technologies and delivering shopping by drone. residents place their order at a lift 4kg (9lb) of shopping good Forbes told Shopfloor: “Mandate meaningfully consult and negotiate Tesco teamed up with Irish‐based special website which is then packed packed into a cargo cassette which is fully appreciates the fact that with trade unions before, during and drone delivery company Manna to up by a Tesco worker in‐store. The then lowered to the ground as the automation is a potential game‐ after the implementation of any run the Oranmore service, which delivery is overseen by a Manna machine hovers above its destination. changer for many retailers looking to proposed new technology.” started in late October and is drone supervisor. Earlier this year, Manna Aero cut costs and boost profits in our He added: “For those of you expected to run over several months. Drone orders run 9.30am‐5pm abandoned a plan to deliver takeaway capitalist society. dreaming about pizza delivery by Led by the retailer’s Group from Tuesday to Sunday and can be orders in favour of prescription “However, these retailers must drone, just stop – it’s a pie‐in‐the‐sky Innovation team small basket tracked in real‐time, with purchases medicines in response to the Covid‐ recognise, appreciate and idea.” IN BRIEF IN BRIEF Members at Malahide GC Mandate seeks clarification from Members in North Dublin reject pay freeze proposals SuperValu being balloted TALKS are continuing between MANDATE members at three Su- union officials and management perValu stores in North Dublin – at Malahide Golf Club after Minister over Covid-related benefit outlets in Killester, Raheny and members rejected proposals to FRONTLINE retail workers have been workers were not placed at a disad‐ Talbot Street – are being bal- freeze pay until 2022. left “high and dry” by the Govern‐ vantage through loss of earnings as a loted on a deal involving a 1.5% Negotiations – launched ment, Mandate National Coordinator result of Covid‐19 absences from pay rise backdated to October March 2020 but subsequently for Training Jonathan Hogan has work, whether due to instructions to 1st, 2020. The agreement is for suspended due to Covid-19 and 18 months to April 1st, 2022. the initial lockdown – recom- claimed. “self‐isolate” or to “restrict move‐ He told Shopfloor: “The wages of ments”. It is the first time the Super- menced in October. Valu store in Talbot Street has retail workers should be safeguarded In her October 8th reply, Minister whether they’re deemed to be self‐ been included in the pay deal Mandate welcomes 3% Humphreys described the Covid‐19 and the union is recommending isolating or restricting their move‐ Enhanced Illness Benefit as a “short‐ acceptance of this proposal. pay rise for Nolan’s staff ments.” term public health measure” and not Meanwhile, in correspondence Hogan made the comments follow‐ a “long‐term income support pay‐ with the union, management ac- NOLAN’S management have an- ing the implementation of the Covid‐ nounced that they will put in ment”. It was designed to “encourage knowledged their “huge grati- place a 3% pay rise for staff from 19 Enhanced Illness Benefit and people not to go to work due to finan‐ tude” to staff “during these the beginning of 2021. came amid warnings that shop work‐ cial constraint when they should be challenging times”. ers could find themselves without a Industrial Officer John Callan Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys in isolation”. wage over restrictions placed on told Shopfloor: “Having written to colleagues’ family members are She pointed out that employers the company in early November their movements by HSE guidelines. were being asked to facilitate remote He highlighted these concerns in a symptomatic, are awaiting a Covid seeking a meeting to discuss the working “where possible” but did September 22nd letter to Heather test and the close contact worker or upcoming expiry date of our cur- recognise that this was not possible rent pay deal, the company an- Humphreys, the Minister for Employ‐ parent must restrict their movements in some sectors of the economy, such nounced on 3rd December that ment Affairs and Social Protection. for a period of time. Ex-Debenhams workers they would implement a 3% pay “Retail workers working at high “Another example is where our as retail. increase from 1st January 2021. risk on the frontline should not be at members may find themselves to be Minister Humphreys continued: “In thank Fórsa for donation “Although the union welcomes any loss, regarding absences at‐ a close contact of a confirmed case the event of an employee being told this announcement we will con- tributed to Covid‐19,” he told the Min‐ and are advised to restrict their by their employer to go home or stay THE ex-Debenhams workers on tinue to raise further issues with ister. movements for 14 days or whatever at home for a period of time without strike in Galway wanted to send the retailer following on from the Hogan pointed out that the Covid‐ period of time the HSE recommend at pay, they may be entitled to claim the a special thank you to the Fórsa Galway Branch after it made a results of a recent survey con- 19 Enhanced Illness Benefit seemed the time.” Pandemic Unemployment Payment ducted among our members big-hearted €500 donation to only to deal with employees “self‐iso‐ Hogan claimed that some Mandate or Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance. If working in Nolan’s.” the strikers. lating” as a result of exposure to the members were caught between “their not eligible for those payments then He said: “Pay was, of course, the they may apply for Supplementary Shop steward Karen Shaugh- central concern for staff at the re- virus but not to those requested to public health and social obligations” nessy, speaking to Shopfloor Welfare Allowance.” tailer. While we welcome the “restrict their movements” as set out and “the loss of their income” – and from the picket line on Novem- awarding of a 3% pay increase, in the HSE guidelines. warned that this was a “grave posi‐ This Supplementary Welfare Al‐ ber 23rd, said: “We really, really Mandate will follow up with man- He explained to the Minister: “An tion” for any worker to find them‐ lowance, she added, was in place to appreciate the donation from agement on the various issues example of where the ‘restrictive selves in which was “particularly provide “immediate and flexible as‐ Fórsa and wanted to acknowl- highlighted in the feedback we movements’ definition may impact amplified” when they were low paid. sistance” for those who did not qual‐ edge such a practical example of received.” workers negatively is in scenarios He called on the Minister to review ify for payment under other State solidarity in action.” where a worker’s colleagues or their the scheme to ensure that retail schemes. 6 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWS BALLOT 85% vote in favour of pay deal

MANDATE members at SuperValu MOPI have comprehensively voted in favour of a pay package agreed be‐ tween management at the retailer and trade unions. It follows a lengthy series of nego‐ tiations between officials from Man‐ date and SIPTU and SuperValu MOPI management with the help of WRC Conciliation Services. Divisional Organiser Keith Pollard told Shopfloor: “We are pleased to an‐ nounce that a set of proposals was agreed by postal ballot – with 85% of votes cast in favour of the proposals. “The pay element of the agreement sees all Mandate members in Super‐ Valu MOPI receive a 2% pay increase backdated to February 3rd, 2020. A further 2% pay increase will be awarded on July 31st, 2021 with the agreement expiring on January 31st, 2022. “Furthermore the company will ESTEE LAUDER STRIKERS pay an additional 2% one‐off pay‐ ment on all earnings for the period ‘We’re looking to be treated fairly’ February 3rd to August 30th, 2020.” ESTEE Lauder workers at Dublin Air‐ than compulsory redundancy and to ber of years of service we have given “It is regrettable that a company the port have taken part in a series of negotiate any subsequent redun‐ to the company. It’s a big company, a size of Estee Lauder would force their strike actions in September and Oc‐ dancy package, including selection big operation, a multi billion dollar workers go on strike for a second tober in a bid to prevent their com‐ criteria, with the union. company. All we want is to be treated time rather than offer them the re‐ pany issuing compulsory The union is also seeking to negoti‐ fairly.” spect they deserve. redundancies to some members of ate the terms and conditions of those Echoing that comment, Mandate “All it would take to prevent this staff as well as the rehiring of others employees who remain in the busi‐ Divisional Organiser Robert McNa‐ strike is for the company to sit down on inferior terms and conditions of ness. mara called on Estee Lauder “to have Union set and negotiate with the workers employment. Estee Lauder management failed to respect for their workers”, and he in‐ through their trade union.” Workers standing on the picket attend a Labour Court hearing on sisted that that meant going through He added: “We’ve been left with no line at Dublin Airport roundabout on Tuesday, 6th October, which had been the negotiation process to secure a alternative but to refer this dispute to to review 21st and 25th September and 2nd, arranged to try and break the im‐ package “that’s fair for everyone con‐ the Labour Court and ask for an ur‐ 4th and 5th October generated a passe. cerned.” gent hearing.” great deal of support from passing Speaking from the picket line on He said: “The fact the company is McNamara pointed out that the its in-store motorists entering and exiting the the first strike day, Jackie Gibbons, attempting to make workers apply for strikers had been shown great sup‐ terminals complex. said: “They forced compulsory redun‐ their own jobs on inferior terms port from the public and said work‐ The upmarket cosmetics firm is dancy on to us and are only [giving should be a concern for everyone. If ers wanted to thank them for that structures seeking to implement the compul‐ us] a statutory redundancy package. Estee Lauder – one of the largest and backing. sory redundancies on statutory They also made us re‐interview for most profitable enterprises on the He said: “These workers know that MANDATE is to launch a review of all terms of two weeks pay per year of our positions.” planet – can treat their workers this the public is on their side and we’re in‐store union structures at Super‐ service. Jackie, who has worked for Estee appallingly, then it can happen to any‐ all extremely grateful for it. The ac‐ Valu MOPI in January 2021. Mandate has called on Estee Lauder subsidiary Clinique for eight one.” tions of Estee Lauder management This comes after a comprehensive Lauder to allow the workers to be years, added: “We’re just looking to And speaking before the second denying workers their rights is not a survey of Mandate shop stewards at given the choice of voluntary rather be treated fairly considering the num‐ day of strike action, McNamara said: good look for a cosmetic firm.” the retailer was carried out in August and September 2020. It is understood the review will be followed up an online training pro‐ gramme for shop stewards, deputy shop stewards, House Committee members and health & safety reps. Divisional Organiser Keith Pollard told Shopfloor: “Further details of this campaign will be discussed and agreed with all shop stewards and Di‐ visions in January 2021 in advance of being launched to the wider member‐ ship.” And he urged members to “keep an eye on your union noticeboard or through Mandate electronic commu‐ nications” for more details. Note: if you are not receiving Man‐ date updates by text message, contact the union at 018746321 or by emailing [email protected] to update contact details.

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 7 VIEWPOINT Retailers and Government must Dave Gibney lead by example and show

AS WE move towards an easing of Level 5 lockdown with shops opening for Christmas, all of us – including employers, the Government and cus‐ tomers – must show genuine respect respect to retail workers for frontline retail workers. While we’ve heard words of sup‐ port from across Irish society for the sacrifices shop workers have made, very little has changed in terms of re‐ ally appreciating the efforts carried out by workers in retail. If anything, matters have worsened. These “essential” workers – who have kept us fed and clothed through‐ out the Covid‐19 emergency – don’t deserve the indecent conditions many are forced to work under. And they certainly don’t deserve the level of abuse heaped on many of them in recent months for simply doing their job. So we must figure out a way for‐ ward that gives all workers, including shop workers, some measure of dig‐ nity and respect. Employers Employers must ensure that work‐ ers’ health and safety is their utmost priority – and that means making sure all Covid regulations are strictly adhered to. Requirements are in place to en‐ sure retail outlets aren’t over‐ crowded. Overcrowding will, of course, help spread the virus and lead inexorably to an eventual third lock‐ down. As Christmas approaches, em‐ Retail workers ployers must ensure they control serving customers customer numbers both in queues have five-fold and throughout their stores. Just a little respect: be kind when doing your festive shopping, don’t make Christmas miserable for our members – they have a hard job to do risk of catching Picture: Bernard Hermant on Unsplash Covid-19 It is likely there will be a require‐ ments and to underline the retailer’s recognise a worker’s right to be rep‐ Abuse at work for asking customers to ment to open shops later than usual strict policy of zero tolerance when it resented by a trade union for individ‐ There’s lots of anecdotal wear a mask. to spread the customer base and comes to the abuse of staff by cus‐ ual or collective purposes, as is evidence that abuse at work – Employers must adopt a zero‐ Mandate supports recommendations tomers. enshrined in the UN Universal Decla- whether verbal, physical or threaten‐ tolerance approach to workplace that vulnerable members of the When requested to do ration of Human Rights and the EU ing behaviour – has increased since abuse, including the removal of abu‐ public should be given desig‐ so by workers, employ‐ Charter for Fundamental Rights. the onset of the pandemic. Many sive customers and the provision of nated shopping times. Retail workers ers should always workers are being subjected to abuse supports to workers who have borne are assaulted, However, it is also the view the brunt of customer rage. threatened of the union that workers who This abuse of retail workers didn’t or abused once are asked to work unsocial start from a low base. Mandate every 6.5 days hours or outside of their con‐ launched the Respect Retail Workers tractual provisions should do so survey in July 2018, long before the on a voluntary basis and be ade‐ onset of the Covid‐19 pandemic. quately rewarded for it. The survey – completed by more than 2,300 workers (75% of whom Employers must strictly adhere to were female) – revealed: the wearing of face coverings. How‐ ever, it is not the responsibility of shop workers to enforce such a policy which has led to increasing levels of abuse of workers. Employers should have designated security staff trained on handling such a provision. Adrien Delforge on Unsplash Picture: Where possible, stores should also make regular announcements to re‐ mind customers of their obligations and of Covid‐19 regulations. Picture: Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash An adequate supply of hand sani‐ tizer should be widely available and stores should be equipped with proper signage, both to remind shop‐ it’s vitally important for everyone’s health and pers of social distancing require‐ safety to follow in-shop Covid-19 policies 8 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 3 out of 4 retail workers Picture: Arturo Rey on Unsplash l 44% had experienced verbal Duffy/Cahill recommendations to ing the wearing of face cov‐ said abuse lance is appreciated. https://mandate.ie/contact‐form/ abuse during the previous 12 prevent employers walking away erings and adhering to so‐ increased We understand the and we will ensure you are provided months. from their obligations to employees cial distancing guidelines. during difficulties many cus‐ with all the necessary support. l 19% had experienced verbal in future and so prevent a recurrence When hand sanitiser is pro‐ pandemic tomers are enduring but abuse or violence when selling age‐ of what happened to the Debenhams vided, please use it and wash we are asking for their pa‐ Respect Retail Workers workers. This would include ensuring restricted goods or services (alcohol your hands regularly. tience. Shop workers do not Christmas is a difficult time for or tobacco). that any worker who has lost their It is in all of our interests that we personally put in place store policies shop workers – a time of the year l 270 people (15%) had been job since the emergence of the pan‐ get the transmission of this virus – whether they are to do with Covid‐ when they are expected to work threatened over the previous 12 demic has the right to avail of their under control and ensure there is no 19, refunds, the selling of restricted longer hours on relatively low wages, months. collectively‐agreed redundancy pack‐ need for a third lockdown. No worker goods, or anything else. face larger crowds and endure time l 156 people (9%) had experi‐ age. should have to go to work and worry Workers are simply enforcing poli‐ pressures. enced physical abuse during the about contracting a deadly disease cies for their employer or for the Gov‐ This year will have an added bur‐ course of their employment. Consumers that they may bring home to vulner‐ ernment. Their job may be at risk if The reality is that matters are Mandate is calling on all consumers able family members. So your vigi‐ they do not carry out their duties, so den in having to deal with a global much worse now as a result of the to abide by health regulations includ‐ please be understanding and be nice. pandemic. We are asking that every‐ pandemic, so we need real action on Please also be patient and courteous one shows some empathy and under‐ this issue both from employers and with other customers. Who knows standing about the pressures retail from the Government. what that other person is going workers are faced with. through right now. The beginning of the pandemic saw Government increasing levels of appreciation for We already know that retail work‐ Workers the essential work being done by ers are having their terms and condi‐ If you are a shop worker, join your nurses, carers and shop workers, but tions changed with many employers union Mandate and ask your col‐ in truth, it didn’t take long before that using the pandemic as an opportu‐ leagues to join. Together we can make appreciation dissipated. nity to reduce costs. Lloyds Phar‐ a difference, whether at a local level As we now open up the economy macy, for example, has taken away in enforcing adherence to regulations again, it is up to us all to ensure that their workers’ Christmas bonus with‐ and improving terms and conditions this time the respect shown has a out any negotiations. of employment, or at a national level longevity it didn’t have last time. Mandate is calling on the Govern‐ where we can influence working con‐ We can all play our part – whether ment to urgently bring in real repre‐ ditions and legislation. as an employer, in Government, as a sentational rights for all workers. If you would like to get active with customer or a worker. Respect Retail This includes the right of entry for Mandate, please message us at Workers and have a happy Christmas. trade union officials to carry out health and safety and workplace rights inspections as well as for col‐ lective bargaining purposes. The recently announced €80 fines for those flouting the wearing of masks is welcome, but it is still un‐ clear how this measure will be en‐ forced. Where a customer has been abu‐ sive towards a retail worker, we need legislation that affords workers stronger protections. In the UK, the House of Commons is due to debate the Assaults on Retail Workers Bill in January 2021. This Bill, if implemented, would en‐ sure that an assault or threat that took place against a retail worker during the course of their employ‐ ment would be recognised by the courts as an aggravating factor in‐ creasing the seriousness of the of‐ fence. In Mandate’s Respect Retail Worker Survey, 93% of respondents said they would like to see changes to criminal law to strengthen protec‐ tions for workers in the retail sector, including those selling age‐restricted goods or services. Mandate is calling on political parties to look into this Bill and replicate it in Ireland. The final call on the Government is for the swift implementation of the December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 9 NEWS AMAZON Black Friday protests backed MANDATE called on its members to show solidarity and give support to Amazon workers taking part in #MakeAmazonPay protests across the world, timed to coincide with that Picture: Fibonacci Blue (CC BY 2.0) annual November 27th sales binge protests from Brazil to Germany to pay, and not forgetting for you – the The union wanted its members to Black Friday, he asked members not known as ‘Black Friday’. highlight unsafe working conditions consumer – your user privacy!” send the text of an ‘open letter’ to to add a single cent to Jeff Bezos’ al‐ And members were asked to flood at the online retail colossus as well as He explained: “As Ireland’s largest Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos – the world’s ready bulging bank balance on social media platforms with the hash‐ union for retail workers we want our the employer’s anti‐union practices. richest man, worth $183bn – to their November 27th. tags #OrganizeAmazon and #MakeA‐ members to support local jobs where local TD for them to sign. [Check out “Whatever you want on Black Fri‐ mazonPay on that day. “They also wanted to emphasise they can. You can support and show https://tinyurl.com/y5m3ykqb to download day can wait,” he said. “Every click Mandate Communications Officer the negative environmental impacts solidarity with these warehouse and a copy of the letter.] you make on Amazon on that day af‐ Dave Gibney told Shopfloor: “Amazon Amazon has on the world, issues logistics workers by not purchasing Gibney continued: “Think about fects thousands of workers around workers staged these coordinated around Covid‐19 precautions, sick from Amazon.” the workers who have to get your the globe. order picked, packed and shipped “The message is simple: Support within 24 hours of you clicking the Amazon workers, support their right ‘add to cart’ button. to form a union, support their right to “Think about the environmental sick pay, support their right to work impact that such a quick turnaround in safe conditions, support their right creates. Think about the anti‐union to dignity in the workplace. practices which make forming a “Your instant gratification when union so difficult within Amazon.” you click has a direct impact on work‐ Urging members to shop local on ers lives and well‐being,” he added. Covid exposed ‘big failings’ on sick pay

CONGRESS General Secretary Patricia workplace accidents; they protect King has claimed it took a global pan‐ others.” demic to expose the “big failings” in The consultation, launched on Dear Member, how workers were protected against November 16th, comes after Tánaiste loss of income due to sickness. and Minister for Employment Leo We are excited to announce that MC2 – your very own online training She made her comments following Varadkar issued an invite to ICTU and the launch in November of a public employer representative bodies to and job-matching platform – is live now! We believe that this platform consultation on plans to guarantee all discuss the design of a statutory sick workers the right to sick pay. pay scheme. gives our members the best possible chance to succeed in these King said: “Unlike workers in Varadkar has already put on record troubled times and prepare for what we hope will be a new nearly all European countries, work‐ his commitment to introduce such a ers in Ireland have no legal right to scheme. He told RTE: "This needs to sick pay. Sick pay is at the discretion change and I am committed to intro‐ post-pandemic era. of the employer to include or not in a ducing a statutory sick pay scheme contract of employment. that works for employees and em‐ “As a result, up to half of the labour ployers as quickly as possible.” What does the platform offer? force, including hundreds of thou‐ sands of low‐paid essential workers, Bambrick said: “Our voluntary sys‐ l Access to 1000s of jobs, with new vacancies added daily. don’t receive sick pay and face being tem of sick pay isn’t working. Intro‐ l Access to 100s of courses – worth more than €2000 – to help your CV to financially compelled to work when ducing mandatory sick pay will be a unwell.” lasting legacy of the pandemic and stand out from the rest and give you the best chance of securing a job. ICTU Social Policy Officer, Dr Laura bring Ireland in to line with basic l Unlimited access to the platform, its €2000+ worth of courses and jobs for Bambrick told Shopfloor: “Ensuring workers’ rights in the rest of Europe.” any 6 additional users . workers are well at work is a basic The closing date for submissions to FREE of CHARGE issue of safety and simply the right the consultation is December 18th. thing to do. When workers are unwell Check out ICTU guide, titled The they need to rest to recover. When State of Sick Pay in Ireland at For further information please contact Jonathan Hogan at [email protected] sick workers stay home they reduce https://bit.ly/37gQTDC or Amanda Blake at [email protected] the spread of infection and the risk of l Dr Bambrick on sick pay – page 17 10 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWS Parliamentarians vow to Make Amazon Pay in letter to Bezos

FOLLOWING the launch of Make Amazon Pay, lock and Thomas Pringle. claim that Bezos and his firm, Amazon, have 401 legislators from 34 countries have written On Black Friday, 27th November a global “dodged and dismissed… debts to workers, so‐ to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos backing the cam‐ movement was born to Make Amazon Pay. A cieties, and the planet.” paign’s demands and pledging legislative action coalition of more than 50 organisations, includ‐ Addressing the billionaire directly, they urge in a letter organised by initiative co‐convenors ing Progressive International and UNI Global him “to act decisively to change your policies UNI Global Union and Progressive Interna‐ Union, alongside Greenpeace, Amazon Workers and priorities to do right by your workers, their tional. International and the Tax Justice Network, pub‐ communities, and our planet.” The signatories include global political fig‐ lished a list of 25 demands as workers and ac‐ And they vow: “We stand ready to act in our ures such as US Congresswomen Ilhan Omar tivists led strikes, protests and stunts in 15 respective legislatures to support the move‐ and Rashida Tlaib, former UK Labour Party countries across five continents. ment that is growing around the world to Make leader Jeremy Corbyn, French leftist leader Striking delivery drivers, call centre workers, Amazon Pay.” Progressive International’s Casper Jean‐Luc Mélenchon, Greek progressive politi‐ garment workers, warehouse workers, trade Gelderblom added: “Our message should be cian and commentator Yanis Varoufakis, as well unions, environmentalists, tax justice advocates ringing in Jeff Bezos’ ears: change is coming. But as a slew of Irish TDs and senators, including – and social justice activists united with one com‐ if it isn’t already, we promise that this is just the among others – Paul Murphy, Richard Boyd mon cause – to Make Amazon Pay. beginning.” Barrett, Joan Collins, Mick Barry, Marie Sher‐ In the letter to Bezos, the parliamentarians Check out www.makeamazonpay.com

TRAINING FUND PACKAGE Ex-Debenhams workers balloted over Lab Court recommendation

THE GOVERNMENT is to set up a €3 and career support and business dispute. In the document, the Labour preferential creditors”. million training, up‐skilling and busi‐ start‐ups was a recognition on the Court Chairman found that the 2016 The State had taken responsibility ness start‐up fund to help former part of Government of this fact. collective agreement for enhanced re‐ for statutory redundancy payments Debenhams workers who lost their He acknowledged that workers dundancy payments could no longer totalling more than €13m, with the jobs when the UK‐based retailer’s might feel disappointed by the set of be applied legally, and that the cur‐ retailer having made no contribution Irish operation went into liquidation proposals contained in the rent legal framework limited to those entitlements. in April. three‐page document and the scope for the liquidators “I am now clear however that, de‐ This forms part of a recommenda‐ admitted that what was to make a contribution to spite extensive engagement and full tion put forward by Labour Court on offer fell short of “the resolving the dispute. consideration, the principal preferen‐ Chairman Kevin Foley and follows ambitions of the former Terms tial creditors will not find it possible months of engagement between the workers” and was “not to mandate the liquidators to do He said: “I have not workers and their union Mandate, reflective” of the contri‐ other than meet the requirements of been able to establish KPMG, and a number of government bution they had made to the relevant law. that the terms of that agencies in a bid to resolve the dis‐ the retailer to whom they “The result of that conclusion is collective agreement pute, now entering its eighth month, had given “such long ser‐ that the liquidation process cannot, were intended to be appli‐ over enhanced redundancy pay‐ vice”. within the framework of relevant law, cable to redundancies occur‐ ments. However, Foley said that hav‐ make any financial contribution to ring in 2020. In any event, it is clear The ex‐Debenhams workers are ing “engaged extensively” with all the resolution of this dispute,” he that the agreement has no legal appli‐ being balloted on the proposals. parties, he was satisfied that what added. cation in 2020.” It is understood the fund, which is was on offer represented “the maxi‐ The extension of the liquidation, Foley noted that the main preferen‐ to be administered by Solas, will run mum achievable in a very difficult sit‐ wh ich had entailed additional costs, tial creditors in the liquidation were for two years or until such a time as uation.” He pointed out that he was had reduced further available assets the Department of Social Protection the monies have been fully put to use. also satisfied that both sides had en‐ and had “resulted in the depletion of and the Revenue Commissioners – Emphasising what he termed were tered the process in good faith and practically all cash resources in the owed approximately €18m – but that the “exceptional circumstances” faced that the recommendation contained business which at the outset ex‐ “available resources are far out‐ by ex‐Debenhams workers, Foley said the “optimum set of measures” which ceeded €4m”. weighed by the debt owed to these this money set aside for educational could be put in place to resolve the Labour Court Chair Kevin Foley Do your bit on the SHOPFLOOR! SHOPFLOOR KEEPS YOU INFORMED... HELP KEEP US INFORMED BY EMAILING STORIES & PICTURES ABOUT YOUR WORKPLACE [email protected]

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 11 NEWS ‘The picket line baby’ Picture: Justin Pickard (CC BY-SA 2.0) Picture: Justin Pickard (CC BY-SA

Welcome move as CETA IT’S OCTOBER 16th and Claire O’Leary (pictured above left), some eight months into a pregnancy, is still doing her bit, standing with her ex‐Debenhams colleagues braving the chill, late autumn weather on Dáil vote is postponed the picket line in Patrick Street, Cork. A month later, on November 17th, People Before Profit TD Mick Barry (pictured right) stood in the MANDATE has welcomed the postponement of country.”He pointed out that ratifying CETA Dáil to speak during Leaders’ Questions. He said: a Dáil vote on the Comprehensive Eco‐ would give foreign multinationals “Taoiseach, last Wednesday afternoon (November nomic and Trade Agreement the right to sue national govern‐ 11th) at three minutes to 2pm, baby Grace O’Leary – (CETA) until early 2021. ments in Europe for compensation six pounds, six ounces – was delivered at the Cork The controversial free‐trade for the loss of expected future prof‐ Maternity University Hospital. Baby Grace is known agreement between Canada its when government actions im‐ in Cork as ‘the picket line baby’. and the European Union was pact on their profits. “Her mother, Claire, has been on scheduled to be ratified in the Forbes said: “Multinationals al‐ strike for seven‐and‐a‐half months Dáil after a 55‐minute debate on ready pay little to no taxes yet by now. Many people, myself in‐ Tuesday, December 15th but did ratifying CETA we will be giving cluded, feel that it is a major sign not go ahead after serious con‐ them the legal right to sue Ireland of foot dragging on the part of cerns were raised by Green TDs, for any decisions taken by our gov‐ part of the governing coalition, ernment which might negatively your government that this and most opposition TDs. impact on their future profits.” dispute is still not settled Claire, who worked in long‐lasting dispute this has Reacting to the move, Mandate National Co‐ He added: “Full and proper parlia‐ after nearly the duration of a Patrick Street Debenhams for been. ordinator Brian Forbes told Shopfloor: “This mentary scrutiny by both the Dáil full pregnancy. 10 years as a supervisor in “The situation is terrible. is a welcome postponement – but an em‐ and Seanad is needed before any He added: “These workers the women’s accessories de‐ The girls can't be left out on phatic no vote when it comes before the vote can be allowed on such a – overwhelmingly women – partment, told the Irish Daily the picket for much longer. Dáil in January is the only response dangerous trade deal.” want to know if you intend to Mail, after Grace’s birth: "I And they've come so far they any decent TD should have to this intervene to resolve the dis‐ found out I was pregnant just can’t back down now. free trade arrangement. STOP CETA: ‘Sweetheart pute in time for them and before we lost our jobs. The "It's time the Government “It really is just a sweetheart deal for big business’ their long‐suffering families fact that my baby will be born put its foot down. Talk is deal for big business. It’s bad for to have a decent Christmas.” now really shows what a cheap, we need action now.” workers and it’s bad for the Picture: Angula Berria (CC BY-SA 2.0) What HAVE OUR unions ever done for us? ...ANNUAL LEAVE, PAY INCREASES, SICK LEAVE, LUNCH BREAKS, SMOKE FREE WORKPLACE, BANDED HOUR CONTRACTS, REDUNDANCY PAY, THE WEEKEND, HEALTH & SAFETY LAWS, UNFAIR DISMISSAL LEGISLATION, MATERNITY & PARENTAL LEAVE AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...

Join YOUR union! www.joinmandate.ie

12 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWS Union representatives withdraw ‘with regret’ from the Low Pay Commission AFTER five years of taking part in the Despite leaving the LPC, Gerry Low Pay Commission (LPC), ICTU’s Light wanted to emphasise and re‐ representatives, ICTU General Secre‐ flect upon the important work that tary Patricia King and Mandate Gen‐ had been carried out over the past eral Secretary Gerry Light, withdrew five years. “with regret” from the Government‐ He said: “Central to this has been established body in September. the creation of a body of original re‐ They said they took the decision search which allows for the first time because they did not want to be party an informed analysis and decision‐ to leaving the lowest paid behind. making process around issues such as Following the move, Patricia King the prevalence and impact of low pay said: “We have been engaged in ex‐ and specifically the extent of working tensive discussions at the Low Pay poverty particularly from an Irish Commission on proposed changes to it out. We must make work pay." Therefore it is with regret, but with near affording these workers the de‐ perspective. the National Minimum Wage to be is‐ King pointed out that many work‐ clarity that we can no longer be part cency and respect that they deserve. “If nothing else we must use the sued to the government for consider‐ ers on minimum wage formed part of of this Low Pay Commission. There The double standards at play here Covid experience to force society to look at new ways of thinking about ation. what she termed “the cadre of essen‐ can be no going back to the old ways come more acutely into focus when how we value and protect those who "It became very clear to myself and tial worked” that kept the economy where the lowest paid are left be‐ one considers the billions of taxpay‐ need this recognition most of all. Gerry [at the LPC meeting] that other afloat during the Covid‐19 pandemic. hind.” King vowed: “We will continue ers’ money that has been given to em‐ “Workers must also realise that members of the Commission were She continued: “It is, therefore, to campaign through other for a for a ployers in recent months – statutory provisions, such as the min‐ not prepared to propose an increase completely unacceptable that they just increase.” principally to subsidise payroll costs.” for 2021 beyond 1% ‐ i.e. 10 cent. and other workers who are the low‐ Light continued: "This level of in‐ imum wage, are in most circum‐ "We could not in conscience be est paid in this state would not be af‐ Most vulnerable crease does not represent a credible stances only minimum entitlements party to any recommendation that forded decency and fairness by Commenting on the LPC with‐ effort at closing the gap between the and unless through a determined and did not afford the lowest‐paid work‐ receiving a modest minimum 2% in‐ drawal, Gerry Light insisted that in statutory minimum and living wage structured collective effort they will ers in the Republic of Ireland an in‐ crease in the National Minimum the face of the Covid pandemic the hourly rates thus reinforcing the not achieve significant advances be‐ crease in excess of 2% similar to Wage. lowest paid and most vulnerable stark reality that the current mini‐ yond them.” other sectors in our economy. “The lowest paid in our society suf‐ workers “needed protection more mum wage continues to fall way short He added: “Of course, the best way "If we have learned anything as a fered disproportionately during the than ever”. of the at‐risk‐of‐poverty wage thresh‐ of bringing that collective influence to society in this pandemic it is that we last recession and we won't be party He told Shopfloor: “A wage increase old which is set at 60% of median bear is by being a member of a trade must value work and those who carry to a process that leaves them behind. of 1% simply does not go any way earnings.” union.”

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 13 NEWS TRADE UNION FEDERATIONS Joint call for action on violence against women THE GENERAL Secretaries of the trade union to work with unions in develop workplace poli‐ federations covering Great Britain and the is‐ cies that ensured the appropriate supports land of Ireland (ICTU, TUC, STUC and WTUC) were put in place. have issued a powerful joint statement de‐ “This should include ensuring that managers manding an end to violence against women, in work and in society. and HR specialists as well as trade union reps The four bodies together represent more are trained in how to spot the signs of domestic than six million workers across these islands. violence as well as how to support and appro‐ Congress’s Patricia King joined with her priately signpost people,” they said. counterparts Frances O’Grady (TUC), Rozanne “Employers should also consider measures Foyer (STUC) and Shavanah Taj (WTUC) in such as adjusting work patterns, allowing flex‐ drafting the November 24th statement released ibility in arrival or finishing times.” the day before International Day for the Elimi‐ Insisting that no one should lose their job or nation of Violence Against Women. pay because of domestic abuse, they called for They called for urgent interventions to sup‐ additional employment rights to be given to vic‐ port victims and survivors of domestic and sex‐ tims of domestic abuse. ual violence in work and in society, insisting “Very often people need to take time off to ac‐ that domestic abuse was “always a workplace cess legal or financial support and during the issue”. working day is the only safe time to do this. A They said in the statement: “Trade unions day one right to paid time off from work to ac‐ know that work is often a place of safety for Picture: Feans (CC BY 2.0) cess this support, as in countries like Australia women experiencing domestic abuse. Every derlined the importance of employers and gov‐ ments to immediately ratify ILO Convention or New Zealand, would make a real difference year sees mounting evidence of the devastating ernments providing support “in the longer 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World to women’s lives.” impact of violence against women but 2020 has The statement added: “The organisations been particularly difficult. term... as our societies eventually emerge from of Work. which support women and their families who “During lockdowns, which extended to all lockdowns and restrictions”. “Article 18 of the accompanying recommen‐ parts of the UK and Ireland, many women were The statement continued: “We know that the dation specifies measures which should be are victims of violence do a fantastic job, but stuck at home with the perpetrator of violence, effect of domestic abuse spills over into the taken to mitigate the impacts of domestic vio‐ very often, they are operating on a shoestring. unable to escape to, what for many women, is workplace and we also know that providing a lence at work including leave for the victims of Governments need to prioritise properly re‐ the safety of their workplace.” supportive workplace can make a real differ‐ domestic violence, flexible work arrangements sourcing these organisations as well as commit‐ They outlined how trade unions had called ence to women who are suffering domestic and the inclusion of domestic violence in work‐ ting to school programmes which support for additional emergency help to support abuse and violence. place risk assessments.” young people to learn about healthy relation‐ women caught in these circumstances but un‐ “That’s why we are calling on our Govern‐ The general secretaries called on employers ships.” LIVE Skills for Work work Basic Education for Working and Living Learn We are offering you an opportunity to take up a workplace education course under the Skills for Work Programme. You must be in employment to avail of this opportunity, eligibility criteria will apply. Courses will take place on site!

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14 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 TRAINING Online learning Pros & Cons Classroom learning Pros & Cons

SCHEDULING FLEXIBILITY NO FACE TO FACE COLLABORATIVE LEARNING LOCATION & TIME From certificate to degree, You don’t get to spend Collaborative learning is You must be in your you can choose the duration regular time with essential to increasing a classroom at the and times that suit you classmates or tutors. student's self-awareness about scheduled time and your own pace. You miss getting to how other students learn regardless of traffic, know your classmates and enables them to learn weather, personal cir- personally. more easily and cumstances and more. effectively.

BETTER PRICES CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS Online courses are generally less Gives students the opportunity expensive than in class. to engage in live discussions in Learners also save time and which they are forced to use money by eliminating a their critical thinking skills to commute. The course content formulate opinions or is the same but with less arguments. EXPENSES overheads. Learners may need overnight BOOSTS SOCIAL SKILLS LEARN ANYWHERE accommodation and or need to Experience rapport through Once you have broadband travel long distance to attend in social interactions with tutors online learning allows you the Picture; Stephen Phillips - Hostreviews.co.uk on Unsplash class incurring a cost. and students. freedom to learn from the BROADBAND Illustration: Xoan Baltar (CC BY 2.0) comfort of your own home or Whenever you do ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS place of choice anywhere, and in online courses you must Being ready for pop quizzes, any time zone. ensure speedy Broadband. turning in assignments by their GEOGRAPHIC FLEXIBILITY SELF MOTIVATION due date and being prepared for Learners do not have to leave Because a course is online in-class discussions. In effect, their county or country to attend does not mean it is easy. students learn how to the best colleges to gain their You need determination organise their time, prioritise certificate or degree. They may and self-motivation to their assignments. remain with family and colleagues keep yourself on track. KEEPS STUDENTS STIMULATED increasing greater emotional This interaction enables students well-being and less stress. to retain more from what they IMPROVE TECHNICAL SKILLS have learned during a session. New skills can include using new software suites and communicate MODIFYING TEACHING STYLE effectively online (discussion Tutors can modify their teaching boards and teleconferencing). style based on types of learners Employers often demand these in their classroom, they can get a skills as more and more positions clear idea whether students are require employees to work following what has been taught remotely. or they require further explanation. At the same time, CAREER ADVANCEMENT students can get their doubts Earning a degree can lead clarified immediately before to a promotion that may also moving ahead in a topic. involve increased wages. Besides tangible career benefits, Picture: Brooke Cagle on Unsplash most online degrees and YOUR TUTOR’S PACE certificates also allow learners The pace of your learning to continue depends on your tutor and the working while they study. progress of the other learners, Learners who work can apply subject to interruptions. new knowledge and skills to their job immediately. Picture: Brooke Cagle on Unsplash LESS SOCIAL INDIVIDUAL INTERACTION Because online courses SUPPORT Shy or less confident Meet hundreds of other learners are globally accessible Good courses offer student learners may have difficulty through online learning the chances of meeting your care, mentor support and tutor interacting or asking questions. communities classmates in person is slimmer. assistance.

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 15 VIEWPOINT Divisional Organiser John Carty on Debenhams, Arcadia and the ‘liquidation’ of gazebos in Galway...

LEGISLATION Govt must do three point turn to protect workers AS many Shopfloor readers will be The Mandate picketers contacted used by the Trade Council delegates aware, the official picket lines outside the bus company and reported the and members of other unions who at‐ Debenhams stores across the country unfortunate incident. The bus com‐ tended the picket line so far, in their are no ordinary picket lines. Unlike pany without hesitation, accepted the own time in solidarity with the ex‐ other industrial disputes in retail, no picketers’ plight and sent a cheque to Debenhams workers. customers have passed the picket buy a new replacement gazebo. A sec‐ And Mandate wishes to record its lines and no Mandate member has ond gazebo was bought from Argos acknowledgement and appreciation scabbed on their friends and work and – just like the first gazebo – the to those Trade Council delegates colleagues and gone into work. The retailer was chosen as it recognises and/or other members from different employer (now liquidator) is not try‐ Mandate for collective bargaining. trade unions. These fraternal com‐ ing to con, cajole or coerce the strik‐ As anyone who has ever used a rades are too numerous to mention ers to return to work. pop‐up gazebo for protection from each by name, so some names will The only similarity with these the Irish weather will recall that have to suffice. picket lines and other protracted sometimes, it is the gazebo itself that The first name that will be men‐ strikes is the Irish weather. Recognis‐ needs protection from the Irish tioned is that of the President of the ing this, Eoghan Fox (a shop steward weather! So, while not in use, the Galway Council of Trade Unions, Mar‐ ‘Under cover’ solidarity: framed by the gazebo, Ian Ó Dálaigh (Éirígí), above, offers support on the at M&S in Galway), as a Mandate del‐ picketers would dismantle the ian Spelman, who has attended while picket line in Galway, while guitar in hand Cian Mortimer, top, found some shelter from the storm... egate to the Galway Council of Trade gazebo and store it, in what was as‐ wearing the Trade Council’s chain of Thirdly is Kerry Fleck from the Belfast peated: she is a damn good shop Unions (GCTU) proposed at a recent sumed was a relatively safe hiding office. The second is James Rabbitte Council of Trade Unions. Mandate GCTU Zoom meeting, that the trades spot. Unfortunately, the hiding spot who took part in the picket in his ca‐ steward. Karen has stepped up to the council pay for a gazebo for the strik‐ was not as safe as initially antici‐ pacity as Vice‐Chairperson of the members from other Galway‐based challenge, but nevertheless acknowl‐ ers in Galway. For those not in the pated, and the replacement gazebo Mandate Trade Union’s Local Council retailers frequently supported the edges that this strike is a learning know, the GCTU is a trade union was stolen. in Athlone. James would have liked to picket line in solidarity and especially curve for her. She will tell you she equivalent of a local Chamber of Com‐ Not only were the gazebos used by have attended more but was re‐ Dermot Neary (Penneys) and Regina never knew there were so many left‐ merce. members of Mandate, they were also stricted due to Covid‐19 restrictions. Ffrench (Dunnes). wing parties in Ireland. The only one Restrictions To date, representatives from Irish left‐wing party that Karen says she political parties (but not all, you have hasn’t spotted is the Communist Party Eoghan regularly joins the ex‐ three guesses…) have visited the of Ireland. Debenhams workers’ picket line in Mandate official picket line in solidar‐ With respect to Karen, Shopfloor Galway. Before any legal heads want ity with the protesting workers, in‐ can confirm that the Communist to cite Bertie Ahern’s Industrial Rela‐ cluding two Galway West TDs, Party was in attendance every week tions Act 1990 and its restrictions on Catherine Connolly (Independent) in its endeavours to lead workers in who can picket, Eoghan is picketing and Mairéad Farrell (Sinn Féin). struggle. in his capacity as vice‐chairperson of his Mandate Trade Union’s Local Commended Any reader with an interest in Ar‐ Council (a branch). The following parties (in declining cadia, will probably be wondering at this stage, what this article, given its The Galway Council of Trade order of frequency to date) have also Mandate delegate to GCTU Eoghan Fox, left, came up with gazebo idea. PBP support at Galway picket headline has got to do with Arcadia. Unions unanimously passed Eoghan’s stood in solidarity: Éirígí, the Social The relevance is that the Mandate proposal and the pop‐up gazebo was Democrats, the Labour Party, Repub‐ duly erected and put to good use. It lican Sinn Féin, the Industrial Work‐ members in Arcadia are now possibly was very much welcomed by the ers of the World (IWW) and facing into the very same struggle as picketers as it offered a measure of non‐aligned anarchists. However, two their fellow union members from protection against the Irish weather parties need to be commended for Debenhams. in the dark, wet mornings and bitter‐ their continuous and ongoing pres‐ These union members are not call‐ cold evenings and nights on the ence every day are (in order of num‐ ing on the Government to provide picket line – just as (excuse the pun) bers participating) the Socialist Party them with gazebos for protection Eoghan had forecasted. and People Before Profit. from the Irish weather. They are call‐ However, recently due to Galway Karen Shaughnessy, the Mandate ing on the Irish Government for legis‐ city traffic flow (or lack of), a bus (ex‐Debenhams) Shop Steward in Gal‐ lation to protect them from Irish and driver was forced to perform a three‐ way, needs to be recognised as an ex‐ international capitalism. point turn close to where the gazebo ample to workers in struggle Perhaps the Government wish to was sited. While reversing the vehicle everywhere. Karen has used (what drive off like the above‐mentioned at the back gate of the Debenhams some HR managers refer to as) her bus driver? But unlike the bus driver, building, the bus driver’s manoeu‐ people skills, scheduling capabilities, the Government is aware of the con‐ vring caused unintentional but ir‐ logistic analysis, persuasive abilities, sequences of its reversing. For the reparable damage to the shiny new and motivational effectiveness to third time – first Clerys, then Deben‐ gazebo. The driver, who was totally maintain this Galway picket line. Or to hams and now, possibly, Arcadia – unaware of what had happened, then put it another way, she is a damn good workers have been thrown under the drove off. Mandate shop steward Karen Shaughnessy, centre, ‘an example to workers in struggle everywhere’ shop steward. That needs to be re‐ bus. 16 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 IN FOCUS figures show that each week of em‐ ployer‐funded sick pay would save the Social Insurance Fund €35 mil‐ lion – money that could be better spent funding workers’ old age pen‐ sion instead of pushing up the pen‐ SICKENING: the state sion age. Government did act on the Trioka’s advice to reduce the cost on the state. However, they did this by doubling the unpaid waiting days for Illness Benefit from three to six days, result‐ ing in workers, not employers, carry‐ ing the cost of the reform. of sick pay in Ireland When the first case of Covid‐19 was confirmed in Ireland it was clear to trade unions that large numbers of Laura workers would not be able to afford to follow public health advice if in‐ Bambrick fected or required to self‐isolate. Following representations by ICTU General Secretary Patricia King to the Taoiseach, the Government quickly introduced an enhanced Illness Ben‐ efit at €350 per week to help slow the spread of the virus. IT TOOK a pandemic to bring to pub‐ lic and political attention the big fail‐ Weak ings in how we protect workers The outbreak of Covid‐19 clusters against loss of income – the lack of a in meat plants and an ICTU campaign legal entitlement to sick pay from an for legislation to make sick pay employer being one glaring example. mandatory caught the attention of Almost all European countries media. Public support was over‐ legally require employers to cover whelming – a poll of 1,200 people workers’ pay for at least the first two found just under nine in 10 (87%) weeks of absence from work due to people believe workers in Ireland sickness with many requiring a much should have a legal right to sick pay longer period of cover. from their employer. In Germany, for example, employ‐ In September, Government com‐ ers must pay a sick worker’s full wage mitted to legislating for sick pay by for up to six weeks. In the UK they the end of 2021. ICTU has now en‐ must pay a flat‐rate amount of £96 tered discussions with Government (equal to 20% the national average and employer representative bodies wage) for up to six months, and in the on the details of the new scheme. Netherlands they must pay 70% of In October, the Budget reversed the wage for up to two years. Picture: Marek Studzinski at Unsplash the austerity increase in unpaid wait‐ Supports are available for small ‘waiting days’. To qualify, workers ing days for Illness Benefit from six employers and employers with a gen‐ Mandatory sick pay by the employer must have paid a minimum two to three, another ICTU demand in uine inability to pay. in high-income European countries... years of PSRI contributions. The ap‐ our campaign. In Ireland, with few exceptions, plication must include a ‘certificate Ensuring workers are well at work workers have no legal right to be paid Netherlands – 2 years Belgium – 30 days of incapacity to work’ completed by is a basic issue of safety and simply by their employer if absent from work a family doctor. A typical GP visit fee the right thing to do. When workers because of sickness. Sick pay is @ 70% of a worker’s wage @ 100% of a worker’s wage is between €30‐€60 countrywide. are unwell they need to rest to re‐ viewed as a perk of the job that em‐ UK – 28 weeks @ 20% of Norway – 16 days Self‐employed workers and those cover. When sick workers stay home ployers can decide to include or not in they reduce the spread of infection the national average wage @ 100% of a worker’s wage aged over 66 years are not eligible. a contract of employment. and the risk of workplace accidents – Ireland’s lack of sick pay legisla‐ As a result, workers, mainly in non‐ France – 60-90 days Sweden – 2 weeks they protect others. tion didn’t escape the attention of the unionised jobs in the private sector, Our voluntary system of sick pay @ 90% for first 30 days @ 80% of a worker’s wage Trioka during the bailout. They en‐ are forced to continue working when hasn’t worked. Introducing manda‐ couraged reform that would require sick or to turn to social welfare. Austria – 10-16 weeks Finland – 9 days tory sick pay will be a fitting legacy employers to pay for the first two to Illness Benefit is difficult to access of the pandemic and bring Ireland in @ 100% for first 6-12 weeks @ 100% of a worker’s wage four weeks of sickness, bringing an and inadequate. It is paid at €203 per to line with basic workers’ rights in end to the unusual practice of the week before tax to full‐time PAYE Germany – 6 weeks Ireland – Zero the rest of Europe. workers. No payment is made for the @ 100% of a worker’s wage state picking up the full cost. Dr Laura Bambrick is the Social Policy first six days, which are known as Department of Social Protection Officer at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. NEWS Members at Boots seek pay BROWN THOMAS ARNOTTS T&Cs commitments given MANDATE has sought and received following from the transfer. The increase without concessions assurances from management that company confirmed in writing to the terms and conditions of em- Mandate that the current T&Cs ployment of Arnotts workers will MANDATE officials and Boots man‐ harmonisation model agreed be‐ “unprecedented within the retail in‐ would be safeguarded in the not be impacted by the decision to agement representatives took part in tween both sides some years ago. dustry”. move.” combine Arnotts and Brown protracted negotiations on pay Mandate members will vote on an National Coordinator Jonathan He continued: “Further assur- Thomas into one legal entity. ances were sought over those terms throughout 2020, held against the accumulated 3% pay rise, paid in two Hogan told Shopfloor: “Mandate is On December 7th, employees of backdrop of the continuing Covid‐19 instalments over the course of two proud to be progressing the interests Arnotts Limited were transferred to and conditions copperfastened by pandemic. years retrospectively starting from of its members through these trou‐ the new entity, Brown Thomas collective agreements – all of which Members will be balloted on the April 2020. bled times. It is a priority for this Arnotts Limited. was confirmed. All collective agree- outcome of those talks in the run‐up Added to that, Mandate has man‐ union is to seek to advance the terms National Coordinator Jonathan ments, both expressed and implied, to Christmas. aged to negotiate a subsidised mater‐ and conditions of our members. Hogan explained: “We sought assur- which apply at the time of the trans- It is understood the final phase of nity leave/adoptive leave pay Members will be balloted on the pro‐ ances that our members’ terms and fer of the Arnotts business will be the proposals effectively ends the pay agreement, described by the union as posals in December.” conditions would remain thewww.lilliputpress.ie/product/from-lucifer-to-lazarus same maintained thereafter.” December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 17 TAX JUSTICE EverySHOCK FINDINGS... second a nurse’s salary is lost to a tax haven...

A TOTAL of more than $427 billion in tax is lost each year to international corporate tax abuse and private tax evasion, costing altogether the equiv‐ alent of nearly 34 million nurses’ an‐ nual salaries – or one nurse’s annual salary every second. As pandemic‐fatigued countries around the world struggle to cope with second and third waves of coro‐ navirus, a ground‐breaking report has revealed for the first time how much public funding each nation loses to global tax abuse. The inaugural edition of the State of Tax Justice – an annual report by the Tax Justice Network on the state of global tax abuse and governments’ efforts to tackle it, was published in November together with global union federation Public Services Interna‐ tional and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice. It is the first study to measure thor‐ oughly how each country loses out to both corporate tax abuse and private tax evasion, which its authors claim marks a giant leap forward in tax transparency. The publication of the report coin‐ cided with a series of national and re‐ gional events across the world where than they should have by storing a are equivalent to nearly 52% of their economists, unions and campaigners combined public health budgets, urged governments to enact long‐de‐ total of more than $10 trillion in fi‐ nancial assets offshore. whereas higher income countries’ layed tax reform measures to clamp tax losses are equivalent to 8% of down on global tax abuse and reverse their combined public health bud‐ the inequalities and hardships exac‐ Poorer nations hardest hit... erbated by tax losses. While higher income countries lose gets. more tax to global tax abuse, the State Similarly, lower income countries Secrecy of Tax Justice 2020 shows that tax lose the equivalent of 5.8% of the While previous studies on the scale losses bear much greater conse‐ total tax revenue they typically col‐ of global corporate tax abuse have quences in lower income countries. lect a year to global tax abuse had to contest with the fog of finan‐ Higher income countries alto‐ whereas higher income countries on cial secrecy surrounding multina‐ gether lose more than $382 billion average lose 2.5%. tional corporations’ tax affairs, the each year whereas lower income The same pattern of global in‐ State of Tax Justice analyses data that countries lose $45 billion. However, equality is also strongly visible when was self‐reported by multinational lower income countries’ tax losses comparing regions in the global corporations to tax authorities and recently published by the OECD, al‐ lowing the report authors to directly measure tax losses arising from ob‐ WHAT THIS MEANS... servable corporate tax abuse. The data, referred to as country by country reporting data, is a trans‐ l Tax abuse in Vietnam causes as parency measure first proposed by much economic loss as Typhoon the Tax Justice Network in 2003. Molave... After nearly two decades of cam‐ Typhoon Molave, described by paigning, the data was made available Vietnamese Deputy Prime to the public by the OECD in July 2020 Minister Trinh Dinh Dung as “one – although only after multinational of the two most powerful storms corporations’ data was aggregated Vietnam has had in the past 20 and anonymised. years,” destroyed more than 700 Of the $427 billion in tax lost each houses and left 80 people dead year globally to tax havens, the State and missing in October 2020. of Tax Justice 2020 reports that $245 The Vietnamese government billion is directly lost to corporate tax estimates Typhoon Molave to have abuse by multinational corporations caused $430 million in economic and $182 billion to private tax eva‐ damage.Vietnam loses nearly as with more women (52%) in people living in poverty, over three than a quarter (27%) of Greece’s sion. much tax, over $420 million (97% poverty, than men (46%). The million people could be lifted out scheduled debt repayments for Multinational corporations paid of $430 billion), every year to latest upper-bound poverty line of poverty. 2020, which total €4.19 billion. billions less in tax than they should global tax abuse. published by the South African Among the multiple debtors have by shifting $1.38 trillion worth government in 2019 is ZAR 1,227 l Greece’s tax losses equal to l Greece owes, the country is specifi- of profit out of the countries where South Africa’s tax losses could lift per month (almost $85 per month). over a quarter of scheduled debt € they were generated and into tax over three million people out of If the $3.39 billion in tax that repayments... cally scheduled to repay 443.7m havens, where corporate tax rates are poverty... South Africa loses every year to tax Greece’s annual loss of nearly to Eurozone countries in 2020. extremely low or non‐existent. Nearly half of South Africa’s abuse was instead given as direct $1.36 billion in tax (€1.15 billion) Greece’s annual tax losses are more Private tax evaders paid less tax adult population lives in poverty, cash transfers of $85 per month to to tax abuse is equivalent to more than double this amount. 18 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 action: making corporations and the north and south. North America and IRELAND loses $14,462,658,146 in tax every year to mega rich finally pay their fair share Europe lose more than $95 billion in to build back better public services. tax and over $184 billion respectively, “When tax departments are down‐ while Latin America and Africa lose global tax abuse – equivalent to 22% of tax revenue sized and wages cut, corporations more than $43 billion and over $27 and billionaires find it even easier to billion respectively. (Total tax revenue: $65bn); that is a loss of $3,046 per swindle money away from our public However, North America and Eu‐ services and into their offshore bank rope’s tax losses are equivalent to person (Irish population: 5 million). This breaks accounts. 5.7% and 12.6% of the regions’ pub‐ “This is, of course, no accident; lic health budgets respectively, while down to $199m lost to global tax abuse committed by many politicians have wilfully sent Latin America and Africa’s tax losses the guards home. The only way to are equivalent to 20.4% and 52.5% of multinational corporations and fund the long‐term recovery is by the regions’ public health budgets re‐ making sure our tax authorities have spectively. the power and support they need to $14bn lost to global tax stop corporations and the mega rich Rich nations to blame... from not paying their fair share. Assessing which countries are evasion committed by “The wealth exists to keep our so‐ most responsible for global tax abuse, cieties functioning, our vulnerable the State of Tax Justice 2020 provides private individuals. ALL OF alive and our businesses afloat: we the strongest evidence to date that just need to stop it flowing offshore. the greatest enablers of global tax THIS IS EQUIVALENT TO... “Let’s be clear. The reason corpo‐ abuse are the rich countries at the rations and the mega rich abuse bil‐ heart of the global economy and their lions in taxes isn’t because they’re dependencies – not the countries that innovative. They do it because they appear on the EU’s highly politicised know politicians will let them get tax haven blacklist or the small palm‐ away with it. Now that we’ve seen fringed islands of popular belief. the brutal results, our leaders must Higher income countries are re‐ stop the billions flowing out of public sponsible for 98% of countries’ tax services and into offshore accounts, losses, costing countries around the or risk fuelling cynicism and distrust world more than $419 billion in lost in government.” tax every year while lower income Global Alliance for Tax Justice Ex‐ countries are responsible for just 2%, costing countries over $8 billion in ecutive Coordinator Dr Dereje Ale‐ lost tax each year. mayehu said: “The State of Tax The five jurisdictions most Justice 2020 captures global inequal‐ responsible for countries’ tax losses 251,962 ity in soberingly stark numbers. are the Cayman Islands (responsible NURSES Lower income countries lose more for 16.5% of global tax losses, equal to than half what they spend on public more than $70 billion), the UK (10%; health every year to tax havens – more than $42 billion), the perts: that the technical standard be for years, targeting those whose prof‐ that’s enough to cover the annual Netherlands (8.5%; more than $36 replaced with the far more robust its have soared during the pandemic salaries of nearly 18 million nurses billion), Luxembourg (6.5%; more Global Reporting Initiative standard, while local businesses have been every year. than $27 billion) and the US (5.53%; and – crucially – that the data be forced into lockdown. “The OECD’s failure to deliver more than $23 billion). made public. “For the digital tech giants who meaningful reforms to global tax The Tax Justice Network called on claim to have our best interests at rules in recent years, despite the re‐ The G20 nations... the G20 heads of state meeting in heart while having abused their way peated declaration of good will, The G20 member countries that Saudi Arabia to require the publish‐ out of billions in tax, this can be their makes it clear that the task was im‐ met recently at the Leaders’ Summit ing of individual multinationals’ redemption tax. A wealth tax along‐ possible for a club of rich countries. 2020 in Riyadh are collectively re‐ country‐by‐country reporting, so that Alex Cobham Rosa Pavanelli side this would ensure that those “With today’s data showing that sponsible for 26.7% of global tax corporate tax abusers and the juris‐ the needs of everybody else. with the broadest shoulders con‐ OECD countries are collectively re‐ losses, costing countries more than dictions that facilitate them can be “The pandemic has exposed the tribute as they should at this critical sponsible for nearly half of all global tax losses, the task was also clearly $114 billion in lost tax every year. The identified and held to account. grave cost of turning tax policy into a time.” an inappropriate one for a club heav‐ G20 countries themselves also lose Tax Justice Network CEO Alex Cob‐ tool for indulging tax abusers instead Public Services International Gen‐ ily mixed up in global tax havenry. over $290 billion each year. ham said: “A global tax system that of for protecting people’s wellbeing. eral Secretary Rosa Pavanelli said: In 2013, the G20 mandated the loses over $427 billion a year is not a “The reason frontline health workers “We must establish a UN tax con‐ “Now more than ever we must re‐ OECD to require collection of the broken system, it’s a system pro‐ face missing PPE and brutal under‐ vention to usher in global tax re‐ country‐by‐country reporting data grammed to fail. programme our global tax system to staffing is because our governments forms. Only by moving the process analysed by the State of Tax Justice “Under pressure from corporate gi‐ prioritise people’s health and liveli‐ spent decades pursuing austerity and for setting global tax standards to the 2020 – a measure the OECD had long ants and tax haven powers such as hoods over the desires of those bent privatisation while enabling corpo‐ UN can we make sure that interna‐ resisted until then. the Netherlands and the UK’s net‐ on not paying tax. rate tax abuse. tional tax governance is transparent In 2020, the OECD’s consultation work, our governments have pro‐ “We’re calling on governments to “For many workers, seeing these and democratic and our global tax on country‐by‐country reporting grammed the global tax system to introduce an excess profit tax on same politicians now ‘clapping’ for system genuinely fair and equitable, highlighted two major demands from prioritise the desires of the wealthi‐ large multinational corporations that them is an insult. Growing public respecting the taxing rights of devel‐ investors, civil society and leading ex‐ est corporations and individuals over have been short‐changing countries anger must be channelled into real oping countries.” WHAT IS TO BE DONE? Actions govts must take... The Tax Justice Network, Public Services International and the Global Alliance for Tax Justice, along with supporting NGOs, campaigners and experts around the world, have called on governments to take three actions to tackle global tax abuse: l Introduce an excess profit tax on multinational corporations making excess profits during the pandemic, such as global digital companies, in order to cut through profit shifting abuses. Multinational corporations’ excess profit would be identified at the global level, not the national level, to prevent corporations from underreporting their profits by shifting them into tax havens, and taxed using a unitary tax method.19 Introducing the ‘axis of tax avoidance’... l Introduction of a wealth tax to fund the Covid-19 response and address THE Corporate Tax Haven Index 2019 The Tax Justice Network revealed in than 47.6% of global tax loss incurred the long term inequalities the pandemic has exacerbated, with punitive had previously estimated that the UK, April 2020 that the axis of tax avoid‐ from corporate tax abuse. rates for opaquely owned offshore assets and a commitment between together with its network of Overseas ance costs the EU more than $27 bil‐ When including tax losses to pri‐ governments to eliminate this opacity. The pandemic has already seen an explosion in the asset values of the wealthy, even as unemployment has Territories and Crown Dependencies; lion in lost tax every year solely from vate tax evasion, the axis of tax avoid‐ soared to record levels in many countries. Luxembourg; Switzerland; and the US multinational corporations operat‐ ance is responsible for 55% of all tax Netherlands are together responsible ing in the EU. losses suffered by countries around l Establish a UN tax convention to ensure a global and genuinely for half of the world’s risk of corpo‐ The State of Tax Justice has con‐ the world, costing countries nearly representative forum to set consistent, multilateral standards for corporate rate tax abuse, coining the label “axis firmed that the axis of tax avoidance $237 billion in lost tax every year. taxation, for the necessary tax cooperation between governments, and to of tax avoidance” for the group. is collectively responsible for more deliver comprehensive, multilateral tax transparency. December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 19 DEBENHAMS DISPUTE INTERVIEW SPECIAL Shop steward Michelle Gavin joined four colleagues in occupying the Debenhams The inside on the dispute that shames story Debenhams...

By Dave Gibney another job is very daunting for me. prevented the Debenhams workers Mandate Communications Officer It’s changed a lot since my day, even from being in the situation they cur‐ WHEN Michelle Gavin started work‐ though I know I’d be very capable. rently find themselves in. “If that had ing for Roches Stores in Waterford “Until this is over, I don’t think I can been implemented, we would have back in 1993 she believed she’d be move on. I know the others are the been protected to some degree. I did‐ able to leave the company at a time of same, but seven‐ and‐a‐half months n’t think I’d be in this situation. I her choosing. That was all thrown on, you just don’t want to walk away.” think it’s important for every worker into turmoil on April 9th when she While the blame for what’s hap‐ to get their head around it, because it received a phone call from a friend of pened is on Debenhams, Michelle could happen to them at some stage.” hers in Cork telling her to check her feels the Government shares some re‐ Michelle took part in the occupa‐ emails immediately. sponsibility. tion of the Debenhams building in Debenhams, which had taken over “The way I look at it is, they al‐ Waterford. Roches Stores in 2006, had sent a lowed Debenhams the facility to walk “I didn’t think I’d ever see myself generic email to Michelle and her 68 away. I knew about Clerys, but I’ll be doing anything like that,” she admits colleagues in the Waterford store honest with you, and much to my as she giggles at the very thought of stating that its Irish stores “are not shame maybe, I wasn’t aware of the breaking the law. expected to reopen”. Duffy/Cahill report. But I’ve learnt an I ask if she’s proud of her actions. She was out of a job, along with – awful lot from this.” “Very proud,” Michelle replies. “I including concession staff – some 90 Fateful didn’t think I’d do anything like that.” other workers in the Waterford store. Michelle is referring to the 2016 She continues: “The Monday we “The managers at least got the government report, published more went in, we felt we needed to get a courtesy of a phone call,” Michelle re‐ than four years before she received new focus on it and put it in the pub‐ calls as we discuss that life‐changing that fateful email from Debenhams. If lic eye, so to speak. announcement. the recommendations in Duffy/Cahill “I’m married to a retired Garda It’s “horrible” to get this news after had been implemented it could have sergeant. I know he was anxious 27 years of service she explains and about it but when I came out he had details how this has turned her life a lovely bunch of flowers and a beau‐ upside down. tiful big card to say ‘I’m very proud of “This situation I’m in now is 24/7. you’, and that meant so much to me. Being the shop steward, I’ve taken on “He’s been so supportive of all of the role of trying to organise things. this and he’s been great and I’d have It never shuts off in my head. been lost without him. A lot of the “I still have one daughter in college. posters we’ve made outside of the There are fees I still have to pay. I was union stuff, he’s made them.” lucky enough my mortgage is paid so When asked about what support I’m in a lot better position than some had been given to the Debenhams of the other girls.” workers by local politicians, Michelle It’s clear Michelle has taken on finds little positive to say. more than her fair share of responsi‐ “With regard to the TDs in Water‐ bility in trying to achieve a settlement ford it’s been very disappointing. for all Debenhams workers, and it David Cullinane has been good be‐ isn’t an easy burden to carry. cause he’s with Sinn Fein but – and I “I organise my whole life around have to be honest – Mary Butler (Fi‐ the pickets. And when you’re not on anna Fail) and Marc Ó Cathasaigh the picket line, you’re doing Zoom (Green Party) have not. calls or contacting TDs. “Matt Shanahan, who is an inde‐ “Not everybody took part in the pendent, has said he’s supporting us pickets and that puts a bigger burden but hasn’t come down and our local on those that are doing it because we Mayor hasn’t come near us.” have to do a lot more shifts,” she adds. Michelle also spoke of her long in‐ “Mentally it effects you as well,” she volvement in the trade union move‐ continues. “I was there 27 years, and ment. I thought I’d be deciding when I’d “I’m the type of person that hates leave. I remember saying to one of the somebody not treating somebody girls in the cash office where I work, else right,” she explains. “And I sup‐ ‘I think I’ll stay until I’m 60’. Little did pose, I’ve always had a bit of a mouth I know I wouldn’t have that choice.” on me, so I’d always speak up. I ask Michelle if she’s looked for al‐ “My mother was a shop steward as ternative employment. well and she was one of a family of “The thought of even looking for ‘End our pain’: Michelle with megaphone in hand nine and they all would’ve felt the 20 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 store in Waterford for five days, but she has spent 100s of days on the picket line...

same. We’re good workers – but you I was on the mortgage holiday and have to stand up for yourself.” that’s going to hit back in and I really While the strike has, of course, kind of need my redundancy to help dominated the lives of the Deben‐ me get over it’.” hams workers, personal issues – Michelle thinks the impact of what family bereavements and the like – has happened hasn’t been widely un‐ also have to be dealt with. derstood. “What many people don’t “Up to this year all of them were understand is that jobs are not as still alive,” explains Michelle of her plentiful now as they were because of mother’s family, “and the youngest is the pandemic. But we still have all 71 and the oldest is 88. The first one our expenses because when you’re in of her family died when I was in the a permanent job you take on things, occupation. And that was hard be‐ so you might have borrowed for your cause I was there and I was saying, car, so that extra two weeks would ‘Do I come out? Do I stay in? What do give everybody that opportunity to I do?’. put that side of their life in order for “I was in terrible turmoil over it. I a few years. Like you could pay off remember she [Michelle’s mum] rang that car loan.” me to tell me what had happened, Michelle’s admiration for her col‐ and then she said to me, ‘Now. don’t leagues – who’ve been on the picket come out, because Jim was a fighter lines across the country for the last so you’re to stay there’. eight months – is clear. “And then two weeks later, the day “We have all the same trials and the lorry decided to come to Water‐ tribulations still going on in our lives. ford to deliver pallets, the second They didn’t go away just because member of my family died. So we lost we’re on strike. One girl attends the two in the space of two weeks. hospital every second week, she has “That’s all on your mind as well. medical issues, but she comes into do We’re trying to do ordinary day‐to‐ her strike duty, there’s no issue with day living. You have all those things that.” going on in your life as well. The sense of social justice Michelle Fighting articulates isn’t just related to Deben‐ “We’re trying to cope with the hams workers and their plight. She Covid, and then we have this thing has a broader view of the world: that’s always there and is not going “I wasn’t big into politics (before away. You do want it to end, we want the strike), but it kind of opens your to move on. But you’re not gonna stop eyes now to this ‘inner circle’ as they fighting, because after seven‐and‐a‐ call it, it’s very apparent. Being in‐ half months you’re not just going to volved in this opens your eyes to stop.” other things that maybe I wouldn’t Michelle underlines how the work‐ have taken an interest in but it makes ers have appreciated all the support you aware of everything that’s going they’ve received, particularly some of on… the donations from trade unions. “Like we should have a brilliant “That donation we got we decided health system, the teachers and the to split it out between us all because schools should be all sorted. Another we’ve incurred expenses – paying for thing I always felt, there should be no lunches and coffees, even for gloves, person in this country, in a progres‐ hats, rain gear and all that stuff to try sive country like us, that should be to keep ourselves dry. waiting on a cataract operation in “We divided it out between what 2020. was left there and one of the girls “So easy to fix, not horrendously when I handed her the money said to expensive, and imagine leaving an old person go nearly blind for some‐ Noeleen McCarthy, Michelle Gavin, Stephen Troy and Margaret Sinnott me, ‘Oh thanks be to God for that, inside the Debenhams store in Waterford (Michelle Byrne not pictured) the poor child needs her thing that’s so simple. Things glasses repaired, and I can like that you become very use that to pay for that’. aware of. “She also said she still I asked Michelle if there hasn’t received her redun‐ are any positive stories dancy money. She said, ‘I from the picket line. hope I get that money in “We had a protest yes‐ the next few weeks, because terday and this lovely gen‐ tleman came along. He said, ‘Would you mind if I go on your protest with you?’ I said, ‘No, not at all, we’d be delighted’. He said, ‘I made a little sign, and I made you some nice sandwiches that we can have afterwards’. “He had made this lovely, home‐ made bread and made them gluten‐ free ‘just in case’! Beautiful, beautiful sandwiches and we handed them out afterwards.” That kind of positivity from Michelle Gavin and her focus on the kindness of others, at a time when she has every right to be angry and bitter at what’s happened, is a testa‐ ment to the leadership skills she’s ex‐ erted in running her own picket line for almost eight months. These workers deserved better from their company, and they deserve better from the Government. They should be very proud of their actions. Gestures matter: solidarity and sandwiches... December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 21 FROM WHERE I STAND... When it comes to tax, they’re making jerks of us all Brian Forbes Pictures: ali shafei on Unsplash; Public Domain

JOHN Harvey Kellogg invented cornflakes in 1878. He created them as a plain food for pa‐ tients in the sanitorium he worked in. He felt that plain food would stop people masturbating Corny not horny: John Harvey Kellogg (right) thought a bowl of cornflakes was a surefire cure for masturbation but its crispy goodness clearly does little to address the scourge of tax avoidance and so he marketed his cornflakes as a “healthy, ready‐to‐eat anti‐masturbatory morning meal”. Kellogg’s lent Kellogg’s money and the interest to fulfill their fair share of that same social con‐ operate in the murky financial shadows of the Maybe you might just reflect the next time paid on those loans means Ireland happily sub‐ tract. Irish tax system which allows them to avoid tax you’re digging into a big bowl of cornflakes and sidises Kellogg’s (KET) based here in Ireland to Clever use of the tax loopholes provided by not just in Ireland but across the world. feeling like the bowl isn’t big enough. Knowing the tune of €17 million. our Government for big business means our Ireland facilitates global tax avoidance by fine well that you’ll need more of those tasty, In total, there are nine Kellogg’s domiciled in health system is falling apart at the seams, our many hugely profitable companies. Our Irish tax milk‐sodden, crunchy flakes of corn to satisfy Ireland. The Irish sales of Kellogg’s are fun‐ schools are underfunded and understaffed, our policies create massive detrimental impacts on your insatiable hunger for more. nelled through a separate company registered citizens cannot access adequate public housing the tax take in many other countries. This Well, that feeling of insatiable hunger is pre‐ as Kellogg Company of Ireland. You’re probably to put a roof over their heads and our country means that not only do we not get our fair share cisely the way popular cornflake makers Kel‐ thinking, surely this company with Irish sales is riddled with financial debt and austerity for of tax from these profit‐hungry companies but logg’s seemingly feels about holding on to their amounting to a pre‐tax profit of €1.3 million generations to come. we enable them to funnel their profits away will be liable for a hefty tax bill in the best little There is (pun intended) ‘cereal abuse’, legally money. Ever increasing profits and money they from any social contract they should have in the country to do business in anywhere in the allowed, of our tax system by capitalists and actual locations they are operating sales in. make from sales in the UK and Europe which is world? Then think again. their government enablers. We the people suf‐ then cleverly redirected, made from their more Tax avoidance fer the consequences of that neoliberal ‘busi‐ than 1.1 billion of sales, through an Irish‐based Tax pittance Ireland and its people are world renowned as ness first’ political ideology. business. Kellogg’s was able to have its tax bill for Irish a welcoming and warm place for visitors to our Those ‘job creating dragons’, so coveted Kellogg’s operating from a unit based near sales reduced to approximately €5,000 because shores. Ireland and its tax system is world by our Government, increasingly Dublin Airport registered 2019 sales of more the company claimed a “group relief” credit renowned as a welcoming and warm home for than €446 million in the UK last year. They reg‐ from the Irish government which allows it legally laundered money and global tax istered almost €650 million from the rest of Eu‐ to pay a pittance in tax in comparison to avoidance. We should be thoroughly rope as well as €23 million from the Middle an ordinary PAYE earner like you and I. ashamed of our country’s prominent role East and Africa. All monies declared by Kel‐ Taxation from our work is a contribu‐ in perpetuating the ongoing ‘cereal abuse’ logg’s in one of the biggest tax havens in the tion to the running of our country that I’m of other countries. world – Ireland. more than happy to pay. Unfortunately, Avoiding tax and facilitating the avo id‐ Wow, you’re probably thinking, that’s going our Government with its myriad of tax ance of tax, legally or otherwise, isn’t to be great for the Irish economy. Then think loopholes and tax avoidance systems clever. It destroys lives and heightens in‐ again. Dublin‐registered Kellogg Europe Trad‐ deems it unnecessary for major multina‐ equalities across the world. ing (KET) racked up such significant “losses” tional companies making millions, and in John Harvey Kellogg was a fervent be‐ that they received a €17 million tax credit from some cases billions, in profits to pay their liever in abstinence and thought sex and the Irish government. fair share of taxes. masturbation were unhealthy and abnor‐ The heavy losses were incurred due to the in‐ As workers in the tax system we are mal. Cereal madness! Anyone for a tasty terest KET pays on loans provided to them by obliged to pay our social contract with the bowl of “Loopholes”– the cereal all money other Kellogg’s companies, including the moth‐ Government. It’s patently obvious that prof‐ hoarders love? ership operation in Luxemburg. To summarise: itable companies are not subjected or required

22 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWS FRIENDSHIP AMONG PEOPLES Solidarity gesture warms our hearts

IN AUGUST 2019 Mandate hosted a fraternal visit to Dublin by a group of senior trade unionists from the Henan Federation of Trade Unions (HNFTU) in China. Mark Zhang, Secretary General of the Ireland‐China Friendship Association, helped coordinate the visit of our Chinese comrades to Ireland and proposed a return visit by a Mandate delegation to China. But the subsequent global pandemic led to the cancelling of all international travel plans. However, Mark continued to maintain his contact with Mandate. National Coordinator Brian Forbes told Shopfloor: “Mark let us know that our Chinese trade union comrades were concerned about the health of Irish trade unionists. And in a wonderful demonstration of international solidarity 2,000 face masks recently arrived in Ireland sent by our friends in HNFTU. Mandate General Secretary Gerry Light met Mark at Mandate HQ in Dublin to receive the handover of the masks and to sincerely thank Mark and our Chinese comrades in HNFTU for their exceptionally kind gesture of fraternal solidarity for ever. “ FLASHBACK: 2019 Shopfloor story (left) about HNFTU delegation’s visit. General Secretary Gerry Light (right) accepts the consignment of masks from Mark Zhang, who helped coordinate last year’s visit of Chinese trade unionists to Dublin VIEWPOINT

Noah Donohoe mural in west Belfast Mandate official in call to reopen probe There must be justice for Noah into Noah’s death

FOURTEEN‐year‐old Noah Donohoe left his l Did not bring in specialist dog teams dur‐ MANDATE’S National Coordinator Brian Forbes home in south Belfast on June 21st 2020 to ing the search; has added his voice to calls for a thorough re‐in‐ cycle to the Cave Hill on the outskirts of the city Raymond l Did not fingerprint the entrance to the vestigation by the PSNI into the circumstances to meet friends for a study session. storm drain; surrounding the death of south Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe during the summer. He never returned home. Six days later his Barr l Although the cause of death was drowning, He told Shopfloor: “Noah’s mum Fiona is orig‐ naked body was recovered from a 1km‐long water samples were not taken. inally from Strabane – but right across the storm drain in north Belfast. Since then the grief The manner of Noah’s death and subsequent North communities have been coming together of Noah’s devastated mum Fiona been com‐ intransigence of the investigating team has led to 90,000 plus people signing up to ‘Noah’s to back the family’s quest to find out what hap‐ pounded by the what seems to be PSNI’s unwill‐ pened and to get to the truth. The truth sur‐ ingness or inability to carry out a proper Army’ to support the family in their demand for a proper investigation. rounding this tragedy must come out. criminal investigation into the case. “There are murals dedicated to Noah appear‐ Anomalies and ambiguities have surrounded I had a motion calling for the Police Ombuds‐ man to investigate the PSNI handling of the case ing on the Falls Road in Belfast, in Newry, in the case since the day Noah’s body was discov‐ Strabane and at the famous Free Derry Wall. A Niamh have been left with the heartbreaking unanimously passed at a meeting of Derry City ered. On the day Noah’s body was “found” – Sat‐ massive slogan #remembermynoah has also ap‐ urday, June 27th – and before an official task of trying to determine Noah’s last move‐ and Strabane District Council. Balanced and impartial policing in the Six peared on the slopes of the Black Mountain identification had been made, and before a ments and how he came to end up naked in a Counties has always been an issue, to say the overlooking Belfast. post‐mortem had taken place a PSNI spokesper‐ storm drain even though he was terrified of the least. Any progress that has been made since “The search for truth and justice is intensify‐ son stated that a body believed to be that of dark. It has been claimed that the PSNI: the Good Friday Agreement in this area has ing for Noah and the campaign will continue Noah had been found but that foul play was not l Did not seize CCTV from properties in the most definitely been damaged by this case. until Fiona and Noah’s loving family get the an‐ suspected. vicinity; Raymond Barr is an Independent Councillor swers they so desperately need,” he added. Since then, Noah’s mum Fiona and aunt l Did not conduct door‐to‐door enquiries; on Derry City & Strabane Council #justicefornoah #noahsarmy December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 23 PLATFORM

bottom line. Unfortunately, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil don't see it that way. Neither party believes that when you reach the age of 65 that you should be entitled to a state pension and the right to retire with dignity. They don't believe that people who have The right to retire at 65 worked often for more than four decades deserve it. If you needed yet another reminder of just how utterly out of touch they are with Louise the challenges facing ordinary people, well, there it is. In contrast, Sinn Féin has spent the O’Reilly last number of years fighting, along with the trade union movement, for your right to a state pension at 65. In 2014, Fine Gael and the Labour Party raised the pension age to 66. Sinn Féin opposed it. Similarly, Sinn Féin tabled legislation to block the increases to 67 in 2021 and to 68 in 2028. Since then, more than 35,000 65‐year‐olds Covid‐19 has impacted lives in ways none of us have been forced on to a jobseeker's payment could ever have envisaged but it has not at retirement. This is very, very wrong. dampened the appetite for a fairer society Fairness where people can live their lives with dignity. We continued the fight for fairness when we If anything, it has reaffirmed it. People’s recently brought a motion to the floor of the anger at the prospect of the State Pension age Dáil calling for the state pension age of 65 to be rising again was one of the main talking points restored. We did this because we understand on the doorsteps in the run‐up to February’s that we are not talking about some abstract general election. age‐bracket on a page. We are talking about real That anger has not dissipated because it is people – our loved ones and yours. demeaning that 65‐year‐olds are sent to stand We are talking about our parents, our in the dole queue to claim a jobseekers payment grandparents, our family. We are talking about for a whole year until the pension kicks in at 66. our friends and our neighbours. We are talking When you reach the age of 65, you will have about people who provided the resources to worked hard, paid your bills, provided for your build our hospitals, our schools, our roads. families and paid your taxes to the state. After They are entitled to respect and dignity. all of that heavy‐lifting, you have reached the This work has started to yield results. The point at which you should have the option of Picture: James Hose Jr on Unsplash Government has started to climb down on this retiring with a state pension should you so earned the right to be treated with respect. that opportunity to retire, others want to issue, but we have much work to do. choose. Many of you will have started work when you remain at work if they are able and willing to do Sinn Féin and the people who supported us Not only are people approaching the at the election have forced them to back away traditional age of retirement angry at the were 14 or 15. Many more of you spend your so.Those people should absolutely be allowed working lives run off your feet in hospitals, in to stay working, and the mandatory retirement from their plans to increase the pension age to prospect of having to continue working or 67 from January. retail or in hospitality and many more of you in age should be abolished to give workers the having to join a dole queue, younger family This is a good first step but it is not yet where physically draining jobs in factories or building choice as to whether they want to continue members and friends are angry on their behalf we want to be. We will continue to work with too. That is because Covid‐19 has reminded us sites.You are absolutely entitled to a well‐ working or whether they want to retire. the trade union movement and other like‐ of the goodwill and decency of the Irish public, earned break when you reach 65. That should What is clear is that it should be the minded parties to keep the pressure on. and people have had a time to reflect once more not be in question. unquestioned right of any 65 year old to retire We cannot – and will not – let this issue drop. on the fact that people at the age of 65 have And that is not to say all workers want to take on a state pension if they so wish. That is the Louise O'Reilly is Sinn Fein TD for Dublin Fingal

24 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEWSOPINION Clap on the back, slap in the face RED BULL The column that gives you wings Brian Forbes National Coordinator Mandate Trade Union IN A quiet reflective moment, when you sit and wonder why your wages are so low and why you feel so disrespected and undervalued by your employer at work, it might help to recall the quote from Enda Kenny back when he became Taoiseach. He said: “I will make Ireland the best little country in the world to do business in.” That one seemingly‐innocuous sentence uttered by Kenny explains better than any in‐depth political critique or analysis could ever manage as to the precise reason you feel the weight of work and worry on your shoulders day and daily. Ireland is a country where the vast majority of its working population ment. A few short days after sticking workers and their families. undervalued and disrespected by lives to work instead of working to two fingers up to student nurses, the Politicians are Finally, the recent lifting of Level 5 their employer. If you intend to shop live. The horrendous exploitation of political elite in the Cabinet reversed restrictions in the run‐up to the over the festive period – spare a people and their labour has – and is – cuts to retired ministers, top civil ser‐ among the first Christmas holiday season will bring thought, a kind word and a smile for a common feature of the austerity‐led vants and former taoisigh. Four thou‐ in line to clap one with it stress and perpetuate an all those shop workers who helped policy‐making decisions of our sand of the highest paid retired civil “ increase in health and safety maintain a semblance of normality governments past and present. servants – including the architects of handed for essential concerns for frontline shop workers. for society in abnormal times. Stay The dual burden of personal debt the bank bailout and financial crash workers while As previously stated, many of these safe, stay union and always Respect and increasing financial responsibili‐ that has crippled our country for gen‐ frontline workers currently feel Retail Workers. ties to house, feed and clothe oneself erations – will share a €12 million pot stabbing them in and one’s family has only perpetu‐ of cash between them. ated the cycle of employers’ exploita‐ On a ‘let’s rub their noses in it’ roll, the back with tion of labour. they also approved plans to give a 2% the other hand In many business circumstances, pay rise to our already‐overpaid the minimum wage is now seen as the judiciary and significantly increase ceiling and not the floor by allowances paid to their own party ” On foot of the Government’s companies seeking to exploit their whips, who act as convenors for their rejection to pay student nurses a workforce for ever‐increasing profits. parties and who would have helped decent wage, one of those frontline illustration: Barry McGowan Politicians are among the first in coordinate the aforementioned workers was quoted in the media as line to clap one handed for essential Government’s rejection of wages for saying: “We’ve been clapped, but workers while stabbing them in the student nurses. that’s not going to get people out of back with the other hand. Student The blatant hypocrisy seen in the poverty. How can you preserve nurses who literally helped save audacity of these politicians who patient safety when you’re struggling many lives during this pandemic, preach integrity to us all while sitting to survive yourself?” while working without pay, received in judgment in that den of utter their own ‘Night of the Long Knives’ contempt for working class people – Essential public service shop when the government parties namely Dáil Éireann – is sickening workers on the frontline of Covid‐19 combined to reject a Dáil motion beyond belief. have kept us all fed, clothed and calling for student nurses to receive a Bargaining not begging, in watered since start of the pandemic. fair wage for their magnificent public combination with decent work The New Deal for Retail and service during this global health without exploitation should be the Distribution Workers campaign was scare. union movement’s battle cry and call recently launched by ICTU with The motion lost 77‐72 with all to action for collectivising workers in support from Mandate and other members of Fianna Fáil, Fine both the public and private sectors. retail and distribution unions in both Gael and the Green Party It is long past time for those jurisdictions on our island. For far too rejecting the call for wielding the political power in long, the voice, knowledge and decency. this country to adequately dedication of workers towards Our Government re‐ compensate workers for their serving the general public has been fused to pay anything labour in the public sector sidelined by business interests and at all to those brave while ensuring the eradication government. frontline student of exploitation and move These frontline workers deserve a nurses who are per‐ towards a living wage with better deal for the sale of their labour. forming well over and decent contracts for workers It’s time for progressive employment above what could reason‐ in the private sector. standards across the Irish retail ably be expected of them in an sector with no one left behind. incredibly scary and dan‐ Workers and their unions must be gerous environment allowed to help shape and inform a while supposedly do‐ Enda new blueprint for a better standard of ing a work place‐ Kenny living for all retail and distribution

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 25 DEBENHAMS HERITAGEDISPUTE INTERVIEW SPECIAL What we’ve been through has changed my outlook completely

By Dave Gibney Mandate Communications Officer “On the day that they closed the store on 23rd March, my sales manager ap‐ proached me and gave me my certifi‐ cate for 30 years service.” Little did Gillian McSweeney from the Debenhams Store on Patrick Street in Cork know that she’d worked her last day for the company. Two weeks later she received a generic email from the retailer stat‐ ing that the company she enjoyed working for was going into liquida‐ tion. Gillian said: “I enjoyed work there, loved work, loved going in and meet‐ ing different people, dealing with the public and loved the family unit that we had. And there was a lot of long time service. It was a very loyal staff. “A few people moved on but most of my friends and my lifelong friends have come out of the business, the re‐ tail business and that store.” She explains how before she was employed by Debenhams, she worked for Roches Stores. “I just passed on with the fixtures and fittings when Roches sold us on to Debenhams at the time.” It really did seem like they were all part of one big family at Roches and then at Debenhams. Loyal “If you were to come to the picket line,” Gillian said, “you’d see they are all long‐serving members of staff. They’re people – [there for] 30 years, Gillian McSweeney (right) joined Patrick Street colleagues including shop steward Valerie Conlon (left) to protest outside the National Convention Centre where the Dáil was in session in June one girl on our picket line had 43 Talking of the anonymity of the an‐ looking at people dying and it was years service. She was the sales man‐ nouncement, Gillian said: “There was horrendous. But I suppose in my own ager and has been there all her life. no face to it. No being called into a mind I’m thinking I won’t know We were all loyal, we were turning up room. Then we were left ringing each where to go. I’m actually worried every day and we loved going to other and nobody had information. about when retail starts for Christ‐ work.” Even if there was a postal letter, it mas. I loved Christmas, and I loved re‐ Debenhams employed 300 work‐ might have been a little bit more per‐ tail at Christmas.” ers at its Patrick Street outlet, with sonal, addressed to me. There was Looking back, Gillian insists the re‐ more working for the various conces‐ nothing.” tailer was doing “very well” before sions at the store. She talks of the Gillian said she had heard that this the lockdown. bond built not only with Debenhams was the way Big Business treat peo‐ “We were being informed of figures employees, but with workers in Oasis, ple, that you’re “only a number”, but constantly, we had been up. From the Warehouse and the other brands that tried to tell herself that there had to point of view of Patrick Street, we worked under the same roof. be “some sort of loyalty there”. knew they had inherited a lot of over‐ “A lot of the concession staff had “We did put our faith in them. And heads – the store, the leases, the rent been working there a long, long time gone.’ And he’s, like, ‘Who’s gone?’ I be gone.’ And I said, ‘They are gone. we had been told we were fine. And – [but] we were told we were still too,” Gillian said. “They’d have been said, ‘Debenhams have gone into liq‐ My job is gone. Thirty years.’ And I that was a real kick in the gut, to be performing well.” on the floor with us. Your relationship uidation’. He said, ‘Everything?’ I said, said, ‘I have an email to show for it. told one week we were fine, and then She added: “I was standing on a till grows with them. You see people ‘Everything’. ‘They are closing the And a generic email’.” [when] we looked into it and realised bank three days a week. I knew they every week. You go through mar‐ doors. They’re packing up the Irish Gillian added: “I didn’t initially get they dumped the Irish business to were taking money. Stock was being riages, you go through babies. You operations’.” very upset or start crying, I think I save the English business.” replenished. They were bringing in build a bond.” You can still sense the shock might’ve been in shock. And then Gillian then describes the moment new concessions.” I ask Gillian how she heard she’d Gillian experienced from receiv‐ one of the girls rang and she it all hit her: “It probably took three When asked about her experiences lost her job. “I was doing the break‐ ing that email. She continued: was fierce upset and I was weeks for the shock to fade. I was at on the picket line, Gillian praises her fast, and the next thing my phone “We’d been informed the telling her it’d be fine. home on a Monday evening and I just colleagues’ dedication and organisa‐ started buzzing. I saw a text from the week before about England Then I was saying, ‘It started roaring, crying, and my hus‐ tional skills. “They’re very dedicated,” group in the department saying ‘pick going into administration can’t be OK because our band asked, ‘What’s wrong? What’s she said. “People are very Covid and we had been told that jobs are gone in the mid‐ up your emails’. after happening now?’ aware and we’re socially distancing the Irish arm of the busi‐ dle of a pandemic’. We’re “I thought it was an email from “I went, ‘I can’t believe that my job all the time. We have our own sani‐ ness was fine. We’d been working in retail, and Laura Porter, our HR consultant. At is gone.’ And then I said ‘What am I tiser on the lane. We have a pump through an administration pre‐ you’re listening on the news the time we were going on Covid pay‐ gonna do?’” system. Everyone has their own viously two or three years before‐ and everything was going upside ment and we were trying to get all Gillian’s husband tried to comfort picket board. You keep it for yourself. hand and I was kind of getting used down and inside out and then to be that organised, I thought something her. “We will be fine,” he told her. “The We spray the boards every morning to this because I’d gone through the put in the position that we’d have no else was happening. I picked up the kids are fine.” and we’re good to go for the day. drama in Roches Stores before that. jobs to go back to after the lockdown email on my phone and I said to my She explained: “We were watching We’re very organised.” “And my husband said, ‘They can’t is over.” husband, ‘They’re gone. They’re the news every night and we were In particular, Gillian is full of praise 26 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 NEW ONLINE COURSE FOR MANDATE WORKPLACE REPS Covid-19 return

Vita Cortex strike veteran Greg Marshall (centre) does his stint on the Debenhams Cork picket line for their “amazing” shop steward Va‐ riencing what has befallen the to work protocols lerie Conlon. Debenhams employees. “I must say, we couldn’t have or‐ “If we get nothing financially out of ganised it without Valerie, She’s been this, if we get the legislation passed, amazing. And Madeline behind her it’s going to stand to my children. It’s Mandate’s new online Covid-19 back to work too. They got organised, they got mo‐ something that will always be there.” bilised,” she added. Asked if there are any funny sto‐ induction course is designed to guide you through some Asked if the dispute had made her ries from the picket line, Gillian more politically aware, she agrees. claims the occupation of the Cork aspects of the protocol document, as well as supporting “Maybe I was plodding along, and I store almost never happened. probably was. Plodding along in life. “Well, the craic that morning,” re‐ the implementation and compliance of best practice I thought Fianna Fail was doing what calling the surge of adrenaline when within the industry collectively as a union they were supposed to do for me. I taking the action. “It was so funny. I had inherited it from my parents. got up at 4am. We all met at the lane That was probably the way I voted. and there was a big drama. We had “Even though I was up outside the our ladder. We were all set. They To complete the course, you can register on our online conference centre, when he [Micheal went down and picked the ladder up Martin] was being sworn in that day, but it was too short,” laughs Gillian. academy by following the relevant steps below... and I tell you I was not shouting for “The ladder couldn’t reach the top of him, even though I’d voted for him. the roof!” “It has changed my outlook on Ladder new learner things completely. I will now be look‐ For members to Mandate’s online learning platform... She continues: “There was a man ing out for the Independent. The per‐ from Marks & Spencer, and a man son who will do the work for you on from SuperValu and they were just Go to the following self-enrolment link https://bit.ly/2X34Fpj the grassroots.” standing there with their jaws on the STEP 1 Speaking of the local support the Add your name, surname and email address, press enrol floor. And – would you believe – strikers are getting, Gillian details someone looked down and on the some of the donations from support‐ ground there was a ladder there that ers. “One particular gentleman, and I Check your mailbox (including the spam basket) had been there all the time. We STEP 2 have to say it’s probably gentlemen of didn’t know where the ladder had and then register your account a certain age, at the end of the week, came from. It was like a gift from they come into us, they have a little God! tenner folded up, they’ve given you Create a new password (password will need include “They picked the ladder up. They the tenner and said, ‘That’s for a few STEP 3 put it on the building and climbed up 8 characters including upper, lower case, number and special coffees.’ They’ve come from the on the roof and in the window and ‘strike generation’, and they’re inter‐ character such as @ , ! , # ,* , /, ) complete the registration off they went. I was like, ‘Who put ested.” the ladder there?’ It was just a ladder She giggles as she explains the next that was lying covered in moss and You will be directed to your dashboard, please bit: “We had the Vita Cortex gentle‐ STEP 4 grass and everything. We laughed so men who came to us. They had some click on the course and then the start button much about that ladder. It was meant very interesting suggestions of what to be…” we should do. We were, like, We concluded the interview ‘We’re predominantly women To log back into the platform please go to the following link and enter the on a more somber note. I asked and can’t put ourselves into that what, if anything, the Deben‐ log-in details created: https://mandatetradeunion.hiuphub.com/login kind of situation – we have to go hams debacle had taught home and make the dinner!’” If you have any issue or problem during this process, please use Gillian.“I won’t lie down any‐ She told the Vita Cortex more. I won’t take the the support button in your right upper corner or “I NEED HELP” button strikers that their wives norm. I would question were probably at home when logged into the platform things a lot more. It’s making the dinner “while made life more inter‐ they were locked in in esting probably. I miss Vita Cortex”. For existing members to Mandate’s online learning platform... my job and my Pondering whether friends, and I’m very there’s a gendered ele‐ afraid of what will ment to the dispute, Existing trainees can use the following link: happen when the STEP 1 Gillian continued: “I often https://mandate.hiuphub.com/login picket ends. wondered if it was a male “You question things picket and it had gone on more I suppose. Even if I that long, would they have get nothing financially been left there? Would it If you cannot log in, please use forgotten password option out of this, I will get my STEP 2 have been sorted?” own self‐respect back. We on your log-in page or simply follow [email protected] Gillian claims she has be‐ stood up, we didn’t lie come more politically aware to reset your details down. We didn’t take it since the strike started and ad‐ from a huge, faceless com‐ mits her “whole view on every‐ pany, and there’s two face‐ thing has changed”. less companies in this now Please keep your log-in details/password safe as you She added: “Out of a bad thing – there is Debenhams first, came a good thing as well. It will require same for future online training and then there’s KPMG, and made me more aware of things. we always felt, ‘Which is the And for my kids coming up be‐ biggest enemy?’” hind me.” Should you have any issue accessing the links please Gillian is right in terms of Gillian refers to the Duffy/Cahill ‘self‐respect’. When it comes contact Jonathan Hogan [email protected] or Bill, which, if implemented, could to that, the Debenhams work‐ protect other workers from expe‐ Amanda Blake [email protected] at the Mandate Training Centre Gillian: ‘Even if we get nothing out of ers have already won that this, I’ll get my self-respect back...’ battle. December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 27 NEWS ITUC global survey findings flag up need to repair social contact SHOCK results from this year’s Inter‐ Support for national Trade Union Confederation Global Poll show that working people trade unions and their families were already living on the edge BEFORE the Covid‐19 pandemic closed down most eco‐ nomic activity across the world. Findings were released in Septem‐ ber but the field research by market research analysts YouGov was carried out in February and early March, be‐ fore Covid‐19 took hold. The poll cov‐ ers 16 countries representing the opinion of 56% of the world’s adult population. It shows that working people are struggling with a global wages slump – three‐quarters of people (75%) say their income has stagnated or fallen behind. Breaking up big tech Increasing tax on Reacting to the findings, ITUC Gen‐ firms into smaller tech firms eral Secretary Sharan Burrow said: “The economic consequences of the companies Covid‐19 pandemic have been lay‐ ered on top of a pre‐existing crisis of low‐wage and insecure jobs. Every second person has no financial buffer, Even before Covid struck, workers globally were facing job insecurity and falling living standards no ability to save for the tough times Picture: Young Shanahan (CC BY 2.0) ahead and relies on every pay cheque point flags up the widespread break‐ ple feel is spilling over and resulting to survive. down of the social contract. in a massive loss of trust in democ‐ “Without savings or a safety net, ITUC claims it also reveals deep racy as an institution. One out of millions of people entered the pan‐ levels of uncertainty about family in‐ every three people is angry or de‐ demic with a choice between working come and job security: spairing when asked about how they or starving.” l Almost half (42%) of people felt about their government listening Demand for change think it is unlikely the next genera‐ to them and the needs of their family. Support for social protection tion will find a decent job. “Re‐building that trust will require Carried out before the spread of l More than one‐third (39%) a commitment of governments to the Covid‐19, the 2020 ITUC Global Poll have directly experienced unemploy‐ people that results in a future that is gives a stark insight into a precarious Affordable access to healthcare ment or reduced working hours in built on a very different set of priori‐ world filled with anxiety about work the last two years, or someone in ties. and a lack of trust in government, but their household has experienced this. “The demand for change with the underlines how there is also a clear l Three quarters (76%) state that call for jobs, climate action and justice demand from most people for Decent retirement incomes the minimum wage is not enough to across many fronts is no longer a slo‐ change. live on. gan. Leaders should have the confi‐ According to the ITUC, the results l A third (33%) have experienced dence to commit to a new social represent a warning to governments less control over their choice of de‐ contract knowing that they have the that they must work together with Affordable access to education cent work. support of voters.” trade unions and civil society organi‐ l More than one in four (28%) The poll showed strong support for sations to ensure that recovery plans have less control over the hours they governments to take action: build trust and resilience. work. l 70% of people want to see more More than two‐thirds of respon‐ Support for paid maternity leave Ms Burrow said: “The despair peo‐ action on a pay rise for workers. dents expressed their fears about cli‐ mate change (69%), rising inequality (69%), the misuse of personal data Unemployment benefits online (69%) and losing their jobs Percentage who (67%). And this comes a time when over do not believe half of those questioned (52%) rated Support for labour laws and the right to strike the minimum their own country’s economic situa‐ wage is enough tion as bad. for a decent life The results reveal that workers are Laws that protect health and safety feeling powerless, with two out of three (66%) stating that people like them do not have enough influence Laws establishing and protecting decent min wage on the global economy. And almost as many (63%) believe working people have too little influ‐ ence. In contrast, most believe that Laws giving workers collective bargaining rights the richest 1% (65%) and corporate Percentage barely Percentage interests (57%) have too much influ‐ getting by and who say their ence. Laws that give right to join a union And almost three‐quarters (71%) who claim household felt their country’s economic system they have not income is falling favoured the wealthy – a view held by enough for behind the most people in every country sur‐ Laws protecting right to strike veyed. According to ITUC, this data essentials cost of living 28 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 REPORT The global threat to workers’ rights

THE 2020 ITUC Global Rights Index economies and democracy were en‐ gaining rights by putting up obsta‐ has revealed that violations of work‐ demic in workplaces and countries cles to union registration and dis‐ ers’ rights across the world have before the Covid‐19 pandemic dis‐ missing worker representatives. reached a seven‐year high. rupted lives and livelihoods. l The number of countries which The report, published earlier this “In many countries, the existing impeded the registration of unions year, measures trends both in gov‐ repression of unions and the refusal increased from 86 in 2019 to 89 ernment and business against a 97‐ of governments to respect rights countries in 2020. Sudan suspended indicator checklist derived from ILO and engage in social dialogue has ex‐ all trade unions and associations, conventions and jurisprudence. posed workers to illness and death and in Bangladesh, of the 1,104 ITUC General Secretary Sharan and left countries unable to fight the union registration applications ex‐ Burrow, writing in the foreword to pandemic effectively.” amined between 2010 and 2019, this year’s report, pointed to in‐ Ms Burrow insisted that the 2020 46% were rejected by the Depart‐ creasing attempts to place restric‐ ITUC Global Rights Index should be ment of Labour. tions on collective bargaining and used as a “benchmark” against l The 10 worst countries for the right to strike as well as stopping which “we will hold governments workers in 2020 were: Bangladesh, workers from joining trade unions and employers to account”. Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, of their choice. India, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, “This has been made worse in Conflict Turkey and Zimbabwe. 2020 by an increase in the number Drilling into the data, the Index re‐ Ms Burrow claimed the economic of countries which impede the reg‐ vealed that the Middle East and impact of the pandemic had placed istration of unions – denying work‐ North Africa constituted the worst a “spotlight” on those employment ers both representation and rights,” region in the world for working peo‐ relationships which were “deficient she claimed. ple – a situation made worse by the of rights”. Added to that, Ms Burrow pointed continuing insecurity and conflict in However, she suggested that any to an increase in the number of Palestine, Syria, Yemen and Libya. recovery from the impact of Covid countries gagging or constraining l Eighty‐five per cent of countries could provide what she termed “a freedom of speech, exposing the have violated the right to strike. new model” for the global economy, “fragility of democracies” especially Strikes and demonstrations were with a “new commitment to work‐ in the age of Covid‐19. banned in Belarus, Guinea, Senegal ers’ rights and renewed investment She continued: “A new trend iden‐ and Togo and met with extreme bru‐ in compliance and the rule of law.” tified in 2020 shows a number of tality in Bolivia, Chile and Ecuador. And she pointed out that it would scandals over government surveil‐ In Iran and Iraq, mass arrests were take a “new social contract” to re‐ lance of trade union leaders, in an made at protests. build resilient economies, but attempt to instil fear and put pres‐ l Eighty per cent of countries warned “unless we build trust in sure on independent unions and have violated the right to collectively democracy, beginning with work‐ their members. bargain. Egypt and Honduras both place democracy, we put at risk the “These threats to workers, our moved to circumvent collective bar‐ very foundation of our societies.”

ITUC’s Sharan Burrow: ‘People and governments must not be cowered by corporate power’ The 2020 ITUC Global Rights Index depicts the world’s worst countries for workers Picture: ITUC by rating 144 countries on a scale from 1-5+ based on the degree of respect for l 73% say governments should do of people think their government workers’ rights with 1 being the best rating and the 5+ the worst rating... more to make sure companies pay should do more to promote a Just their fair share of taxes. Transition to a zero‐carbon future. l 74% say governments should The survey results also flag up the create jobs by investing in care for concern felt by many about regulat‐ older people, disabled people and ing large, international tech compa‐ pre‐school‐aged children. nies and protecting their Regain trust often‐vulnerable workers. Ms Burrow continued: “The power According to ITUC, the reform of and dominance of big tech companies these and other issues would help the has only grown during the Covid‐19 public regain and rebuild their trust pandemic. There is a clear mandate in government with half (52%) stat‐ for action when two‐thirds of people ing that action taken on a list of seven want their governments to act and in‐ policy areas – covering wages and crease the taxes paid by these compa‐ working conditions, climate action, nies, with many (66%) saying they the care economy as well as peace would support governments increas‐ and security – would lead them to ing regulation of these companies. trust their government more. “People and governments must not It’s clear that climate change and be cowered by corporate power. The the impact of new technology weighs consequences for rights and democ‐ heavily on the minds of the global racy are too severe to be ignored,” she population. Nearly two‐thirds (63%) added. How to increase trust in government

Reduce the gap between the wages of l highest earners and the lowest paid Hold companies to account for how they l treat workers and the environment Commit to an international treaty l to ban nuclear weapons Plan for a Just Transition to l a zero-carbon future Increase taxes to pay for the care l of children, the elderly and the sick Increase the minimum wage l and commit to decent work

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 29 EYES LEFT! Smart boy wanted, not too smart!

DURING a recent conversation that bloody union newspaper you from my now ex-acquaintance, I with a casual political write for.” could hear that auld Billy Joe acquaintance, Biffo was presented I hesitated slightly before Shaver (RIP) tune ringing in my with a tricky – albeit forthright – responding: “Dear me, no, you’re ear –“Devil made me do it the first Biffo question: “You must think I’m not completely useless, you can time, second time I done it on my completely useless as you’re always serve as a bad example own.” constantly negatively critiquing and – in fairness – you do that Politicians consider yourselves The Eye That Never Sleeps my work on social media and in really well.” As I walked away forewarned.

What a loss: John Prine fell victim to Covid-19 Words matter IF WE all replaced using the words “the economy” with “rich people’s yacht money” then Biffo thinks life under the jackboot of capitalism would be so much easier to understand: 2020 l “How can we effectively respond to the Covid-19 pandemic without sacrificing rich people’s yacht money?” a killer year l “Paying a living wage to retail workers Pictures: digboston (CC BY 2.0); Ron Baker (CC BY-SA 2.0) 2.0); Ron Baker (CC BY-SA Pictures: digboston (CC BY would be nice – but what about rich people’s yacht money?” l An all-Ireland health service free for for music... everyone at the point of need would destroy rich people’s yacht money.”

2020 has taken so many of Biffo’s He slept under bridges and One-of-a-kind pickin’ style: musical songwriting heroes from this hawked his guitar for just a taste of Justin Townes Earle, died of mortal coil. that needle and spoon. Steve was an accidental overdose Legends such as John Prine, Justin lucky to survive, his talented son not Townes Earle (JTE), Jerry Jeff Walker so. and Billy Joe Shaver, to name but a Justin’s beautiful musical legacy few, have left this world a little darker will live on through his wonderful with their passing during the shitiest lyrics, the wonderfully pretty year on record (pun intended). melodies within his songs and his However, it was the sad passing of one-of-a-kind guitar pickin’ style. both John Prine and Justin Townes Reminiscing about seeing JTE play Earle which hit me a little harder than live on several occasions, it was the most. Prine, who chronicled the words of his song Mama’s Eyes, from human condition in song, died from his second album, which picks apart Covid-19 but had a reasonably full life his fraught and tension-ridden and lived it well. The Singing Mailman relationship with his father by will be sorely missed. exploring their shared battles with JTE died suddenly in August this substance abuse which hit me year at the young age of 38 from an hardest: “I was a young man when/ I accidental “acute combined drug first found the pleasure in the feel of toxicity”. They found traces of fentanyl a sin/ I went down the same road as From Dr Biffo’s casebook... indicating that the usage of fentanyl- my old man/ I was younger then.” VOTING these heartless sociopaths without fail, the nation engages in a laced cocaine had resulted in an JTE had his deeply tragic charisma into power is a form of collective collective exercise in self-flagellation accidental overdose. Justin’s musician snuffed out by his demons – actual, masochism that deserves to be that would shame a Bishop. father, the legendary Steve Earle, also inherited and metaphysical. If recognised as a condition in need of This horrible disease has many suffered a massively chronic drug someone you know needs help, then treatment. class war symptoms that You’re pullin’ my leg... addiction but somehow managed to reach out and listen. It might be what My hard-earned doctorate in subsequently lead to: collective ‘bullshit detection’ of the political memory loss, poll booth brain freeze BELIEVE IT or not, a meat product – claw his way out from the depths of they need to help save their life. Stay kind allows me to make such a and – ultimately – death. dubbed ‘Postman’s Leg’ – is heroin addiction. safe, buckaroos! diagnosis about this country’s The bodies are stacking up of actually on sale to the public. insatiable need to have political pain those who didn’t vote themselves Perhaps there’s a market out there inflicted upon itself, election cycle but caught the disease from the for a ‘Government Minister’s after election cycle. votes of people who did. We may be Heart’? I suspect a ‘Government And I can report most voters in going through a pandemic but there Minister’s Heart’ would have a Counting sheeple! Ireland suffer from this debilitating is only one known cure – flavour a lot like liver but leave a disease. Every General Election day, revolutionary change. strong aftertaste of class war! CONSPIRACY theories abound been a driving factor in the 66- during our troubled times. Every year-old Kerryman’s analysis of the scientific theory now has an world we live in – that is until they And this is why Master Yoda drives a Volkswagen Jedi... ‘alternative truth’ (or, as it is also closed rural wet pubs in his known, conspiracy theory) to keep constituency. He nearly had JODEE Berry, a former waitress, a small package with a toy Yoda it company. However, nothing busted a lung shouting across the thought she was in for a deal of inside. Aye, that’s correct, the compares to the recent shock news Dáil at the Taoiseach: “Where is a lifetime when she was little green lad from Star Wars. of Danny Healy-Rae’s conversion to your evidence? Where is your promised a brand new Toyota if Poor Jodee was understandably evidential science. scientific proof that pubs in rural she won a beer sales contest at furious and not only ended up Healy-Rae that announced in the Ireland would be the cause of the restaurant she worked in. quitting the restaurant but she Dáil during a climate change transmission of the virus?” Jodee knocked it out of the also sued them. debate four years ago that “God Boffins, nerds and scientists in park with the sales and ended If Jodee bought herself a Prius above” was in charge of the universities from Cambridge to up winning the contest by and put her Yoda figurine on the weather, “as we here can’t do Cambodia rejoiced at Danny’s “Et selling the most beer in a dashboard then she’d have a toy anything about it”. The very same tu, Brute?” Dáil moment of heathen month. Yoda in her Toyota. Did you bold Danny, who is on record for treachery. And it is whispered in However, when she was know that Yoda’s actual surname blaming “fairy forts” for causing parts of Kerry that holy statues blindfolded and led into the is Layheehoo? Yoda Layheehoo! dangerous dips on our roads, had wept tears of sadness at Healy- parking lot outside of the Here’s a picture of a short- evidently moved into full Stephen Rae’s recent embrace of restaurant, Berry was in for a changed Jodee sitting with her Hawking mode. Science has never evidence-based science. surprise. Instead of a car she got toy Yoda at her lawyer’s office... 30 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 ISSUES NEWS Visual Bot and sold UK retailer Co‐op is set to dramati‐ cally ramp up its use of self‐driving delivery robots to thousands more customers across the water. elegy for The groceries chain became the first retailer in the UK to offer deliv‐ ery by autonomous robots in 2018. During the two‐and‐a‐half years lives lost the pilot has been running in Milton Keynes, nearly half a million deliver‐ ies have been made. Now Co‐op bosses want to roll the initiative out to a second town, through Northampton, as well as expand its fleet of robots to 300 by the end of next year. Shoppers access the service male through robot manufacturer Star‐ ship Technology’s app. They drop a pin which indicates where they want the delivery to be sent, track it in real time, before receiving an alert which violence allows them to open the robot’s compartment when it has arrived. By Rita Fagan they are not the ones committing the The Family Resource Centre CDP crime. MALE violence is an issue for us in For this year’s 16 Days of Activism Ireland – an issue we must face up to, against Gender Violence, a special an issue we must deal with within video piece, titled And They Tell Me..., our communities. was shot for us by film maker Joe Lee. Male violence takes many forms – It follows previous renowned exhi‐ Chicken ‘teamed physical, emotional, financial and sex‐ bitions developed on this theme in‐ ual. Children are often its first wit‐ cluding Once is Too Much (1997) and up to kill fox’ nesses and sometimes they are used And They Tell Me (2012). at Brittany as tools against their mothers. Joe Lee’s beautiful piece is set Many women experiencing domes‐ around 236 lighted candles, each one farming school– AFP report, tic violence live in fear of pain and representing a woman who has lost March 2019 death. They are isolated, often lacking her life at the hands of male violence in self‐esteem and blaming them‐ in Ireland since femicide records selves for what is happening to them. began in December 1996. They live in the communities we all Michael’s Estate, Inchicore, (Tel 01- integrated model is our free confiden‐ This visually stunning piece is set live in. Women are stabbed, women 4533938) provides a grassroots com‐ tial outreach service. in Goldenbridge Cemetery’s Temple are strangled, women are shot. munity response to violence against Our service grew out of the need and is accompanied by the haunting What is the role of communities women through their Inchicore Do‐ for women needing a safe place to Après un Rêve, performed by cellist when its women and children are ex‐ mestic Violence Outreach Centre. disclose, be believed and supported Vyvienne Long and Miriam Cahill on periencing abuse? Do they have a re‐ This we do through, one‐to‐one when experiencing violence and violin. sponsibility to address this or do we support, court accompaniment, edu‐ abuse. Our aim is to get this moving go along with the same old response? cation, the use of art, protest and pol‐ Our belief is that women should memorial piece to reach as many peo‐ “It’s private – it’s best not to get in‐ icy work. At the heart of our not have to lose their homes when ple as possible and we would appre‐ volved.” It starts with screams, but ciate you sharing this to your must never end in silence. Check out ‘And They Tell Me’ at... networks and websites. The Family Resource Centre Com‐ https://youtu.be/2hDpncjElhc The initiative was funded by the munity Development Project, St. Irish National Teachers Organisation. INTERNATIONAL NEWS PALESTINE Probe call after IDF shoots teen ISRAELI forces fatally shot a teenage live fire and insisted soldiers used and unacceptable incident.” bystander in the West Bank village of rubber‐coated steel bullets and US‐ But human rights activists on the al‐Mughayyir on Friday, December made Ruger rifles. ground have queried the indepen‐ 5th during a protest against Israeli But activists contest Israel’s claim dence of such a probe if carried out by Picture: Monika Kubal on Unsplash land theft in the area. that Ruger rifles do not fire live ammo Israeli authorities. It was reported 15‐year‐old Ali – and insist they fire live bullets, al‐ A local source said: “These officials Ayman Saleh Nasser was not taking beit smaller 22‐caliber rounds, which know full well that Israel’s self‐inves‐ part in the demo when shot. He is the are nonetheless lethal. tigations are a sham, shielding sol‐ Be a chicken... sixth Palestinian child to be killed by DCIP confirmed that Nasser was diers from accountability. So a call for Israeli forces this year in the occupied killed by live fire. The group also con‐ Israel to investigate itself amounts to West Bank. According to human firmed that Israeli soldiers used a call for Israel to continue to enjoy Victim of Israeli fire: Ali Ayman Saleh Nasser rights group Defense for Children In‐ sponge‐tipped rounds and tear gas impunity.” speak for themselves: only one Israeli A ternational Palestine (DCIP), all grenades against protesters. In 2016, B’Tselem – The Israeli In‐ soldier has been indicted over the use JOIN Nasser was doing was watching the While Israel claims that rubber‐ formation Center for Human Rights in of live fire against unarmed protest. coated bullets, sponge‐tipped rounds the Occupied Territories – dubbed Is‐ protesters during the Great March of The teen was taken by ambulance and tear gas are non‐lethal, their use rael’s investigation system a “fig leaf”. Return demonstrations held along to the Palestine Medical Complex in has resulted in the deaths and severe And a recent report by Israeli Gaza’s eastern boundary from March the occupied West Bank city of Ra‐ injury of many Palestinians, including human rights group Yesh Din re‐ 2018. Israeli forces killed more than UNION mallah. He was pronounced dead children. vealed how the deliberately long and 215 unarmed Palestinians during shortly afterward. Following the shooting, UN Middle bureaucratic process is used to run those protests. As in many other cases when occu‐ East peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov out the clock, making a genuine inves‐ “The soldier in question killed a 14‐ pation forces killed a Palestinian called on Israel to “swiftly and inde‐ tigation all but impossible. year‐old child. His ‘punishment’ was https://mandate.ie/join-mandate/ child, the Israeli military denied using pendently investigate this shocking The source continued: “The results community service and a demotion.” December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 31 INTERNATIONAL The truth about Health & Safety Trump’s tariffs Training for Safety Reps tactic to woo

Anyone completing this course will be able to: l Describe the role and function of the Safety Representative Rust Belt voters l List the legal requirements involved l Assess, investigate and help By Greg Godels Pittsburgh-based commentator prevent accidents in the work place TO its credit, the United Steelworkers l List the main requirements of a Safety Statement (USW) has lifted the living standards l Provide induction training on and working conditions of millions of workers. Birthed from the militant Health and Safety in their workplace 1930s Steel Workers Organizing Committee and midwifed by hun‐ Who should attend? dreds of Communist and socialist or‐ ganisers, the USW became a strong Mandate Elected Health & Safety Representative advocate of industrial unionism and one of the more progressive forces in Duration: US political life. Course runs for six weeks, one evening per week But with the Cold War and the purging or repression of its most mil‐ itant members, the USW abandoned Course Content: the class‐confrontation approach of l Legislation relating to the Safety, its early years for a partnership with capital. Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 In place of exercising the strength l Role and function of the Safety Representative and power of a united membership, l Identify health and safety hazards in offices the union leadership chose a partner‐ l ship approach, negotiating contracts Ergonomics and manual handling based upon the notion that the l Internal transport worker and the boss had a common l Ergonomics and Visual Display Units interest. l In the context of the early Cold War, Office environment capital accepted some concessions to l Lighting labour to guarantee US labour’s loy‐ l Air Quality alty to US foreign policy objectives. l Fire Safety In return for US labour leaders policing domestic radicalism in the Protest at the Indiana State Capitol over the loss of 1,400 jobs to Mexico in 2016 Picture: Public Domain l Hazard identification and risk assessment workplace and for international col‐ l Accident investigation laboration in fighting Communism, sledgehammer Toyotas to advocating placing tariffs and other protectionist l the bosses tacitly agreed to accept for steel tariffs, the USW leadership policies beyond the pale. Health and Safety management has maintained that what is good for But in 2016, the USW leadership l wage and benefit growth commensu‐ Occupational health and hygiene rate with rising productivity. steel corporations doing business in found their saviour – Donald Trump l Information sources With the onset of the economic cri‐ the USA is good for USW steelwork‐ rudely arrived to occupy the White l Safety Statements sis in the 1970s and with the ruling ers. House. l class turning toward market funda‐ In recent years, the protectionist Moreover, he kept his promise in Final Discussion and review mentalism, capital reneged on its part demand was at odds with the politi‐ 2018 to impose restrictive tariffs on of the partnership, attacking labour cal mainstream, including the union’s all the imported steel coming into the Certification: with a vengeance. The implicit part‐ putative ally, the Democratic Party. United States. Unfortunately for the USW and their bet on protectionism, The National Safety Centre awards a Certificate nership was dissolved by one side. Since the rise of the ideas of Unfortunately, the other side – or‐ Thatcher, Carter, Reagan and Clinton the Trump tariffs failed to meet their of Attendance. This course meets the HSA guidelines. ganised labour (in this case, the USW) unfettered free markets have been an expectations. Certificates are valid for three years. – clung to the partnership. Despite re‐ ideological fixation of all the bour‐ As The Wall Street Journal reports: structuring, downsizing, plant clo‐ geois parties and their policy makers, “With the expanded production, sures, and concession demands, the about 6,000 jobs were added to the If you are the Elected Health & Safety Rep and have not USW stood by the philosophy of co‐ Unfortunately for US steel industry’s workforce after yet completed Health & Safety Training, or if it has been operation, what their critics called tariffs started in 2018, according to more than three years since you received Health & Safety “class collaboration.” the USW and their the Census Bureau. By the end of Since we can remember, one ex‐ bet on protectionism, the 2019, though, those gains evapo- training, contact Amanda Blake – [email protected] – pression of this affinity with corpo‐ “ rated as steel demand and prices in Mandate Training Centre for further details. rate bosses has taken the form of Trump tariffs failed sank.” [my emphasis] Authors Bob seeking protection from foreign com‐ Tita and William Mauldin (Tariffs Did- petitors. From inviting workers to to meet expectations n’t Fuel Revival for American Steel, 32 ” SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 A remnant of the once massive, legendary US Steel Homestead Steel Works, the Carrie Blast Furnaces (above) are a vestige of Pittsburgh’s 20th-century domination of the steel industry. Pennsylvanian steel workers (below left) at the turn of the last century public interest, we instead have tax tionist approach not only slanders cuts for the rich and privatisation of foreigners, but fails to protect domes‐ necessary networks and services. tic production, jobs, and compensa‐ Understandably, the US‐based steel tion. industry sought to garner greater Domestic producers, like their for‐ market share through the tariff pro‐ eign counterparts, are ruled by the gramme. However, the USW leader‐ laws of motion of the capitalist sys‐ ship failed to acknowledge one of the tem. Bust follows boom, whether it more basic laws of capitalism: with applies to a protected national mar‐ tariff‐induced prices soaring and for‐ ket or a global unfettered market. eign competition locked out, domes‐ The union's reliance on this co‐op‐ tic capitalist enterprises were erative approach with the steel cor‐ incentivised to engage in an orgy of porations defangs it for the necessary expansion and production. independent political action pro‐ As a result of this classic overpro‐ gramme that could unite the mem‐ duction‐induced crisis, prices col‐ bership and the general public in a Pictures:smallcurio (CC BY 2.0); George Corbin (CC BY 2.0) Pictures:smallcurio (CC BY 2.0); George Corbin (CC BY lapsed and the industry withdrew, fight for jobs and investment in de‐ with layoffs and closed facilities. caying infrastructure. All research Prices for hot‐rolled coiled sheet steel shows that this is a real path forward increased by nearly half to $920 a ton to create steel demand and union after the tariffs were imposed, but are jobs. now below their pre‐tariff level. It's plain to see and many studies The advocates of tariffs as a rem‐ WSJ, October 28th 2020) add that: tructure and create jobs. steel production, and create tens of document that America's infrastruc‐ edy for layoffs and stagnant or declin‐ ture is in horrible shape. Tariffs have “Higher prices [initially] also made It never got off the ground because thousands of steelworker jobs. ing wages and benefits forget that steel more expensive for manufactur‐ it was based on the false notion that Instead, Trump, true to his real, not increased domestic demand for capitalism runs on profits and not steel. The only way to increase do‐ ers that buy it, leading to the loss of capitalists will invest in the public big‐business agenda, pushed a major sharing the wealth. The Communist, mestic steel production is through a about 75,000 US manufacturing jobs, good. Things like fixing public tax cut that actually reduced the rev‐ socialist, and other militant trade massive reinvestment programme according to a study released late last schools, hospitals, water systems, pol‐ enue available for any public invest‐ unionists who founded the union un‐ that not only rebuilds the decaying year by the Federal Reserve Board of lution control, and building mass ment. Rather than drain the swamp, derstood this truth. They sought a American infrastructure in the public Governors.” transit systems simply don't offer re‐ Trump drained the public coffers and union that would fight the corpora‐ interest but creates steelworker jobs. In addition, foreign steel makers turns to investors even though they offered the syrup of “public private tions for a greater portion of those Rather than casting their fate with secured punitive export tariffs in re‐ will provide for the public good, boost partnerships” that were supposed to profits for the workers. taliation, further hurting domestic US entice capitalists to invest. They Today’s leadership of the USW mis‐ their privately owned corporate ri‐ manufacturing. Rather than never did. takenly believes that workers will vals for the wealth created by the The lack of growth in demand for Not to be outdone, The Pittsburgh benefit if “our'' corporations are workers, unions should fight those ri‐ steel in the USA has forced domestic casting their fate Post Gazette reports that the Repub‐ favoured over “theirs.” They fantasize vals for a greater share. producers to seek exports of steel to with their corporate lican‐controlled legislature of Penn‐ a world where foreigners are rapa‐ If they want to guarantee jobs, se‐ markets outside the United States in “ sylvania has now taken this phony cious cheaters and US producers are curity, and compensation, they search of profits, the same strategy rivals for the wealth concept to its practical conclusion inspired by the greater good. should struggle to eliminate the pri‐ practiced by the "foreign" competi‐ which will result in the proposed “Theirs” are driven by ruthless vate corporations altogether. A real tion. created by the workers, tolling of many bridges in Pennsylva‐ competition, while “ours” are com‐ fighting union would be for public A major component of Trump's unions should fight nia as a way of making the “partner‐ mitted to fairness and partnership. ownership of the steel industry. 2016 victorious campaign message ship” work to increase state revenues. Lurking beneath the rhetoric is a not‐ This article was first published on ZZ’s Blog, that helped him secure votes in the those rivals for a Rather than tax the wealth of bil‐ too‐subtle national chauvinism. check out https://bit.ly/3pXuXpI Zoltan Rust Belt states was his promise of lionaires and corporations to obtain Surely, the experience with the Zigedy is the non de plum of Pittsburgh- major investment to rebuild infras‐ greater share... necessary revenues to rebuild in the Trump tariffs reveals that the protec‐ based writer, Greg Godels December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR ” 33 INTERNATIONAL The US labour-busting consultants that keep workplaces union-free By Prof John Logan San Francisco State University AMERICAN companies have been very successful at preventing their workers from organising into unions in recent decades, one of the reasons unionisation in the private sector is at a record low. What you may not realise is that a handful of little‐known law and con‐ sulting firms do much of the dirty work that keeps companies and other organisations union‐free. IKEA, for example, turned to Ogle‐ tree Deakins, one of the largest law firms that specialise in so‐called union avoidance activities, to help it crush unionisation efforts in Stoughton, Massachusetts, in 2016. Google hired IRI Consultants, a firm known for its anti‐union activities, for advice on how to deal with growing worker unrest. And just this summer, two liberal‐leaning organisations – the Scholars Strategy Network and ACLU Kansas – recruited the services of Ogletree when their employees tried to form unions. I’ve been studying these firms for two decades and have chronicled the key roles they have played in under‐ mining an American worker’s feder‐ ally protected right to organise. Their tactics, abetted by weak labour laws, have turned what should be a worker‐driven process into essen‐ tially a choice being made by compa‐ nies. A lack of effective federal reporting requirements means there isn’t a lot of data on this union‐busting indus‐ try. We do know that a lot of compa‐ US pharmacy chain Rite Aid hired anti-union consultants to try to prevent workers from successfully organising Picture: Amy Niehouse (CC BY-SA 2.0) nies are using it. The tactic has been around since at Amazon recently used heat maps rials, which can be anything from tact with employees because, techni‐ The Labor Relations Institute of‐ least the mid‐20th century. Manage‐ to show which of its Whole Foods managerial training and websites tar‐ cally, it must be disclosed under the fered clients a money‐back guarantee ment professor Sanford Jacoby docu‐ grocery stories and distribution geting employees to “vote no” buttons US’s Labor‐Management Reporting that it could successfully prevent em‐ mented how Sears Roebuck used warehouses were most at risk of and anti‐union billboards – strategi‐ and Disclosure Act of 1959. ployees from forming a union in a vulnerability audits to beat back cally located on the way to work. This has created an opening for brochure from the 2000s. unionisation. Nissan used billboards unionisation as early as the 1940s, For example, Nissan, Volkswagen other types of consultants to spe‐ According to a Cornell labour ex‐ to convey its anti‐union message dur‐ while labour historian Nelson Licht‐ cialise in this kind of persuasion. pert, about 75% of all US employers ing a unionisation drive in 1989. and other carmakers have used bill‐ enstein showed how Walmart has Weak enforcement means that re‐ have engaged the services of a con‐ ‘Virus’ boards as part of their campaigns to used similar tactics to remain union‐ prevent unionising at plants in the porting is patchy, even among consul‐ sultant or law firm to stymie efforts free since the 1960s. The anti‐union firms advise com‐ by workers to organise – and are US. And last year, Delta Airlines put tants who talk to employees. Today’s audits, however, are more panies to treat unions like a “virus” up posters advising employees that As the pandemic and concerns of spending an estimated US$340 mil‐ sophisticated and data‐driven. Anti‐ and to “inoculate” employees with lion a year to do so. buying a video game console would benefits and safety has prompted union monitoring software can help messaging about the purported con‐ be a better way to spend money than more workers to try to organise, Three of the biggest law firms that management squash organising be‐ sequences of organising early and do this work are Littler Mendelson, on union dues. firms have continued to conduct fore it starts, while heat maps that often. Rite Aid, as part of an effort to stop these meetings. HCA Healthcare re‐ Ogletree and Jackson Lewis, which collect data from a wide variety of And to that end, another important have grown from regional operations workers at a warehouse in Lancaster, portedly hired consultants to run sources reveal granular detail about service these firms provide is supply‐ California, from organising beginning meetings at a hospital in Asheville, into global union avoidance behe‐ where the biggest risks are. ing companies with anti‐union mate‐ moths. in 2006, hired Oliver J. Bell & Associ‐ North Carolina, as part of its recent Consultants such as IRI and the ates to provide its managers with campaign to prevent 1,600 nurses Labor Relations Institute have also Game play: one US training resources, according to a re‐ from forming a union. firm used workplace Using these and other tactics, con‐ developed a reputation for union advertising like this to port by labour rights organisation avoidance expertise in recent stymie organisers Jobs with Justice. sultants claim overwhelming success decades. IRI even used to offer a A third technique is what union rates in preventing unionisation, “money‐back guarantee” if its efforts avoidance consultants call direct ex‐ often 95% or higher. While it’s impos‐ weren’t successful. plainer activity, such as conducting sible to empirically verify these Here’s a closer look at the main ser‐ mandatory anti‐union staff meetings. claims, most labour relations re‐ vices they offer clients, which occupy Workers who experience them de‐ searchers believe they are highly ef‐ the gray areas of labour law. scribe these “captive” meetings as a fective. form of legalised intimidation, which John Logan is Professor and Director One major reason companies hire of Labour and Employment Studies, San these firms is to conduct union vul‐ is one reason many other democratic Francisco State University nerability audits, intended to analyze countries, such as Germany and a workforce to see which depart‐ Japan, restrict them. ments, locations or demographic Law firms generally avoid engaging This article first appeared in The Conversation groups are most likely to organise. in activities that involve direct con‐ - check out https://theconversation.com/uk 34 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 IN MY VIEW... A programme for the 21st Century

iating U‐turn a few days later, the fact Tommy that the right‐wing of unionism would – and could – prevent the en‐ McKearney actment of a crucial measure de‐ signed to protect the basic health and well‐being of the local population raises further questions about the very viability of the six‐county state. Allowing for local peculiarities, OVER recent years a discernible pat‐ there is ample evidence of a global tern has been emerging in many of pattern forming, a pattern indicating those countries that the BBC likes to a distinct phase in existing capitalism describe as “parliamentary democra‐ and something pointing to a develop‐ cies”. ing crisis. Long‐established precedents are Fearful of the influence of the being flouted by elected power‐bro‐ emerging economic powerhouse, kers in the leading capitalist states. China, yet unwilling to forgo super‐ While those who govern on behalf profits by domestic investment in in‐ of capitalism have never been reluc‐ Protocol tossing right-wingers: US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, UK PM Boris Johnson and Hungarian premier Viktor Orban frastructural and social wage tant to subvert common law or to Pictures: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0); Marcos Brandao/Senado Federal (CC BY 2.0);Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken (CC BY-SA 2.0);EPP (CC BY 2.0) projects, the political wing of capital‐ ruthlessly employ force illegally, that would have had a junior civil ser‐ Grath. In spite of McGrath’s undoubt‐ austerity, exacerbated recently by ism is growing dangerously reckless. there was for decades a degree of reg‐ vant summarily dismissed, the leader edly scrupulous supervision, the pro‐ fallout from the Covid‐19 pandemic. Working‐class communities every‐ ulation. More like honour among of Fine Gael disingenuously claimed ject remains a vehicle for the Of course anything the Southern where have suffered as a result of the thieves than anything ethical, it he was acting in the national interest. redistribution of taxpayers’ wealth establishment can do the DUP in decade‐long period of austerity fol‐ served as a modus vivendi that main‐ As a result, he retained the full confi‐ upwards to the super‐rich. Stormont can do even worse. With lowing the economic crash of 2008. tained a working consensus within dence of his coalition partners, Fi‐ These are only some of the more the Covid pandemic surging out of Understandably, many people in capitalist ruling classes, both nation‐ anna Fáil and the Green Tories. Nor egregious and outrageous recent ex‐ control and Northern hospitals these communities are becoming ally and internationally. does it stop at that in this, the “best amples of the arrogance and the in‐ struggling to cope, Arlene Foster and frustrated. In the midst of this angst, Over the past decade, though, this wee country in the world to do busi‐ cestuous nature of Ireland’s ruling her group of MLAs took contempt for and taking advantage of the absence convention has been breaking down. ness in.” class. Not only are we witness to the democracy and decency to a new of a strong socialist alternative move‐ The most spectacular example was Wham-bam machinations of a deeply flawed sys‐ level. ment, right‐wing demagoguery has evident in the United States during tem but we are also watching as the Faced with a call for a circuit‐ flourished. As in the past, it does so the presidency of Donald Trump. The There is the jaw‐dropping hubris of so‐called guardians of constitutional breaking lockdown from every other with the connivance of big capital. list of his norm‐breaking is lengthy: the “wham‐bam, charge them what probity break their own rules. party in the Assembly, the misnamed Transgressions reneging on a multilateral treaty with we can” company entrusted with In reality, a system that has been Democratic Unionists employed the Iran, withdrawing from the Paris cli‐ building the long‐awaited children’s shaped to serve the interests of the ‘petition of concern’ to block the de‐ All of which raises the question of mate accord, blatant malpractice hospital in Dublin. This project is sup‐ Irish bourgeoisie is struggling to re‐ mand. how Ireland’s Left and progressives leading to impeachment, and the as‐ posedly under review by the Minister tain its hegemony and indeed legiti‐ Notwithstanding that Foster and should respond to what is likely to tonishing refusal to accept election for Public Expenditure, Michael Mc‐ macy after a difficult decade of her cronies were forced into a humil‐ become an ever more serious prob‐ results. lem. Clearly there is some advantage Not to be outdone, the British have in publicising the transgressions of also broken with established proto‐ the ruling class, if only as a means of cols. The Internal Market Bill gives informing the wider public. ministers the ability to bypass inter‐ There is a limit, however, to what national law, while Boris Johnson can be achieved by trying to chal‐ contemptuously overturned long‐ lenge the bourgeoisie in their own standing precedent by ignoring a chosen theatres of operation. A more damning report accusing his home potent strategy is required, and one secretary of bullying a civil servant. that lays the theoretical foundation Among other notable noncon‐ 2.0) Picture: infomatique (CC BY-SA for a strong left‐wing alternative. formists there is the Hungarian prime There is need for a programme that minister, Viktor Orbán, negating legal promises to bring about fundamental norms, and the Brazilian president, systemic change – a programme that Jair Bolsonaro, speaking warmly of defines sovereign democracy as one the old military dictatorship. where decisions are made by the peo‐ While maybe not on the same scale, ple, in the people’s interest; a pro‐ the phenomenon has not passed Ire‐ gramme unambiguous about land by. Take the judicial system for a bringing an end to Partition; a pro‐ start. There was a time some decades gramme that places the means of pro‐ ago when republicans didn’t recog‐ duction, distribution and exchange in nise the authority of judges sitting in the hands of the people; a pro‐ Dublin; yet never could anyone have gramme that understands neutrality imagined that 40 years later a to mean ending US military involve‐ Supreme Court judge would tell the ment in Shannon Airport and No to Chief Justice that he didn’t recognise NATO in Ireland, north and south. his authority either. Last year in Liberty Hall, the Few other incidents better illus‐ Peadar O’Donnell Socialist Republi‐ trate the essential nature of the 26‐ can Forum presented the basis for county state. With government in such a programme to a large gather‐ endless disarray, this pillar of the es‐ ing from around the country. The tablishment rudely displays the rul‐ document, entitled A Democratic Pro- ing class’s sense of entitlement and gramme for a New Century, was well indeed contempt for the general pub‐ received and broadly endorsed. lic. The Forum does not insist that its Not that the Woulfe is alone in proposals are the definitive, last word holding this view. Exposed as having on this matter. Seeing it instead as a improperly shared confidential and valuable discussion document, the restricted Government documents Forum plans to begin a series of open with one of his pals, the state’s discussions on this theme early next Taoiseach‐in‐waiting, Leo Varadkar, year. spun the Dáil a yarn, and walked Working-class communities everywhere Make a note in your diary, and suffered after a decade-long period of away scot‐free. austerity following the 2008 crash watch this space for details of time In spite of committing an offence and venue. December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 35 SPOTLIGHT: HOMEWORKING Cultural shift in how we work Laura Bambrick Picture: Dept of Health (CC BY 2.0) Picture: Dept of Health (CC BY DEVELOPMENTS in technology and its widespread availability have made it possible for many jobs to be per‐ formed outside of the employer’s premises. Howeve r, it took a pan‐ demic to fully awaken us to the po‐ tential for homeworking. Before Covid‐19 struck, just under Dr Tony Holohan: ‘message not getting through’ one in 20 (4.9%) workers worked mainly from home. In policy circles, time, part‐time hours, job‐share, etc homeworking was viewed as one in a – are wholly at the discretion of the suite of flexible wo rking arrange‐ employer. ments for attracting and retaining Without a statutory requirement to mothers, carers and people with a give requests reasonable considera‐ disability in the wo rkfo rce. tion, Irish employers have shown With the arrival of Covid‐19, work‐ themselves to be too quick to out of ing from home went mainstream. hand refuse to negotiate a work from home company policy with trade Over a matter of days, tens of thou‐ Picture: David Martyn Hunt (CC BY 2.0) sands of businesses moved their staff union reps, prior to Covid. of working from home has been become a hot topic for radio and TV So, while unions view the reports to remote working to help slow the Equally today, datasets on people’s fraught. Unsuitable accommodation, programmes and newspaper think‐ of the death of the office to be greatly spread of the virus. movements show large numbers of poor broadband, longer hours, feel‐ exaggerated, we do recognise the po‐ Around 40% of paid hours worked pieces, with many predicting the workers are back in the workplace, in ing isolated are among the top issues tential for remote working to be one in the economy during lockdown death of the office. spite of public health advice to work of the great disruptors to the work‐ were preformed from homes across raised with union reps. This conclusion is not supported by from home unless absolutely neces‐ place, similar to the arrival of the as‐ the country as the number of home‐ But, for the vast majority it has opinion poll findings and what we are sary to attend in person. sembly line on to the factory floor and workers skyrocketed to more than been a positive experience and they hearing from trade union members – The message on working from the personal computer into the office. one in four (27.6%) of those in em‐ want to continue working from home the overwhelming preference is for a home is “not getting through” Dr To be clear, trade unions are not ployment. after the Covid‐19 restrictions end. mix of office‐based and homeworking Tony Holohan, the chief medical offi‐ looking to hold back the tide of For some workers the experience Unsurprising, remote working has post pandemic. cer, commented recently. This mes‐ progress. There is a huge appetite for sage needs to be targeted at remote working among our mem‐ employers, who hold all the power bers. When implemented in the right when it comes to workers’ place of way, working from home or remotely work. from another location, such as a digi‐ A new EU Directive on Work‐Life THERE’S A NEW WAY TO tal hub or co‐working space, can re‐ Balance requires Government to give ally improve workers’ work‐life carers and parents of young children balance, make them happier and the right to request remote working more productive. by 2022, in line with European work‐ Our focus is on ensuring workers’ ers’ rights. The Irish Congress of JOIN OR PAY your dues hard‐won rights are preserved when Trade Unions has called on Govern‐ working from home and that protec‐ ment to go beyond the minimum re‐ tions keep pace with changes in ways quirements of the directive and Check out our new web portal at of working. extend this right to all workers. However, while workers are willing The past eight months have been a to embrace this future of work, and as mass experiment in homeworking. www.joinmandate.ie the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Granted, the experiment conditions have been to the fore in highlighting, have been far from textbook. No one under Irish law they have no rights to would have designed it to be imple‐ work from home. mented overnight, without time to IT ALSO In the UK, Northern Ireland and set‐up, and for it to run in parallel across the EU, workers who have with a public health emergency. completed their probation period Even so, workers and policymakers have a right to request homeworking are now very much alive to its poten‐ allows and their employer is legally required tial. The Government will soon pub‐ to give their request serious consid‐ lish its National Strategy on Remote eration. Working. Introducing rights to re‐ existing There is no obligation on the em‐ mote working and stronger protec‐ ployer to agree to the request. Not all tions for homeworkers will be key to jobs can be completed remotely and getting buy‐in from reluctant employ‐ members the need for flexibility must be bal‐ ers and for a smooth transition in this anced with the needs of the business. cultural shift in how we work. South of the border in the Republic, working from home and other flexi‐ Dr Laura Bambrick is Social Policy Officer at to switch ble working arrangements – flexi‐ the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. their payment ...while unions view the reports of the death of the office to be greatly exaggerated, we do method recognise“ the potential for remote working to be one of the great disruptors to the workplace, similar to the arrival of the assembly line and personal Illustration: Daniel Huntley (CC BY-SA 2.0) computer into the office 36 SHOPFLOOR y December” 2020 INTERNATIONAL NEWS SPOTLIGHT Mental health must be central to policy-making

MENTAL health supports must be taken into consideration for every as‐ Thomas pect of policy‐making. For me, when we talk about mental health and ac‐ Pringle cess to timely and affordable support, we are talking about everyone. Mental health should be like cli‐ mate action – there should be a cross‐ party, all‐government committee and Keeping shelves stocked: US grocery worker on the frontline Picture: UFCW it should be taken into consideration health supports for people in emer‐ with every aspect of policy‐making. gency accommodation or direct pro‐ A motion I co‐signed called on Gov‐ vision and pointed to the high suicide Mandate lauds UFCW hazard pay win ernment to ensure that mental health rate for members of the Traveller is a central part of its response to the community. Covid‐19 pandemic, along with a MANDATE has congratulated US gro‐ worked between July 26th and Au‐ As of November 25th, UFCW con‐ If vulnerable, marginalised or tar‐ number of other measures to ensure geted groups say, ‘nothing about us, cers union, the United Food and Com‐ gust 22nd. Describing it as a “power‐ firmed there had been at least 109 that mental health supports are ac‐ merical Workers union (UFCW) for ful victory”, UFCW International Covid‐related deaths among grocery without us’, we should listen, we cessible to all. securing a major win on hazard pay President Marc Perrone vowed the workers in the US. And a further should allow them space to tell us Right now, if you have €60 or €70 that will benefit nearly 50,000 essen‐ union’s work would continue to se‐ 48,000 grocery workers have been what they need and then we should per week spare, you can access pri‐ tial workers at the ShopRite super‐ cure hazard pay for all its members in infected or exposed to the virus since do everything we can to take action. market chain. the grocery sector. the pandemic began. vate counselling sessions. If you can’t That will make a difference to peo‐ The deal, announced on November Clear message Mandate National Coordinator pay privately you are on waiting lists. ple’s mental health – that and the re‐ 25th – the eve of Thanksgiving Day – Brian Forbes told Shopfloor: “We send With Covid, you may only have had sources for timely and affordable He said: “UFCW grocery workers marks the start of a busy holiday sea‐ our hearty congratulations, solidarity online access to therapy. What if you access to supports. Mental health are sending a clear message to super‐ son in the States and recognises the and best wishes to the UFCW for se‐ don’t have a computer, smartphone or matters for all of us. market chains across the United risks grocery workers continue to curing such a marvellous outcome. safe space to talk to your counsellor? Thomas Pringle is States that this pandemic is far from Independent TD for Donegal face during the coronavirus pan‐ “The shocking figure detailing I asked about access to mental over, and every CEO must do the right demic. Covid‐related deaths suffered by gro‐ thing by providing the hazard pay It applies to ShopRite workers at cery staff in the US is a salutary re‐ If vulnerable, marginalised or targeted groups that these brave essential workers stores in New Jersey, New York and minder to us all of the price being have earned and deserve as the say, ‘nothing about us, without us’, we should Connecticut and also includes paid by workers on the frontline ev‐ threat from Covid‐19 continues.” retroactive hazard pay for hours erywhere.” “listen... we should do everything we can to act... Have you a Mandate-related story or picture you’d like to share with us? Email [email protected]” Why we’re always app your service!

Mandate has launched our UNIONLINK courses courses such as Interview Skills, Basic First Aid on https://unionlink.org where you can register on‐ and GDPR, at discounted rates of up to 60%. line for bitesize course programmes, such as In‐ The Mandate Training Academy will also host dustrial Relations, Recruitment and Organising, links to Mandate’s LOOKUP App and our Man‐ Stress Management courses etc. date Induction video, all presented now on our In addition to the free training and develop‐ new online Training Academy. ment courses, we are pleased to launch our new In time our course offering will grow, allow‐ online training platform (Academy on the App ing you – the member – improved access to a Store and Google Play Store), in partnership wider range professional course modules. with Olive Media. The cost of purchasing Mandate online This app will allow members the option to courses also qualify for grant support through purchase online professional and development our Education Grant Scheme every November. How to register... How to purchase training...

l Click on the registration link here – REGISTRATION LINK l Click on Purchase Course on the l Fill out details leaving the 'Member ID' and 'Team' field blank. bottom left hand of your page l l This should be done from PC/laptop using a Google Chrome Here you will see a list of courses web browser (where possible) and their prices l l If you already have an existing AcademyHQ account please Choose your course and click ‘Add to Cart’ contact our support team at [email protected] l Proceed to check-out l Following registration above, members can download the 'Academy HQ' app l Make payment from the Google Play store or App Store if you wish to login from your l Return to the dashboard tab smartphone. Alternatively use the following link to login on your PC: and you will see your course https://mandatemembers.academyhq.com/en/auth/login

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 37 FORUM TRADE UNION FRIENDS OF PALESTINE

they are announced. The dominance of Brexit and Covid‐related policy Update on the Occupied Territories Bill matters has led us to extend our timeframe on this. FOLLOWING the disappointment of Meanwhile, despite the campaign the exclusion of the Occupied Territo‐ making the opinions of respected ries Bill (OTB) in the Programme for legal experts available to them, the Government, the Trade Union Government parties continue to state Friends of Palestine (TUFP) has been that their reason for failing to include busy developing new strategies and the OTB in the Programme for Gov‐ preparing a series of activities for the ernment is the bill’s alleged incom‐ coming months. patibility with EU law. This position is based on the opin‐ On 9th December Dáil Éireann ion of the former Attorney General voted to restore the Occupied Terri‐ Seamus Woulfe and they insist they tories Bill to the Dáil Order Paper. are bound by it. While this is a technical development However, Prof Takis Tridmas from at this point, it is nonetheless hugely King’s College, London, is of the opin‐ significant as it places the OTB firmly ion that the bill is compatible with EU back on the political agenda. There law. Prof Tridmas is a leading scholar are seven stages in the legislative pro‐ in the field of EU law and one of the cess down – three to go! The bill was most frequently quoted academic au‐ restored by a motion put forward by thors by advocates general of the Eu‐ Donegal independent TD Thomas ropean Court of Justice and on Pringle. matters of EU law by English courts. The Programme for Government Picture: Peter Mulligan (CC BY 2.0) The campaign is to organise a sets out commitments on Palestine, and Bahrain ‘deals’, annexation by Is‐ Together with the other organisa‐ Israeli sovereignty to elements of the briefing by Senator Frances Black in particular pertaining to a move to‐ rael not only remains on the table but tions in the campaign group, our im‐ West Bank. with Prof Tridimas. The seminar will wards a declaration of formal annex‐ has already taken place in practice. mediate political aim is to secure a “Having said that, the expansion of be hosted by Senator Black using an ation by Israel. It stated that “the The existing breaches of interna‐ cross‐party commitment of ‘de facto’ settlements that we have seen in re‐ ‘in conversation with’ format. Government would regard any such tional law committed through Israel’s annexation thereby paving the way cent years is almost like creeping an‐ Sadaka’s legal officer Gerry Liston moves [annexation] as a breach of in‐ settlement enterprise amount to de for the Government to take “appro‐ nexation.” will pose questions to Prof Tridimas ternational law and would consider facto annexation. priate measures at both national and In doing so, discussions with to draw out the legal argument on an appropriate response to them at The Ireland‐Palestine Alliance, international level”. Oireachtas members have started on both his and the Attorney General’s both national and international level”. SADAKA, has done a briefing on this It should be noted that Minister a Dáil motion, which we aim to have opinion. Trade unions are well aware that which has been circulated to all Coveney said in the Dáil recently: as a cross‐party motion. The seminar is aimed at members despite the commitment to the con‐ Oireachtas and MEP members. Check “The proposals around annexation Further updates on lobbying ac‐ of the Oireachtas and Irish MEPs. No trary by Israel in announcing its UAE it out at https://bit.ly/3oWUCNZ were about permanently extending tions will be circulated to unions once date has been set for the seminar.

38 SHOPFLOOR y December 2020 IN FOCUS: SAMARITANS What do you do when Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year? By Sarah Stack Communications & Policy Manager, Samaritans Ireland Tips for taking care of your mental health l Keep to a routine – Planning your day can help you CHRISTMAS on TV and in the movies is usually feel grounded if you're feeling uncertain about the future. l shown as the happiest time of the year. A time Pay attention to what you're feeling – Our self-help Try to prioritise eating well, getting plenty of sleep and where families gather together happily, every‐ web app (https://selfhelp.samaritans.org) can help you track exercising – wrapping up warm for a short walk outside one is upbeat and there is an abundance of food, your mood and includes practical tips and techniques to drink and presents. at lunchtime can be a great place to start. help you look after your emotional health. However, for many people, Christmas can be l Make time for something you enjoy – You could try a very difficult time where feelings of loneliness l Connect with people you love – Although we may learning a new skill, doing something creative or revisit and depression are heightened against a back‐ be physically isolated from one another, it’s more drop of relentless cheer. your favourite books and movies. If you’re active online, important than ever for us to feel socially connected, so There are many reasons why people find making time for other activities can help you to take a Christmas difficult. Issues such as loneliness try and reach out to people to talk, and try to be there to and isolation, family and relationship problems, break from the news cycle or social media. listen to others. l financial pressures, depression and illness can l Try a relaxation exercise – Sometimes something become more pronounced as the rest of the Talk about your feelings – Talking about how you’re simple like controlled breathing can help us feel calmer. feeling can help put things into perspective and may help world enjoy their Christmas dinner and after‐ Follow along with the video (see link below) or try the dinner naps. Many of those issues will be com‐ you feel more positive about the future. If you don’t feel muscle relaxation exercise on our practical things you can pounded with Covid restrictions, especially for like there’s anyone you can talk to, you are never the elderly and those who are unable to visit do to help yourself cope page. Go to: https://bit.ly/37L4zan family and friends. One in three calls to Samar‐ alone. Samaritans volunteers are here for you. itans come from people who say they feel alone Contact options, go to: https://bit.ly/2LkfuQP or isolated from others. Signs to look out for For those who have lost a loved one or ended l a relationship, Christmas can also be a painful Lacking energy or feeling tired reminder – an empty space at the table, one less l Feeling exhausted all the time person to put presents under the tree for, con‐ l Experiencing 'brain fog', find it hard to think clearly stant memories of someone who is no longer l there. It’s easy to feel out of sync with the rest Finding it hard to concentrate of the world if you’re not enjoying the holidays l Feeling restless and agitated and the option to do normal things, like seeing l Feeling tearful, wanting to cry all the time family, socialising with friends, or even going to l Not wanting to talk to or be with people Christmas Mass, have been taken away. That isolation can feel greater than ever this l Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy year. That’s why we believe that it is important l Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings to provide a space for people to talk about how l Finding it hard to cope with everyday things and tasks they are feeling honestly and what they are l going through. The Christmas period is always Experiencing 'burn out' a busy time for Samaritans. Last year, we re‐ If you don’t see what you’re feeling on this list, please ceived almost 40,000 calls during the month of still get in touch. You might also find our suggestions and December. We received more than 1,150 of tips for ways to help yourself cope useful. those calls on Christmas Day alone. People can talk to Samaritans any time of the Go to: https://bit.ly/37L4zan day or night, in their own way, about whatever And if you do think these symptoms sound like you, or is getting to them. Some people think that you someone you know, please still get in touch on 116 123, at have to be suicidal to talk to Samaritans but that is not the case. In fact, about 80% of the people [email protected], or in another way that suits you. who call us are not suicidal, but they do have If you're worried about someone else, we can help too. something they need to talk about. This Christmas, just like every other day of the year, Samaritans volunteers in our 13 other people have. What matters to us is how a different light and find their way forward. If Talking can help people to branches across the country, will be there for their life is making them feel. Sharing how you you are finding Christmas tough, why not talk see their situation in a anyone who needs to talk about how they are are really feeling without fear of judgment can to us and see if we can support you? feeling. help you feel less isolated. Samaritans is available round the clock every different light and find their way We are there for anyone struggling to cope, When people are in crisis, talking can help single day of the year. You can call freephone “ whoever they are, however they feel, whatever them to feel calmer and get through that mo‐ 116 123 or email [email protected]. forward. If you’re finding Christmas life has done to them. It doesn’t matter what ment. Through human contact with someone For more information about Samaritans, or tough, why not talk to us and kind of problem our callers have, however big who really listens, people can begin to feel hope. for self‐care tips this Christmas, visit www.samaritans.ie see if we can support you? or small it may seem compared to the problems Talking can help people to see their situation in ”

December 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 39 Thank you to all who have supported the Debenhams workers, including those who have contributed over €50,000 to the solidarity fund Together we are stronger