ONLINE EDITION MANDATE TRADE UNION APRIL 2021 SHOPFLOOR 100 YEARS ON REMEMBERING BORN 1888 PADDY MORAN EXECUTED 1921 FREEDOM FIGHTER & FOUNDING FATHER OF THIS UNION CENTENARY SPECIAL PAGES 4,5,6 & 7 APRIL EX-DEBENHAMS WORKERS 9 IN DISPUTE FOR ONE YEAR GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE IMPLEMENT THE DUFFY/CAHILL THIS NEVER RECOMMENDATIONS HAPPENS AGAIN COVEROPINION STORY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Struggle for equality continues THIS YEAR International Women’s Day (IWD) was regard. The Tánaiste has asked the Low Pay celebrated on Monday, March 8th. This global Commission to further explore this issue so event is important for two reasons. First, it it’s our role to ensure that we influence celebrates the invaluable contribution made their deliberations and seek the through the years by women across all aspects introduction of this laudable objective UPFRONT without unnecessary delay. of society, both here in Ireland and around the General Secretary, Pension Commission: The Government- world. established Commission is currently Second, and equally important, it highlights the ongoing Gerry Light Mandate Trade Union inviting submissions regarding the blatant discrimination and inequalities that adequacy of future State pension women face, many of which are deeply provision. In this regard your union has embedded, and have existed and tolerated offered its views and highlighted once for far too long. again the clear disadvantages that exist for Recognition of these indisputable facts women in the current system and the and a willingness to tackle them cannot urgent need to bring about an end to merely be confined to events and same. statements linked to holding an Childcare: This sector is predominately International Women’s Day, rather the staffed by women; therefore, it is vitally occasion should serve to remind us all that important that statutory measures – such the struggle for gender equality is constant Picture: Mike Atherton (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Atherton (CC BY-NC-SA Picture: Mike as a Joint Labour Committee – be and needs to be highlighted and established to ensure a basic floor for terms vigorously fought for on each and every and conditions of employment. The occasion when the appropriate provision of affordable childcare is also opportunity arises. critical if we are to remove barriers which It is beyond doubt that the Irish State currently prevent many women from the since its inception has not served the full opportunity of access and participation interests of women well. On far too many occasions powerful in the workplace and beyond. male-dominated institutions deliberately Collective Bargaining: There can be contrived to ensure the role of women was little doubt that the prevalence of pay undervalued, restricted and never afforded inequality is greatly lessened in the true recognition it rightfully deserves. employments where the practice of proper In many cases the consequences of this and meaningful collective bargaining is commonplace. That is why the current government needs to swiftly introduce legislation which gives workers the right to effectively use their collective power at the negotiating table. The constitutional right to be a member of a trade union is considerably weakened unless workers are deplorable misogynistic behaviour has it is of critical importance that we are to afforded the opportunity to fully vindicate taken years to surface and the accumulated the forefront in fighting for tangible this right. unnecessary pain and suffering it caused is changes that will have a transformative Another current important issue becoming increasingly obvious. and positive impact on their lives. deserving of our attention is the Issues such as the ridiculous practice of The following are a number of areas very disproportionate negative fallout from the marriage bar, the inhumane operation much on our radar and we intend to ensure Covid-19 for women both in relation to the of mother and baby homes, and the health we play a proactive and influential role in significant job losses in retail in particular and life threatening consequences arising the early delivery of meaningful change and the worrying evidence emerging from the delivery of an inadequate cervical relevant to them. regarding the increased incidence of check service are to name but a few. Sadly, Gender Pay Gap: Through the years domestic violence. It appears that we are there are many more. Surely the much research has proven beyond doubt about to see the introduction of extended biggest regret is that we had a the gap is real and, despite this, it continues paid parental leave, which is to be choice, it didn’t have to be this to be tolerated. The promise by the current welcomed. way. government to introduce legislation in the These are, by way of an example, just a Aspirations area of pay transparency needs to be few areas your union is presently seeking The treatment of women delivered without further delay. This is not to bring about positive change. They are a through the years is the to suggest that this type of legislation in practical demonstration of how we can polar opposite to the views itself will be the panacea for all ills; however, deliver on key objectives which are clearly of those who not only it will help to maintain a focus on this rooted in and around events such as framed but gave their lives important issue with a view to ensuring that International Women’s Day. in pursuit of the aspirations the gap will be consigned to history as soon Across many facets of our society the relating to equality of as possible. struggle for gender equality continues. treatment contained in Living Wage: The aspiration for pay History shows us very little is conceded 1916 proclamation. inequality would be greatly served through without a concerted effort driven by a Given the fact that the the speedy introduction of an adequate clear unity of purpose, Mandate Trade majority of Mandate statutory living wage. Again the Union is proud to be part of that members are women, Government has set out its aspiration in this collective. 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 April 2021 NEWS ‘Landmark’ maternity policy change at Boots MANDATE has described a change to maternity nity policy for customer assistants, advisors quested at store level through local manage‐ policy at Boots Ireland as “significant” and a and dispensers. It means that for some of our ment. The policy change also applies to adop‐ “unique landmark” for members working for members they can now avail of partially‐paid tive leave. the retailer. maternity leave for the first 10 weeks when Hogan said: “This truly is a unique landmark 2.0) Picture: Howard Lake (CC BY-SA The welcome development comes after a set they are off from work.” in retail for our members working within the of pay and benefits negotiations between union These new provisions came into operation on stores. It’s now hoped that this change – which officials and Boots management in 2020. April 1st 2021. Information on how members Mandate is very proud to be part of – will influ‐ National Coordinator Jonathan Hogan ex‐ can qualify and apply for the new benefit, as ence other retailers to implement similar ben‐ plained: “This is a significant change to mater‐ well as further details of the scheme can be re‐ efits for our members.” DEBENHAMS DISPUTE STAND UP AND SUPPORT THIS STRIKE FRIDAY, April 9th marked the 365th day of a Forbes added: “This dispute will leave a his‐ Locations of striking dispute involving ex‐Debenhams workers in torical legacy. It shows that you have to struggle stores include: their battle to secure what is rightfully theirs. to achieve any meaningful change in this coun‐ Twelve months have passed since 1,000 try.” 1. Henry Street, Dublin 1 workers in 11 stores balloted for industrial ac‐ He said that the trade union movement was 2. Blanchardstown tion in a bid to win agreed redundancy package calling on the Government to implement imme‐ Shopping Centre, Dublin 15 of four weeks pay per year of service. diately recommendations set out in the Since then KPMG, Debenhams’ liquidator, and Duffy/Cahill report, published in March 2016. 3. The Square, Tallaght, the Government have both refused to honour Proud Dublin 24 that agreement. Geraldine O’Regan, shop steward from the 4. Frascati Shopping Centre, Mandate National Coordinator Brian Forbes Tralee store, said: “When this dispute started, Frascati Rd, Blackrock, Dublin said the union was extremely disappointed the we had no expectation that we would be here ex‐Debenhams workers have been forced to 5. White Water Shopping Centre, one full year later. I am proud of the stance we Newbridge, Co Kildare strike for so long. took and how we have highlighted the unfair‐ He told Shopfloor: “These workers should not ness of the current legislation that’s supposed 6. Mahon Point Shopping Centre, have had to go on strike for a single day. They to protect workers. Cork had an agreement, their employer was allowed “We want to thank the public and everyone walk away from that agreement, which was who has supported us and we are once again 7. Patrick Street, Cork wrong, but the liquidator and the Government calling on the Government to do the right thing 8. Eyre Square, Galway had an obligation to step in – and they didn’t. and implement Duffy/Cahill immediately.” 9. O’Connell Street, Limerick “I want to applaud the workers for their Karen Shaughnessy, shop steward from the tenacity and for their commitment to the prin‐ Galway store, said: “It is time for all workers in 10.