Deal to save three Debenhams stores
AT least three of the 11 Debenhams stores facing the axe have been saved from closure, the shop workers’ union announced yesterday.
As many as 1,000 staff have been on strike since April seeking a better redundancy package. A better financial settlement offer is expected imminently in addition to three stores being saved.
Debenhams operated 11 stores in Ireland, four of which were in Dublin.
The Mandate Union had agreed a deal in 2016 of four weeks’ pay per year of service for any future redundancies.
However, when the company went bust and entered liquidation earlier this year, there were no assets left to pay the staff – leaving them with statutory redundancy of just two weeks’ pay per year of service.
Three of the department store’s 11 branches have now been saved. However, it is not yet known which ones or what company is taking them over.
The union said: ‘The protracted and complex nature of a very difficult set of negotiations has resulted in a potential settlement offer which is expected to include a financial settlement offer as well as guaranteed employment for a number of Debenhams staff as a new leaseholder takes control of at least three stores.’
No one was available from Debenhams for comment yesterday but Mandate’s general secretary Gerry Light said: ‘This deal was only made possible because of the resilience and determination of our Debenhams members who have stood on picket lines through hail, rain and even storms over the last four months. They have lobbied, protested and raised consciousness of their plight through the media.
‘We have met with Government representatives and have received assurances from them that they will give serious consideration to the early implementation of new legislation along the lines of the recommendations of the Duffy/Cahill report which was produced by the last government as a solution to the Clery’s dispute.’
Full details of the finalised deal will be made available to the staff early next week ahead of a ballot on the offer.