Strike at pharmacies
STAFF AT 30 Lloyds pharmacies nationwide went on strike for one hour last Thursday morning.
This included three in Wicklow in Bray, Wicklow Town and Baltinglass. The strike was by members of the Mandate union.
A spokesman for Lloyds said that disruption was minimised, with most stores fully operational during the one-hour duration of the action.
‘We have achieved real progress over recent weeks, with increased pay and a new sick pay scheme agreed. Contrary to misleading information, we do not have and never had zero-hour contracts,’ they said.
Discussions have continued with the Colleague Representative Committee.
‘We have indicated a willingness to explore how further affordable improvements, including pay scales, can be advanced,’ said Lloyds.
Mandate plans to escalate its protest this Friday by increasing the picketing time to two hours and involving more stores.
More than 200 workers at 50 Lloyds Pharmacy outlets voted to go on strike after the retailer rejected a recommendation from the Labour Court that it negotiate with trade union Mandate over pay conditions.