SLIGO PHARMACY WORKERS JOIN IN NATIONAL STRIKE ACTION
TWO HOUR STOPPAGE WENT AHEAD AT SLIGO CHEMIST ON FRIDAY
WORKERS at the Tohers Chemist in O’Connell Street, Sligo took part in a work stoppage on Friday morning in a row over union recognition.
THEY joined more than 200 workers in what is Ireland’s largest pharmaceutical chain participated in a second day of industrial action tomorrow (22nd June 2018) between 10am and 12 noon.
Pickets were placed on the Sligo store during this time. Passers by were asked to sign a petition by those on the picket line.
The Mandate Trade Union say the failure by the company to engage in meaningful negotiations has left the workers with no alternative but to escalate the dispute.
Last week, 29 Lloyds Pharmacy stores, along with delivery drivers, took industrial action. Some 34 stores along with delivery drivers will participated in the strike action at the Sligo store.
The strike relates to a claim by Mandate Trade Union on behalf of its 230 members employed by LloydsPharmacy which includes:
•A pay increase and incremental pay scales; •The introduction of a sick pay scheme; •Security of hours and the elimination of zero hour contracts; and
•Improvements in annual leave entitlements and public holiday premiums.
The Labour Court has issued a recommendation stating that the company should engage with their workers designated representatives, Mandate Trade Union, but to date the company has refused to negotiate.
This has left the workers with no alternative other than industrial action.
Mandate has apologised for any inconvenience caused to the public but insists any blame for the action must be directed towards the company who, it says has forced its workers into taking industrial action.
In a statement in response to the strikes, Pat Watt, Director, LloydsPharmacy said:
“It is extremely regrettable that Mandate has pushed ahead with industrial action, two weeks after a positive breakthrough which sees increased pay and benefits for the full team. This week, we commence the next phase of engagement to explore how further affordable improvements, including pay scales, can be advanced. The Mandate decision, plus deliberate misinformation to team members, is not the best backdrop to this engagement, but it will not deter our commitment to build together on the progress made.”
The company claim on May 23rd last, in consultation with the Colleague Representative Committee (CRC) which represents the majority of its employees it was agreed to increase pay for the full team, backdated to 1st April 2018; Introduction of a new sick pay scheme; and elimination of the minimum wage.
“This increase in pay and benefits, which was endorsed by the team in a ballot of all colleagues, represents a significant investment in our people. Contrary to deliberately misleading information, we do not have and never had zero-hour contracts.
“Stage two of our engagement with employees starts this week. As part of this, we have indicated a willingness to explore how further affordable improvements, including pay scales, can be advanced. Progress is being made. Given this progress, the decision of the Mandate Trade Union, to undertake a two-hour strike at some of our pharmacies is disappointing. Mandate made this decision following a ballot of 13% of the team.
Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary said: “It is very frustrating dealing with a company who consistently mislead the media and politicians.
“We have members coming to us and showing us their contracts today, some of whom have been employed in recent weeks, and they are clearly zero hour contracts.
“Mandate represents more than one third of all workers in LloydsPharmacy outlets in Ireland with over 230 members and growing. Despite this, the company keeps stating that Mandate balloted 13% of workers for industrial action. This type of spinning is exactly why our members do not trust their management and want an independent trade union to represent them.”