LETTERKENNY Iceland employees experiencing unfair working conditions are being urged to speak out amid reported growing dissatisfaction following the sale of the supermarket chain to a new owner.
In February, Iceland sold all of the 27 stores it directly owned in the Republic to a new owner, saying at the time that the Irish outlets would be managed on a franchise basis. The deal was with a company called The Project Point Technologies.
The company said that it decided on the sale to better focus on its UK operations.
But concerns have emerged over how staff have been treated in recent weeks. Staff have complained of erratic wage payments, which have seen some receiving a fraction of their ordinary pay packet, and others miss out on their wages altogether.
Four of Iceland’s stores in Dublin have served strike action at the ongoing dispute. These are in Ballyfermot, Tallaght, Coolock and the branch in Northside Shopping Centre. They are being represented by the Independent Workers’ Union (IWU).
Community activist Finnian O’Donnell intends to speak with workers locally to gauge if they have been affected by the development.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Mr O’Donnell said: “For a number of months now, Iceland workers have been organising to improve their working conditions. Stores from around the country are getting together to stand up against disgraceful treatment of workers.
“I have been asked by the IWU to appeal to any Iceland workers here in Letterkenny to contact myself if you or anyone you know works in Iceland.”
Mr O’Donnell said among issues of concerns emerging are a shortfall in wages, turning off air conditioning in high temperatures, a lack of written assurances on jobs and a lack of clarity on redundancy if stores close.
He said he plans to engage with local workers in the coming days.
“The union is organising a response. I am working on a local community activist level. I am trying to be on the ground and be there for the workers to lodge their concerns with me, which I will feed back to the IWU.
“Workers in Letterkenny should not be made to feel like they are on their own.”
Alexander Homits, of IWU, told the Donegal News staff feel disrespected and should not be made to feel that way.
“Many have been working there their whole lives,” he said.
The matter has been raised in the Dáil, with TDs making calls on Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise Neale Richmond TD to step in and meet with workers.
The Donegal News contacted Iceland about the claims but had not received a response at the time of publication.
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