Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

Two weeks ago during Leaders' Questions, with others, I raised the issue of the Dunnes Stores strike. I described the behaviour of the company as being like that of a 19th century dock owner, in using its ability to give or withhold work as an instrument of control, punishment and reward to create a submissive workforce. There has since been a successful strike by a majority of Dunnes Stores workers and my description of Dunnes Stores and how the company has behaved has been absolutely vindicated by its response to the strike. What has happened is outrageous victimisation and retribution against those workers who stood up against low hour contracts, lack of job security, short-term contracts, low pay and the lack of union recognition. Workers were dismissed within 24 hours of the strike taking place; cuts have been made to the numbers of hours worked that are punitive; workers have been moved from one department to another by way of punishment; and shift pattern changes have been implemented which are designed simply to put people out. This is outrageous behaviour by Dunnes Stores and it should be condemned by everybody in the House. The workers should be supported by the public and their union in taking further action to push Dunnes Stores back and show that its behaviour is not acceptable.

What is happening in Dunnes Stores is symptomatic of the so-called recovery, involving low hour, short-term contracts, low pay and bullying employers. In many senses, the Dunnes Stores workers are in a better position than other workers because they are unionised. They have a union that will stand up with them and can take action with their fellow workers. The problem arises precisely because of the model of recovery pushed by the Government. That model is pushed by its actions with schemes such as JobBridge, Gateway and First Steps which are driving mandatory, forced labour for young people, in particular, and driving down wages for all. The Government has created a recovery for the rich, with the richest 300 people here having increased their wealth by over 60% between 2010 and 2014. If we want a recovery for the majority in the country, we need the kinds of measure outlined in the motion, including a ban on zero hour contracts, full implementation of the EU directive on part-time work, a ban on exclusivity clauses and the right of people to have banded hour contracts based on actual hours worked. We also need trade union organisation, mandatory trade union recognition and the repeal of the Industrial Relations Act to ensure organisation of workers on the ground in order that such measures will be carried through.

See this speech in context