Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I propose that we adopt No. 33, non-Government motion 16, before No. 1 without debate.The motion calls on the management of Tesco Ireland to respect the rights of long-serving Tesco workers to maintain their existing terms and conditions. This is an issue which should unite all of us across the Chamber. At the heart of the dispute are issues of respect and decency - respect for workers who have given a lifetime of service and decency with regard to their terms and conditions. Up to 250 long-serving Tesco workers have been told that they can either lose their jobs or take cuts in pay and accept changes to their shifts. I have met several of them and, as I said previously, have been shocked by the levels of intimidation and bullying. I have been shocked by the fact that Tesco hired a legal firm of union-busters and initiated what it calls Project Black, a project to de-unionise the company. I was shocked to hear a story of a woman with over 20 years' service who on coming into work was presented, without warning, flowers and a leaving card by management. Many workers have been reduced to tears.

We have worded the motion carefully and are not being in any way prescriptive as to how the dispute should be resolved. We are simply calling on Tesco management to respect the rights of their long-serving employees. That is all we are asking. Surely, we can all sign up to that. In a week when, to be frank, we will not have much to do in this Chamber, with only one Bill to be debated, we can do this to send a strong united message to Tesco management. There are Members on all sides of the Chamber who have been members of trade unions and Members who, regardless of whether they were ever in a union, believe in the principles of decent work and respect. We must speak with one united voice today. We should support the men and women who are out in all weather conditions today because they want to stand up for decency and respect and, above all, in solidarity with their fellow workers.