“Our members are being denied a right to vote” – Staff stage public protest outside Tesco Ardkeen
Tesco Workers in Waterford Stage Protest Over Pay Dispute
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Waterford,Ireland - A group of Tesco employees from the Ardkeen store in Waterford City took to the streets today in a public protest,demanding a voice in their pay negotiations. The workers, represented by the Mandate trade Union, claim that Tesco is imposing a 3% pay increase without allowing them to vote on the proposal.
“They’ve recently imposed a 3% pay increase,however,they are denying our members the right to vote on that,wich is fundamental,” saeid Amanda Kane,Divisional Organiser for Mandate trade Union,speaking outside the store.
This marks a notable shift in Tesco’s approach to pay negotiations, according to Kane. “This is the first time that Tesco has not allowed our members to vote on a pay increase. Our members are now denied the right to decide whether or not that 3% is satisfactory or not,” she explained.
Kane further highlighted concerns about Tesco’s communication and engagement with union representatives. “We have collective agreements with Tesco and sence roughly around 2017 they have refused to allow the unions into the stores when it comes to disciplinaries such as,” she stated.
The protest underscores growing tensions between Tesco and its workforce in Waterford, a city with a significant Tesco presence. With five stores across the city and county, including one in Ferrybank, Tesco is a major employer in the region. The supermarket giant also operates a call center in butlerstown, employing over 200 people who provide customer care for Tesco Clubcard and Tesco Mobile customers.
The outcome of this dispute could have wider implications for Tesco employees across the country, setting a precedent for future pay negotiations.
Tesco Workers Stage Public Protest Over Union Recognition
Waterford, Ireland – A group of Tesco employees staged a public protest outside the Tesco Business Services office in Waterford on Tuesday, voicing their frustration over what they claim is the company’s refusal to recognize their union.
Amanda Kane, a representative of the Mandate trade union, which represents Tesco workers, spoke to WLR FM at the protest. “This is not a strike,it’s a public protest and it’s a way of bringing this to the public’s attention,” Kane stated. “This is a decision that Tesco has made to deny our members the right to have their union represent them at negotiations. This is about collective bargaining.”
The protest comes after months of stalled negotiations between Tesco and the Mandate union. Workers are demanding formal recognition of the union, which they say would allow them to have a stronger voice in discussions regarding wages, working conditions, and other workplace issues.
While Tesco acknowledges its recognition of trade unions across its Irish stores,the company maintains that it has been actively engaged in discussions with employee representatives and unions to establish a new model of engagement.
“over the past 12 months, we engaged in agreed independently mediated discussions with colleague representatives and their trade unions (initiated by Tesco) to try to agree on a new model of engagement that would provide for timely and definitive outcomes where any proposed changes,” a tesco spokesperson said in a statement.
The outcome of these discussions, tho, remains unclear, leaving Tesco workers feeling unheard and frustrated.The public protest serves as a visible demonstration of their determination to secure union recognition and a seat at the negotiating table.
Tesco Business Services, IDA, Butlerstown, Waterford.
Waterford Crystal Workers Reject pay Deal, Seek Union negotiations
Waterford, Ireland - Workers at the iconic Waterford Crystal factory have rejected a proposed pay deal, calling for direct negotiations with management through their trade unions.The company, owned by Fiskars Group, had offered a €14 million investment in pay for hourly workers in 2025, including enhanced parental leave benefits. However,employees expressed a desire for a more collaborative approach to determining their compensation.
“While we appreciate the company’s investment, we believe a more structured negotiation process, involving our trade unions, would be beneficial for all parties,” said a spokesperson for the workers. “We are confident that through open dialog, we can reach a mutually agreeable solution that recognizes the contributions of Waterford Crystal’s dedicated workforce.”
Fiskars Group acknowledged the workers’ decision and expressed their willingness to re-engage in discussions. “We respect the outcome of the recent vote and remain committed to finding a solution that is fair and lasting for both our employees and the business,” a company representative stated. “We are open to exploring alternative models for pay negotiations and welcome constructive proposals from the trade unions.”
The rejection of the pay deal highlights the growing trend of workers seeking greater involvement in decisions that directly impact their livelihoods. The outcome of future negotiations will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for labor relations in Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
Tesco workers in Waterford demand Recognition and a Voice in Pay
Waterford, Ireland – tensions are rising between Tesco and its workforce in Waterford, culminating in a public protest today. Tesco employees from the ardkeen store, represented by the Mandate trade union, took a stand outside their place of work, demanding recognition of their union and a say in pay negotiations.
The protest reflects a broader dispute between Tesco and its workers across Ireland.Earlier this year, Tesco employees in Waterford staged a similar protest outside the company’s Business Services office, calling for union recognition.
Amanda kane, Divisional Organiser for mandate, spoke on behalf of the protesting workers. “This is the first time Tesco has not allowed our members to vote on a proposed pay increase,” she revealed. A previously unchallenged 3% increase was instituted without worker approval, a move that has galvanized employee dissatisfaction.
Kane further highlighted Tesco’s history of lacking engagement with union representatives, stating, “As roughly around 2017, they have refused to allow unions into the stores when it comes to disciplinaries.”
This denial of employee representation raises questions about Tesco’s approach to worker rights and its commitment to open dialog. A sense of unease is palpable amongst the workforce, with workers feeling left voiceless in matters directly impacting them.
With five Tesco stores and a call center employing over 200 people in the Waterford area, the company holds a critically important presence within the local community. This latest protest underscores the importance of fair treatment and transparent negotiation for the region’s many Tesco employees.
The outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications, setting a precedent for pay negotiations and union recognition across Tesco’s Irish operations.
Newsdicrectory3.com will continue to monitor the situation and provide ongoing coverage as this story develops.