press statement: Joe Higgins MEP supports striking Connolly Shoes workers
· Striking Connolly Shoes workers in Dun Laoghaire deservesupport of all trade unionists and wider community · Shops in Dun Laoghaire, Bray, Arklow and Camden Street should
be boycotted to help force settlement for workers “The two workers sacked after 30 years service each in Connolly Shoes
in Dun Laoghaire for refusing to have pay cuts and attacks on their
conditions imposed without agreement deserve the support of trade
unionists and the wider community. “Workers see it as a crude attempt by Mr Connolly Junior, who took
over the chain from his father last year, to drive the workers’ union
MANDATE out of the shops. “Workers were obliged to strike last year as a result of what they
felt was his macho management. This ended in agreed terms at the LRC,
which he subsequently refused to honour. The fact this dispute
involves a small number of workers is immaterial, it is still a
challenge to the trade union movement as a whole that needs to be met
head on. “I encourage the local community in Dun Laoghaire to turn out in force
this Saturday at 2pm outside the shop in Georges Street Dun Laoghaire
at a rally to support the workers. Every effort should be made to
bring out workers in the other Connolly shops in Bray, Arklow and
Camden Street in support of their striking workmates as this would be
the quickest means to force a settlement on the employer.” [photo from archive October 2008]
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