Picket outside Dunnes in support of Joanne Delaney

dublin | worker & community struggles and protests | news report Thursday February 02, 2006 21:49 by Jim

A great protest took place outside Dunnes on Georges Street on Thursday evening in support of Joanne Delaney who was sacked for wearing a union pin. Over thirty activists from trade unions, labour youth, workers solidarity movement, street seen and the wider labour movement joined Joanne Delaney. Two Labour councillors including Eric Byrne who is tabling a motion in support of Joanne at Dublin City Council attended the protest.

Dunnes security and management looked somewhat disturbed when a passing group of young French socialists began singing the internationale in solidarity with Joanne.

22 year old Joanne Delaney was sacked by Dunnes stores in November 2005 for wearing her union badge on her uniform. With more than four years service in the Ashleaf store in Crumlin on the south side of Dublin, the MANDATE shop steward received a letter on the 29th of November 2005 informing her that she had been dismissed by the company.

Dunnes Stores has accused Joanne of not complying with company policy in relation to the wearing of her union badge on her uniform, despite the fact that there is nothing in the policy about wearing a union badge. Joanne had been suspended by a manager at the store since 18th October for refusing to remove the Mandate Trade Union badge from her uniform. Joanne was advised to attend a disciplinary meeting at 6.00p.m. on Friday, 21st October .

However, the meeting was cancelled due to the fact that she was accompanied by her Union Representative. The Company has continually denied Joanne the right to Union representation at meetings with management.

International pressure on Dunnes is growing with thousands of emails coming in across the globe protesting against their unfair practices. Motions have been tabled in the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament condemning their actions.

Dunnes has a track record of outrageous industrial relations problems. In 1984 Dunnes workers in Henry Street had to go on strike simply to support a colleague who had been sacked for making a stand against Apartheid and the handling of South African goods. The strike only ended when Labour in government took a leading role in the international campaign against Apartheid by banning all South African imports.

This recent action by Dunnes is further evidence that the social partnership process in Ireland is now dead. Time after time, whether it be in Irish Ferries, GAMA or Dunnes - workers and union members are on the receiving end of management tactics to undermine their pay and working conditions.

What you can do to support Joanne:
• Ring Dunnes management and complain: Head Office 01 611 2100 -or better still drop into your local store and ask for the manager and make a complaint.
• Get a motion passed by your trade union branch, residents association or community group in support of Joanne and send a copy to Dunnes Stores.

French comrades sing the internationale

Grassroots in support of Joanne

Joanne Delaney and local councillor Eric Byrne