Dunnes Stores workers submit claim for 7.7% pay rise

Dunnes Stores workers have submitted a pay claim seeking among other things a new pay scale that would increase hourly wages by a minimum of 7.7 per cent and additional annual leave days.

Represented by trade union Mandate, the employees have also called on the company to improve its staff discount scheme, to create more full-time roles to deal with understaffing, and to introduce fully-paid maternity and paternity leave for staff.

The new pay scale would see those at the lowest point receive a 7.7 per cent pay increase in their hourly pay. Those at the opposite end of the scale would see their hourly wages rise by 7.9 per cent.

Citing the rising cost of living, the union has said its members should be “rewarded fairly” for their work, particularly given their contribution during the pandemic. “We believe this is reasonable given inflation is currently running at more than 9 per cent,” said Patrick Killeen, a Dunnes worker from Mayo and a member of Mandate.

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Irish consumer price inflation hit an annual 9.1 per cent in June, the Central Statistics Office revealed last week. The European Commission said it now expects Irish inflation to average out at 7.6 per cent this year, up from 6.1 per cent in its spring forecasts.

“Workers all over the country are struggling right now, yet many employers, like Dunnes Stores, are capable of paying higher wages and improving conditions of employment. Those that can pay, should pay,” Mr Killeen said.

Mandate’s national co-ordinator Lorraine O’Brien said the new pay scale would “harmonise” pay and benefits across Dunnes Stores’ national network. “There are multiple pay scales in Dunnes Stores where some workers are on higher wages than others for doing the exact same job... we want to ensure pay equality is done in a way that brings the lowest earners up to the top,” she said.

Dunnes workers are also asking for the introduction of eight paid weeks of sick leave and for all staff to have access to sick pay after their six-month probationary period. They have also asked the retailer to introduce fully paid maternity and paternity leave, and to be more flexible around paternal leave generally.

Liz Loftus, a Dunnes worker in Dublin and a Mandate member, said: “With the cost of energy, rents, house prices and everything else going up so much in recent months, it is impossible to survive without fully paid maternity leave. If workers don’t have enough income when on maternity or paternity leave not only do they suffer but their children suffer too.”

Dunnes has been contacted for comment.