Unions at Dunnes Stores have given the company two days to accept a Labour Court ruling on overtime rates for staff who work Sundays during the pre-Christmas shopping season. The unions will ballot the members for industrial action if the company does not meet this deadline.
The decision was taken at a mass meeting of shop stewards in the Mandate headquarters, Dublin, yesterday afternoon.
Shop stewards and senior officials from the other two unions with members in Dunnes Stores, SIPTU and the Marine Port and General Workers Union, also attended.
This is the fourth time in two years that Dunnes Stores has faced the prospect of serious disruption because of industrial action.
In December 1995 none of the company's stores opened on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas because it refused to pay new staff treble time. Treble time is the traditional rate for that time of year and it is paid by other major retailers.
Last Christmas, staff worked for double time under protest, while a new in-house disputes procedure tried to resolve the problem. When this failed, the case was referred to the Labour Court.
Yesterday, SIPTU's regional secretary, Mr John McDonnell, said staff were "extremely angry that at the first test of the new procedures they have been obstructed and opposed by Dunnes Stores.
"This is not a major cost issue for Dunnes. They promised a new beginning after the last strike, but this is just one of a number of issues where Dunnes have made it clear they don't want a new beginning."
The national officer of Mandate, Mr Maurice Sheehan, said the unions would launch a media campaign to present their message again to shoppers. Once more, they would be hoping for their support.