Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation Dara Calleary TD has described Tesco management’s treatment of older workers as deplorable.
Speaking following the revelations, Deputy Calleary said, “I am shocked by reports that staff with more than 20 years’ service – most of whom are older workers, have been approached to sign new employment contracts that would result in reduced pay. This goes against the established industrial relations practice of ensuring decent workplace conditions in Ireland.
“According to trade union representatives around 1,000 long serving workers were told on Monday that anyone employed before 2006 will be asked to sign new contracts with inferior terms and conditions.
“This approach by management is deeply unjust and unfair. No change in employment status can be carried out without meaningful consultation and the explicit agreement of the workers involved. Despite generating over €1bn in revenue in the 6 months to August 2015, the company is now trying to diminish the pay, terms and conditions of older workers.
“This Government has failed workers miserably and no amount of spinning by the Taoiseach and his Ministers can deny that an increase in precarious employment agreements has been the hallmark of this administration.
“Fianna Fáil believes in an Ireland for all – a country where decent hard working people are rewarded, not punished. We support decent jobs for hard working people, which enables everyone to maximise their opportunity to progress in life”.