Why Join a Union?

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Trade unions have been fighting for workers’ rights for over a century. Mandate Trade Union represents workers in Dunnes and is dedicated to securing better pay, working conditions, and employment rights for its members.

By becoming a member of Mandate, which is a member-led organisation, workers have the opportunity to have their voices heard, and to collectively work towards a more equitable and just workplace.

Why Join a Trade Union?

Being a member of Mandate offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Collective Strength: Unions can fight for better wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers as they have the backing of a larger group of employees.
  • Professional Representation: Members have access to professional representation from our union officials who can provide assistance when needed and representation in 3rd party cases such as unfair dismissal or discrimination etc.
  • Employment Rights Advice: Members have access to employment rights advice, which can help them navigate employment law and understand their rights as workers. 
  • Advocacy: Unions campaign and advocate for workers’ rights on a national platform, ensuring that their voices are heard, and their needs are met.
  • Education & training: Mandate offers a range of training and education opportunities to their members to help them develop their skills and knowledge.
  • Organising & Campaigning Advice: Mandate can provide advice and guidance on organising and campaigning for workers’ rights, ensuring that workers have a voice in their workplace.
  • Support: Mandate provides support to its members when they need it most, such as during disputes with employers, collective actions in store/national or individual representation etc.

How to Join Mandate

Joining Mandate is easy and can be done in two ways:

  1. Click this link www.joinmandate.ie and complete the online form. Payments will be made via your debit card and can be weekly or monthly.

Or

  • Complete the physical application form which you can request to have posted to your address by clicking here (Insert link https://dunnesworkers.com/contact-us/) and send it back via free post to our office. Payments will be made via direct debit and will be monthly.

Dunnes Workers on Why They Joined Mandate:

Text Box: Liz from a Dunnes in Dublin: “Joining the Union has helped me feel more confident and empowered in my job. It's given me the confidence to speak up about issues that affect me and my colleagues. Being part of the union has given me a real sense of collective strength. I urge all my colleagues in Dunnes to join us in the Union, so we can stand together and make our voices heard.”
Text Box: Sinead from a Dunnes in Galway: " Being part of a union like Mandate has given me the support and strength to stand up against unfair treatment and discrimination in my workplace. It's made me realise that I have rights as a worker and that I don't have to put up with unacceptable conditions."
Text Box: Cathy from a Dunnes in Louth: "As a member of Mandate Trade Union, I have access to a wealth of information on my rights and entitlements. This has been invaluable to me, particularly when it comes to understanding employment law and my rights as a worker. I feel that the union has my back and that I'm not alone in dealing with workplace issues. Every worker should join our union because it gives us the power to stand up for your rights and make a difference."
Text Box: Patrick from a Dunnes in Mayo: "I wanted to be part of a larger community of workers who were fighting for better wages and working conditions. Being a Mandate member has given me the opportunity to meet other Dunnes workers and allowed us to work together to achieve common goals. I believe that unions are vital for workers' rights and that everyone should have the opportunity to be part of one."

Getting Involved in the Union:

Being an active Union member helps to strengthen your union and ensure that workers’ voices are heard. Here are some ways that you can get involved:

  • Collective actions: When issues arise in your store talk to other workers and try to gather support for the grievance. The more people involved, the stronger the case can be. Consider organising a meeting, survey or a petition to demonstrate the level of concern among employees. Find out more about grievances and complaints in Dunnes by clicking here (insert this link https://tinyurl.com/DunnesGrievanceComplaint).
  • Attend Union Meetings: Mandate holds regular meetings where members can discuss issues affecting their workplace and the union. Attending a meeting is a great way to meet other members and get involved in the unions activities.
  • Join Committees Or Local Councils: Mandate have committees that focus on specific areas such as the Youth Committee campaigning on issues affecting young people, Dunnes National committee campaigning on issues affecting Dunnes workers etc., and local Union councils that focus on issues in your area. Joining a committee or local Union council can help you to develop your skills and knowledge and make a difference in your workplace.
  • Take Training Courses: Mandate offers a range of training courses to its members, from basic employment law to advanced leadership skills. Taking a course can help you take a leading role in the union and become a more effective advocate for workers’ rights.
  • Campaign For Workers’ Rights: Mandate campaigns for better pay, improved working conditions, and stronger job security for its members. Getting involved in a campaign is a great way to make a difference in your workplace and contribute to the wider labour movement.

Mandate’s successful campaigning in Dunnes has shown the importance of a strong union in securing better pay and working conditions for workers. However, every non-member in the company weakens our collective voice and our ability to improve working conditions further. 

It is for this reason we actively engaging with non-members to encourage them to consider joining the union, in order to empower them to stand up for their rights and make a positive difference in their workplace.

If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact us at dunnesworkers@mandate.ie. 

Dunnes Members Communication March 2023 #4

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UPDATE ON OUR EFFORTS TO SECURE FAIR AND JUST WORKING CONDITIONS FOR DUNNES WORKERS

Dear Members,

We wanted to provide you with an update on our ongoing efforts to secure fair and just working conditions for all Dunnes workers. As you are aware, we recently conducted a national survey to identify the top priorities of Dunnes workers from the remaining aspects of your Pay and Benefits Claim.

During the two weeks that the survey ran, we saw a large number of Dunnes workers take part and give detailed feedback on what matters most to you. The survey findings indicate that the following issues are of utmost importance, ranked in order of priority:

  1. Additional Annual Leave
  2. One Equal Pay Scale
  3. Longer Paid Sick Leave
  4. Full-Time Jobs and Extra Hours
  5. Fair Scheduling
  6. Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave

We have now written to Dunnes Management to follow up on your Pay and Benefits Claim, highlighting the importance of the priorities you identified in the survey. We have requested the company to respond quiclky as to how they are going to address these issues.

You can read the Pay and Benefits Claim Letter at https://tinyurl.com/DunnesPayBenefitsLetter.

We also asked for feedback in the survey on what actions or initiatives the union should focus on this year. We received excellent feedback on this question, with more union meetings (in-person/online/one2one, etc.) being the most popular answer. Some other suggestions were:

  • More newsletters
  • Extra training for members
  • Information on your rights
  • Improved communication
  • Access to full-time hours
  • Cycle to Work Scheme

This feedback will form the basis for the union’s work on your behalf in 2023.

Additionally, we have sent a letter regarding the establishment of a Banded Hours Agreement in Dunnes Stores, following on from the findings in the “Smoke and Mirrors” (insert link to report) report commissioned by Mandate. 

This report has revealed that nearly two-thirds of retail workers are earning less than €451 per week, which is mainly due to the relatively low number of working hours available to retail workers. We are calling for legislative change to enable workers to work more than their ‘Banded-Hours’ contracts where extra working hours are available.

You can read the Banded Hours Agreement Letter at https://tinyurl.com/DunnesBandedHoursLetter.

We encourage all members to read these letters and stay informed about the issues that affect you in the workplace. We will keep you updated on any developments in these matters and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that your voices are heard and that your rights as workers are upheld.

Your feedback and participation are crucial in our efforts to secure fair and just working conditions for all Dunnes workers. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your local Mandate Official or Union office.

In solidarity,

The Dunnes National Committee

Last chance to complete Dunnes Stores Workers’ Survey

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Almost 1,300 Dunnes Stores workers have completed the 2022 Dunnes Workers’ Survey with just over one week until it closes.

The Dunnes National Committee is calling on all Dunnes workers who haven’t completed it to do so as a matter of urgency:

“We need to produce a pay and benefits claim that’s reflective of what our members in Dunnes Stores want,” said Cathy from Dunnes Stores in Dundalk. “If we are to do that, we need to hear from as many Dunnes workers as possible.”

Members of the Dunnes National Committee encourage all Dunnes workers to complete the survey

Alex, another Dunnes worker from Dublin said:

“1,300 completed surveys will obviously help us to determine what the key issues are for Dunnes workers, but the company employs almost 10,000 staff. We don’t want any gaps and it’s really important that young workers in particular fill this survey in.”

The Survey will close on Saturday, 4th June and anyone who hasn’t already completed it can do so by clicking here.

Complete survey

Advice for Mandate members on grievances, complaints, investigations and disciplinaries

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Grievance or Complaint

Advice for Dunnes Stores members if raising a grievance or making a complaint at work:

  • Ensure that the grievance has been lodged in writing to management and keep a copy for your own records.
  • Make sure to ask questions and know the facts before meeting management.
  • Always ensure that a copy of the Dunnes Stores Grievance Procedure is to hand.
  • Collect any paperwork or agreements relating to the issue.
  • Advise members not to attend a meeting alone, bring your shop-steward or a colleague you trust.
  • Always record the date, the venue, who was present, the time that the meeting started and the time it finished, what was discussed and what the outcome was.
  • If you need to take a break request this, if this is refused note the refusal.
  • Keep information that is disclosed confidential.
  • Keep your Mandate Official updated on any developments. Always Keep any records you have in a safe secure place.

Investigation/Disciplinary Meetings

What to do if you are notified that you are to attend a meeting with your employer:

  • Always find out what the meeting is about.
  • ls it an Investigatory or a Disciplinary Meeting?
  • Make sure you have a Shop Steward or a Witness with you.
  • If there is no one available try to have the meeting rescheduled.
  • Make sure you have a colleague/witness that will take notes of the meeting (in a third-party case these notes are equally as relevant as managements notes)
  • Make sure you understand exactly what allegations are being made or what is being investigated before giving any response.
  • Request copies of any statements or other evidence (e.g., CCTV) that the company are relying on.
  • Request a copy of the company policy and the relevant section the company are referring to.
  • Request a copy of all the notes the company have taken at a meeting.

If as a result of an investigation meeting you are then invited to attend a disciplinary hearing all of the above will apply.

Make sure your Union Official is made aware of the meeting and the outcome.

Remember It is important to use the internal appeal process following the outcome of the Disciplinary hearing if you are not satisfied with the outcome, or feel the sanction is unfair or too severe.

Your Mandate Official will advise on Third Party Referral should this avenue be available and beneficial to the member.

Mandate contact details are available here.

Dunnes Worker’s National Survey 2022 launched today

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The Dunnes Stores National Committee has launched a Pay & Benefits survey for all Dunnes Stores workers which can be completed by clicking here.

Complete the Dunnes Workers Survey 2022

The survey will be open for six weeks and will help develop a pay and benefits claim that will improve living standards for members of Mandate Trade Union working in Dunnes.

Issues in the survey include:

  • Pay
  • Allocation of hours
  • Rostering
  • Staffing levels
  • Dignity and respect; and,
  • Identifying what your priorities are for the year ahead.

Cathy, a Dunnes worker from Dundalk, Co. Louth and member of the Dunnes National Committee said:

“The Dunnes National Committee want to hear from Dunnes workers all across the country and together we want to formulate a campaign for improvements to our working lives. We need as many people to complete the survey as possible so we have a better understanding of the issues Dunnes workers are facing right now.”

She added, “We’re asking all shop stewards and activists to circulate the survey in WhatsApp groups, social media groups and wherever else they can get it to Dunnes workers.”

Patrick, Dunnes worker from Ballina, Co. Mayo concluded: “Last year Dunnes workers came together and formulated a campaign to make the 10% Covid Premium permanent and to continue the 20% staff discount. We won. We want to build on that so please complete this survey and join our campaign.”

You can follow the Decency for Dunnes Workers campaign on social media at these links – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Dunnes worker survey to be launched in coming weeks

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The Dunnes Stores National Committee will be launching our Pay & Benefits survey for Dunnes members in the coming weeks.

The survey will be open for six weeks and will help your National Committee to develop a pay and benefits claim that will improve living standards for members of Mandate Trade Union working in Dunnes.

Included in the survey will be issues including: pay; allocation of hours; rostering; staffing levels; dignity and respect; and, crucially, identifying what your priorities are for the year ahead.

Alex, a Dunnes worker from Dublin and member of the Dunnes National Committee said:

“It’s vitally important that everyone working in Dunnes fills in this survey. It will help us to identify the issues that are most important to Dunnes workers and will enable us to construct a pay and benefits claim along with a national campaign to achieve our goals within the company.”

He added, “We’re asking all shop stewards and activists to ensure the survey is circulated in WhatsApp groups, social media groups and wherever else they can get it to Dunnes workers.”

The survey will be issued to all Dunnes workers through text message, email and on social media.

You can follow the Decency for Dunnes Workers campaign on social media at these links – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Banded Hours Update

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Mandate Trade Union has been made aware that some employers are refusing to process Banded Hour Contract requests citing that they only happen at a particular time of the year.

This is not true!

All workers who are not covered by a collective agreement governing “Banded Hours”, which includes Dunnes Stores workers, are entitled to lodge a claim for secure hours provided they have more than 12 months service and have not lodged a claim in the previous 12 months.

If you lodged a claim for a new secure hour contract in February 2021, for instance, you are entitled to lodge a claim now, or at any point in the future. That may mean lodging it in June, if you so wish, or else November. There is no restriction on when you can lodge it.

Lodge your banded hours application here

Applying for a Banded Hour Contract

  • Where an employee’s contract of employment does not reflect the number of hours worked per week, the employee is entitled to be placed in the appropriate band of weekly working hours.
  • The appropriate band is determined having regard to the average number of hours worked by the employee in the relevant 12 month reference period. This number of hours does not include annual leave.
  • An employee who believes that they should be placed in a band of weekly working hours must make a written request to their employer.
BandFromTo
A3 hours6 hours
B6 hours11 hours
C11 hours16 hours
D16 hours21 hours
E21 hours26 hours
F26 hours31 hours
G31 hours36 hours
H36 hours and over

Implementation

  • Refusals may be granted under certain circumstances.
  • However, where an employee’s request is granted, they must be placed in the appropriate band within 4 weeks of the date of the request.
  • An employee who is placed in a band of weekly working hours must work the average hours for that band for a period of at least twelve months.

Penalisation

  • An employer must not penalise or threaten to penalise an employee (changes in hours, demotion, transfer of duties, change of location, reduction in wages, etc)
  • The maximum award that can be made in respect of an act of penalisation is an amount equivalent up to four weeks’ remuneration for the employee concerned.
  • If an employee successfully claims penalisation under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, the maximum award is two years’ remuneration.

Compliance

  • Where an employee believes their employer has failed to place them in the appropriate band of weekly working hours, the employee may make a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission through their Union.
  • A decision of an adjudication officer can require the employer to comply with this section and place the employee on the appropriate band of hours.

Appeals & Enforcement

  • If the employer does not appeal the adjudication officer’s decision, an application can be made to the District Court for enforcement.
  • Either party may appeal a decision of an adjudication officer to the Labour Court.
  • A decision of the Labour Court shall affirm, vary or set aside the decision of the adjudication officer.
  • If the Labour Court affirms the adjudication officer’s decision but the company refuses to implement the changes, an application can be made to the District Court for enforcement.

For more information on banded hours click here.

Congratulations to all Dunnes activists for 10% win

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The Dunnes Stores National Committee wishes to thank all members and activists who engaged in the successful campaign to consolidate the temporary 10% Covid premium into pay and ensure the continuation of our 20% staff discount.

The victory was announced just before Christmas after almost two years of campaigning.

Thousands of Dunnes members signed petitions, engaged in surveys and some even protested outside of Head Office. Dunnes Stores customers even launched their own petition and helped produce a video showing their appreciation to the staff.

All of these activities helped us to achieve our goal of a significant pay increase and fair staff discount for all Dunnes workers. Now, in order to maintain these benefits, and importantly, to improve on them, we need every worker in Dunnes to join our campaign and join our Union.

If you know anyone in your store who is not a member of Mandate, ask them to join today by clicking here.

Together we are stronger.

Dunnes Stores National Committee thank public and politicians for helping to secure pay increase

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The Dunnes Stores National Committee consisting of Mandate shop stewards from across the country have thanked the public and some politicians for their support in obtaining a 10% pay increase and 20% staff discount.

The workers celebrated their victory in December 2021 but say this win wouldn’t have been possible without the backing of their colleagues, as well as the Dunnes Stores customers.

Cathy McLoughlin from Dunnes Stores in Dundalk said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who backed us. Dunnes don’t negotiate with our union, Mandate, so we have to put pressure on them in a variety of different ways. That’s why our customer petition and the support our customer showed in videos was so important.”

Padraig O’Reilly from Dunnes Stores in Clonakilty added: “We asked every TD in the country to sign the petition and told them we’d be letting all of our 10,000 colleagues know who stood with us and who didn’t. That’s why we’re publishing the list today. You can read that list in full by clicking here.

Early Christmas present for Dunnes Stores workers as they win 10% pay increase

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Almost 10,000 workers in Dunnes Stores have seen a 10% increase in their pay today after the company conceded a claim from members of Mandate Trade Union.

Mandate lodged the claim with the company in March 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. The company originally awarded the 10% pay increase as a temporary measure but following a “relentless” campaign led by Mandate members in Dunnes it has now been consolidated into pay, meaning it is reckonable for pension and annual leave purposes.

The temporary staff discount of 20% has also been extended by the Dunnes workers indefinitely, according to reports.

Dunnes worker from Dundalk and member of Mandate’s Dunnes National Committee, Cathy McLoughlin said:

“We are delighted to see the 10% in our payslips this morning, it’ll make such a big difference for all of us. I know lots of my colleagues are struggling to pay bills after rent and house price increases, along with fuel increases. So this is a very welcome Christmas present for them.”

Ms McLoughlin urged all Dunnes workers to join the campaign for further improvements to pay and benefits in Dunnes:

“This pay increase wasn’t just handed to us from nowhere. We had to fight for it, and we’ve gotten our just reward. Imagine what we could do if we have even more members and activists in Dunnes. I’m urging all my colleagues to join Mandate Trade Union today.”

Mandate say this is a significant win with Mandate’s Assistant General Secretary Jonathan Hogan stating:

“This is a remarkable victory for our activists and members in Dunnes who have pushed this campaign for more than 18 months.

“It is only the beginning and it’s an opportunity for all Dunnes workers who want improved conditions of employment. For years Dunnes has refused to engage in collective bargaining with their Union resulting in workers having no option but to campaign for basic changes to their terms and conditions of employment. These improvements will only be possible if the workers mobilise collectively around these issues”.

Mr Hogan commended the Dunnes workers for their relentless activities:

“Earlier this year the Dunnes workers launched a petition signed by more than 2,500 of their colleagues calling on the company to make their 10% Covid Premium and 20% staff discount permanent.

“Then they held a protest outside Head Office to raise awareness of the campaign. Following this customers launched their own petition signed by more than 7,500 in support of the workers. Now all of their activities have come to fruition and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”

“The message is clear,” Hogan added, “join your union and become active in it and you can win life changing pay and benefit improvements.”

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