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Updated 2.25pm
TRADE UNION SIPTU has called a rally in support of Clerys workers outside the department store on O’Connell Street, Dubin, tomorrow to highlight their demands for the new owners to meet with staff.
The store was taken over by consortium Natrium on Friday and a liquidator was appointed. Staff were only told on Friday evening that they no longer had jobs.
“The workers are demanding that representatives of Natrium meet with them and their union representatives immediately to discuss the situation. These workers have hundreds of years of service between them and should be treated with the due respect they deserve,” commented SIPTU sector organiser Teresa Hannick.
The rally will take place from 12pm tomorrow.
‘Appalling’
Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton has said the government will do everything in its power to support the 460 former Clerys workers after the shock closure of the store.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin this morning, he said;
I can fully understand how they feel. I mean, it is terrible to lose your job and it’s particularly appalling to lose your job in the circumstances that they’ve experienced – very poor communication.
Liquidators KPMG have agreed to meet with the unions and workers tomorrow to try to give them some clarity about where they go from here and the minister said his department and the Department of Social Protection will also be meeting with them to discuss their rights and entitlements.
It is a real reminder that even though we are winning most of those battles and we’re sitting more jobs growth than decline, we continue to have sectors that are struggling. Some of them have business models that are, perhaps, very challenged and we have to always look at how do we equip ourselves to deal with those changes and I think that’s what we are doing.
He said he hoped the meetings this week will offer some comfort to the former Clerys workers.
“Nothing will take away the shock that has occurred for workers who have been impacted in this way but clearly we’re doing the very best to support them with the various supports from the state agencies.”
‘Despicable’
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton mirrored his sentiments earlier, saying officials would be on hand this week to brief the 460 workers about welfare supports for their individual circumstances.
Speaking at Leinster House today, Dublin-based Fianna Fáil senator Darragh O’Brien welcomed the government’s approach so far but said it needed to be “more than words”.
He said what had happened to the Clerys workers is “despicable and disgraceful”, and added:
They’ve just treated people like dirt and it’s just not on in a modern democracy.
Meanwhile, Siptu has confirmed a union delegation will meet junior minister Ged Nash, who has responsibility for collective bargaining, tomorrow evening.
- additional reporting from Hugh O’Connell
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I find it bizarre that people in Ireland would care about another nations presidential election campaign. What’s more bizarre is that someone conducted a poll on a certain presidential candidate from another country.
Exactly, it is bizarre.
I find it equally bizarre that people like yourself don’t appreciate the significance of the US presidential elections, given the influence (like it or loath it) that the US has on the rest of the world. Besides the above logic, it is a fascinating circus of personalities.
Just look at what the Irish have voted into power, might want to ignore this poll. People find his type of no PC B.S refreshing.
Fascists love Trump.
@fiona
How do *you* define fascist ?
As in Trump. Look up an online dictionary.
You said ‘fascists love Trump’ and I am trying to understand what you mean.
So how do define ‘fascist’ ?
People who vote Fine Gael.
Exactly it’s ridiculous. While I don’t agree with a lot of trump at least the U.S. allows someone like him to run and the media gives him the platform. I doubt the Irish media would be so accommodating even with someone as rich as trump. He appeals to the blue collar white man who nobody champions anymore and that is very dangerous in any democracy including Ireland.
Trump appeals to folk who wear white hoods,too ..lol,Larry
?? Come again
Trump isnt a facist. The Neo Nazis who follow him are hypocritical and idiots.
Trumps daughter and son in law are Jewish and he supports Zionism even though the majority of his supporters are Neo Nazis. America is just stupid.
They have reported that Trumps last 75 statements have been proven to be false..but that won’t matter a titch to his followers aka : people whom are racists,people whom are dumb and the people whom are insane..
oops! *who
Who
Good girl Rosie, you know what’s best for all those “dumb” Americans.
@Roisin
RACISTS, DUMB, INSANE. THAT IS THE USA
‘Racists’…lol
Eamonn & Larry,
Shouldn’t ye be out patrolling around Clonea Strand Hotel ?
lol
What’s the Clonea Strand Hotel ?
Statistically irrelevant
Trumpa Lumpa
TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT!
I think Trump is great, give him the job and he’ll give us another war, preferably against ISIS. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT!
Its not what you say but how you say it and how you behave. Charles Manson could highlight his concern about anorexic models saying “We need to punish these anorexic models” but because he is Charles Manson and we are sure we know what he means with “punish” then obviously he’s not taking seriously.
What Trump says in an essence is right, many people who are the opposite of Trump says it, but its how you say it and how extreme you go. I think that ISIS is infiltrating jihadists in refugees, they have said it and its happening, this threat is real, not 99% real but 100% real. We should be vetting every single refugee. We don’t have the resources for it, but unfortunately we must choose whether to take a gamble and get refugees without proper vetting in the name of humanity or helping some other way to protect our society if we don’t have the resources for proper vetting.
I wouldn’t be open to the idea of banning people in the basis of religion, I think Islam is a cult and and a danger to western society, I have lived in The The Netherlands, I know first hand the consequences of living in a densely highly populated Muslim community and its consequences, but we can’t ban all people. for example, Malaysia is one of the nicest countries with the nicest people you’ll ever meet, they are predominantly Muslim, but they have a whole different approach and mentality from Saudi Arabia. It’s like comparing South Sudan to Ireland as the same just because they are both predominantly Christian countries.
I would be more shifted into being reciprocate and make it very difficult for Saudis to live in Europe, no residence, no citizenship until they allow freedom of religion and freedom ox expression.
But you might say and I am one of those “live and let live, you don;t interfere in your affairs and I won’t interfere in yours” and that’s right, but it all changes where you have Irish people living in Saudi Arabia having to change their lifestyle drastically to integrate into Saudi culture, then why don;t we do the same with Saudi’s in Ireland? Once they come here it becomes my problem.
Something in that line.
If he makes it to be president he will do as he is told like all the rest of them
Trump is symptomatic of how mainstream political parties have sold out to corporate interests, championing low tax regimes for multinationals and free movement of cheap labour under the guise of refugee protection. Same parties then try to make themselves relevant by distracting us with silly social justice pc nonsense and climate alarmism, personified in this country by the likes of elitists such as Mary Robinson. We have a nerve to criticise those who support Trump when for years we elected the venal spoofers who created the conditions leading to the groundswell of support for him and his ilk.
@Valthebear,
Did you see her on the “Late Late” last night?
A right pompous old hypocrite waffling on about how she is an “Elder”, and how we should take in more migrants.
I changed channel because it is Christmas and I didn’t want to get angry at her sanctimonious pomposity.
Indeed. Found the ‘Elder’ bit hilarious. She actually she takes it seriously. Elitist condescending nonsense. Why she is held in such high esteem by so many says something.
I didn’t watch the Late-Late last night, – is Mary Robinson still head-butting her imaginary friend…??
Dear Ireland,
nobody gives a $hit what you think.
Clearly you do you’re commenting on an Irish website
Trump is a symptom of a media and leftist agenda.
Leftist rightist.. F@cking bolloxist! Trump is a symptom of narcissistic egotistical self absorbed relatedness, nothing more. He plays to a dumbed down audience. Left right political debate doesn’t Enter..
It’s all political.
@John. Trump is like a parody of the right wing goons who infest the Journal. It’s like someone gathered up all their hatred and bullsh!t and moulded it into one fat headed human.
I’m not surprised they think it’s all a leftist conspiracy.
Symptom? Dont you mean product? And what is a media agenda exactly…no no this is all wrong. Back to the drawing board John.
You could always swap him for Enda
Still better than Bill’s missus though.
The problem is we cannot generalise in regards too the Muslim migrants. But let’s be realistic with everything going on there is obviously a risk , worldwide every country’s leaders should prioritize the safety of their own! hard decisions are going to be made, if uncertainty lurks and if identifying terrorist group’s becomes an issue … well a simple solution becomes a logical decision! Almost everyone jumps to the conclusion of that’s racism, and we should believe in acceptance, would my culture and beliefs be accepted in Islamic state’s or by Muslims? What would be the consequences of non acceptance of my beliefs? I would be told to adapt too their cultural ways or face the harsh consequences !
Many Muslim countries are seeing Christmas celebrations these days, it’s not all like Saudi, the Gulf states, while they have many faults, have churches of all kinds.
Trump observes the adage that he can’t fail by trying to underestimate the intelligence and taste of the U.S. electorate. He cynically identifies the red button prejudices of many Americans. He personifies the values Archie Bunker. All during this, Trump is laughing at his own numbskull supporters. Wait for the next issues.
Trump is what Al Gore warned of in his book “the Assault on Reason”.
Trump is the shock jock of politics.
I’m sure Donald Trump is devastated by this news.
What I don’t understand is how can someone with so much money have such bad hair?
Yes supernova, but you will find those same qualities in all world leaders, Hillary,Putin ,Merkel are no different.
Hitler certainly had the traits listed by Supernova.
This statement has been taken completely out of context! In all fairness whatever you think of Trump why haven’t the journal posted a video of him saying this? ? ?
Fair play to the man ,love him or hate him he has said something that needed to be said for a long time,perhaps not a total ban but st least he stood up and got the ball rolling,we have to do something radical in these extradition situation!!!!!
Definitely the first time I agreed with supernova
Only 5% are idiots. I bet a journal poll would he higher with the multiple accounts on the right.
5% of Ireland support Trump. And judging by the racist, bigoted, pro-Trump comments on most articles here apparently they post a lot.
have your say