Tesco Tallaght workers vote against strike action as more stores are to be balloted

As strike action at Tesco stores continues across the country workers at the Tallaght store last night voted against joining the picket line.

Employees at eight stores were balloted yesterday, with one store voting in favour of strike action.

In total, 21 stores have now voted to engage in industrial action, while 18 have voted against according to Mandate – with the union saying a number of other stores have now asked to be balloted.

Mandate General Secretary, John Douglas said that the workers in the stores concerned will be balloted next week and if they vote for industrial action they would join the strike in early March.

Workers balloted this week at stores in Carlow Town, Sandymount, Bloomfield, Ballinasloe and Newbridge have voted to join the strike, bringing the total number of stores who have voted to be part of the industrial action to 21.

On Monday night six of the 10 stores balloted voted against strike action, including staff at the Lucan store, while workers in a further six stores will be balloted this evening.

In a statement released by Tesco Ireland last night a spokesperson said the company is “shocked” that Mandate are continuing to pursue what Tesco say is a “reckless dispute”, in light of seven out of eight stores voting against strike action yesterday.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “This means that Mandate’s call to strike has now been rejected in 50% of stores that have so far voted with the heaviest losses happening over the last two nights.  

“On Monday and Tuesday evening, stores voted overwhelmingly (13 – 5) to reject Mandate’s aggressive strategy.

“In stores balloted on Tuesday evening, only 22% of colleagues voted in favour of strike action.

“Tesco re-iterates its call on Mandate to urgently re-think its divisive strike after the results of these ballots raise serious questions about the mandate that the union is obtaining for its unnecessary action.

“Mandate’s strike plan is not being endorsed as is shown not just by tonight’s results but also by the increasing number of colleagues crossing picket lines to return to work.”

The strike action is in relation to changes to contracts pre 1996 which will affect 250 workers.