Members of the Mandate trade union who work in Boots stores across Ireland will be balloted for strike action the union has said. Boots have one store in Mayo in Westport at the Westpoint centre in the town and the union members will be balloted on Friday November 6.
The union has said that Boots who despite making a €20 million profit up to March this year are trying to introduce a number of cost saving measures. Some of these changes include a cut at the top of the pay scale from €14.20 per hour to €12 per hour, a 25 per cent reduction in public holiday pay, a 25 per cent reduction in Sunday premiums and an increased flexibility in weekend work for full time staff. The company has also threatened to terminate all existing, union/comapany collective agreements on November 17 and they have failed to attend a Labour court hearing to deal with the issues raised by the union. — Colm Gannon
