SIPTU members from across the country will attend a rally in Westport, on Saturday, March 4, to show their support for workers who have been on strike at the garage since early February. The strike action results from a dispute concerning the alledged non-payment of redundancy entitlements and a refusal by management to respect a Labour Court recommendation alledge the union.
Tim Hastings in a statement in relation to the issue last week refuted the claims of the union saying, "Like many other business in Ireland, Tim Hastings Ltd, foud it necessary in August 2016 to make a number of positions redundant. In this reagard, those who accepted their redundancy were paid their full statutory entitlements. Unfortunatly, some others have thus far refused to accept their reduncancy payments."
SIPTU sector organiser, Teresa Hannick, said: “Our members have been on strike at Tim Hastings Volkswagen since February 3. They have received massive support from the local community and SIPTU members across the country. On Saturday, March 4, SIPTU members from across the west of Ireland and beyond will assemble at the NCT Centre at Monamore in Westport at 1pm. From there they will march to the Octagon in Westport where a rally will be held.
“We are also asking the local community to come out on that day to show their support for the striking workers. The SIPTU members and their supporters will be united in the demand that the management of Tim Hastings Volkswagen agree to implement the full terms of a Labour Court recommendation concerning three employees who were made redundant last year. These workers have received no redundancy payments, either statutory or ex-gratia.”
*This article was edited from one published on Friday, February 24 2017 following the issuing of a statement from Tim Hastings Ltd.
