RSF support Argos workers
RSF support Argos workers Statement by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton The dispute at Argos which led to a one day strike on December 1 and the use of 'scab labour' imported from England and Wales by the company is about the right of working people to a living wage and the right to be a member of a trade union. People should give a practical demonstration of their solidarity for the Argos workers by refusing to pass pickets. Argos announced profits in 2006 exceeding 8.1 billion euro whilst profits for the first half of this year are up 50%. Despite this Argos are refusing workers a 10 % pay rise, which would bring hourly rates to 9.90 euro. The cost of importing strike breakers is greater for Argos than the pay increase sought by the workers. However the prize for the company in winning this battle would be to break the power of the worker's union in Argos, part of the employer's wider agenda of undermining workers rights and pay. The dispute at Argos comes at a time when the 26-County administration is following the British government's lead in blocking an draft EU law which would give temporary workers employed through agencies the same pay and conditions as full-time staff. Across the board the rights of working people are under attack, this is evidenced in terms of access to health care, education, housing and pay amongst other social and economic measures. The 2008 budget announced on December 5 shows the Dublin administration have no intention of addressing any of these issues but are determined to continue widening the gap between rich and poor. True social and economic democracy as provided for in SAOL NUA, Republican Sinn Féin's social and economic programme is the only means by which communities ravaged by poverty, drug abuse, crime, chronic unemployment and social disconnection can be brought in from the margins of society, guaranteeing people a share of national wealth which meets their needs.

Argos strike cancelled 18/12/2007 - 07:17:01 breakingnews.ie Strike action due to be staged at Argos stores across the country today has been called off. Mandate Trade Union said a set of proposals in the pay dispute have been agreed with management in a bid to avert industrial action. Discussions between the parties began in the Labour Relations Commission last Thursday, with the settlement made last Friday night. The union confirmed last night that it will ballot its members early in the New Year on the proposed package. Argos employs 1,200 people in Ireland with Mandate representing around 50% of the retail staff in the company. The union was seeking a 10% pay rise for staff, two thirds of whom are earning just over €9 an hour. It also wanted the company to return to negotiating pay rises with the union. However, Argos maintained it was paying fair and competitive rates of pay, adding that the stoppage was outside the terms of the Towards 2016 national (sic) agreement. Pickets were placed at 18 Argos stores around the country earlier this month, with the company flying in staff from the UK (sic) to man the shops.