Debenhams' staff fight on
The words of former Cork Debenhams employee Valerie Conlon whose elderly mother (96) recently tested positive for Covid-19 not long after receiving her initial vaccination.
Today (Thursday) marks 294 days since former staff first took to the picket lines outside Debenhams stores around the country and Ms Conlon says picket numbers are smaller now due to high Covid numbers and concerns amongst staff.
“Our numbers have fallen a little bit because people are nervous about the Covid numbers. Some of us are looking after elderly people. We have to be careful when you're talking about people's lives,” Ms Conlon told the Cork Independent.
Ms Conlon said that as long as the country remains in lockdown, liquidators KPMG will be unable to seize any stock from the premises in the city centre and in Mahon.
However, once restrictions are eased she said she fully expects KPMG to make further attempts to enter the buildings.
Earlier this month 91 per cent of former staff voted against an offer of a €3 million Government-backed training fund made by Labour Court Chairman Kevin Foley.
Staff have made it clear that they will settle for nothing less than €3 million in cash payments.
Ms Conlon said she and her colleagues have already brought their demands down from an initial €12.5 million which would equate to two weeks per year of employment, in line with the original employment agreement.
“I have talked to Micheál Martin myself and he knew what was acceptable and what wasn't. The Government knew we weren't going to be happy with that offer,” said Ms Conlon.
Two months short of a year of picketing, Ms Conlon said that her lowest point came after her most recent Zoom meeting with Mr Foley during which he tabled the since-rejected offer of €3 million in training and upskilling.
“My heart broke that night. I just couldn't believe it. To be honest, I actually cried. The talks had been going in a complete different direction, and then for them to turn around and make that offer; it was heartbreaking,” said Ms Conlon.
However, she said that the offer had reignited anger amongst her and her colleagues, giving them renewed energy in what’s been a long and exhausting battle for fair payment.
Looking forward, former employees say they will continue to picket and block all entrances to the stores until their demands are met.