SuperValu and Centra deliveries 'to continue as normal' despite work stoppage
Musgrave Retail Partners Ireland has today reassured customers and retailers that deliveries will continue as normal despite a strike by SIPTU workers at its facility in Cork.
"In response to today’s work stoppage we have activated a contingency plan to ensure that deliveries to our retailers in SuperValu and Centra will continue as normal for the duration of the dispute," the company said.
A total of 135 workers are picketing the Musgrave chill warehouse today, accusing management of reneging on commitments regarding terms and conditions.
The retail giant said the dispute centred around the introduction of voice technology at the chill section of the warehouse.
"Following a Labour Court recommendation and many months of discussions, Musgrave sought to implement voice technology in its Cork chill warehouse," a company statement read.
"As we began to implement this change last Wednesday, with voice technology training, we were issued with seven days strike notice by SIPTU on behalf of its 135 members in our Cork Chill depot.
"Musgrave is committed to implementing voice technology in accordance with the Labour Court recommendation and training was step one of that process."
The statement continued: "Voice technology has already been implemented at Musgrave’s three other depots at Fonthill, Cork Ambient and Kilcock in agreement with employees and their Union representatives.
"As part of the changes recommended, employees at Cork Chill will receive a 5% pay rise over three years or the equivalent reduction in hours taken from Sunday and night shifts only, along with a supplementary pay rise.
"These are the same terms agreed across our other depots, with all changes required to ensure that the company remains competitive in these very challenging times."
The firm expressed its disappointment with the action, calling on its employees to return to work.
"Musgrave is very disappointed with today’s work stoppage," the firm stated.
"The company is at all times committed to working constructively with its workforce and their union representatives.
"Musgrave has at all times engaged extensively with our employees in Cork Chill in regard to this issue and have followed all standard industrial relations procedures to agree changes to the work practices under dispute.
"Musgrave is committed to the integrity of the industrial relations process and has always implemented Labour Court recommendations.
"Musgrave calls on all employees involved to return to work with immediate effect and to accept the terms of the Labour Court recommendations."
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