6 August 2009 Edition
Thomas Cook dispute has wider implications
There has been widespread public sympathy over the past few days with the plight of the workers at Thomas Cook travel agents in Dublin.
The action of the workers in occupying their workplace and taking a stand to save their jobs also has much wider implications. It has sent out an important signal that Irish workers are prepared to fight for their entitlements.
It is a signal to those employers who will seek to take advantage of the current economic climate to put a downward pressure on wages and conditions that workers are prepared to make a stand.
The courageous stance taken by these workers will no doubt inspire other workers who find themselves in similar positions.
Equally significant in this whole dispute has been the deafening silence from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Empoyment Mary Coughlan regarding the treatment of the workers.
The workers themselves have done what they could to fight for a better redundancy package and the Minister should now make representations to the company supporting the case being made by union representatives.
The action of the workers in occupying their workplace and taking a stand to save their jobs also has much wider implications. It has sent out an important signal that Irish workers are prepared to fight for their entitlements.
It is a signal to those employers who will seek to take advantage of the current economic climate to put a downward pressure on wages and conditions that workers are prepared to make a stand.
The courageous stance taken by these workers will no doubt inspire other workers who find themselves in similar positions.
Equally significant in this whole dispute has been the deafening silence from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Empoyment Mary Coughlan regarding the treatment of the workers.
The workers themselves have done what they could to fight for a better redundancy package and the Minister should now make representations to the company supporting the case being made by union representatives.