Dunnes Stores anti-apartheid strikers honoured by Dublin City

IN JULY 1984, shop worker Mary Manning refused to handle apartheid South African goods at her checkout in Dunnes Stores on Henry Street. Other workers followed suit. The subsequent strike against the handling of apartheid goods would continue for almost three years until the Irish Government eventually moved to ban the importation of apartheid goods.

Nelson Mandela spoke of how these Dunnes workers helped him keep going while in prison and he later met the strikers following his release.

On Monday, the strikers were honoured with a plaque unveiled to them outside the store on Dublin's Henry Street where they had spent years standing strong against apartheid.

Speaking on behalf of Dublin City Council at the unveiling of the plaque, Deputy Mayor Larry O'Toole of Sinn Féin said:

"When Mary Manning refused to handle South African grapefruit at her checkout in July 1984 she began what was to become a campaign of international solidarity. She was supported by ten of her colleagues. Ten young women and one young man who put their lives on hold to champion the fight against apartheid."

Present at the event were most of the former shop workers as well as many councillors and trade union officials.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, former trade union shop steward Karen Gearon said:

"Words can't even describe how special this is. For the first time in 30 years we are being recognised for the contribution we made. We were very young at the time and we managed to change Government policy."

Tributes were also paid to the late trade union organiser Brendan Archibald (pictured) – represented at the event by his wife and sons – whose name is included on the plaque alongside the shop workers:

"It was very important our dear friend Brendan Archbold was remembered. If it wasn't for him that strike wouldn't have continued.

"He may have been a union official but he was much more to that for us. He showed such commitment to us that we new the strike could never be complete without his name being included."

Karen also thanked An Phoblacht and its staff for the coverage and support they showed for the striking workers at the time:

"We were only 11 people and we were trying to man a picket line six or seven days a week. People from An Phoblacht used to come down and help us on the picket line, and they helped us occupy the store once. If it wasn't for that kind of support then it wouldn't have been able to continue."

Karen Gearon also called on people to show support for Dunnes Stores workers who are currently protesting over low pay, zero-hour contracts and job security:

"There's a rally on 6 June to support the Dunnes Stores workers and I would ask everybody to come out and support that."

• Watch: Interview with Karen Gearon