Staff at Dunnes Stores vote for industrial action

Mint Aero · 08-03-2015 04:40AM

Absolute scumbags

Dozer Dave · 08-03-2015 04:43AM

Mint Aero wrote: »

Absolute scumbags

Steady your compass there Aero.

niallo27 · 08-03-2015 07:43AM

What can the normal everyday joe soap do. Smash some glasses and refuse to pay.

chrysagon · 08-03-2015 09:13AM

back in early 90s, worked there in a summer job, i coudnt believe how the management treated staff, i kept my head down, spent 3 months and couldnt wait to get back to do the leaving cert, just before i left, i was offered a junior mgt course as they claimed they saw"value in me", i refused point blank, and have never shopped there since, theres no ethos of respect between management and floor staff, i wouldnt mind but when i was there, the floor staff were actually terrific, and very helpful to me, and any customers, its just management didnt realise, or even care, and still dont i believe,i wont ever shop there, with a company that has no respect for their staff.

Annasopra · 08-03-2015 09:29AM

niallo27 wrote: »

What can the normal everyday joe soap do. Smash some glasses and refuse to pay.

And get arrested?

Cork Lass · 08-03-2015 09:44AM

niallo27 wrote: »

What can the normal everyday joe soap do. Smash some glasses and refuse to pay.

No, what you can do is stop shopping there. Aldi is way cheaper and they treat their staff much better. With your savings from Aldi go to either your local Supervalu or Centra (my local Centra is great for employing local people) and buy the few brand specific items you can't get in Aldi. You save and local businesses get a bit of business. Make sure you let the manager in Dunnes knows why you won't be shopping there. That's what I did.

Fresh Pots · 08-03-2015 10:12AM

About time the staff stood up for themselves. They get treated like absolute dirt by middle management and above.

Hopefully Dunnes profits take a hit after this. It'll only be then that they might start to take any notice.

Streetwalker · 08-03-2015 10:31AM

Never realised they treated their staff like that. How can anyone get by on a zero hour contract, absolute scumbags. I don't usually shop in Dunnes but as a matter of principle they will never see a cent of my hard earned now.

RDM_83 again · 08-03-2015 10:36AM

Never heard a good thing about working in Dunnes, at the same time though the staff in Dunnes are useless and grumpy and wouldn't last a second in one of the German retailers which require speed and efficiency.

Since this thread has lots of Dunnes employees, is it true that the real difference is what contract people are on, with the older (90's and before) staff being overpaid and unfirable (but still useless)

P. Breathnach · 08-03-2015 10:55AM

RDM_83 again wrote: »

Never heard a good thing about working in Dunnes, at the same time though the staff in Dunnes are useless and grumpy and wouldn't last a second in one of the German retailers which require speed and efficiency....

I have rarely had reason to think that staff in Dunne's Stores performed badly - but I am realistic about the level of service I would expect in a place like that: customer service is not a high priority.

You can't reasonably expect that staff would happily go the extra mile if they think they are badly treated by their employer.

tipptom · 08-03-2015 10:55AM

I have stopped doing my shopping in Dunnes because of the way they treat staff especially the way they get the no marks in their shiny trousers to treat floor staff.

But will gladly turn up at their doors with my shopping bags and walk to the line and turn back around in support of these workers.

Its disgraceful that people live in fear from week to week wondering if they will get enough hours to pay their mortgage never mind if they can plan any sort of a life not knowing when some no mark decides on a whim if they want you in at anytime.
Cant believe that no one has went postal on these some of these nasty little dictators in this climate we are in.

efb · 08-03-2015 10:59AM

15 hours over 4 days. Come home with about €117 I reckon - who could live on that?

Dunnes have a real divide and conquer mentality

anncoates · 08-03-2015 11:05AM

Was also my first job in my teens, (as I'm sure they were for a lot of people of a certain age) working after school a few evenings a week about 25 years ago. To be fair, I don't remember anything too bad although the managers were cnuts. I've heard some pretty poor stories these days though. I've no problem boycotting them if there's a strike.

SoftMicro · 08-03-2015 11:24AM

Horrible kip of a place. Hope the staff get what they're looking for.

When I worked there and when the lady that owned the place, (can't remember her name but she was one of the Dunnes clan) when she would visit the store all the managers running around as if Cleopatra herself had entered the store. Used to crack me up every time, especially her wearing the sunglasses in the store. Would have a few minions follow her every move. When you walk into a Dunnes Stores you leave this dimension of reality and enter the alternate reality of Dunnes. That place is nuts.

chrysagon · 08-03-2015 11:26AM

SoftMicro wrote: »

Horrible kip of a place. Hope the staff get what they're looking for.

When I worked there and when the lady that owned the place, (can't remember her name but she was one of the Dunnes clan) when she would visit the store all the managers running around as if Cleopatra herself had entered the store. Used to crack me up every time, especially her wearing the sunglasses in the store. Would have a few minions follow her every move. When you walk into a Dunnes Stores you leave this dimension of reality and enter the alternate reality of Dunnes. That place is nuts.

and Victorian values in reference to care of their staff !

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 08-03-2015 11:30AM

I presume the result of this will be fixed or longer hour contracts but for a greatly reduced number of staff.

cloud493 · 08-03-2015 11:40AM

I know a few people who work there as well, apparently its absolutely misery. Good on them if they strike.

efb · 08-03-2015 02:04PM

I cant see how anyone on a flexible contract in Dunnes alone would qualify for a mortgage

kneemos · 08-03-2015 02:18PM

efb wrote: »

I cant see how anyone on a flexible contract in Dunnes alone would qualify for a mortgage

Partners or from a previous job.

Tarzana2 · 08-03-2015 02:58PM

Gawd, Dunnes really does have a shockin' rep.

I worked at Tesco for a summer and had a lot of problems with the place (mainly moronic, power-tripping supervisors, lots of corporate bullshít and customers bitching at you about how shít Tesco was and how much better Superquinn was. Errrrrr, shop there then?) but in a lot of ways, it was grand. But Dunnes just like a truly awful place to work. I have never heard anyone say anything good about the experience.

Golaco · 08-03-2015 03:01PM

Tarzana2 wrote: »

Gawd, Dunnes really does have a shockin' rep.

I worked at Tesco for a summer and had a lot of problems with the place (mainly moronic, power-tripping supervisors, lots of corporate bullshít and customers bitching at you about how shít Tesco was and how much better Superquinn was. Errrrrr, shop there then?) but in a lot of ways, it was grand. But Dunnes just like a truly awful place to work. I have never heard anyone say anything good about the experience.

Likewise. I know people can, in general, be slow to praise their employers but I have heard far more negative stories about Dunnes than anywhere else. Supposed to be a dreadful place to work

Baby Jane · 08-03-2015 03:05PM

SoftMicro wrote: »

When I worked there and when the lady that owned the place, (can't remember her name but she was one of the Dunnes clan) when she would visit the store all the managers running around as if Cleopatra herself had entered the store. Used to crack me up every time, especially her wearing the sunglasses in the store. Would have a few minions follow her every move.

The individual being referred to here? http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2011/0314/298675-dunnes/

efb · 08-03-2015 03:06PM

Baby Jane wrote: »

The individual being referred to here? http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2011/0314/298675-dunnes/

She was nasty IMHO

Tarzana2 · 08-03-2015 03:07PM

RDM_83 again wrote: »

Never heard a good thing about working in Dunnes, at the same time though the staff in Dunnes are useless and grumpy

The two might be linked, no?

Tarzana2 · 08-03-2015 03:10PM

Eugene Nervous Crawfish wrote: »

I presume the result of this will be fixed or longer hour contracts but for a greatly reduced number of staff.

Probably, but that's better IMO. At least people let go can claim the dole then while looking for something better.

Precious flower · 08-03-2015 03:19PM

Did anyone else have the water colour like painting of Ben Dunne on the wall near the staff lunch room upstairs? It always made me think of something you'd see in North Korea, dear leader and all that always made me laugh!:pac:

For the short time that I worked there I thought it was grand but I'd imagine long term it must be awful. I had nice and bad managers some just seemed to get joy out of being miserable.

I felt really bad for the staff that had worked there full time. Majority were nicest people I suppose they stuck together because otherwise it would be the most horrible place ever. I knew a girl who had worked there for seven years and she told me that you have to be there ten years before you get a discount card (and that only takes a few euro off your shopping)!

If I was them I'd be running to Aldi the first chance I got. But I guess for some of them with children it was a risky business, that's the only reason I can imagine they stayed though surely the likes of Aldi pay better even if you would have to start at the bottom again?

Baby Jane · 08-03-2015 03:33PM

I've heard Lidl or Aldi (or both) were dreadful to work for also.

kneemos · 08-03-2015 03:37PM

Baby Jane wrote: »

I've heard Lidl or Aldi (or both) were dreadful to work for also.

They do look a lot busier.Dunnes always seems vastly overstaffed in comparison

08-03-2015 03:42PM

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

Interesting, I would have worked there during 2000-1. I do remember the unions striking for a period over something really stupid. A fair number of temp staff were hired Ireland wide easily enough during that period, with the strike having no noticeable effect on operations besides driving some customers away. I suppose looking back the unions actions at the time might have been counterproductive in the long term for employees.

I worked for them back in the 90's on a 15 hour contract. Unfortunately it was spread over 5 days and after paying childcare and driving 20 miles round trip a day, it wasn't worth my while. I remember a strike for a few days when I got more strike pay then wages. Put me off both chain-stores and unions.

SoftMicro · 08-03-2015 05:36PM

Baby Jane wrote: »

The individual being referred to here?

That's the one! Got a shiver down my spine reading that. The place is nasty.

Staff at Dunnes Stores vote for industrial action

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