Updated 8pm

AT LEAST A hundred former Clerys workers marched on the iconic store’s location on O’Connell Street following an emergency union meeting at Liberty Hall this morning.

The workers, who have described themselves as “shocked and devastated” have called on the public to “support their demand for justice”.

SIPTU organiser Robert Purfield said at the meeting that the store’s workers had been “put on the street with no recourse”.

The union is calling on the new owners and management of the store to convene immediate talks.

Photocall Ireland Photocall Ireland

Former Clerys workers attend this morning's meeting at Liberty Hall Photocall Ireland Photocall Ireland

Last night the locks were changed on the iconic store as staff left for the last time.

Almost 500 workers have lost their jobs with the liquidation of the store.
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“Workers were understandably devastated and angered by both the news that the company was closing and the disrespectful manner in which they were treated,” said SIPTU Sector Organiser Teresa Hannick said in advance of this morning’s meeting.

The workers and their representatives will discuss what course of action they should take in order to secure the best outcome in the face of their unacceptable treatment by their employers.

They have yet to meet any representatives of Gordon Brothers Ireland (who sold the store yesterday) or Natrium Ltd (the buyers, a UK based real estate firm).

Our shop steward has worked for the company for 43 years. He was told by the liquidator with only 30 minutes notice that he had to leave the place where he had worked for over four decades, before the doors were to be padlocked shut.

 This treatment of honest hard working people marks a despicable new low in the annals of Irish business practice.

Originally published at 8.00 am

Read: Watch: Locks changed in Clerys as shocked workers told all the jobs are gone