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Dublin: 17 °C Wednesday 19 June, 2013

Guineys and Clerys staff hold protest over store closures

They staff said they “feel utterly betrayed” after Guineys and a number of Clerys stores went into liquidation.

A protester today
A protester today
Image: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

STAFF FROM GUINEYS and Clerys held a protest outside Clerys on O’Connell St today to express their frustration after the stores were put into liquidation.

They met outside the remaining Clery’s store that was taken over by American private equity group Gordon Brothers and which is trading as usual.

The 29 staff handed in a letter to Malcolm MacAulay, Chief Operating Officer of Gordon Brothers Europe during the protest.

The letter describes their “annoyance and frustration” at the manner in which they have been treated by Gordon Brothers “and its failure to secure their employment and the demise of their pension scheme”.

The group called on the Gordon Brothers to enter into meaningful discussions with their Unions, Mandate and SIPTU, to reach an agreement that will address their current situation.

Guineys & Co on Dublin’s Talbot Street, which is a sister shop to Clerys and Clerys Naas, Sandyford and Blanchardstown, has been put into liquidation and will close down with the loss of 29 jobs.

The letter pointed to the fact that many of the workers were long serving employees with an average of 25/30 years service. The group said that they had “co-operated fully with all the cost-cutting measures introduced by Clerys management in the belief that they were securing the future of the business and in doing so their jobs”.

We feel utterly betrayed and implore Gordon Brothers to treat us in a moral and proper manner. The failure of Gordon Brothers to recognise our loyalty to Clerys is deplorable and we seek that they recognise this by rewarding us in a proper manner for our long loyal service.”

Guineys and Clerys staff hold protest over store closures
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  • Clerys workers protest

    Long serving staff members at Guineys, (L to R) Mary McLoughin-Tapley, Alex Bermingham, Mary Basaran, protest outside Clerys on O'Connell Street over the way the new owners, Gordon Brothers, have treated staff in the outlets they have already closed including Guiney's in Blanchardstown, Naas and Sandyford, and their decision to close the company's pension scheme. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
  • Clerys workers protest.

    Long serving staff members at Guineys, (LtoR) Alex Bermingham, Mary Basaran, Peadar Martin and Mary McLoughin-Tapley, protest outside Clerys on O'Connell Street over the way the new owners, Gordon Brothers, have treated staff in the outlets they have already closed including Guiney's in Blanchardstown, Naas and Sandyford, and their decision to close the company's pension scheme. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
  • Clerys workers protest

    02/10/2012. Clerys workers protest. Long serving staff member at Guineys, Mary McLoughlin-Tapley, protests outside Clerys on O'Connell Street over the way the new owners, Gordon Brothers, have treated staff in the outlets they have already closed including Guiney's in Blanchardstown, Naas and Sandyford, and their decision to close the company's pension scheme. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
  • Clerys workers protest

    Long serving staff members at Guineys, Alex Bermingham, protests outside Clerys on O'Connell Street over the way the new owners, Gordon Brothers, have treated staff in the outlets they have already closed including Guiney's in Blanchardstown, Naas and Sandyford, and their decision to close the company's pension scheme. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
  • Clerys workers protest

    Staff members at Clerys Blanchardstown, (LtoR) Natasha Finnegan and Michelle McGettigan protest outside Clerys on O'Connell Street over the way the new owners, Gordon Brothers, have treated staff in the outlets they have already closed including Guiney's in Blanchardstown, Naas and Sandyford, and their decision to close the company's pension scheme. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
  • Clerys workers protest

    Graham Macken (SIPTU) (left) and Michael Meegan (Mandate) (right) joined staff members at Clerys and Guineys protesting outside Clerys on O'Connell Street over the way the new owners, Gordon Brothers, have treated staff in the outlets they have already closed including Guiney's in Blanchardstown, Naas and Sandyford, and their decision to close the company's pension scheme. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Read: Guineys and Clerys staff to protest over pension scheme>

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Comments (10 Comments)

  • Can I just make a point regarding the banner on the right in the above picture, like is that meant to be a pun on the word “through” or what ? Surely someone can put together a banner that makes more sense! Aside from that the former employees were left high and dry but ultimately it is not Gordon Brothers they should be after rather the former owners/directors of Clerys who are no doubt at home in their nice houses absolved of their responsibilities towards these workers!

    Reply
    • I do feel bad for the staff who worked for so long there but it’s really not the new owners responsibility…hate to comment on it too …but are they entering Irelands worst banners competition …..

      Reply
  • Surely Gordon Brothers are allowed to buy which ever stores they wish. Is the treatment of the staff in the stores they chose not to buy not an issue for the outgoing management?

    Reply
  • Gordon Brothers didn’t buy the stores, they bought the debt.
    While we all feel dreadfully sorry for these former employees there is no liability of either a moral or legal nature on the Purchasers.
    It is important that the Trade Unions involved don’t get involved in any threatening behaviour towards the new owners as they may realise their investment with an office block rather than a Retail Store.

    Reply
  • When two such well known stores like Clerys and Guineys close it is a sure sign that Ireland is no country where it is impossible to run a successful Retail business in the Drapery sector.
    Too many foreign multiples trading in the country and stocking drapery items cheaper than drapery stores, electrical items cheaper than Electrical stores and hardware items cheaper than Hardware stores.
    Grocery items cheaper than family stores and inept Government policy down the years has permitted this dreadfull state of affairs.John James

    Reply
  • Im off work at 3pm so will be there to suppoet the workers. If any news stations ask for an interview the answer is no unless they pay me.

    Reply

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