SF TD Summoned To Court Over Participation In Industrial Action

Sinn Féin TD for Dublin North West Dessie Ellis has been served with a summons to appear at Court 16 at the High Court today at 2pm in relation to his participation in a picket at the Tesco distribution centre in Ballymun in support of the striking Eddie Stobart workers yesterday evening.

Five others were also served with summonses including members of SIPTU.

The court order was issued despite Deputy Ellis having called on the management of Eddie Stobarts to stop escalating the dispute with workers which caused stoppages yesterday and to meet with staff and their union to resolve the issues.

He was speaking after meeting with workers from Eddie Stobarts in Santry who have been involved in the stoppages over conditions and union recognition.

Deputy Ellis said: "This is 2012 not 1913, it is unacceptable to not recognise these workers’ grievances or refuse to meet with their union. It is also unacceptable to attempt to use vulnerable non-unionised workers to break the dispute.

"These workers have real concerns over rest periods and work conditions. They have told me of the very long hours they work with little allowance for breaks. These are not well paid people and they are struggling in this climate, they need to be listened to and a resolution must be found.

"I call on the employer to meet workers and their representative through the LRC and call an end to the actions which have escalated the dispute."

(CD)