Debenhams staff in Galway protest over treatment by retailer
From this week's Galway City Tribune: A number of former staff members from Debenhams in the city centre staged a protest outside the store this week to highlight their anger at being let go without warning, and lack of clarity over redundancy packages.
Up to 140 employees in the city outlet – who were either employed directly by the UK-owned chain or in the concession outlets there – were told by email on April 9 that their jobs were gone and they have had no details about redundancy packages or when they can collect personal belongings.
KPMG has been appointed as interim liquidator to the Irish arm of the retail chain.
Around 10 members of staff – observing social distancing and hygiene guidelines – protested outside the Corrib Shopping Centre on Tuesday morning.
Speaking at the protest, Shane Brennan, Shop Steward with Mandate trade union, told the Galway City Tribune that some staff had worked there for more than 30 years (the business was originally operated by Roches Stores), and there had been a serious “lack of respect” by Debenhams.
“We’re just disappointed that after the lot of us working for so many years, the lack of respect we’ve been shown. Everyone knows retail hasn’t been doing well in recent years, but we were still told up until the day we left that we still had a viable business. It’s just come as a shock for us all." This is a shortened preview version of this article. Please remember that without advertising revenue and people buying and subscribing to our newspapers, this website would not exist. You can buy a digital edition of this week's Galway City Tribune or subscribe HERE.