by Louise McCarthy

DISAPPOINTMENT WAS voiced by Dunnes Stores workers in Enniscorthy at the lack of public support shown by the significant amount of people opting to pass the picket line.

78 Dunnes Stores workers in Enniscorthy took to the pickets from 6a.m. until 11p.m., on Thursday, in a dispute over low hour contracts and job security. 15 non -Mandate staff members remained working at the store.

Many pleas from the staff not to pass the picket line on Thursday were ignored by the public , who chose to shop at Dunnes.

Part-time staff at Dunnes Stores outlets around the country are facing huge uncertainty. Their contract grants them a minimum of 15 hours per week. Staff are being forced to endure different hours every week, sometimes they can be deployed for as little as three hours per day.

Plans cannot be made, because one week staff may have the minimum amount of hours and another week they may have the maximum of 39 hours.

Matthew Morrissey is a part-time worker at Dunnes in Enniscorthy for almost nine years. He was at the picket line in the pouring rain, in a bid to resolve the issue.

His wife is expecting a baby in June and he is worried about the future.

“I might have one good week, and the next be stone broke. It is very unstable, we want to plan our lives. We are disappointed that people are passing the picket,” said Mr Morrissey.

Meanwhile, businesses around the town, in support for the workers, including The Bailey, provided soup and sandwiches.