Date: 13th January 2022
To: All Members Tesco Paul St.
Re: Incident in Store on Friday 7th January 2022
Dear Member
Below find copy of correspondence sent to Company regarding the above matter for your information.
Yours sincerely
For Mandate Trade Union
John O’Donnell
Industrial Officer Organiser
REF: JOD/JOR
13th January 2022
Mr David Mc Carthy
Store Manager
Tesco
Paul St.
Cork
By email and post:
Re: Incident in Store on Friday 7th January 2022
Dear Mr. Mc Carthy
Following multiple calls from our members in store, all of whom have stated their extreme concern and fear for their individual and collective health, safety and wellbeing while attending work due to the above mentioned incident, I am requested to address this issue with the company as a matter of priority.
I have seen sight of a video of the incident which shows that staff and customers in store were not just verbally abused but also one member of staff was physically assaulted.
I am informed the incident took place after 8pm on the evening of Friday 7th January and that the Security Staff in store had finished for the day at 5pm, leaving no security presence in store for the remaining five hours of trade.
I cannot stress enough how we in Mandate Trade Union regard the health, safety and wellbeing of the members as one of our highest priorities and I would have hoped the same could be said for the company. I am sure you are aware of the obligations of the company to its workers under Health & Safety legislation, however regrettably because of this incident and the fact there was no security presence in the store at the time, this has now been called into question.
This incident clearly demonstrates the need for a constant security presence in the Paul Street store for every hour the store trades, most particularly because the store is City Centre based which brings with it a particular set of challenges.
While I am aware the Shop Steward in store has engaged with you on Monday 10th January, our members believe that what occurred was so serious that it warrants correspondence from this Office.
We must impress upon you the need to ensure that a security presence is maintained in store for all trading hours with immediate effect. In addition, we are seeking assurances that insofar as possible all necessary steps will be taken to protect the safety and health of our members at work.
Your response by return is requested and should you wish to speak to me directly, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.
Yours sincerely
For Mandate Trade Union
John O’ Donnell
Industrial Officer Organiser
cc. All Members
Mr. Damien Geraghty, Area Manager