14 October 2022
To: All Mandate Shop Stewards Tesco Ireland
Re: Store Transfers
Dear Shop Steward
I enclose below contents of two letters (16 September and 14 October 2022) sent to Frank Timmins, Tesco Ireland regarding Store Transfers for members employed in Tesco Ireland.
Please bring same to the attention of members affected by this issue at your earliest convenience. We will keep you advised of any developments in this regard.
Yours sincerely
Jonathan Hogan
Assistant General Secretary
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16 September 2022
RE: Store Transfers
Dear Mr Timmins
It has come to my attention that our members wishing to transfer to other stores within the Tesco Ireland business are now being compelled to change their current terms and conditions, sign up to new terms of employment and relinquish all previous contract provisions.
If this practice is company policy, this is both a concerning and oppressive development within the company’s internal staff transfer procedures. This would also mark a departure from all reasonableness by the employer in response to a worker’s genuine attempt to manage their work life balance, work commute and to reconcile other commitments outside of work, etc.
It would also be a crude and opportunist attempt by an employer to change the terms and conditions of employment of a worker, compounded by the current cost-of-living crisis, all of which you will be aware of.
I am requesting clarification, as to whether or not this development is indeed an accurate reflection of the company’s internal staff transfer process and to that end, I am seeking a copy of same. Notwithstanding the Union’s absolute unreserved objection to this practice, we will reserve our fullest response until we receive clarification.
Yours sincerely
For Mandate Trade Union
Jonathan Hogan
Assistant General Secretary
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14 October 2022
RE: Store Transfers
Dear Mr Timmins
Further to my correspondence on the 16 September 2022, to which you have not replied, I wish to inform you of the following.
Several additional members have now subsequently advised Mandate that the company is compelling them to radically change their terms and conditions of employment, simply on the basis that they sought a transfer to a different store location. Our members impacted by these issues are baffled and upset by the fact that they have been forced or are being forced to sign new contracts, relinquish their old terms and conditions of employment, as well as a requirement to accept new consolidated rates of pay, simply on the basis that they want to move to a new store location. The Union finds these requests unacceptable and unwarranted.
Notwithstanding the company’s decision not to respond to my initial correspondence of the 16 September 2022, almost a month ago, which is indicative of the company’s consideration of these issues, the decision by the employer to put this ultimatum to an individual worker is both troubling and objectionable, given the extent of how vulnerable these members are, many of whom are seeking to change store locations to reduce travel costs, travel time and be closer to home so they can reconcile both work-life balance and living costs, particularly given the current cost of living crises. Mandate believes every effort should be made by the employer to accommodate any worker in Tesco Ireland seeking to change store location with no impact on the current contract of employment.
Given the seriousness of these matters, I on behalf of the many members impacted by these concerns would again ask the company to change its policy in relation to store transfers and facilitate those workers who wish to transfer on their current terms and conditions of employment.
I look forward to a positive response.
Yours sincerely
For Mandate Trade Union
Jonathan Hogan
Assistant General Secretary