Workers to receive entitlements backdated to March 4^th

Victory comes on eve of Unite conference 

May 12th Unite, which represents workers in the hairdressing sector, today (Sunday) welcomed Peter Mark’s decision to abolish a new ‘training fee’ which the chain had levied to claw back wage increases due to young workers under the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018. Following a concerted campaign by Unite, the hairdressing chain has confirmed that it is abolishing the training fee and will pay the workers concerned the proper rate backdated to March 4th, when the new legislation came into force.

Commenting, Unite Senior Officer Brendan Ogle said the news again demonstrated what workers acting collectively can achieve:

“Unite was approached by concerned workers, and has been providing them with advice and support.

“Over the past two weeks, we have highlighted Peter Mark’s attempt to subvert the benefits of the new legislation by imposing a new ‘training fee’ on workers.  We alerted Minister Regina Doherty to the situation, and the workers’ plight was raised in the Dail by Deputy Joan Collins.

“Yesterday the company bowed to pressure, abolished the new fee and confirmed to workers that they will apply the proper payment rate backdated to March 4^th when the new legislation took effect”.

Regional Officer Patricia Rogers added:

“While this news is very welcome, workers should be under no illusion:  only by continuing to act collectively can they maintain and improve their terms and conditions going forward.

“The meeting of workers being convened by Unite on Wednesday May 15^th at 7 pm will go ahead as planned to ensure uniform application of the steps announced by the company, and to consider any other issues which may arise”, Ms Rogers said.

“On the eve of Unite’s Irish Policy Conference starting tomorrow, this victory is a reminder of the power of solidarity”, Brendan Ogle concluded.