Trade union members at the Finglas branch of Dunnes Stores are set to picket the shop tomorrow as part of one-day strike action in response to the company's significant reduction in working hours of a number of staff.
In some cases, the reduction in the number of working hours will result in a reduction in pay of between €100 and €120 per week.
Joe Donnelly, Mandate's Official for the Dublin Distributive Branches said: "For many low-income families at this time of year, the costs of school uniforms and books place families under considerable financial pressure. Together with the recently announced imminent hikes in utility costs such as oil and gas, this reduction in hours is going to hit some families hard this autumn.
"At the very minimum, we are requesting Dunnes Stores management to ensure the roster enables workers to claim Social Welfare for the balance of the week.," he added.
Mandate has requested a meeting with the management of Dunnes Stores to address this issue through established industrial relations procedures but the company has cited the grievance as an operational issue and therefore outside Mandate's remit on the part of members.
The action is due to begin at 7.30am tomorrow and the strikers are urging the company to at least consider the rostering of hours over three days to enable staff to claim Social Welfare for the balance of the working week.
In a recent ballot, over 80 per cent of Mandate members voted to take strike action and approximately 80 members of staff will participate.