An Irish trade union has accused Dunnes Stores of dismissing workers as a result of their participation in recent industrial action. Hundreds of the supermarket chain's staff took to the picket line on Holy Thursday to voice their concern over pay and conditions but in a statement today, Mandate Trade Union said that many of their members had been penalised as a result. A spokesperson for the organisation said that those who took part in the demonstration has experienced "dismissals, cuts to hours, changes in roles and changes in shift patterns" since the April 2nd protest and accused the retailer of "deplorable and despicable" behaviour aimed at intimidating its staff. “The actions of management in the past week clearly illustrate the disproportionate level of control and power that managers have over their workers and their incomes, but this is nothing new for workers in Dunnes,” said Gerry Light, Mandate Assistant General Secretary. “The enormous public and political support for the Dunnes workers is needed now more than ever. Employers like Dunnes Stores should not be allowed to get away with this type of behaviour. This is why the government needs to implement stronger anti-victimisation laws and they also need to prioritise robust collective bargaining legislation.”

Visited the North Earl St Dunnes Stores picket earlier with @JoeCostelloTD. Solidarity to the #DunnesWorkers! pic.twitter.com/i02STkZTjr — Ciarán Garrett (@Ciaran_Garrett) April 2, 2015

He also confirmed that the union is now considering escalated action, saying it is regrettable that Dunnes Stores "is continuing their chosen path of conflict and intimidation". "Their behaviour is akin to something you’d see 100 years ago and it is very clear their irresponsible behaviour is damaging the business. We implore senior managers in Dunnes Stores to stop this campaign of retribution and intimidation and do the sensible and reasonable thing for both the business and for their loyal workers,” he said. “They should simply sit down and enter meaningful negotiations with their workers through their trade union us as a matter of urgency, before they do any more damage to the business."