Thomas Cook Grafton Street store occupied by the workers

harsea8

rasper wrote: »

The only thing that Thomas Cook will understand is a loss in revenue due to bad publicity and the loss in morale with their remaining staff, I'm disheartened that their is a lot of animosity towards workers who were basically being shut down with no notice because thats what it looks like, when workers refuse to put up with this crap companies think twice about pulling it.
Can't blame a person when their backs are to the wall

Seeing as the company is leaving Ireland, the "bad publicity" is likely to have very little effect on the companies revenue...remember that what might make headline news here, will get very little airtime (if any) elsewhere in Europe

holyjoe

rasper wrote: »

The only thing that Thomas Cook will understand is a loss in revenue due to bad publicity and the loss in morale with their remaining staff, I'm disheartened that their is a lot of animosity towards workers who were basically being shut down with no notice because thats what it looks like, when workers refuse to put up with this crap companies think twice about pulling it.
Can't blame a person when their backs are to the wall

the shop was scheduled to be closed at the end of the month and the workers knew it.
they don't have any support because their protest makes a mockery of people who genuinely protest over unfair conditions in the work place.

The media trying to pretend they are freedom fighters is pathetic when their cause is so they can get an extra 3 weeks pay on top of an already generous package.

Also bear in mind these muppets are wasting OUR tax payers moneys on Garda resources and court case's etc..

PrivateEye

I wonder how any of those men will feel about smashing the windows of a travel agents if they're at home with a case of the 'blue flu' by the end of the year.

The sight of Gardaí marching on the Public Sector demo in Febraury was laughable, and now even more so. You can't oppose something and protect it.

They're trying to incite a 'socialist revolution'.

I was there yesterday and the day before. I consider myself a socialist, but more importantly I've worked a variety of jobs in the services industry and across the board (even losing one not too long ago!) and recognise that after the public sector slashings, private sector workers were next. I seen this as a brave step in the right direction, and that a victory for Thomas Cook workers would've been a positive thing for all other workers in the industry in light of whats going to be a very hard few years.

My parents (firefighter, nurse) are not 'socialists' but were there at different times too offering their solidarity as workers. You don't have to be a socialist to support workers at a time like that.

--

On a sidenote, I see on Joe Higgins' website its being claimed the Gardai would not allow the pregnant womans husband to travel with her in the ambulance.

homerjay2005

themont85 wrote: »

What wonders this will do for the Irish Economy:rolleyes:I'd say loads of companies are willing to invest in Ireland now with our workers genourously prepared to take 'just' 2 and a half times the statuatory requirement.

i agree here, ireland isnt exactly attracting development anymore, part of this is down to greed of workers.

i know lads who got virtually nothing when they were let go, just a pat on the back and heres your stat redundancy.

is TC legally obliged to pay them more than the stat redundancy? i hope they withdraw their offer now and just give them the bare minimum.

suckslikeafox

PrivateEye wrote: »

On a sidenote, I see on Joe Higgins' website its being claimed the Gardai would not allow the pregnant womans husband to travel with her in the ambulance.

Ah well if Joe says it, it has to be true

Kess73

rasper wrote: »

The only thing that Thomas Cook will understand is a loss in revenue due to bad publicity and the loss in morale with their remaining staff, I'm disheartened that their is a lot of animosity towards workers who were basically being shut down with no notice because thats what it looks like, when workers refuse to put up with this crap companies think twice about pulling it.
Can't blame a person when their backs are to the wall

Are they not shutting all their high street branches in Ireland? So if all shut here, there will be no remaining staff who will have their morale affected.


Also I do not think they are worried about the bad publicity in Ireland seeing as they were making a loss in Ireland. It does suck that people are losing their jobs, but thousands and thousands have lost their jobs this year, myself included, and did not get a package offered to them like these workers did.

Looking for eight weeks for each year worked was a bit much in the current climate, and they way they went about it weakened any claim that they may have had imho.



I do not think the Gardai should be criticised for their part in this, all they were doing is following a high court order. I am sure if the high court had issued an order to the gardai to go and arrest the developer who owes 2.8 billion euro to various banks then they would have done so, but the gardai can only work off of what the high court orders in cases like these.

I do think it sent out a bad message that the High Courts can have a sitting at such short notice on a bank holiday weekend for a matter like this, but cannot deal with white collar criminals in such a speedy manner.

themont85

PrivateEye wrote: »

I wonder how any of those men will feel about smashing the windows of a travel agents if they're at home with a case of the 'blue flu' by the end of the year.

The sight of Gardaí marching on the Public Sector demo in Febraury was laughable, and now even more so. You can't oppose something and protect it.

Used to be travel agents, now just a property which is supposed to be vacant .

PrivateEye wrote: »

I was there yesterday and the day before. I consider myself a socialist, but more importantly I've worked a variety of jobs in the services industry and across the board (even losing one not too long ago!) and recognise that after the public sector slashings, private sector workers were next. I seen this as a brave step in the right direction, and that a victory for Thomas Cook workers would've been a positive thing for all other workers in the industry in light of whats going to be a very hard few years.

My parents (firefighter, nurse) are not 'socialists' but were there at different times too offering their solidarity as workers. You don't have to be a socialist to support workers at a time like that.

--

On a sidenote, I see on Joe Higgins' website its being claimed the Gardai would not allow the pregnant womans husband to travel with her in the ambulance.

So you want a socialist revolution do you? All the tags on those videos have 'SWP' and 'revolution' in them. All the speeches I here from socialist figures are inflamatory and propose a banana republic with the 'workers' to the forefront.

Maybe she should have left the building previously and it wouldn't have happened. Instead she stayed like the rest of the greedy goones.

mike kelly

dloob wrote: »

The guy on live line was suggesting that after 300 years of oppression and the potato famine the brits were now taking our travel agents!

he sounded like a shinner, have they infiltrated this protest?

The Davestator

Front page of todays hearld - 'Over the Top' garda storm Thomas cook... Typical Media - trying to be popular, they'll realise that theres not much sympathy out there for the protesters and row back on their coverage.


These protesters should be jailed for being in contemp of court and wasting garda resources

BraziliaNZ

ooooh they all just left out the courts now outside bridewell making a racket

Sully

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

ooooh they all just left out the courts now outside bridewell making a racket

Just got a caution I would imagine. Very unlikely any action will be taken.

Thomas Cook workers are waiting to hear their fate after they agreed to purge their contempt of court.

Sixteen workers, eight trade union representatives and the partner of one of the staff were brought before the High Court after they refused to leave the premises last night.

They were arrested at the company's travel shop on Dublin's Grafton Street early this morning.
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Counsel for the staff told Mr Justice Michael Peart that they undertook to abide his order and further undertook not to repeat any acts of disobedience.

The judge has risen to decide what actions he will take.

Around 200 people have taken part in a demonstration outside the Four Courts in Dublin in support of the workers.

The demonstration is being supported by SIPTU, Unite, the Socialist Party, Sinn Féin, the Independent Workers Union, the Socialist Workers Party, Dublin Council of Trade Unions and the CPSU.

The workers were taken from Bridewell Garda Station to the High Court for their appearance at 2.30pm.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Peart ordered that the workers be arrested and brought before the court today after they had defied an order to leave their workplace.

At around 5am this morning, gardaí moved in and arrested around workers occupying the office.

When Thomas Cook workers heard on Friday the travel agent was to close with immediate effect, they refused to leave the premises and occupied the office all weekend.

More than 40 employees had been involved in the occupation, which was prompted by their demands for an improved redundancy deal.

One of the women who had been taking part in the protest, Avril Clancy, was this morning removed from the premises and taken to hospital where she gave birth to a baby girl, who has been named Chelsea.

Source: http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0804/thomascook.html

BraziliaNZ

"Jail the bankers not the workers" they're singing now. What have bankers got to do with this?

mike kelly

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

"Jail the bankers not the workers" they're singing now. What have bankers got to do with this?

are you there?

Board Senseless

Ask him if he's Sinn Fein.

population

pigeonbutler wrote: »

You just ignored my point completely. And I disagree with the underlined section.

And you seem to be ignoring mine, also by disagreeing wholly with the underlined section, you feel Sean Fitzpatrick etc didnt commit fraud???

The "hang 'em high" type of justice you're espousing is not the way to operate within the rule of law.

Where did I "espouse" this???

Thankfully we don't live in a place where politicians can call any citizens actions "offences against the state" and lock them up.

I said offences against the state tongue in cheek. It was more a jibe in retrospect of the fallout from their actions and what the State has to suffer to compensate these fine institutions.

A specific offence needs to be committed. So go read this and come back to me when you've picked a section you understand:

Now now. No need to be nasty. I did not personally insult you, I would find it common courtesy not to insult me. I merely pointed out that the previous poster to you had what I feel were legitimate concerns regarding the administartion of justice in this great little nation of ours.

The offences against the State Acts cover violent subversion of the institutions of the State e.g. by the IRA down through the years. It covers shootings and bombings and the like.

Maybe it should include bankrupting a nation in pursuit of short term profits also. The times they are a changing.......

To clarify I'd love to see any banker/developer who breached company law (or any other laws) sent to prison but it's nowhere near as simple as you make out. On the face of it all these people did was run their businesses very badly and make bad decisions. That shouldn't be worthy of jail should it?

I too would love to see wrongdoers pay a price for their gross incompetence, and if they acted illegally, then yes, that is worthy of jail.

However you're also referring to the Anglo money shuffling messing that went on. There's about 4 different investigations going on into that (Gardaí, ODCE, accountancy bodies, etc.) and if sufficient evidence is there, those people will face charges. It'll be slow though gathering a prosecution.

I accept this, however I am not holding my breath for a stiff sentence for anyone involved

You'll see this week that justice can move just as quickly for the big guys. Liam Carroll's case in the Supreme Court today might result in all his companies being liquidated and massive personal guarantees being called in.

Another major developer Paddy Kelly is on the verge of personal bankruptcy due to the collapse of (among others) the Thomas Read pub chain.

Both of these cases have been tiptoed around for too long already imo. The Liam Carroll thing is only being pursued because of ACC acting like a proper bank as opposed to our institutions playing the SCAMA card.

JONJO THE MISER

They should of been fined for wasting the Gardai time, if i was Thomas Cook id now only offer them the min reduntacy, and they can forget about getting a Job here in Ireland now as any employer who sees that they have worked in THOMAS Cook on there c.v will not hire them, they really are the most silliest women i have ever seen.

brayblue24

Deleted by poster.

Chips Lovell

They'll probably get a fine if anything. Sending them to prison would probalby be counterproductive, since they could claim the martyr tag.

BraziliaNZ

mike kelly wrote: »

are you there?

they are directly under the window of my office

Imperius

Throw them down some phone cards for the unexpected delay in seeing some sense!

Sully

BraziliaNZ wrote: »

they are directly under the window of my office

Ask them to quieten down, saying "Some of us have work to do!"

Sully

Former staff of Thomas Cook who were arrested this morning after staging a sit-in at the company's shop in Grafton Street in breach of a High Court order have been released without penalty after they purged their contempt of court.

The protesters appeared before Mr Justice Michael Peart as a large number of supporters staged a protest outside the Four Courts.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0804/breaking1.htm

Nice judge. Shows people can get away with a lot in this country!

BraziliaNZ

Sully wrote: »

Ask them to quieten down, saying "Some of us have work to do!"

they've all fecked off now, show's over, back to work

Sully

Protesters who staged a five-day sit-in at a Thomas Cook branch were freed today after being arrested for contempt of court.

Axed workers, including two pregnant women, trade union officials and councillors, occupied the Dublin store defying a High Court judge after company bosses closed the company’s two outlets last Friday.

The 16 former staff and their supporters were released after they agreed to obey an earlier court order and stay away from the Grafton Street shop.

During the occupation, workers were joined by eight members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, Socialist Party councillor Matthew Wayne and People Before Profit’s Richard Boyd Barrett and Sharon O’Rourke.

Their protest came to a sudden end when scores of gardaí launched a dawn operation, arresting everyone in the shop except a heavily pregnant woman who was taken to hospital and gave birth six hours later.

Avril Boyne was nursing a healthy baby girl, Chelsea, as her partner Ian Mahon was freed.

He had gone to the Thomas Cook store just before the garda operation was launched out of concern for his wife and found himself caught up in the row and in custody.

He was allowed to visit the new mother in hospital ahead of the court hearing.

The High Court was told all defendants had given an undertaking that they would abide by an original order to stay away from the premises and would not trespass again. They also undertook not to repeat any act of disobedience.

As the hearing went ahead with a massive garda presence, at least 300 union activists remained outside chanting for workers’ rights, at one stage forcing court staff to close windows to avoid disruption.

At least 20 gardaí attended the packed courtroom, with scores more around the huge complex.

Barrister Mark Connaughton, senior counsel for Thomas Cook, told the court: “It would be churlish not to acknowledge the people have now purged their contempt.”

http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/thomas-cook-workers-freed-after-sitin-421256.html

uprising

Over the top, ie evening herald.
Did anybody see that picture in the herald, it was like a fuccking riot scene, the workers were defending their rights and they send in the boys in blue in large numbers, its a fuccking disgrace and anybody who thinks they should be jailed etc are also a disgrace.
Fuccking money before people, people dont matter anymore, money does, and anybody who says they (the protesting workers) are wasting taxpayers money should think again.
The waste of taxpayers money was ordered by a waste of taxpayers money ie: the judge who ordered a few hundred coppers to go get the bad guys (pregnant women etc).
And by closing the shop 1 month early I assume the workers were also 1 months salary out of pocket, which in times like this can mean a lot more than it did a couple of years ago.
I fully support the protesting workers, and I think all decent people should, we should all stand together before we're all trampled on by big business, and if it means revolution, then be it.
And I'm not a shinnie or member of any organisation.

Sully

uprising wrote: »

Over the top, ie evening herald.
Did anybody see that picture in the herald, it was like a fuccking riot scene, the workers were defending their rights and they send in the boys in blue in large numbers, its a fuccking disgrace and anybody who thinks they should be jailed etc are also a disgrace.
Fuccking money before people, people dont matter anymore, money does, and anybody who says they (the protesting workers) are wasting taxpayers money should think again.
The waste of taxpayers money was ordered by a waste of taxpayers money ie: the judge who ordered a few hundred coppers to go get the bad guys (pregnant women etc).
And by closing the shop 1 month early I assume the workers were also 1 months salary out of pocket, which in times like this can mean a lot more than it did a couple of years ago.
I fully support the protesting workers, and I think all decent people should, we should all stand together before we're all trampled on by big business, and if it means revolution, then be it.
And I'm not a shinnie or member of any organisation.

So you think they were right to break the law? They were told twice by the high court to leave. They were offered more then were required in terms of redundancy. The business was not making a profit even in the good times and shut down early because the staff wanted to screw up the remaining period it was open.

Board Senseless

uprising wrote: »

Over the top, ie evening herald.
Did anybody see that picture in the herald, it was like a fuccking riot scene, the workers were defending their rights and they send in the boys in blue in large numbers, its a fuccking disgrace and anybody who thinks they should be jailed etc are also a disgrace.
Fuccking money before people, people dont matter anymore, money does, and anybody who says they (the protesting workers) are wasting taxpayers money should think again.
The waste of taxpayers money was ordered by a waste of taxpayers money ie: the judge who ordered a few hundred coppers to go get the bad guys (pregnant women etc).
And by closing the shop 1 month early I assume the workers were also 1 months salary out of pocket, which in times like this can mean a lot more than it did a couple of years ago.
I fully support the protesting workers, and I think all decent people should, we should all stand together before we're all trampled on by big business, and if it means revolution, then be it.
And I'm not a shinnie or member of any organisation.

I read that all like I was hearing it through a megaphone.

Sully

A High Court judge has ordered the release of Thomas Cook staff who were arrested after occupying the company's premises on Grafton Street.

Mr Justice Michael Peart said he fully understood the distress and anger of the workers who are facing redundancy.

However, he said that cannot permit the law to be broken, as that would be a recipe for anarchy.
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Workers gave an undertaking to obey his order not to interfere or trespass at Thomas Cook premises and the judge said he accepted that it was a sufficient purging of their contempt.

He said the events of the past few days have resulted in a great deal of distress for the staff and the families and he would not add to that by imposing a prison sentence.

Counsel for Thomas Cook told the court that contact has been made between the TSSA union and Thomas Cook and the parties have agreed to meet tomorrow.

Staff at Thomas Cook staged the sit-in in pursuit of better redundancy from the company, which is pulling out of Ireland.

Sixteen workers, eight trade union representatives and the partner of one of the staff were arrested at the Grafton Street shop at 5am this morning.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Peart ordered that the workers be arrested and brought before the court today after they had defied an order to leave their workplace.

When Thomas Cook workers heard on Friday the travel agent was to close with immediate effect, they refused to leave the premises and occupied the office over the weekend.

One of the women who had been taking part in the protest, Avril Clancy, was this morning removed from the premises and taken to hospital where she gave birth to a baby girl, who has been named Chelsea.

Around 200 people took part in a demonstration outside the Four Courts in Dublin in support of the workers.

Source: http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0804/thomascook.html

Fair play to Thomas Cook for still listening to their unions after everything.

Carlow52

uprising wrote: »

1: And by closing the shop 1 month early I assume the workers were also 1 months salary out of pocket,

2: and if it means revolution, then be it...

1: no, paid it anyway

2: thats what we need, 100k + people in Merrion Sq/ Kildare Street, to get the message across that we have had enough

Ste.phen

Would illegally occupying the premises and starting an illegal protest outside constitute "gross misconduct"? If it does, they might get away with not needing to pay any redundancy at all...

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot!

General Zod

mike kelly wrote: »

yes, but are any of the protesters involved with Sinn Fein? Is there a republican background to this protest?

So what if there was?


(there wasn't BTW).

But any excuse for idiots to try and make this thread and the protest about something it isn't.

mike kelly

General Zod wrote: »

So what if there was?


(there wasn't BTW).

But any excuse for idiots to try and make this thread and the protest about something it isn't.

Sinn Fein involvement is one of the few things that could motivate 80 guards to be ready for work at 5 am.

BTW, did you hear liveline today?

uprising

Sully wrote: »

So you think they were right to break the law? They were told twice by the high court to leave. They were offered more then were required in terms of redundancy. The business was not making a profit even in the good times and shut down early because the staff wanted to screw up the remaining period it was open.

Break what law?, the law that says pisss on me and I'll accept it thank you.
The fuccking elite look after their own, we're just the bottom of the pile as far as I and they can see, and sooner or later it will catch up on you too, but you'll probably hold their flutes for them while they pisss all over you.

Mossy Monk

uprising wrote: »

the workers were defending their rights

Illegal trespassing is ay ok then. Ignoring the order of a judge twice is good too. They were offered more than satutory redundancy. Defending their rights, yeah right. They were pawns in someone elses agenda.

Best of luck getting another job girls because I don't see many employers wanting to hire you.

mike kelly

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Illegal trespassing is ay ok then. Ignoring the order of a judge twice is good too. They were offered more than satutory redundancy. Defending their rights, yeah right. They were pawns in someone elses agenda.

Best of luck getting another job girls because I don't see many employers wanting to hire you.

that's what it looks like to me. the truth will come out about the real motivation for this protest.

holyjoe

uprising wrote: »

Break what law?, the law that says pisss on me and I'll accept it thank you.
The fuccking elite look after their own, we're just the bottom of the pile as far as I and they can see, and sooner or later it will catch up on you too, but you'll probably hold their flutes for them while they pisss all over you.

You wont mind if me and 27 of my mates take over your house next week for a few days so. excellent.

sure its not as if we would be breaking the law and its not as if you can call the guards as you dont want to be accused of assisting the flute holding! :P

General Zod

mike kelly wrote: »

that's what it looks like to me. the truth will come out about the real motivation for this protest.

What it looks like to you is wrong then.

They stood up for what they felt was right, in the face of a company that rode roughshod over it's own promises.

uprising

Mossy Monk wrote: »

Illegal trespassing is ay ok then. Ignoring the order of a judge twice is good too. They were offered more than satutory redundancy. Defending their rights, yeah right. They were pawns in someone elses agenda.

Best of luck getting another job girls because I don't see many employers wanting to hire you.

Good to see solidarity is alive and well in Ireland, and YES ignoring some higher than high judge is good, it shows that people won't be pushed around so easily by some stupid wig wearing fool who's main goal is to uphold the "rights" of his elite brethren.

And weather or not these people protested or not, I dont see them getting another job too easily anyway.

Mossy Monk

uprising wrote: »

and YES ignoring some higher than high judge is good, it shows that people won't be pushed around so easily by some stupid wig wearing fool who's main goal is to uphold the "rights" of his elite brethren.

I am betting that you are wearing your tin foil hat right now.

mike kelly

General Zod wrote: »

What it looks like to you is wrong then.

They stood up for what they felt was right, in the face of a company that rode roughshod over it's own promises.

the workers, yes. but who organised the protest?

uprising

holyjoe wrote: »

You wont mind if me and 27 of my mates take over your house next week for a few days so. excellent.

sure its not as if we would be breaking the law and its not as if you can call the guards as you dont want to be accused of assisting the flute holding! :P

I seriously doubt you have 27 mates, maybe you have plenty of cyber mates who seem to post here also, and your right, I wouldnt call the gardai, I'd drag you out myself.
And dont confuse a sit in protest with breaking and entering, two totally different things.

Chips Lovell

uprising wrote: »

YES ignoring some higher than high judge is good, it shows that people won't be pushed around so easily by some stupid wig wearing fool who's main goal is to uphold the "rights" of his elite brethren.

Who appoints the judges then?

uprising

Mossy Monk wrote: »

I am betting that you are wearing your tin foil hat right now.

Ohh God..........................................................

You must be psychic...

I dont even know why I replied to such craap, just shows your mental state and intelligence or lack of.

Enough said.

Theta

This thread just turned into a comedy.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

uprising wrote: »

And dont confuse a sit in protest with breaking and entering, two totally different things.

Trespassing and eh... trespassing....

fitz0

uprising wrote: »

Break what law?, the law that says pisss on me and I'll accept it thank you.
The fuccking elite look after their own, we're just the bottom of the pile as far as I and they can see, and sooner or later it will catch up on you too, but you'll probably hold their flutes for them while they pisss all over you.

Yeah! Down with the Lisbon Treaty!

MagicMarker

uprising wrote: »

Ohh God..........................................................

You must be psychic...

I dont even know why I replied to such craap, just shows your mental state and intelligence or lack of.

Enough said.

You're funny, you're a funny guy!!

JONJO THE MISER

MMM where have i heard the name uprising before? aww yes last week when the poster was saying its okay to beat up people you dont agree with. No affliation my eye more than likely a radical socialist:rolleyes:

TwoShedsJackson

Sully wrote: »

Avril Boyne was nursing a healthy baby girl, Chelsea,

Skanger detected.

Morlar

This thread is ridiculous. These people are getting redundancy terms that are either equal to what everyone else here would get or BETTER than what everyone else here would get (obviously private sector workers - not public sector).

So their company did not give them a lot of advance notice, I know many people who are informed of a redundancy by going into work one day and getting a tap on the shoulder then are escorted from the building within about 15 minutes. I do not see that the Thomas Cook people have anything to complain about in comparison to the rest of the private sector.