'Submarine' bar staff go on strike

Patrick Logue

Bar workers in a well-known Dublin pub have gone on strike after accusing the bar's management of trying to introduce cheap labour.

The workers, who are members of the Mandate trade union, served strike action at the Submarine Bar last week and started the action this morning. Ten workers are picketing outside the bar which is being operated by management, according to the union.

The union said in a statement its members decided to take the strike action, due to last three days, in protest after several staff were let go.

Mandate Divisional Organiser for the licensed trade division of the union, Eddie Cassidy said: "The owner has taken the view that he wants to let several experienced staff go and replace them with cheap labour in order to cut his costs.

"Astonishingly, staff who wish to continue working at the Submarine have been told that they will have to in effect re-apply for their own jobs and work radically different hours.

"In essence, the owner is attempting to get rid of experienced staff and replace them with cheap labour in the latest installment of the 'race to the bottom in the Irish economy."

Mr Cassidy said the striking workers had between three and 18 years experience in the trade and faced pay cuts or ultimately dismissal.

The bar's owner Gary Smith could not be contacted for comment.

The Submarine is one of Dublin's best known bars and is particularly popular with sports fans. One of the largest pubs in the capital it forms part of the Ashleaf Shopping Centre complex and was also bought for €12 million in May.