Debenhams workers to block company from removing stock from Irish stores

DEBENHAMS workers have officially voted to strike from next week and will begin efforts to stop the movement of stock in the Irish stores back to the UK.

Approximately 76% of Debenhams Ireland staff voted in a postal ballot and 97% voted in favour of strike action.

The strike action will take place from next week, outside Debenhams Stores.

Speaking to The Echo, Debenhams Cork spokesperson for the employees Valerie Conlon said that they wanted to raise awareness of how the company was operating.

Ms Conlon said the company was now taking back the Irish stock and leaving workers high and dry.

“That money is going to England instead of staying in Ireland. 

"Debenhams UK are saying the stock belongs to them, they are saying Debenhams Ireland is separate but they want to take everything off us as well. 

"They are taking possession of everything.”

The Debenhams worker said the company was making up the rules as they went along.

“The stock belonged to Ireland. We want to highlight that the stock is ours, KPMG (the liquidators) can sell that stock and we want them to give back the money to our revenue and help with our redundancies that we will be fighting for till the end.”

Workers have been protesting since Debenhams permanently shut all its Irish stores last month.