Talks on Tesco dispute adjourn without resolution

The Workplace Relations Commission has said it is not in a position at this stage to advance negotiations aimed at resolving a dispute involving retailer Tesco.

It said the matters involved were complex and was exploring various options.

A strike at 70 Tesco stores scheduled to start last Monday was called off to allow for the new talks to take place.

The dispute centres on plans by Tesco to move staff recruited before 1996 to less favourable contracts introduced for personnel taken on after that date.

The company said about 70 per cent of its longer serving staff had accepted a voluntary redundancy package while it had also proposed compensation to offset losses.

Unions argued the company said about 300 workers would be affected by the plans which would lead to significant pay cuts.

Management and unions held talks for 14 hours at the Workplace Relations Commission on Wednesday.

The Commission adjourned the process late last night and invited the parties to further talks on Monday.

It said in order to create an atmosphere conducive to constructive negotiations, the parties should not engage in activities or make comments that would exacerbate an already difficult situation.