Redundancy package being negotiated with Mandate Trade Union

The UK based retail chain Argos has announced that it is to close all of its stores in the Republic of Ireland including the Argos outlets in Drogheda and Dundalk.

In a statement he company said: “As with any major change to our business, we arrived at this decision after a long period of careful consideration and analysis of the business performance of our operations in Ireland.

“We concluded the investment required to develop and modernise the Irish part of our business was not viable and sadly, we have therefore decided to consolidate our business and focus on Argos operations in the UK, including Northern Ireland.

“We recognise that today’s news will be disappointing to our loyal customers and unsettling for our hard-working colleagues, some of whom have served Argos customers in Ireland for many years.”

The company says that they are committed to supporting staff in any way they can, and are talking to all 580 staff members across the 34 stores in the Republic of Ireland about their options.

The company also says that they are in consultations with the Mandate trade union and an enhanced redundancy package that goes beyond statutory obligations will be proposed. This proposal includes four weeks’ pay for every year of service, on top of statutory redundancy pay, which is two weeks’ pay for every year of service.

Those not eligible for redundancy under Irish Law will be offered a one-off goodwill payment. To further support colleagues, we have also committed to a programme of wider support over the coming months.

Argos stores will remain open until 24th June 2023 and customers in Ireland will no longer be able to place orders via the website or select the home delivery service after 31st March 2023.

Local TD Fergus O’Dowd said he was very disappointed at the news.

“This will affect staff in both the Drogheda and Dundalk stores, many of whom have worked for the company for a number of years” he said.

“This is an extremely regrettable decision that the company have made, not only for those who have been told their jobs are to go, but also for families involved.

 “Whilst the company have stated they are engaging with the staff and providing redundancies beyond their statutory obligation, I have none the less made contact with the Minister for Enterprise, Simon Coveney, to ensure that the Government provide all possible assistance at this difficult time.”