News from around the 32 counties of Ireland

In Tarmonbarry, there was a strong media presence with local media outlets joined by RTE and TG4. There was a Garda presence also, although the protests passed off peacefully with no disruption to motorists.

Passing motorists blew their horns in support of the protestors as they passed. Organisers said they were happy with the turnout for each of the protest which they said, indicated the depth of feeling about the reduction in services at Roscommon.
(Source: Longford Leader)

Louth

The Communications Workers Union (CWU), which represents about 130 Vodafone call centre workers whose jobs are set to be moved to India and Egypt, stepped up their protests against the job cuts by protesting at the recent Dublin-Kildare match in Croke Park.

Vodafone are the sponsors of the Dublin team and have been criticized by CWU members in recent weeks for supporting Dublin players but not Irish workers.

Union members, including many of the 102 staff at the company’s call centre in Dundalk whose jobs are under threat, distributed leaflets at the game criticizing Vodafone for axing jobs while profitable. A banner was also unfurled at CWU’s headquarters near to Croke Park, saying “it supports Dublin players, so why not Irish workers?”

Arthur Cox, Vodafone’s solicitors, has already warned the CWU about alleged trademark infringement after the union used the company’s logo online as part of its campaign.

About 45 of the 130 affected workers are Vodafone employees and will be offered redundancy or redeployment. The CWU is protesting the fact that the remaining staff – the bulk of which are from Dundalk – who work for third-party service provider Rigney Dolphin, are not being accommodated by Vodafone.

“Vodafone is seeking to deny its obligations to workers at Rigney Dolphin who have been a loyal and integral part of the Vodafone customer care service,” said Terry Delany, CWU’s deputy secretary general.
(Source: Dundalk Democrat)

Mayo

Swedish furniture giant, Ikea, last week secured High Court permission to serve injunction proceedings on a Westport delivery company that has used its logo in advertisements. 

Inter Ikea Systems BV is seeking the injunction against Fintan Conlon and Owner Driver Co Ltd with an address at Rosmoney, Westport.

Mr Justice Roderick Murphy gave permission to Ikea to serve proceedings at short notice on Mr Conlon and the company, and made the matter returnable to last week. The application was made on a one-side only basis.

Counsel for Ikea, Ms Niamh Hyland told the court that her client’s trademark was being used in advertisements in two Mayo newspapers as well as on the company’s website and on a van. She revealed that Ikea was sent a photo of the van, showing the advertisement, from an anonymous source.
The court also heard that Ikea had previously engaged in correspondence over the alleged infringement of the trademark and this matter appeared to have been satisfactorily resolved.
(Source: The Mayo News)

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Nster.com