Aldi strike outcome
By Ruth Coppinger,
Dublin Socialist Party & member of Aldi Strikers Support Group,
August 2000
The David versus Goliath battle at Aldi in Dublin ended last week (18th August) to the satisfaction of the six strikers. The outcome is widely seen as a victory as Aldi were forced to offer reinstatement of the six workers concerned and accept their right to join a trade union. Six young people took on a multinational and won.
Unwilling to return to work alongside scabs and abusive management after three months on the picket line, all six declined to resume duty. The union, Mandate, then negotiated a second option. Aldi had to withdraw the sackings of the workers and agree that they were unfairly dismissed. Six glowing references were given and generous compensation was paid.
The principle of trade union recognition is practically difficult since none of the strikers returned to work, but the agreement states that any worker wishing to join a trade union will not be victimised by Aldi. However, unlike some other European countries, there is no law compelling companies to recognise a union in Ireland. Legally, everyone has the right to join, but companies can refuse to negotiate. Aldi did, however, commit themselves to abiding by a code of practice for dealing with unions due to go through parliament in the Autumn.
The strike had a wider positive impact also. LIDL, another German retail chain, contacted Mandate, anxious to avoid a similar strike and to negotiate with them.
Congratulations are due to all sections of the CWI (Committee for a Workers International) who organised solidarity work. In Denmark, for example, the strike was raised in parliament by Red-Green Alliance MPs after they had been contacted by members of the Socialist Party in Ireland. Protests were organised at 60 shops. In Germany, three cities were targeted, while in Belgium, six shops in Brussels were picketed. In the Netherlands a councillor of the Dutch SP (who himself is individually member of Offensief, Dutch section of the CWI) protested against the practises of Aldi.
All of the strikers were hugely impressed and believe it was a key factor in forcing Aldi to settle. This is confirmed by the presence of top German managers at the negotiations - the local Dublin management were completely bypassed! Aldi's main concern was to prevent the August 19th pickets around Europe going ahead. Why else would they settle the day before the European day of action?
Throughout the strike, Socialist Party members in the Aldi Strikers Support Group said that the strike could not be won in Dublin alone. To defeat a multinational company with 11,000 outlets and huge resources it was vital to go beyond one shop. Few believed the international solidarity would actually happen until the e mails flooded in and were brought to the strike meetings. The Aldi strike has been a turning point for the credibility of the CWI. At the strike victory rally we publicised the CWI on placards and leaflets and
felt a pride in doing so.
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