A dispute between workers and management at Dunnes Stores has escalated.

The Mandate Trade Union has announced a national march as part of its calls for better conditions for staff.

The announcement follows a one-day stoppage last month over 15-hour contracts and a dispute over the sudden closure of Dunnes Stores in Gorey last week.

General Secretary of Mandate John Douglas says staff have been treated like bargaining chips.

“It is a national protest. We’re asking other trade unions and the public to assemble in Merrion Square at 1pm on the 6th of Jun and to march Dunnes Stores Head Office and to say, ‘listen enough is enough, stop treating your staff like this, it’s not fair, it’s not just. People deserve to be treated like human beings and have decency in their workplace, including a right to decent wages and a decent contract’,” he said.

Earlier today, staff at Dunnes Stores in Gorey have been told the shop will re-open to the public tomorrow.

South East Radio reports that, earlier today, a two month stay was placed on a High Court injunction - which had led to the closure.

The stay means the store will reopen, pending a future High Court date.

The Mandate trade union had criticised the company for placing over 100 employees in limbo when it announced the sudden closure last Thursday.