Workers Solidarity Movement

Workers of the games retailer GAME are continuing to occupy shuttered stores across the Republic of Ireland to protest at the unfair and disrespectful treatment by their former employers. The Workers Solidarity Movement fully support the workers in this direct-action. Here is an interview with the staff in Cork's Patrick Street store, Liam Duggan and Amanda.

Q: Can you tell me why you are occupying the store here today? What do you feel about having to occupy your own workplace to get the redundancy you're entitled to?

A: Amanda: Well we do what we can to get our redundancy.
Liam: Although we would prefer not to have to be here today, we have to sit-in the store.

Q: How long have you worked for the company?

A: Amanda: I mean I worked here 3 - 4 years, 4 years this August. How can we just get statutory redundancy?
Liam: While I'm here just a few months I was hoping to get at least the summer. The way we were told was terrible, we didn't even get two weeks notice. It's worse on those here for years, like 17 years in one case and with Amanda's nearly 4 years. All those years work and to be treated like this.
Amanda: Yeah we didn't get two weeks notice. We should have got 30 days notice under Irish employment law.

Q: Do you think you will be successful?

A: Amanda:  We are in negotiations at the moment but this is all we are left with to do. We will occupy the shop until we get what we are due.

The GAME workers are most affected by what their former employers have done, but their actions show how ordinary people can use their power to fight back! As anarchists, we think the direct action of occupying one's workplace is a tactic every worker can use.

However, it is one which is having to be used more and more. What appeared to be rogue employers is now becoming the norm. On the Kinsale Road in Cork the Vita Cortex workers continue to occupy their plant, – on the 107th day of occupation – awaiting a redundancy payment from their former employer. Vita Cortex and La Senza workers have lent their support to the GAME occupation. On Thursday Vita Cortex workers visited with Cork GAME workers bringing with them food and other items and pledging their support.

The GAME workers have created a Facebook group and twitter account which has received unprecedented support from the public.

https://www.facebook.com/GameIrelandFight

https://twitter.com/#!/GameIREfight