"Absolutely crazy scenario," Iceland workers locked out with no notice

Workers at Iceland Supermarket's Coolock location found themselves locked out of the building with no notice this morning.

The store was shuttered on Tuesday by the Food Safety Authority, but staff were not informed of the change and returned to work Wednesday morning. An email was sent out at 9am confirming that the locations over 300 workers had been "temporarily laid off."

A handful of workers have staged a sit-in, prompting the Gardai to be called though no action was taken to remove the protesters.

Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin took to Twitter, calling it an "absolutely crazy scenario," saying "these workers have been treated absolutely disgracefully."

Ridiculous situation in Iceland store in Coolock right now.

Workers treated disgracefully. pic.twitter.com/5CzCidl2wb

— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) June 21, 2023

A worker at the scene told Cork BEO, "Some are still owed money. It's been going on for months and they're looking for what they're owed. There's been some issues with wages since February. We just want to know that we're going to get this."

The Independent Workers Union, which traces its roots back to Cork, has supported the Iceland sit-in both on line and in person.

With @mulvanypeopleb1
Solidarity with the Iceland workers’ sit in protest!
Bills to pay!
Families to feed!
Come down to Coolock Iceland & support their legal sit in!@the_IWU pic.twitter.com/cAGdCcvZyi

— Ollie De Paor (@OllieDePaor) June 21, 2023

Following a major food recall last week involving hundreds of items, all frozen food containing animal products imported since March 3 has been pulled from shelves, and three Dublin locations have been closed.

The High Court was informed yesterday that parent company Metron Stores Ltd. is now insolvent, with as much as £36 million in debt.