Mandate says the decision to close eleven Debenhams stores in Ireland is 'opportunistic' and are calling for the move to be halted immediately.
2,000 employees were left in shock last Thursday after management announced their stores in Ireland were 'not expected to reopen'.
The company, which has two stores in Cork employing around 330 staff, had already suspended trading due to the Covid-19 Pandemic when it announced the closures.
Speaking to RedFM News, General Secretary of Mandate Trade Union John Douglas says employees were blindsided by the decision.
"It's having a devastating impact on our members, our members feel betrayed, they've given very long and loyal service to the company and the customers.
"They deserve better than this. This is cynical, the timing of it is cynical.
"At the end of the day they deserve better than this, they deserve for this matter to be put on ice pending the resolution of this crisis.
"When we get back to normality we will sit down and engage with the company and discuss all options open, including maybe keeping the stores open."
