Staff at a north Dublin dog pound claim they have been unceremoniously "sacked" for raising coronavirus-related health and safety concerns.
The frustrated workers at Ashton Dog Pound went on an unofficial strike this morning after they claimed management had not acted on concerns raised over social distancing, contact tracing and cleaning of vehicles and other equipment.
The staff claim that when management arrived at the pound in Castleknock this morning they sacked on the striking workers on the spot.
One shocked staff member told Dublin Live they felt they had no option but to take the drastic strike action.
He said: "We had to do something because they're not addressing any of our concerns."
Staff claim that while they have been provided with hand sanitiser and masks, management at the pound are not following all of the guidelines aimed at protecting workers from coronavirus.
"They put this plastic cover in the wardens' vans but had no risk assessment done on it.
"It's actually a hazard for the driver when they're trying to look out the window because it's impairing their vision and it's also an obstruction when the window is down."
The workers also claim that there have been instances when two wardens have been made to travel in the same van, making it impossible to socially distance, and that vans are not being cleaned internally after use.
It is also claimed that other equipment that is used by multiple staff members is not being cleaned regularly.
"There's no way we can social distance in the pound," said one concerned staff member.
"Every morning and every evening we have to clock in and clock out but we shouldn't because we all have to put our hands on the same machine and that's not being sanitised."
Concerns have also been raised that there is no contact tracing in place for people who visit the pound.
A worker said: "There's been a lot in the media about the guidelines in relation to contact tracing but if you wanted to come up and enquire into the pound or walked into the office, they're not asking people for their name or their phone number. They're not taking any details."
Management at the pound engaged with the staff this afternoon and the "sacked" employees agreed to return to work "under protest" until the issues have been resolved.
A spokesman for Ashton Dog Pound said: "There was an issue this morning, but this has been resolved and staff have returned to work."
