Almost 400 Penneys staff received good news this week as they are to receive a 3.5 per cent pay increase this year following talks with trade union Mandate this week. Penneys currently employs 208 staff in its Patrick Street outlet, while the retailer employs a further 189 at the Wilton store. The workers balloted in favour of the new set of proposals which will give staff a pay increase of 3.5 per cent in 2010 under the Towards 2016 Transitional pay agreement. Six per cent of staff opposed the pay rise by voting against it.

Nationally, the retail giant employs around 3,000 staff in 38 stores. Mandate and Penneys cut a deal this week that will see the first phase of the National Wage Agreement being paid in two separate instalments. Staff will see a two per cent increase from last January 1, while a further 1.5 per cent will be credited to them from 1 June.

Linda Tanham, Assistant General Secretary of Mandate Trade Union said: "While Mandate recognises that some companies in Ireland are experiencing some difficulties as a result of the recession, there are others who have not been as affected as others." "It is vital for this country, and indeed this economy that companies in a position to pay the terms of the negotiated National Wage Agreement do so in order to help get this country back on track by generating more consumer spending in the economy."

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