Trade union says 'more to come' after Arnotts job cuts

Trade Union Mandate says there's "more to come" in the retail sector following the news of 150 job losses at Brown Thomas and Arnotts.

With sales forecasts "significantly down", the owner of the two department stores told staff the jobs would have to go as part of cost cuts.

Workers will be offered statutory redundancy, with reduced working hours, career breaks and early retirement deals all being considered by management.

Gerry Light, sector organiser with trade union Mandate, says shop workers across Ireland face a bleak outlook.

"The likes of Debenhams, Brown Thomas, the DAA, there's a few more to come that are facing the very stark reality of actually losing their jobs altogether."