Tesco staff in Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon are striking this weekend in a row over pay and conditions.
Workers in Sligo are walking off the job for the third time this month.
In the Carrick-on-Shannon store, staff plan to strike tomorrow for the first time.
Mandate Trade Union claims Tesco has not engaged with them in an effort to resolve the dispute.
John Douglas, Mandate General Secretary, said: “It is unfortunate that our members are forced to strike yet again due to Tesco’s continued refusal to engage with their workers’ union and follow collective grievance procedures.
“Our members don’t want to be on strike, but it seems the company is happy to prolong this totally unnecessary strike for their own reasons.
"We hope the public will understand the necessity for our members to defend their interests and put the blame firmly where it belongs, with Tesco management.”
Meanwhile, Tesco Ireland has released a statement on the strike action.
"We are extremely disappointed that Mandate is proceeding yet again with strike action at our Sligo store today and our Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon stores on Saturday.
"This series of one-day strikes is entirely out of proportion as these are local disputes involving local issues that don’t warrant such disruption in Christmas week.
"Despite the strikes, our stores will remain open today and Saturday and we thank our colleagues and our customers for their co-operation.
"We regret this action by Mandate and the disruption inflicted on our colleagues, our customers and to other businesses in the two towns by these unjustified strikes.
"It is particularly disappointing action by Mandate for these close-to-the-Border towns in the run up to Christmas.
"We reject Mandate’s claims that the union is left with no option but to have strikes in Sligo and Carrick-on-Shannon or that it is Tesco’s failure to follow and implement agreed collective procedures.
"It is in fact the complete opposite, we remain committed to the State’s industrial relations machinery as we were before when we accepted a Labour Court recommendation that continues to remain rejected by Mandate.
"Unlike the union, we continue to respect the Industrial Relations processes and remain committed to them".
