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Diana Nherera Herald Reporter
There was drama at Meikles Mega Market and Barbours Department Store yesterday when Thomas Meikles employees unilaterally closed the two shops and staged a sit-in over a retrenchment dispute.

Workers from the two stores closed their doors to customers and staged a sit-in at Meikles Mega Market while others went and did the same at Barbours.

More than 80 Thomas Meikles Stores employees from eight branches around the country yesterday received letters of retrenchment, but did not receive packages as they had agreed with management.

The workers said they would continue to stage sit-ins until they speak to management.

Customers could be seen standing outside and peeping through glass doors at Meikles Mega Market as they wondered what was taking place.

Security guards had to turn shoppers away due to the sit-in.

Workers who spoke to The Herald on condition of anonymity said they were worried as to how they would fend for their families and pay schools fees next term among other things, and were frustrated by the treatment they had received from their management after serving the company for many years.

Thomas Meikles Stores workers’ union chairperson Mr Tivapi Mhaka yesterday said management at the department store last month informed them of their intention to retrench workers countrywide.

“Workers were shocked to receive letters yesterday morning that their contracts had been terminated.

“The retrenched workers were supposed to have received service benefits of one-and-a-half months per year of serving Thomas Meikles, a month for relocation and three months for medical aid, among others,” said Mr Mhaka.

According to the letter, the contracts of the workers were terminated yesterday.

“This letter serves as notice of termination of your contract of employment.

“In terms of Section 12 (4) of the Labour Act (Chapter 28: 01), either parties is entitled to give three months’ notice of termination of the contract of employment.

“Accordingly, your contract will be terminated with effect from Friday March 20 2015,” read part of the letter given to retrenched Thomas Meikles workers.

It is understood that Thomas Meikles Stores managing director, Mr Phillip Ellse recruited new employees, who include the company’s executive and other junior contract workers.

Mr Mhaka said the retrenched workers should have received the right to first re-employment but management said they could not reinstate the workers.

“We are closing Meikles Mega Market and Barbours Stores and they will remain closed until Mr Ellse addresses us,” said Mr Mhaka.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Ellse were fruitless as his secretary said he was out of the office while his mobile phone was unreachable.