Sinn Fein in Donegal have met with staff at the local branch of Elvery’s Sports to pledge their support for the campaign to retain 700 jobs in the sports store.
Sinn Fein election candidate Matt Carthy and TD Pearse Doherty met with the staff of the struggling sports store this afternoon.
Deputy Doherty stated he commended the staff and management of Elvery Sport on a very enthusiastic and passionate campaign to retain the 700 jobs in their stores nationally.
“The tireless campaign shows a deep commitment to the company and an admirable team spirit and their online petition has over 1400 signatures to date.
“After pledging my support to this campaign, I intend to raise this issue nationally with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to ensure that every effort is made to retain the jobs.
“With two branches of the store located in Donegal Town and Letterkenny the decision of the examiner, expected in the coming days, has the potential to affect a number of jobs in the county, with a potential significant knock on effect on the local economy.”
He called on the people of Donegal to get behind this campaign by either logging onto the Elvery’s Sports SOS700 Facebook page or by signing the petition to retain the jobs.
European Election candidate Matt Carthy said “I was glad to have the opportunity to meet with local management of Elvery’s sports when I was in Donegal.
“Elvery’s sports is Ireland’s oldest sports retailer and has been existence since 1847. It has 50 stores located in 23 of the 26 counties. It has a strong brand, a great reputation and unparalleled reach into the sports equipment retail sector.
“It has built that reputation on the back of the work of hundreds of staff. It’s important that the jobs, pay and terms and conditions of these staff are front and centre in any future resolution.
“With a decision imminent, it is important that the workers of Elvery’s Sports receive our full support and I encourage people to get behind their campaign by calling into the local store, supporting them on facebook or by signing the online petition.