Former Debenhams Staff Back On The Picket Line After Voting Against Deal To End Long Running Dispute The ex-staff had been blockading their former work places on Patrick Street and at Mahon Shopping Centre in a bid to force Debenhams to honour a 2016 agreement. It's been 280 days since around 330 staff in Cork lost their jobs when the retailer closed 11 Irish stores. 91% of employees who are members of the Mandate Trade Union voted to reject the offer of a €3 million training fund. Speaking to RedFM News, Valerie Conlon from the Patrick Street store says they will end their action if the fund is converted to cash: