The former staff that took over a Thomas Cook Dublin travel agent have apparently been arrested by police in a raid. Among the 28 former staff at Tomas Cook in the Irish capital, there was a eight and a half month pregnant woman. She was said to have gone into labor as she was removed from the building.

The travel agents had staged a sit in after being told by Thomas Cook management last Friday that the branch would be shut down immediately as a result of actions taken by their union, the Transport Salaried Staff Association. Some of the actions taken by the union included a public protest against the terms of a redundancy deal.

Apparently 15 officers were said to have broken down the door of Thomas Cook located on Grafton Street and arrested all of those who remained inside the building. The occupiers were cheering as they were removed one by one. They were later taken to Bridewell Garda station for more questioning.

Reports say that the former staff members were holding out for a redundancy deal, which would give them eight weeks per year of service rather than just the five weeks offered by the company. They also claim that Thomas Cook is a very profitable company that is able to pay its chief executive £7 million last year and can afford an enhanced redundancy deal.

Unite has now said to have called the police intervention a very dark stain on the long history of industrial relations in Ireland. Unite’s regional secretary said that these are normal working people trying to stand up for their rights, and they have the right to be treated with respect.