28/09/2009

'Gigantic Confrontation' Awaits Budget

One of the state's largest unions has said the upcoming budget will be met with a "gigantic confrontation" if early indications of cuts transpire.

A statement released by the Siptu National Executive Council over the weekend has said a green light has been given for "aggressively cutting pay and conditions of employment across the economy".

The statement has emerged following a review of the economic and industrial situation by the union's National Executive Council.

The council said it was now beyond all doubt that the Government has decided that "working people and those who depend most on public services will exclusively shoulder the burden of the mismanagement of the economy".

A spokesman for the union said: "Statements made by members of the Government indicate that they are contemplating securing all of the €4bn adjustment due this year in the form of public spending cuts which would entail further pay cuts as well.

"This means that those at the top of society would contribute nothing additional next year at all. There is no prospect of reaching agreement on this basis."

The union said all its branches were being directed to convene meetings of their section committees and shop stewards to prepare for action in their locations to resist pay and job cuts and dismantlement of other conditions of employment.

(DW/BMcC)

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