30/09/2009
Union Congress Unveil Anti-Cuts Campaign
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is to reveal their campaign of opposing mooted pay and spending cuts by the Government.
The Union has already issued statements detailing plans for heightened political lobbying and mobilizing their members for mass protests, the first which is believed to be planned for November.
The ICTU says its members are being asked to pay too high a price in the Government's strategy to get the Exchequer finances back under control, and that if speculation that the upcoming budget will see cuts in public sector pay and benefits, it will be a step too far.
Congress General Secretary David Begg said: "Not alone has there been no action to keep people in work, but those defending their jobs have been subjected to extraordinary mistreatment and abuse. There are currently five serious private sector disputes in progress in which the behaviour of the employers is more in tune with practices from the early 1900s, than with a modern society."
Yesterday, the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said unions should engage in negotiation rather than strike action, after a march on the Daíl was announced by a major trade union.
Speaking at the Small Firms Association annual conference in Dublin, Ms Coughlan said while no-one wanted to see a reduction in frontline services, savings still had to be found.
The Tanaiste added that alternatives suggested by social partners would be listened to, adding that "we have had a long number of years when we didn’t have those actions and as a consequence we have had a great working between ourselves and our social partners".
(DW/KMcA)
The Union has already issued statements detailing plans for heightened political lobbying and mobilizing their members for mass protests, the first which is believed to be planned for November.
The ICTU says its members are being asked to pay too high a price in the Government's strategy to get the Exchequer finances back under control, and that if speculation that the upcoming budget will see cuts in public sector pay and benefits, it will be a step too far.
Congress General Secretary David Begg said: "Not alone has there been no action to keep people in work, but those defending their jobs have been subjected to extraordinary mistreatment and abuse. There are currently five serious private sector disputes in progress in which the behaviour of the employers is more in tune with practices from the early 1900s, than with a modern society."
Yesterday, the Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said unions should engage in negotiation rather than strike action, after a march on the Daíl was announced by a major trade union.
Speaking at the Small Firms Association annual conference in Dublin, Ms Coughlan said while no-one wanted to see a reduction in frontline services, savings still had to be found.
The Tanaiste added that alternatives suggested by social partners would be listened to, adding that "we have had a long number of years when we didn’t have those actions and as a consequence we have had a great working between ourselves and our social partners".
(DW/KMcA)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 January 2009
Union 'Says No' To Public Service Pay Cut
Ireland's biggest public service union has slammed any speculation that it is accepting a pay cut for its workers. Impact has told its 55,000 members there will be no negotiation with the Government over pay cuts, and "did not have, would not get, and will not seek" a mandate for pay cuts from his members.
Union 'Says No' To Public Service Pay Cut
Ireland's biggest public service union has slammed any speculation that it is accepting a pay cut for its workers. Impact has told its 55,000 members there will be no negotiation with the Government over pay cuts, and "did not have, would not get, and will not seek" a mandate for pay cuts from his members.
02 November 2018
Time For Govt To Act On Gender Pay Gap
Marking EU Equal Pay Day 2018, Labour has said that it is time for the Government to act on the Gender Pay Gap in Ireland. Last month, the Seanad passed all stages of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap) Information Bill 2017, a Private Members Bill initiated by the Labour group in the Seanad.
Time For Govt To Act On Gender Pay Gap
Marking EU Equal Pay Day 2018, Labour has said that it is time for the Government to act on the Gender Pay Gap in Ireland. Last month, the Seanad passed all stages of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap) Information Bill 2017, a Private Members Bill initiated by the Labour group in the Seanad.
20 July 2015
Ibec Slams Proposals By The Low Pay Commission
Ibec has slammed plans by the Low Pay Commission for a 50c increase in the national minimum wage. The group, which represents Irish business, said the case is at odds with all the economic evidence. It also said the increase would heap pressure on companies still struggling to stay in business.
Ibec Slams Proposals By The Low Pay Commission
Ibec has slammed plans by the Low Pay Commission for a 50c increase in the national minimum wage. The group, which represents Irish business, said the case is at odds with all the economic evidence. It also said the increase would heap pressure on companies still struggling to stay in business.
24 November 2009
250,000 Workers Go On Strike
The country's largest unions have said they believe up to 250,000 workers have gone on strike today in response to the Government's plans to cut public sector pay. Much of the State's public sector has shut down for the day with nurses, teachers, firefighters and other civil servants joining the industrial action against the proposed chop of €1.
250,000 Workers Go On Strike
The country's largest unions have said they believe up to 250,000 workers have gone on strike today in response to the Government's plans to cut public sector pay. Much of the State's public sector has shut down for the day with nurses, teachers, firefighters and other civil servants joining the industrial action against the proposed chop of €1.
09 November 2007
ICTU Rejects Pay Restraint Call
With talks on a new national pay agreement set to begin in January, a senior trade union official has already raised the stakes, with a pointed response to a Government call for workers to exercise restraint in pay demands – which he believes is not credible, given the recent very high pay awards to Ministers.
ICTU Rejects Pay Restraint Call
With talks on a new national pay agreement set to begin in January, a senior trade union official has already raised the stakes, with a pointed response to a Government call for workers to exercise restraint in pay demands – which he believes is not credible, given the recent very high pay awards to Ministers.