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01/10/2009
Union Compares Gov To 'Thatcher'
The ICTU has compared the Irish government to former UK premier and 'Iron Lady', Margaret Thatcher over it's refusal to provide an alternative to budgetary cuts.
Speaking after a specially convened meeting of the Executive Council of Congress yesterday, the ICTU General Secretary David Begg said the Government was attempting to lay the "burden of economic adjustment almost entirely on working people."
Drawing comparisons to the former British Prime Minister's right wing policies, Mr Begg said: "Government says there is no alternative - a phrase last heard from Margaret Thatcher - but we believe that there is a better, fairer way to do things.
"We know there will be pain, but we object to that pain falling almost totally on lower to middle income people. We did not cause this crisis, but we do want to be part of the solution."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Begg said re-adjustment of the public finances should be drawn out over a longer period, ending in 2017 instead of the Government target of 2013.
To this end, the ICTU yesterday announced their campaign theme named 'There is Still a Better, Fairer Way'. Among the measures agreed was the holding of a National Day of Action, on Friday November 6 to take place in Dublin and in a number of regional centres around the country.
The ICTU said the campaign would run at least until the day of Budget 2010 - expected on December 2 or 8 - and possibly beyond.
During his RTÉ interview, Mr Begg said that although the ICTU did not have the authority to call a strike on the proposed national day of action on November 6 he wanted as many people as possible to turn out.
(DW/BMcc)
Speaking after a specially convened meeting of the Executive Council of Congress yesterday, the ICTU General Secretary David Begg said the Government was attempting to lay the "burden of economic adjustment almost entirely on working people."
Drawing comparisons to the former British Prime Minister's right wing policies, Mr Begg said: "Government says there is no alternative - a phrase last heard from Margaret Thatcher - but we believe that there is a better, fairer way to do things.
"We know there will be pain, but we object to that pain falling almost totally on lower to middle income people. We did not cause this crisis, but we do want to be part of the solution."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Begg said re-adjustment of the public finances should be drawn out over a longer period, ending in 2017 instead of the Government target of 2013.
To this end, the ICTU yesterday announced their campaign theme named 'There is Still a Better, Fairer Way'. Among the measures agreed was the holding of a National Day of Action, on Friday November 6 to take place in Dublin and in a number of regional centres around the country.
The ICTU said the campaign would run at least until the day of Budget 2010 - expected on December 2 or 8 - and possibly beyond.
During his RTÉ interview, Mr Begg said that although the ICTU did not have the authority to call a strike on the proposed national day of action on November 6 he wanted as many people as possible to turn out.
(DW/BMcc)
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ICTU Warns Of National Strike Plans
General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said a national strike could take place on 30 March. ICTU's David Begg said the strike would be an act of protest against the Government's handling of the economic crisis.
30 January 2013
ICTU Anticipate 100,000 To Attend Debt Rallies
ICTU have said they hope to attract up to 100,00 people to nationwide demonstrations on Saturday 9 February in pursuit of a deal to lift Ireland's debt burden. Rallies in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Waterford have been organised by the trade union, who have invited other groups in the community and voluntary sector to take part.
ICTU Anticipate 100,000 To Attend Debt Rallies
ICTU have said they hope to attract up to 100,00 people to nationwide demonstrations on Saturday 9 February in pursuit of a deal to lift Ireland's debt burden. Rallies in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Sligo and Waterford have been organised by the trade union, who have invited other groups in the community and voluntary sector to take part.
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ICTU Calls For €1bn Home-Building Fund
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called for a €1billion home-building fund. It also urged the government to end the reduced VAT rate for the Tourism sector that has cost some €2.2 billion in lost revenue and invest in key services such as Education, Health and Childcare to lower living costs.
ICTU Calls For €1bn Home-Building Fund
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has called for a €1billion home-building fund. It also urged the government to end the reduced VAT rate for the Tourism sector that has cost some €2.2 billion in lost revenue and invest in key services such as Education, Health and Childcare to lower living costs.
09 March 2010
Schools, Courts And Hospital Workers Threaten Walkout
The State's schools, courts and hospitals are facing mass walkouts as the threat of major strike action escalates over public sector pay cuts. Some 300,000 workers are to take part in coordinated industrial action as the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) warned ministers to restore wage rates or deal with the consequences.
Schools, Courts And Hospital Workers Threaten Walkout
The State's schools, courts and hospitals are facing mass walkouts as the threat of major strike action escalates over public sector pay cuts. Some 300,000 workers are to take part in coordinated industrial action as the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) warned ministers to restore wage rates or deal with the consequences.
24 February 2009
ICTU Discuss Further Strike Action
The Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is considering further industrial action after Saturday's huge protest march in Dublin. During the march, up to 120,000 people are thought to have joined the protest against the Government's handling of the economy, and the enforcement of the controversial pension levy.
ICTU Discuss Further Strike Action
The Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions is considering further industrial action after Saturday's huge protest march in Dublin. During the march, up to 120,000 people are thought to have joined the protest against the Government's handling of the economy, and the enforcement of the controversial pension levy.
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