11/02/2009

Trade Unions Announce Mass Demonstrations

The Irish trade unions umbrella group has announced a series of major demonstrations after an emergency meeting this morning.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said the protests would go ahead on the 21 February over recent Government proposals on private and public sector workers.

Speaking before the meeting, ICTU's General Secretary David Begg described the latest measures, which include upping the pension contribution from public workers, as "lacking in fairness and focussing only on 'stabilising' the public finances, at the expense of economic renewal and job protection."

The group says it has developed a 10-point plan for national recovery which it feels will help address the problems in the Irish economy.

Several major demonstrations are to be held, according to Mr Begg. The campaign would kick off on Saturday 21 February but would be further developed over time.

Chairman of the public services committee of Ictu Peter McLoone said it would also be talking to other union leaders "about further action that may follow".

Today, one of Ireland's largest unions Siptu have backed the plans, and accused the government of driving a "wedge between public and private sector workers on behalf of rich and powerful supporters"

Marie Butler SIPTU Branch Organiser in Waterford, said: "It is time for the rich and famous in our society to support workers when we have to stand up for ourselves, rather than run us down, and its time for the selfish rich and famous to pay up."

(DW/BMcC)

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