25/02/2009

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.

Mr Begg said the ICTU's plan for the economy was to offer the Government an alternative three-year agreement, based on a ten-point plan published before last Saturday's rally in Dublin.

The rally, which was attended by an estimated 150,000 people was largely in protest against the implementation of the new controversial pension levy.

Today, the legislation to impose levy on the public sector contributions is expected to pass through the final stages of the Dáil.

The bill is due to pass all stages by 10.30pm tonight and will then go before the Seanad.

Mr Lenihan told the House yesterday that while the levy was not an easy pill to swallow and would lead to a significant drop in take home pay, the decrease in the cost of living had to be taken into account when assessing its effect.

The President is expected to sign the Bill into law later in the week, which will mean the levy can be applied from next month.

(DW/JM)

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