THE PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS NION POST U SEPTEMBER 2011 NEWS YOU CAN USE Standing up to fight cuts on Oct 5 UNISON members working Regional secretary Patricia According to the union, in Northern Ireland’s health McKeown said: “We have to the health service is facing a and education sectors are stand up. We have to put £2.3 billion shortfall over the staging a one-day strike on pressure on the employers next four years. Education October 5. and our government here, faces a £300 million short - Calling the move “a deci - because things are going to fall. sion of last resort”, UNISON get worse. It is six years since UNI - insisted it had been left with “There is a question of SON members in education no option but to highlight people under serious stress last took part in strike the massive impact the cuts trying to deliver services action over budget cuts. will have on both sectors. under ridiculous conditions In the 1990s, members in The action will affect and standing up and saying the health sector took to health workers – apart from ‘enough is enough’. They the picket lines over the doctors – as well as non- want to tell their story to issue of the privatisation of teaching staff in schools. the public.” services. Picture: TUC Begg: Front-loading cuts will kill jobs, choke off growth AUSTERITY

Congress general secretary Mr Begg made the comments at a a national broadband scheme. Pri - cal consolidation, wage income re - WDavid Begg has warned that anyApublic lectureR at the national Col -Nvate pension fundIs were alsoN a duced by 0G.9 per cent, while prof - attempt to ‘front-load’ austerity lege of Ireland, Dublin, on septem - source of potential investment. its and rents fell by just 0.3 per measures by increasing budget ber 26. Mr Begg said that to allow “If we manage to create jobs, cent. The essential unfairness of cuts would have “terrible conse - room for growth less austerity that will lift domestic demand and this process makes it untenable in quences for jobs and choke off was needed. “The process of fis - help to spur growth. And this, in the longer-term.” any prospect of growth”. cal consolidation has to be signifi - turn, will contribute to the Mr Begg said europe needed to He said increased austerity was cantly recalibrated and the period process of fiscal consolidation.” jettison the “dogma of the mar - precisely the opposite of what Ire - of adjustment extended until Mr Begg claimed the current ket” if it was to have any hope of land needed and de - 2017. austerity programme hurt wage building a fairer future for all. scribed ‘front- “In addition, we need to be in - earners and those on welfare to a In addition, Ireland had to devise loading’ as “a non - novative about investment and di - far greater degree than those who an entirely new “development sensical non- vert monies from the national derived income from profits or model” as the current one had re - starter”, adding, “It Pension reserve Fund for ‘high rents. He flagged up a recent IMF sulted in at least three serious is exactly what we multiplier’ infrastructure projects study that showed that during a crises in 60 years. should not do that deliver jobs and aid national time of fiscal consolidation, wages Instead, he suggested, Ireland at this point competitiveness.” fell faster than rents of profits. should look towards the small, in time.” He said such projects could in - “The IMF study found that for open economies of the nordic clude the retrofitting of homes or every one per cent of gDP of fis - countries for inspiration. LATEST CSO FIGURES U T C I

Absence of : e r u t c i solidarity P evident in the debate over debt CONGRESS general secretary David Begg has warned efforts to tackle the European debt crisis have been marked by “a chilling absence of solidarity” that could lead to the destruction of the European social model. Speaking at a Social Justice Ire - DON’T LET TROIKA land policy conference earlier this month, Mr Begg claimed re - cent remarks by ECB official Jur - gen Stark reflected a failure to take account of how austerity af - fects people’s lives. DIKTAT SNUFF OUT He said: “Mr Stark talked of the moral and ethical dimensions of the crisis and stressed the need for solidarity. “But while he demands further FLICKER OF HOPE cuts for people on welfare and low wages, he also insists that sIPTU general president Jack o’Connor, above, he flagged up a new sIPTU policy document, I n- private speculators and bond - has called on the Irish government to launch an vesting for Jobs and Growth , setting out how this holders must be protected at all investment programme to seize the initiative for could be done. costs. jobs and growth. He added: “This [document] envisages the use “That is not solidarity – and it responding to the latest Cso figures, he said: of a combination of the residue of the pension re - certainly is not moral.” “They are positive, as far as they go, but it is now serve fund and an equivalent amount to be gener - Mr Begg warned: “It is this fail - critical that the Troika’s insistence on a further ated from private pension funds through ure to grasp a wider social re - deficit-cutting budget is not allowed to extinguish exemptions from the 0.6% levy.” sponsibility that could see the this small flicker of light which may be appearing The document also envisages private pension European social model hollowed at the end of the tunnel. funds acquiring a minority stake in a new state out and destroyed in the coming “The government must find an innovative way holding company and project bonds issued by years.” to launch a major investment programme to pro - public utilities as well as providing venture capital The Congress chief explained mote jobs and growth. It must at least offset the for innovation. that the social model was char - effect of deficit reductions in Budgets 2012 and This would be incentivised through exemptions acterised by a “cross-class con - 2013.” Though admitting resources were “limited”, from the pension levy. sensus” that the state would shield citizens from the excesses Check out report on: http://www.siptu.ie/media/pressreleases2011/fullstory,14928,en.html of the market and that people could not be treated as “dispos - able units of production”. Mr Begg also slammed the “shocking” actions of Talk Talk Stimulate don’t stifle growth management in laying off more than 570 staff with little notice. THe IrIsH government should stretch out the ‘period of adjust - ment in public transport, national He added: “It is hardly surpris - use the next budget to “signifi - ment’ to 2017 and significantly skills upgrade, a national water ing that Irish society is gripped cantly moderate” the ongoing moderate the budgetary adjust - system and broadband.” by palpable fear and a wide - austerity programme and move ment planned for this year. Mr sweeney claimed that if the spread sense of economic insecu - immediately to stimulate domes - “We also need to raise more government proceeded with the rity.” tic demand, Congress chief econ - in tax from high income earners planned adjustment there would omist Paul sweeney has told a – as is happening in the Us, Mr Begg pointed out that any be no economic growth at all resolution of the current crisis major conference on Ireland’s France and spain. debt crisis. “In order to stimulate domes - next year. must involve addressing people’s He added: “That would be dis - fear and their sense of insecu - Mr sweeney said the govern - tic demand we should invest €2 ment should not proceed with billion per annum over the next astrous for jobs and for working rity. families. We need to significantly That could happen if there was the planned €3.6 billion of cuts three years from the national “genuine solidarity” and a belief and tax rises in the forthcoming Pension reserve Fund and put moderate that plan. that the burden of adjustment budget. that money to work creating “We have already taken some was being fairly shared. He was speaking at jobs. €20.6 billion from the economy He cited the example of a conference on Ire - “It can be invested and the result is a shocking 24% wealthy French citizens who re - land’s debt crisis, or - in ‘high multiplier’ collapse in domestic demand, cently stated their willingness to ganised by the Feasta projects that will over three years. economics founda - deliver quick re - pay more tax, leading to the “We now have a major unem - French government applying an tion, in Dublin on turns in terms of september 22 and jobs and growth. ployment crisis and it is clear to ‘exceptional contribution’ to anyone who studies the data that higher earners. 23. These include: the Mr sweeney told retrofitting of these policies are unsustainable.” Mr Begg added: “Unfortu - Mr sweeney also warned that nately, I do not expect to see delegates: “We homes, a pro - similar developments here at need a better way gramme of school while exports were performing home.” to tackle this cri - building and up - well, that alone would not be suf - sis. We should grades, invest - ficient to generate a recovery.

THE THE UNION POST is produced by Brazier Media for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Irish Congress of Trade Unions northern Ireland Committee Irish Congress of Trades Unions 31/32 Parnell square, Dublin 1, republic of Ireland 4-6 Donegall street Place, Belfast BT1 2Fn, northern Ireland N POST Tel: +353 1 8897777 Fax: +353 1 8872012 Tel: 02890 247940 Fax: 02890 246898 UNIO email: [email protected] www.ictu.ie email: [email protected] Web: www.ictuni.org 2 THE UNION POST y September 2011 Republic goes under UN rights audit THe rePUBLIC’s record on human national law, focussing on any gaps in does not recognise a right to strike the use of agency labour during a rights – including trade union rights – human rights protection. and that there is no legal entitlement strike. Unions claim this runs will be put under the Un spotlight in Irish trade unionists have long to strike. counter to the right to strike articu - geneva next month. claimed there is currently no effec - Instead, Ireland has a system of lated in Article 28 of the eU Charter on october 6, Ireland is being as - tive legal protection here for work - “immunities” that apply in certain cir - and the basic principles of the ILo. sessed under a Universal Periodic ers who experience discrimination cumstances when the collective ac - After the UPr, recommendations review for the first time. or ‘blacklisting’ because of their tion is part of a “trade dispute”. are made on how compliance with each of the Un’s 192 member union activities or membership. However, employers in Ireland are human rights obligation can be im - states must now go through this Un They claim this violates the princi - increasingly going to the courts to proved. The country under review Human right Council’s monitoring ples of freedom of association and seek injunctions to halt the strike ac - has a duty to implement these rec - process every four years. the right to unionise enshrined in Ar - tion. ommendations in the four years be - The UPr assesses how countries ticle 23 of the Universal Declaration This gives power to employers to fore it comes up for review again. respect the commitments they made of Human rights. disrupt, curtail, delay and halt strikes. For more information go to: and agreements signed under inter - Unions also point out that Ireland There are also no restrictions on http://www.rightsnow.ie/

UK PENSIONS STRIKE Journalists’ safety event ‘Fight of our lives ... make no THe nUJ is holding a one-day conference examining the ex - periences of journalists who have worked through the Trou - bles in the north and other mistake. This is it’ conflict zones. The one-day event, titled THere will be widespread disruption to ‘nUJ Journalist safety – the public services in the north and across northern Ireland experience’, the UK as unions take part in a massive will be held from 9.30am to co-ordinated day of action on november 5pm at the nICVA 30 over pensions. offices in Belfast on Friday, sep - It comes as talks between unions and tember 30. government on the proposed hike in pub - It is dedicated to the mem - lic sector pension contributions sched - ory of murdered Sunday World uled for next April seem to have run into reporter Martin o’Hagan. the sand. The 10th anniversary of his There was a unanimous vote in favour killing takes place on septem - of the action at the end of the TUC con - ber 28 – two days before the ference in London on september 14. conference. general secretary Brendan Barber organiser Kevin Cooper said: vowed to make november 30 “the biggest “We are hoping that journalists trade union mobilisation for a genera - – who may have experienced tion”. censorship, threats, legal chal - The angry mood in the conference hall lenge, physical assault, or who was reflected by the cat-calls and heckles may have witnessed trauma or directed at Labour leader ed Milliband experienced interference with when he claimed during his speech that their professional work – will strikes “were always the consequence of be able to share their stories.” failure – failure we can’t afford as a na - A number of workshops tion.” under Chatham House rules Meanwhile, UnIson chief Dave Prentis will be run. told delegates he was serving notice on Participants will be asked to more than 9,000 employers that the reflect on past experiences of union was balloting its 1.1 million mem - UNISON chief Dave Pentis has served conflict journalism as well as bers. notice on 9,000 employers Pictures: TUC talk about current events and He said: “It's the fight of our lives. I tion was a signal both the stormont ad - methods of news gathering and know it's an over-used cliché, but make ministration and the UK government that to make recommendations to no mistake, this is it.” In June, public sec - unions would – with the support of local improve journalistic ethics, tor trade unions in the north agreed a communities – resist public sector cuts and training and industry practice. joint declaration on industrial action. attacks on jobs, pay and pensions. For more info and a registra - Congress assistant general secretary He predicted a “a prolonged period of tion form email Kevin at: [email protected] Ed Milliband: Heckled over strikes Peter Bunting said then that the declara - industrial strife”. Long-term dole figures show ‘chill’ of austerity Congress has dubbed the republic’s soaring killing the patient and July – the biggest quarterly fall since records long-term unemployment figures a “chilling com - smothering any prospect began in 1999. mentary on austerity” and demanded the govern - of a recovery”. The figures, revealed in a bulletin from the UK’s ment takes urgent and immediate action. He added: “To cut an - office for national statistics, showed the number Commenting on the dramatic rise shown in fig - other €4bn out of the of unemployed rose by 80,000 over the period. ures released on september 15, Congress chief economy next year is The number of jobless now stands at 2.51 mil - economist Paul sweeney, inset right, said: “A full madness, but even to cut lion – or 7.9% of the UK’s working-age popula - 54% of those out of work are now long-term un - the planned €3.6bn will tion. employed, without jobs or a decent income for mean no growth whatso - TUC general secretary Brendan Barber de - over a year. ever in 2012. scribed the ons figures as "terrible". “That is a chilling statistic and a chilling com - “The adjustment must He said: "They are further evidence that the re - mentary on the failure of the austerity pro - be scaled back and ac - covery has been choked off by a self-defeating gramme that was supposedly designed to save us. companied by investment rush to austerity. “In fact, it is directly responsible for thousands in jobs. That is vital. "The public sector is shedding jobs more than of job losses. These figures require an immediate, “The Irish economy is failing on so many fronts twice as fast as the private sector can create new urgent and strong response from government.” that it is time for a significant change in policy. The ones, and with the increasingly gloomy outlook Mr sweeney claimed those calling for more key to recovery is real investment in jobs.” for the economy as a whole, the outlook for jobs spending cuts and increased taxes on regular Meanwhile, the UK’s public sector shed is as bad as at any time since the height of the re - workers “seem not to realise that austerity is 111,000 jobs in the three months to the end of cession."

September 2011 y THE UNION POST 3 SCHOOLS INITIATIvE MARTINA O’LEARY on ICTU’s new YouthConnect programme coming to a school near you...

AsK AnY teenager about trade Class action: Some recently Laura Dooley, one of the school unions and they’ll most likely stare trained YouthConnect champions champions, says: “I think it is impor - at you blankly. Ask any trade union - discuss the best way to introduce tant students have the information ist “what’s our biggest problem?” the world of work and unions to they need when they are going for - students. From left: Yvonne and, chances are, they’ll tell you we O’Callaghan, Laura Dooley (also ward. need to attract more young people pictured left) Seamus Dowling, “I know myself from being in into our ranks. Grainne Murphy & Colm Flaherty school, if you did business you might T C

With minimum income protection A know a little bit about your rights at P M

under attack and youth unemploy - I work, but there was no one really

: s e

ment soaring, connecting with a r there, especially when you first go u t c young workforce has never been i into work, to tell you this is what more vital for trade unions. And P you should know, these are your vice versa. rights, unions do this, they look after now Congress’ YouthConnect you. project is set to take “The YouthConnect project is trade unions and the about getting into schools and giving world of work into the kids the infor - classrooms across the mation they country. ’S A need.” This student-fo - IT Fiona and her cused re - team are buoyed source pack, by positive feed - with accompa - back from a pilot nying supports, scheme, even aims to raise though it re - young people’s vealed that few awareness of UE! kids are cur - the role and ac - SS rently aware of unions and what I Pictures: IMPACT tivities of Irish SS they do. trade unions. It A she believes schools will be clam - L ity and inequality in society. C Congress’ ambition of reaching all also promotes A new YouthConnect website – ouring for the resource once word collective action and the value of 750 secondary schools over the www.youth-connect.ie – is de - gets round. “The most important participating in schools, communi - next two years. signed to work hand in hand with thing for us is to get into schools ties, unions and other organisations. “Initially we planned to target the pack. and make contact with teachers,” Congress’ project coordinator transition year students. But a pilot It contains news and information she says. Fiona Dunne claims eight out of 10 project, consultation with teachers on the five module themes, a sec - “In the pilot I was struck by the kids have never heard of a union. and engagement at the teacher tion for teachers, an e-zine and a negative views that young people “They don’t know who we are. unions’ conferences made us realise platform for students to discuss and have. They think unions are all about They don’t know what unions do. If that teachers in a wide range of sub - explore the issues that interest strikes, giving out and negativity. there’s no family connection fewer jects – business, economics, religious them most. “They know nothing about the and fewer young people are becom - education, CsPe – could use this re - Congress’ YouthConnect project positive day-to-day stuff. ing union members. source. is working closely with the Irish sec - “Helping people who have been “YouthConnect is about getting “They can use a complete module ond-level students’ Union (IssU), unfairly fired, or are underpaid or into schools and making young peo - or just part of it. either way, it will which is Ireland’s representative bullied at work. ple aware of what we do,” she says. bring trade unions and the world of body for second-level students. “That doesn’t make the news so Initially funded by IMPACT’s for - work into the education main - Both aim to encourage students we need to explain that it’s part of mer Tax officials branch, the pro - stream. to become more aware of their what it means to be a union mem - gramme is being launched for the “It will get kids thinking about the rights, and to assert those rights in ber,” adds Fiona. new school year. whole collective idea that you aren’t school and the workplace. A lot of work and preparation has It centres on a five-module teach - alone at work and learning about one of the themes of YouthCon - gone into the project, well before it ers’ resource pack. what trade unions can do for them,” nect is about encouraging students hits the classrooms. Fiona and her team are offering says Fiona. to be more active in their own lives; Congress is determined that the teachers an introductory session on The easy-to-use YouthConnect re - to understand and stand up for their resource won’t end up gathering how best to use it, along with two source pack includes information rights – including in school. dust on shelves. copies of the impressive pack – one for teachers, lesson plans, students’ IssU have already set up 40 “My ambition is that this will be for teaching and one for the library. information handouts and work - school councils and hopes that ex - permanent. It will be something that To this end, Congress has set up a sheets – all bound together with posure to YouthConnect will help Congress continues to do so that group of ‘schools champions’ – grad - clear teaching and project objec - generate more. young people leave school thinking uate teachers who are trained to tives. The schools visits will also show - it makes sense to join a union,” she present the resource pack to teach - Its five information-packed mod - case the iConnect card, jointly de - says. ers and students. ules cover the world of work, veloped by IssU and YouthConnect, For more information contact so far 100 schools have signed up unions and solidarity, rights at work which entitles holders to a range of Fiona Dunne at for visits, a positive start towards and school, globalisation and equal - discounts. [email protected] .

4 THE UNION POST y September 2011 Communications Workers’ Union

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September 2011 y THE UNION POST 5 EMERGENCY SERvICES FBU trashes Dublin fire brigade Reform claim THe Fire Brigades Union has slammed as “right- wing trash” a claim that huge cuts in the UK’s fire service are manageable. ruling welcomed The claim made by leading think-tank reform SIPTU and IMPACT have both wel - decision, not alone because it acknowl - was dismissed by FBU general secretary Matt comed a Labour Court ruling prevent - edges those savings already agreed for Wrack as “dangerous and ignorant”. ing further cuts at Dublin Fire Brigade. this year – savings which are being reform also claimed that the falling number of The two unions representing fire implemented while the service deaths in accidental fires in Britain was due to fighters in the capital had agreed to continues to be fully delivered. smoke alarms. €3.5m in budget cuts for 2011 in talks “The recommendation is also wel - While acknowledging the usefulness of alarms, with management under the workings come because it proves how effective Mr Wrack said such devices were not the “magic bullet” reform research had suggested. of the Croke Park agreement. the Croke Park agreement is in solving He said: “reform ignores the fact that fire These cuts were ratified in a secret what might otherwise have been an crews have been carrying out near-record num - ballot of members – but just two acrimonious dispute.” bers of rescues from dwelling fires and other 999 months after that vote, management Also welcoming the move, SIPTU incidents. sought additional cost savings of €1.7m. sector organiser Owen Reidy said: “We “We have been saving more lives and rescuing But this move was blocked by the found it completely unacceptable that more people – there is no reduction in the need Labour Court’s September 5 ruling the employer would seek to set aside for a fire service.” backing the unions’ position that fur - the agreement and seek additional Pointing out that the fire service had already ther cuts were unacceptable under the savings. been “cut to pieces”, Mr Wrack warned: “To fol - Croke Park agreement. “We utilised the dispute-solving low the reform agenda will put the lives of the IMPACT assistant general secretary procedures and our position has been public and fire crews at much greater risk at all Phil McFadden said: “We welcome this vindicated by the Labour Court.” the incidents we respond to.” Workplace STRESS survey CONGRESS has launched an online workplace stress survey in order to get a better picture of the causes and experiences of and responses to work-related stress. If you have an queries, contact Esther Lynch of ICTU at [email protected] A delegation of pensioner activists from Northern Ireland take a breather in the Or you can access the survey at: sun before joining 3,000 other OAPs in marching through the centre of Blackpool at the start of the National Pensioners Convention’s Pensioners Parliament in June http://irishcongress.polldaddy.com/s/08A19FB29FAD6599

9 yr old Galla Abdu Nunu looks after her severely malnourished sister Matamay (9 months), EAST AFRICA Dadaab camp, Kenya.

Photo credit: Andy Hall / Oxfam EMERGENCY YOU CAN SAVE LIVES Parts of Somalia are now in famine. Over 12 million people in East Africa face starvation. Children are most in danger of dying as malnutrition rates soar. Oxfam is there but we urgently need your help.

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6 THE UNION POST y August 2011 Speculators playing Irish roulette with our economy IreLAnD is acting as a roulette wheel for the Ireland’s national debt has soared because of country – has failed to world’s top financial gamblers arising out of the the fateful decision to turn private debt public stop the runaway train massive increase in secondary trading on its sov - through the bank guarantee scheme of septem - that was created when ereign debt. ber 2008. the government of the That’s the conclusion of a new study, titled Audit This debt rose from less than €20 billion in the day signed away a gener - of Irish Debt , published on september 16. late 1980s to a little under €40 billion in 2007. ation’s future to protect The research, carried out by a team from the It has since shot up to more than €91 billion. wealthy overseas inter - University of Limerick and supported by Unite, speaking after the release of the report, Unite ests. uncovers the complexity that lies behind the ac - regional secretary Jimmy Kelly called the figures referring to the “disas - tual ownership of Irish debt. “a scandal in every sense”. trous consequences” of The report seeks to quantify and explain the He said: “Back room deals have saddled the that move, Mr Kelly said debts for which the Irish people have been made people of this country, and their children, with a picture emerges from responsible. debts that are completely unsustainable.” the report that “will ‘Scandal’: Jimmy Kelly It covers the issuing of government bonds, ex - Mr Kelly also accused those in government shock those who care plains the way in which ownership of those bonds who were “continuing the myth” that “cutting fur - about Ireland’s freedom as a nation to determine is traded in financial markets without any control ther and deeper will free us of the debt” of insult - its own future”. by the people who ultimately have to repay it, and ing the Irish public. He warned: “It must prompt a total revision of the liabilities for which Ireland is responsible The government’s austerity programme – that our economic priorities. Without change we will through taking ownership of the largest banks in has led to a surge in unemployment, a return to be crushed under the weight of debt that has the state. emigration and widespread gloom through the been placed upon us.” ILO chief: Don’t use crisis to attack workers’ rights C

ILo director general Juan somavia has U T E

warned european parliamentarians that : e r

the economic crisis should not be used to u t c i

weaken basic labour rights. P His address to the european Parliament in Brussels on september 14 was wel - comed by eTUC general secretary Bernadette ségol. she gave her backing to what she called Mr somavia’s “unequivocal” assertion that workers’ rights should not be “sacrificed to austerity”. In his speech, Mr somavia listed the challenges facing eU countries as “work - ing poverty, precarious work, low pay, so - cial exclusion and long term unemployment”. Support: Bernadette Ségol He insisted that short-term challenges facing europe required fiscal consolidation that was socially responsible. Mr somavia told MePs: “respect for fundamental principles and rights at work is non-negotiable; not even in times of crisis when questions of fairness abound. This is particularly important in countries having to adopt austerity measures. We cannot use the crisis as an excuse to dis - regard internationally agreed labour standards.” ILO chief Juan Somavia after speech Picture: European Union 2011 PE-EP/Pietro Naj-Oleari INTO makes history appeal THE Irish National sion taken by the tory . She told INTO’s In of old branch minute Teachers Organisation – union’s Central Execu - Touch magazine: “This books or registers which will be celebrat - tive Committee last is not only a chance to which are taking up ing a century and a half year to seek expres - record and celebrate room and gathering of service to Ireland’s sions of interest in re - the history of the or - dust. teachers in 2018 – has searching and writing a ganisation and its “If this sounds famil - commissioned historian book on the subject. members but to pro - iar, we want to hear Dr Niamh Puirséil, left, Dr Puirséil wrote the tect its past. from you.” to write a history of the widely-praised The Irish “There will be current Anyone who has union. Labour Party 1922-1973 and retired INTO mem - INTO-themed info The ‘INTO 150’ proj - and co-authored We bers across the country stored away can ect will be published in Declare: Landmark Doc - whose attics and contact Dr Puirséil on 2018 and follows a deci - uments in Ireland’s His - garages contain boxes [email protected]

LATEST REPORTS FROM FRONT TRADE UNION TV LINE AND THE SHOP FLOOR... http://www.youtube.com/user/TradeUnionTVIreland#p/u/0/ATDACnrvRqg

August 2011 y THE UNION POST 7 NIPSA backs MPs’ report slamming PFI nIPsA general secretary Brian years. It noted: “The price of fi - from increased risk transfer. on being considered by the govern - Campfield has welcomed the find - nance is significantly higher with a the contrary there is evidence of ment. Mr Campfield said: “The re - ings of a highly critical parliamen - PFI. The financial cost of repaying the opposite.” port confirms in many respects the tary report on Private Finance the capital investment of PFI in - PFI contracts were also attacked views expressed by nIPsA and Initiative contracts. vestors is therefore considerably for being “inherently inflexible” and other trade unions that private fi - The House of Commons Treas - greater than the equivalent repay - concerns were raised that the VFM nancing of public sector infrastruc - ury select Committee report, pub - ment of direct government invest - (value for money) appraisals were ture and other investments – lished last month, dubbed the PFI ment. skewed in their favour. including the design, build and op - financing method “extremely ineffi - “We have not seen any evidence The UK has 700 PFI contracts erate model of Public Private Part - cient” and flagged up how the cost to suggest that this inefficient delivering a wide array of public as - nerships – does not provide the of this type of finance had “in - method of financing has been off sets and services. It is understood public with good value for money creased significantly” in recent set by the perceived benefits of PFI another 61 contracts are currently or more efficient delivery.” Check out the full report on: www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmtreasy/1146/114602.htm Aussie unions on the march

More than 40,000 Aus - of dollars of spending tralian trade unionists cuts teamed with a mas - took to the streets of sive wave of privatisation sydney earlier this month of state assets under the in protest at the state justification of dealing government’s attack on with a “budget black public sector jobs. hole”. The september 8 rally His coalition govern - is part of a developing ment also plans to axe campaign highlighting not 5,000 public sector jobs. just the assault on the United Union services public sector but legisla - general secretary tive moves unions claim graeme Kelly claimed Mr have targeted public em - o'Farrell had “broken his ployees’ bargaining rights word” by threatening the in new south Wales. jobs of public servants. Demonstrators gath - He added: “The com - ered in the Domain park munity deserves and de - area of sydney before mands sufficient numbers marching past the state of workers to undertake parliament in Macquarie the back-of-office func - street. tions to free up our since being elected ear - front-line emergency lier this year, state pre - services for their essen - mier Barry o’Farrell has tial duties.” pushed through billions Pictures: ASU/USU

8 THE UNION POST y September 2011

C Job losses on the increase u Cuts to t Pay cuts services b Downturn Slump

a Future uncertain for many c k M J s s o a b

Recessionk

Job threats r

c t Pensions collapse k h a e r b t s

Creditt crunch e

t a c a e u r r t h a s t

C s

b DownturnRecession

h Tax increases o Crisis J Shares plummet Shortfall DON’T TRY THIS ALONE! You’re more secure with the protection of your union Join For more information about IMPACT trade union, latest news and subscription services, please visit www.impact.ie

September 2011 y THE UNION POST 9 ‘MAIN STREET’ FIGHTS BACK... US nurses stage a wave of tax demos THOUSANDS of nurses staged blockades of the offices of a day of action across the US House of Representatives earlier this month to highlight leader Eric Cantor and Min - their call for Wall Street’s nesota pro-austerity firebrand moneybags to pay for the crisis Michelle Bachmann. they created. At other events, soup A total of 60 protests across kitchens were set up outside 21 states were held on Septem - Congressional offices to under - ber 1 as part of a National line the devastating effects the Nurses United campaign to collapse of the economy has have a half a per cent federal had on “Main Street USA” and levy slapped on bond deals and the knock-on impact of scaled- other financial transactions. down welfare programmes. Supporters claim such a move NNU co-president Jean Ross could raise as much as $350bn said: “This is a sales tax on the to improve health care services business Wall Street does. It Stateside. would disincentivise the ex - Individual actions included treme gambling they do.” Bridge protest, above, in San Diego. Soup kitchen in Frisco, below, and, below left, NNU town crier in old Boston town

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10 THE UNION POST y September 2011 TUC backs workers in boardroom TUC general secretary Bren - increases without any link to interests in the City – many of dan Barber has backed the performance. This system con - whom rely on the status quo concept of workers’ represen - tributed to the financial crash for their own inflated salaries – tatives sitting on executive re - and needs urgent reform. and the government must be muneration committees. "Workers' representatives on prepared to stand up to them." He was responding to a remuneration committees will The practice, known as proposal contained in a UK help regain public confidence in co-determination, is well es - Department of Business, Inno - executive pay by adding a tablished in Germany where vation and Skills discussion sense of perspective and paper published on September forcing directors to explain employee reps sit on company 19. Welcoming the proposal, how their rewards relate to supervisory boards. In the UK, Mr Barber said: "The UK's those offered to their work - retailer John Lewis and trans - flawed executive pay culture force. But any attempt to seri - port operator First Group has allowed those at the top to ously reform executive pay will already have employee repre - award themselves vast pay be fiercely resisted by vested sentation on their boards. Barber: Backed concept

PICTURES: Kevin Cooper [email protected]

Former Irish Post staff and contributors at the campaign launch earlier this month at the Federation of Irish Societies office in London Staff in bid to save Irish Post ForMer staff at The Irish Post paper comes as a devastating blow that The Irish Post can be saved. ensure the invaluable service pro - have launched a campaign to save to the expat Irish community in “The rise in circulation of the vided by The Irish Post is not lost the London-based weekly. Britain. newspaper in several months this to its loyal readers within the Irish The final edition of the newspa - But according to former mem - year underlines its massive poten - community.” per – whose motto was ‘If its Irish bers of staff, there now exists an tial. Former editor Malcolm rogers in Britain, we’ve got it covered’ – opportunity for potential investors “With the right backing, it is a said: “The Irish Post was a vital came out on August 19. to re-launch what was the biggest title which could be profit-making forum for the Irish community in It followed an announcement by selling national newspaper for the within 12 months of a return to Britain for over 40 years. owners Thomas Crosbie Holdings Irish in Britain. the newsstand. The timing of its “With over 1,000 Irish people last month that it would place the At the time of its closure, The closure is difficult to fathom given emigrating to Britain every week, it Irish Post Media Ltd into liquida - Irish Post has seen a boost in cir - the increasing numbers of young is evident that there is still a huge tion on september 14. culation since the start of the year, Irish people moving here. role to be played by the newspa - The campaign to save the title is with sales reaching in excess of “I am happy to speak with any per. backed by the Federation of Irish 20,000 in mid-March. prospective investors to outline “We, the staff, are resolute in societies, representing hundreds of Former Irish Post chief executive the newspaper’s potential, some of our determination to save the Irish community groups in the UK. niamh Kelly said: “We the manage - which has not yet been explored, title.” The closure of the 41-year-old ment and staff believe passionately and will do everything possible to For further information on the campaign, e-mail [email protected] or follow their Facebook page ‘Save the Irish Post’ .

September 2011 y THE UNION POST 11 IMPACT warns of economic fallout if govt’s stake in Aer Lingus is sold IMPACT has warned of the damaging long-term consequences to the Irish economy of any sale of the Irish government’s stake in Aer Lingus. national secretary Matt staunton said: “The consideration of the sale of the state’s share of Aer Lingus needs to be mindful of the lessons of the past, such as the sale of eircom. “We have learned – very much to our cost – It was all smiles at the Unite summer school in Belfast. From left: Unite Ireland education of - what it means to abandon core assets that serve ficer Ritchie Browne; senior organiser Jim Quinn; guest speaker Derek Wall – who spoke on the interests of the state, its citizens and its indus - 'Green/Left alternatives' – Northern Ireland Water shop steward Paul Kelly; Irish regional tries in haste.” secretary Jimmy Kelly and Geraldine Kelly, Unite’s seconded officer to the education board He was responding to comments made by Transport Minister Leo Varadkar earlier this month that he was actively considering the sale of the government stake in the national carrier. Mr staunton also blasted “as not a sound argu - UK teaching unions set for ment” Mr Varadkar’s view that the government would need more than a 30% share to block any changes to slots. He added: “As for arguing that anything less mass lobby of Parliament than 30% is not sufficient to protect our strategic interests, the state would have no influence what - A COALITION of UK teaching unions ents. But the seven unions involved soever with zero per cent.” is organising a joint mass lobby of the in the lobby have not ruled out fur- Houses of Parliament next month to ther industrial action if the UK gov- highlight their campaign against pen- ernment continues to erode sion cuts. pensions. The October 26 action, including A source said: “We hope to have at the ASCL, ATL, NAHT, NASUWT, NUT, UCAC and UCU, is expected to least one representative from every involve up to 25,000 teachers and school and college in England and lecturers. Wales to demonstrate to Parliament It is being held during the half-term the unity and determination of the holiday to avoid interrupting school- entire profession in opposing cuts to ing and causing disruption for par- our pensions.”

EMERGENCY AID CWU donate €50k in Somalia appeal THe CWU has donated €50,000 to help fund a nutrition programme in somalia through Irish charity Concern. A union source said: “The money will be used to provide direct life-saving support for some of the world’s most vulnerable displaced people. “These are people who have lost everything due to famine, drought and the continued conflict in the region. “once again our big-hearted members have shown how willing they are to dig deep to help people on the very edge of existence.” The programme, which started last month, is set to run to January next year and will be moni - tored by Concern. It covers the hard-hit Mo - gadishu, Bay and Lower shabelle districts. The current crisis affects half the somali popu - lation – a total of 3.7 million nationwide, with 3.2 million of those in urgent need of lifesaving assis - tance. It’s estimated that the €50,000 provided by CWU will pay for a month’s food for 1,051 fami - lies – approximately 6,300 people. Mary Robinson to speak each household receives a special ID to get vouchers from the local Concern office. They then use the vouchers to buy provisions at SIPTU Somalia benefit from local shops. ForMer Irish President and Un Drew, poet Paula Meehan, singer A household food voucher for a month costs Human rights Commissioner, eoin glackin and traditional €47.54. Mary robinson, is to speak at a group, Le Chéile are on the play - Those somalis in the programme can exchange benefit concert in aid of famine bill.Proceeds will go to Concern the vouchers for basics such as rice, white flour, victims in somalia next month. in somalia. sugar and cooking oil. The sIPTU-organised Forgot - Tickets at €25 are on sale from According to Concern – which has worked in ten Famine concert will be held www.centralticketbureau.com at Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin, or tel: 0818 205 205 the region for 25 years – the advantage of provid - on Thursday, october 13. For further information or ing food vouchers is that they are less bulky than Musicians Donal Lunny and concessions contact: sIPTU food supplies, are safer to transport than cash Paddy glackin, and PD and the Communications: 01 8586372 and help existing local markets. Mary Robinson on recent Undertakers, fronted by Phelim or email: info@siptu.ie visit to Somalia Pictures: Concern 12 THE UNION POST y September 2011 USDAW Protecting Mandate welcomes lease deal MANDATE has welcomed a new 15-year Mandate and Arcadia and the issue regard- lease agreed between the Arcadia Group ing options for the 104 staff affected were vulnerable and Green Properties Ltd. referred to the Labour Relations Commis- Mandate divisional organiser Brendan sion. O’Hanlon described the development as “In July, Arcadia advised Mandate – dur- workers is good news as it will protect almost 100 re- ing an LRC hearing – that agreement had tail jobs at the Arcadia Group’s outlets in been reached with Green Properties and at heart of the Blanchardstown Centre. that only the Evans store would be closing, These include Top Shop, Top Man, Wallis, with 14 staff affected. Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Bur- “Following local talks in August, proposals what we do tons. regarding options for the staff affected UsDAW president Jeff Broome He said: “Last April, the Arcadia Group were unanimously accepted and they in- has claimed unions must do informed its staff of its intention to close cluded redeployment on current terms and more to protect vulnerable its seven outlets in the Blanchardstown conditions or voluntary redundancy of five workers from exploitation. Centre. weeks pay, including statutory redun- He made the call while speak - “Negotiations then took place between dancy.” ing in support of a motion by broadcasting union BeCTU at the TUC congress in London earlier this month. SUMMER SCHOOL Mr Broome told delegates: “As trade unions, protecting vul - nerable workers is at the heart of what we do. “We seek to extend the pro - tection of union membership to those who need it the most. Thinking globally “We believe in fairness and we believe in giving everyone a voice at work.” He also welcomed the new agency workers regulations, which he claimed would deliver on ethics & rights “key new rights” to many vulner - able workers. A rAnge of topics – from cli - grammes dealing with women's and those pushing the green However, he added that effec - mate change to disability in the entrepreneurship, disability, forced agenda. tive enforcement was needed to workplace – was up for discussion labour and child labour. she said: “It is clear that the ensure the new legislation would at Congress’ third annual global The impact of climate change poorest and the most vulnerable deliver equal treatment. solidarity summer school earlier was a key part of the discussions across the world will be the first Mr Broome warned: “With - this month. over the two days. to suffer as a result of climate out enforcement, representation The event, which took place on There was a panel talk on the change.” and organisation, the new rights september 2 and 3 at Carlton theme of Climate Change, green Delegates also heard about de - to equal treatment will fail to Hotel in galway, was officially Jobs and Decent Work chaired by velopments in strife-torn Colom - deliver for agency workers.” opened by Congress president eu - national Union of Ireland galway bia. gene Mcglone. academic Prof Jim Browne. Freelance journalist Mike Mc - INMO In his address, he stressed the others on the panel included Caughen gave a first hand account importance of raising conscious - Prof Terrence McDonough, nUIg, of the constant danger faced by ness and educating delegates sIPTU researcher Loraine Mulli - trade unionists and others in about a range of rights and ethical gan and gavin Harte of the stop Colombia. He told delegates that Emergency issues on a global theme. Climate Change Chaos Coalition. assassinations occurred often Irish Aid deputy director gen - They were joined by Congress’ without press comment or cover - eral Michael gaffney spoke about Liam Berney and neil Walker of age. depts crisis the work of his organisation IBeC. Mariela Kohan of Justice for which he dubbed “the Irish peo - Annabella rosenberg of ITUC Colombia UK and JFC Ireland’s THe InMo has claimed over - ple’s aid programme”. gave a keynote address on how John o’Brien also spoke. crowding in the republic’s emer - He claimed that the work of climate change relates to the issue Congress chief economist Paul gency departments reached Irish Aid reflected the core values of decent work through video sweeney gave a global perspective record levels last month. of the Irish people. link. on the need for progressive taxa - An analysis of its Trolley Watch Mr gaffney also acknowledged Pointing out that “we live in tion to deal with the financial cri - figures for August found that the good relationship between his very interesting and challenging sis. He also outlined four factors there was a 35% increase on the organisation and Congress not times”, she set out the common that had led to balance of power August 2010 figure and a stag - only in terms of funding but in ground that existed between shifting away from workers and gering 106% on August 2007. working together on ILo pro - those campaigning on social issues citizens. According to the union, a total U of 401 people on trolleys were T C I

: logged on August 31 alone. s e r

InMo general secretary Liam u t c i

Doran said: “These figures must P tell the Minister and the Hse that their current cost contain - ment programmes are having a serious negative impact upon pa - tient care. “Increasingly we are facing at - tempts by local hospital manage - ments to deal with this problem by placing additional beds on all ICTU’s David Joyce in-patient wards, notwithstand - ing the fact that there are closed beds/wards in all of these hospi - tals. This is simply wrong.” He added: “emergency depart - ment overcrowding, and people waiting for a bed on a trolley, is the greatest challenge facing the entire health system every day. “It cannot, and will not, be solved by hiding the problem, with extra beds on wards, thus compromising the care of all pa - Annabella Rosenberg tients.” http://www.ictu.ie/globalsolidarity/newsevents/keyissues/2011/09/12/report-from-3rd-annual-global-solidarity-summer-sc/

September 2011 y THE UNION POST 13 PCS CLAIM: C U T E

: s e r u t c i UK lost tax P revenue is triple HMRC estimation THe amount of tax lost to public fi - nances in Britain each year is more than THree times the UK govern - ment's estimate, the Public and Commercial services union has claimed. According to the union, figures produced by the HM revenue and Customs on september 21 mas - sively underestimate the problem. HMrC bean counters claim that there is a £35 billion tax gap – money lost through tax evasion and avoidance – and not being col - lected. The PCs’s own research puts the tax gap at around £120 billion. general secretary Mark ser - wotka said: "By any measure, £35 billion is a lot of money and it 50,000 AT RALLY ought to be chased. But we esti - mate the real figure is more than three times that, and cuts in HMrC are leaving the department unable to cope. "Instead of cutting jobs and of - fices, ministers should invest to rig - AGAINST EU orously pursue the tens of billions of pounds in tax lost through the use of tax havens and evasion and avoidance tactics by big corpora - tions and the very wealthy." AUSTERITY More than 50,000 trade unionists for a return to national solutions from across europe took part in a and a break-up of the eurozone. PHoToLInE massive anti-austerity demo in It predicted that a “renationalisa - Experienced Poland earlier this month. tion” of european economic policy The march in Wroclaw, organ - would have disastrous conse - photographer ised by the european Trade Union quences on workers’ conditions specialises in Confederation with Polish confed - and give an impetus to right-wing campaigning erations solidarnosc and oPZZ, populism. the crisis to dismantle social provi - was timed to coincide with an in - The eTUC claimed the current sions that are the bedrock of the photography formal meeting of european fi - wave of austerity was fostering un - european social model.” for trade unions nance ministers in the city on employment and boosting inequal - The statement also underlined and nGos. september 17. ity. that “wages are not the economy In a statement the day before, “Workers in a number of coun - but their engine”. For conferences, the eTUC steering committee tries are facing frontal attacks on “Unleashing a ‘race to the bot - campaign launches, called for sustainable growth to be their acquired legal rights en - tom’ on wages and welfare policies teamed with social cohesion. shrined in european legislation and will undermine demand dynamics street demos, The eTUC also warned against international instruments. and threaten deflation across the May Day parades, those “siren voices” who argued “some governments are using entire monetary union.” magazine and PR photography. Shared commission rates for IcTU conferences. conTacT Kevin cooper E: [email protected] T: 028 90777299 M: 07712044751

14 THE UNION POST y September 2011 HEALTH Services are at You can’t hold a candle to NHS, ‘breaking point’ that’s why we’ll keep this lit... C U

sIPTU has warned the republic’s health minister T

: e Dr James reilly of the damaging impact the num - r u t c i

bers of health service staff planning to retire next P year will have on nursing care. The warning came in a september 5 letter to the minister from the union’s nursing sector com - mittee. The letter stated: “As nursing provides the largest number of hours to the health service it is logical that nursing will be hardest hit. “Frontline nurses and midwives are already struggling to cope from the impact of the mora - torium which has had a disproportionate impact on nursing care and they simply cannot take an - other dramatic cut in numbers.” Meanwhile, sIPTU mid-west organiser Jim Mc - grath claimed nursing staff in his region were al - ready at “breaking point” as a result of the moratorium. He added: “We are deeply concerned about the impact the retirements will have on nurses who are already overstretched.” DESIGN do you need your union publication revamped ? contact us at braziermedia @btinternet.com INMO: Free jailed Bahraini medics THe InMo has renewed its call on the Irish gov - TRADE unionists – including TUC the NHS as we know it”. ernment and the eU to redouble efforts to se - chief Brendan Barber and UNISON He said: “Despite the denials, this cure the freedom of 12 medical professionals still general secretary Dave Prentis – join government is throwing the door held without reason by authorities in Bahrain. members of the public outside the wide open to private companies, who The medics and nurses were detained following Houses of Parliament in London at a will cherry pick profitable parts of serious civil unrest in the gulf state earlier this candlelight vigil for the NHS earlier our NHS and make a fortune. year. this month. “Survey after survey has shown that President sheila Dickson said: “The government The September 7 event drew atten - the public care deeply about who pro - and the eU must utilise all avenues to have pres - tion to the “damaging consequences” vides health services. They do not sure applied upon the government of Bahrain to of the Health and Social Care Bill, want private companies making prof - free these innocent people. particularly the removal of the pri - its from healthcare – every penny “All health professionals are obliged, by their vate patient income cap and the must go towards caring for patients, code of practice, to care for everyone, without threat of privatisation. Mr Prentis and boosting our NHS for the fu - fear or favour, and there is never justification for warned the vigil marked “the end of ture.” detaining any individual who follows this code.” Bruton warned over EU work directive SIPTU’s acting health divi - service there are more than ographers and health care cost 8,000 jobs, he added: sion organiser Paul Bell has 2,000 employees on agency assistants have been main - “That is simply wrong and warned Richard Bruton, the contracts. tained on agency con - constant attempts to Minister for Jobs, Enterprise “The implementation of tracts – in some cases for frighten workers in order to and Innovation, his union this directive would give more than three years.” discourage them from as - will reject any attempt to these workers the right to Mr Bell said that the em - serting their right to fair negotiate a derogation from the same pay and condi - ployment of agency work - treatment is no longer the EU directive on tempo - tions as their permanent ers was never meant to be working. rary agency work. colleagues, be it in the pri - managed in such a way. He “The government, as an The directive – set to vate or public sector, from also pointed out that it was employer, can no longer dis - come into effect on Decem - the minute they are em - not value for money “as the regard good employment ber 5 – will ensure agency ployed. employer has to pay VAT practices and procedures by workers are entitled to the “The Health Service Exec - and commission on top of using agency workers to ca - same pay and conditions as utive moratorium on re - wages”. sualise the health service. their directly-employed col - cruitment has resulted in a Rejecting Minister Bru - Patients need a full-time, leagues. situation where key profes - ton’s claim the full adher - caring and professional He said: “In the health sional grades such as radi - ence to the directive would service.”

September 2011 y THE UNION POST 15 n o i n U

l a b o l G

I N U

: s e Blueprint r u t c i for the P future ... unions working together CWU chief steve Fitzpatrick has to sponsor three of its affiliates in the special difficulties experienced ropean Courts, ILo and the Un. spoken of the pressing need for Ireland – CWU, IBoA and Man - by trade unions in the Irish republic, Mr Fitzpatrick underlined how the what he called “co-operative organ - date – in developing a “collaborative he said: “no employer is legally “old demarcation lines” had been ising” both to boost membership approach”. obliged to recognise a trade union, blurred by developing technologies and spread the influence trade This was especially needed, he irrespective of the numbers of union and that this fact added to the argu - unions have in wider society. added, when unions faced similar is - members employed.” ment that unions should combine He made his comments in a pres - sues – declining membership, hostile Mr Fitzpatrick said this meant that resources and share experiences to - entation at the UnI Post & Logis - employers and repressive industrial employers could claim they had the gether. tics World Conference in relations legislation. “law on their side” even when global Contrasting the “old way of doing Washington DC earlier this month. Mr Fitzpatrick pointed out that all agreements, such as those at o2 things” with new forms of co-opera - Mr Fitzpatrick, above, told the these factors had been further com - Telefonica, were in place. tion, he flagged up the need to build gathering of more than 200 repre - pounded by the financial crisis. He added that this was now the on “shared objectives” rather than sentatives from postal unions giving delegates an insight into subject of legal challenge at the eu - “working in isolation”. across the world that it was neces - sary to find ways to act “collectively to grow the movement”. Dear Detailing how Irish unions were facing the future, he referenced the John Commission on Trade Unions re - Delegates to port, A Call to Action , presented at the UNI Post ICTU’s biennial conference in July. & Logistics That document underlined the conference need for unions – in the words of signed this UnI deputy general secretary Philip giant postcard, Bowyer who delivered the report – addressed to “to get rid of old prejudices and to US House of Representatives take a leap into the future”. speaker John Mr Fitzpatrick described the doc - Boehner, in ument at the time as a “road map support of on co-operation”. postal workers one of the strategies outlined in in their fight to A Call To Action was bringing unions save the US together along sectoral lines. Postal Service, He told delegates in Washington jobs and bar - that UnI global Union had agreed gaining rights Hayes is elected ‘OK, Nick, put your money as UNI P&L pres where your mouth is...’ BILLY Hayes, general secretary of the CWU, UK telecoms union CWU has urged He claimed such a service “would UK, was elected as UnI Post & Logistics world Lib Dem leader nick Clegg to “put allow all homes and businesses to president at the Washington conference. his money where his month is” after play a full part in the digital economy, In his acceptance speech, he said he hoped he promised to give “priority status” boosting jobs and growth right across to work closer with P&L affiliates to put in to infrastructure projects, including the country”. place a strategy to deal with the liberalisation beefed-up broadband networks. But Mr Hayes warned this would and privatisation issues facing postal unions Mr Clegg made the comments in a not happen without strong govern- across the world. But Mr Hayes also flagged up speech delivered at the London ment backing. new opportunities for organising workers in school of economics earlier this “The government needs to put its “an expanding and rapidly altering communica - month. money where its mouth is and invest tions industry”. CWU general secretary Billy Hayes, sufficient sums to ensure that super- He added that he wanted to continue the left, called on the deputy PM to en- fast broadband networks extend right good work carried out by outgoing president sure funds were made available for across the country.” rolf Buttner in fighting to maintain decent jobs universal superfast broadband. for all postal workers.

16 THE UNION POST y September 2011 O T N I

: e r u t c i

P NUJ so proud of centenarian Jimmy nUJ Irish secretary séamus Dooley including Irish news, Irish Press and edge. once a journalist asking Jimmy has paid tribute to veteran Belfast- Irish Independent. if he had ever covered stormont. based journalist Jimmy Kelly who died He added: “Jimmy Kelly was a tow - Jimmy replied with a twinkle in his last month, shortly after celebrating ering figure on the Irish media land - eye, ‘Yes, I covered the opening!’ his 100th birthday. scape and an authoritative “He was also totally committed to Decribing him as the “uncrowned commentator on northern Ireland. the nUJ and to the principles of the king of Irish journalism”, Mr Dooley “He was unfailingly helpful to visit - union. said Jimmy had a long and illustrious ing journalists, some of whom could “He was proud of the nUJ and we career working on a number of titles, be taken aback by his intimate knowl - were very proud of him."

Powerful advocate: Frank Bunting Fearless fighter for union rights InTo general secretary sheila nunan has led tributes to Frank Bunting, the union’s former northern secretary, who died, aged 61, on August 27. Mr Bunting, a towering figure in the world of education and Every wipe trade unionism in the north, had been suffering from cancer for some time. The Belfast-born activist, who retired from his post in May on of his eyes health grounds, served as the union’s northern secretary for 20 years. Mr Bunting was presented with the InTo President’s medal takes Talla at the union’s northern confer - ence earlier this year as a recog - nition of his years of service. s r

He was also a former chair - e v a

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a school teacher in west Belfast. © Ms nunan described Mr Bunting as a powerful advocate for teachers over the years. she said: “He led many signifi - cant campaigns for educational Talla is just five. He has trachoma, a painful eye disease which investment and improvement. His commitment to teachers, can lead to a lifetime of blindness. Repeated infections cause education and the trade union the eyelashes to turn inwards and slowly and painfully every movement is widely recognised and admired.” blink damages the eye and leads to blindness.Trachoma can Ms nunan said Mr Bunting be treated effectively in its early stages with a course had also steered InTo through difficult times. of ointment costing just 50p – “Under his leadership the but for millions of people s union developed successfully as r e

v this is still too much. a one of the authoritative voices s t h g in the world of education. i S / “He was a progressive leader, s If, like Sightsavers, you believe that nobody should go blind w e h anxious to solve problems and t t needlessly from trachoma, river blindness or cataract, a

seek improvements. He also M

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n please make a donation today to support our eye care work

fearlessly challenged injustices n e and wrongs whenever and wher - J © in some of the most deprived communities in the world. ever he saw them.” Congress assistant general secretary Peter Bunting –a Euro donations, please call 1850 50 20 20 or visit www.sightsavers.ie cousin of Frank’s – described him as “hugely non- Sterling donations, please call 0800 089 20 20 or visit www.sightsavers.org sectarian”and credited him with Please quote ICTU. Thank you! having led the way in forging stronger links between InTo, which mainly represents Catholic maintained schools, and Registered charity numbers 207544 and SC038110 the UTU which works within controlled schools.

September 2011 y THE UNION POST 17 p.ie www.getupstandu AIGN LATEST GO TO THE FOR CAMP

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REPORT & P NEWS ICTURES: P2/3 Eam YOU CA onn McCann co N USE N ncludes Octob e I r 23 rally again O st the c INM N uts in Belfast wO VOWS i th a rousing qu U o P te f FOR A O rom radical po BETTER, ACT S et Shelley FAIRER & REIOPNO ORN T WAY TS PAGES 14-17 CONFERENCE NURSING SEPT 29 DETAILS P2 peopl DeA’Ys OF ACTION STUDENTS P ICTURES P4 Pictur FO e: Paula Ger ctaE aghty gon B Room 5 PAY , King’ CUTS congress s Hall, Belfast

F TRADE UNIONS IRISH CONGRESS O CIATION WITH THE Eu THE PUBLISHED IN ASSO ropean Commissi ‘inte on warned over all rference’ in Irelan eged d’s tion chief lab , IMF delega our what’s worse a mAnd a was NOT greeing to rkmede the cut al Bank, a pra confir t European Centr Ajaj Cho ement. ecretary David n bailout. with the loan agre RESS general s humiliating €85b ” move, tied in d it was an “early CONG cember 10 Dail as a “contemptible er, Mr Begg claime as called the De Describing it k €40 a Rath for the “worst L Begg h day of ut too ent” T um wage “a d the wage c ristmas pres Ud nim sai h an S cut the mi Mr Begg the full C Frish business te to r “in ” in I O vo rking poo E elements he wo been P om t gom paid. shame”. ianna week fr economic, po- N ery” to the UlowS E F M s of shame as the e that there is no Obrought onlUy “m iCAN ek Adg O s a we knowle I r it”. S Y It follow Hely ceded justificatioNn foEW iv Nral Svernment effect ical, social or mo go Ulit ail-led the F ty to the IMF and JUNE 2011 financial sovereign

S magne: sL e2n&i3han TURE ACTIAOxNe: Pa O PIC BUDGET RE NATHLE EDu EM FULL NATIO ropean Trade U NOV 27 Confede nion to cu ration will met t minimum wa European pensi ges and Commission c ons in countrie 6-11 Olli Rehn hief gling t s strug- PAGES over reports th o &escaRpe EthPe eORT EU is "inte e crisis, c conomic rvening" in laiming this am national coll to "an at ounted ective bargaini tack on Social rights. ng Europe". H Under ex Mr M isting onks A th agreements, told a meeting e C D in Nommission has ublin on Janua no ry 19 poweDrs to what E that determine urope need R le wSage ed most vels w E a in individual st s a “a spirit of G a In a le tes. to h Ngenerosity” tt e er to Mr Rehn Olp hard-hit cou ETUC gen R, “not t ntries, e h Tral secretary e kind ofF UpLeL STOR n Y SMonks, pi John regim alty PAGE 3 ctured, s es and p the lammed unishment use of "diktat squads impose OF pressure" d at present”H. ER T across F s from E nionist u G WHEN trade Biennial s’ O er for Congres T Ireland gath rney erence in Killa Delegate Conf ade ey will find a tr next month, th od PUB nt that is in go LISHED IN ASSO union moveme for the CIATION WITH fit, and ready THE IRISH CONG shape, fighting RESS OF TRADE ahead. TH UNIONS battles that lie rs and E gates, observe The 800 dele ng figures detaili uests will hear d g ip has remaine ow membersh pth of h despite the de robustly strong ens of nd the loss of t the recession a ds of jobs. thousan king people’s unions are wor Trade defence APRIL 2011 d last – line of first – an laught that neoliberal ons O against a sis into an TR king cri AD d a ban EU turne d s an UN ha ions IO condit NR s, pay, N ob NEW EWS N attack on j S Y PO O R U C TH s. AN U A service ur N o S D e of E S incipl YO ing pr N U guid TH ut a ngth I B een stre O lways b N vement has a at mo igures show th U f P nd O numbers – a from S in mbers drawn T umber of me the n now ffiliated unions Congress’ 54 a 99. stands at 797,3 010 19,449 on the 2 This is down ip in esents a 2.4% d figure and repr rship. union membe age tion of the sav It is a reflec s and is not an assault on job ment any disenchant indication of nionism. ions or trade u with trade un s view, igures back thi In fact, the f ecline in union showing that d a as occurred at membership h al fall than the gener SLOWER rate yment. in emplo red that in d be remembe It shoul e is a trade blic alone, ther the Repu .3% of the nsity rate of 38 union de highest rates e – one ofG thEe 5 MARCH 26 DEMOS RT DwoErkTfoArcILS PA PICTURE SPE ON REPO in Europe. CIAL P 12-1 MISSicIture: Congress 5 S 2011 PAGE 2 COM P GETTING SET FOR BD THE primary objective PUBLISHE ECB of the EU and Thin THE D IN ASSOCIATION is to protect the E k the E WsyITstHe mTHE IRISH C uropean banking U/EC , Congress OgeNnGeRESS OF T B hav Begg ral secretaRrAy DDEa UvNIONS e your has claimed. id interHe told s dtelsega teas at the ence i t h PSeEU aconfer- n Galway on Ap rt? voic ril 15 that those es from Brussels c auste alling for greater rity were not “dis in de tinterested actors termining who sho ” burden uldered the for the financial c Rathe risis. r, he suggested, the without r y were “not esponsibility” them French an selves. d German banks exposure to had a €900bn “peripheral” EU N but this amo economies I unt was now b U ein O g red SPE NThis meant t uced. A CIAL E hat bondholde UGUST 2011 DPr exp to Irish bank ITIONOosure s had declined S time a at the same T s ECB emergency fundin Repub g to the e lic h n ad ri i sen. l D o They t O were, Mr o B egg told d h elegate P N “ / getting s, out unde r ’ r c e T oFvUerin LLg fi by th STreO pRroYvi de p e ECB”. PAd GE 3 o o

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O PAGE 5 NCELEBR • WEEK OFA ETE INT I VEN ER TTS NO NAT R!TH AND IONAL SOUTH • WOR DETAILS AKNED RL S’ DAY CONINGKS RESS BDC 2011 Look how we’ve kept REPORTS& PICTURES PAGES 6 - 19 CONGRESS general secretary has warned David Begg Taoiseach Enda Ke EU/ECB/IM nny that the F Troika is using “social lab Ireland as a oratory” to test o policies. ut its economic He m ade his commen deleg ts in front of 800 ates, observers and Co guests gathered f ngress’ three-day B or fe iennial Delegate C rence last month. on- T Mr Begg was res R ponding dire you POSTED... check O Taoiseach ctly to the I who had just d K elivere A to delega d his speech tes at the INE in K C conference cent illarney on July 4. re He pinpointed the fact that “all the t reform” ignored alk of the actions of the that had sparked banks the crisis in the fi “It occurs to rst place. a lot of people t is for the li hat reform REFORM ttle people – it is AGENDA T powerful.” not for the ARGETING SEE REPORT P W ‘LITTLE PEOPL AGES 6/7 A E’ N OTTHE R BANKS, N BEGG TE I LLS KEN NG NY BRUTON JLC/ ERO PLAN LASHED P AGE 3 BEEB JOURNO S ON STRIKE PAGE 4 out our back issues: http://www.ictu.ie/publications/fulllist/category/unionpost/