PUBLISHED IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE IRISH CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS THEUNION POST NEWS YOU CAN USE SEPTEMBER 2009 BRENDAN HAYES ON WHY HE SAID NO TO REPORT IN THE END IT WAS A QUESTION OF FAIRNESS COMMISSION ON TAXATION EXCLUSIVE PAGE 6 CONGRESS CONGRESS is to organise a mass campaign focusing on the jobs crisis, workers’ rights and cuts in public services. Stating talks with Govern- ment had “produced nothing”, general secretary David Begg said: “Congress sees no alter- native but to mobilise its mem- bership – some 650,000 people and their families – in a cam- VOWS paign of sustained opposition to these policies.” He added this was to im- press upon Government the central importance of fairness and social justice in finding a resolution to the crisis. The Executive Council of Congress will meet on Sep- tember 30 to finalise and ap- prove details of the campaign. MASS FULL STORY PAGE 5 CAMPAIGN

L Drive will focus on jobs, workers’ Bid to mobilise 650,000 rights and cuts to public services workersL and their families Subscribe FREE at [email protected] UNION POST

Congress in mass drive on jobs & cuts 5 IT’S THE IRISH McCarthy Report gets health warning 10 CITIZEN NAVY!

THE “IRISH Citizen Navy” launched a waterborne protest in support of the Marine Terminals strikers. Demonstra- tors in several craft took to the Liffey waters on Au- gust 27. Local community activist said: “East Wall and Ringsend have strong links with the port, as workers, seafarers, boating and water sports enthusi- Congress hails asts. This is just their way of showing a bit of soli- darity with the men and women on strike. In the week migrants move 12 that marks the centenary of the start of the 1913 Lock- out maybe we should establish an Irish Citizenʼs Navy to follow the example of the Irish Citizen Army.”

Big show of support for dock workers 16

Stateside look at healthcare battle 18

UNION POST was produced by Brazier Media for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions

Irish Congress of Northern Ireland Committee Trade Unions Irish Congress of Trades Unions 31/32 Parnell Square 4-6 Donegall Street Place Dublin 1 Belfast BT1 2FN Ireland Northern Ireland SHOW OF SUPPORT PAGES 16 & 17 Tel: +353 1 8897777 Tel: 02890 247940 Fax: +353 1 8872012 Fax: 02890 246898 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.ictu.ie Web: www.ictuni.org THE DESIGNED & EDITED BY BRAZIER MEDIA Email: [email protected] UNION POST Get it in A4

2 UNION POST S September 2009 ICTUVIEW David Begg General Secretary We won’t be cowed by neoliberal lies

OVER the last three decades, the opponents of movement that is either irrelevant or removed trade unions have managed to pull off quite a re- from the harsh realities of life today. markable coup. In fact it is on this section of society that the bur- They are small in number and belong to tiny den of the current crisis has fallen. Jobs are being elites in business and on the wilder shores of poli- lost and peoples’ homes are being threatened. tics. They are an unrepresentative minority. Yet they Those still in work and still earning – the great have enjoyed success in portraying unions as irrele- mass of whom are low and middle income earners vant, as being little more than marginal groups or – are being asked to carry a disproportionate ‘sectional, vested interests’. share of the burden of this crisis. It is to these And their propaganda is endlessly parroted in earners that Government has repeatedly turned to certain media outlets. It is an astonishing optical il- refill coffers emptied by errant bankers and lusion, in which the laws of physics are inverted builders. First incomes were cut and now vital pub- and the rational world is turned on its head. lic services are threatened. This cannot continue. There is a method to their madness. Those that THREATS depict unions as irrelevant to the modern era do On September 30, the Congress Executive Coun- so as part of a wider political project: the neolib- eral agenda. cil will meet to finalise plans for a campaign of sus- tained opposition to current Government policy: In a society with weakened trade unions the from inaction on the jobs crisis to threats to public power of business is multiplied considerably, as is its capacity to overturn and roll back any gains that services. have been won by workers. In short, our campaign is aimed at ensuring that This is the real goal of people who would have the ‘burden of adjustment’ is no longer foisted on you believe that the Irish union movement exists those who already bear a heavy burden. only at the margins of society. The McCarthy Report, the Commission on Taxa- In fact the opposite is the case. Congress has in tion, the official response to the banking crisis, excess of 850,000 members across the island of threats to social welfare and the minimum wage – Ireland. That makes us the largest civil society or- all have a common thread running through them: ganisation on this island. to preserve the status quo and pretend that the Through sheer weight of numbers, there is a world as we knew it can be restored to rude union presence in virtually every community, north health. That is an illusion. and south. Teachers, tradesmen, transport workers, We do not require an adjustment or a ‘correc- nurses, carers, rescue workers, engineers, hotel tion’, we require a fundamental change of direction staff, bar and shop workers... the list is as long and If we want a genuine recovery we must ensure diverse as human life itself. that justice and equality are at the heart of every- No reasonable person could claim it reflects a thing we do. THE WEB EDITION OF THE UNION POST IS SAVED IN A3 LANDSCAPE FORMAT IF YOU WANT A4 EMAIL YOUR REQUEST TO [email protected]

September 2009 S UNION POST 3 NAMA PROTEST BANKS BAILED OUT WHILE WORKERS ‘BLUDGEONED’ STRIKING workers from the Coca Cola, Green der to shoulder at the Kildare Street entrance to ing the softly softly approach adapted to financial Isle Foods and Marine Terminals disputes joined the Dail with supporters and other SIPTU and institutions, who are largely to blame for the 1,500 SIPTU and TEEU members in a rally outside TEEU members. country’s current economic situation, and the way Leinister House as TDs prepared to debate the Strike breakers have been drafted in to all three employers are allowed to ignore basic industrial draft NAMA legislation earlier this month sites and court injunctions sought to minimise the relations procedures.” In a joint statement issued in advance of the effect of pickets – marking a sea change in the Referring to the dispute at Naas-based Green September 16 protest, TEEU general secretary way some management teams deal with industrial Isle Foods, Mr Devoy claimed the firm had used designate Eamon Devoy and SIPTU general presi- disputes. workers as scapegoats unfairly dismissing them dent Jack O’Connor said: “The Government is SIPTU branch organiser John Dunne said: “My and introducing strike-breakers. taking an incredible gamble with the Irish taxpay- Calling for an end to “double standards”, he ers’ resources at the same time as they are look- added: “On the one hand we have big business ing the other way while PAYE workers in Coca being bailed out through NAMA and on the other, Cola, Marine Terminals, Green Isle Foods, Mr Bin- NAMA is a employers are using the crisis created by financial man and the Manor Nursing Home are being institutions to attack PAYE workers. It is a ‘lose- bludgeoned into the ground by employers who lose-lose lose’ scenario for Irish workers. haven’t even the decency to participate in Labour “Like everyone else our members’ living stan- Court investigations of the issues in dispute.” scenario dards are under attack as their capacity to repay They warned: “The debts recklessly incurred by mortgages and pay daily bills is reduced, while greedy bankers are being shifted on to the shoul- for Irish employers do what they like.” ders of the taxpayers while PAYE workers are Later responding to Finance Minister Brian being thrown to the wolves by the Government.” workers Lenihan’s presentation of the NAMA legislation in The rally was organised under the banner of – Eamon Devoy the Dail, Congress President Jack O’Connor the Trade Union Federation which links the two claimed the current proposals exposed taxpayers unions. to a massive risk with a potential exposure of Contrasting Government policy “towards the members have been on strike at Coca Cola since €54 billion. banks [with that] towards the PAYE workers they August 27 over company plans to outsource 130 He described Mr Lenihan’s assertion that he expect to foot the bill for NAMA”, Mr Devoy jobs to third party companies.” will bring in a banking levy if NAMA overpays the claimed this amounted to a “socialisation” of debt He claimed workers wanted the issues heard in banks as providing “little comfort” for the tax- and was being pushed through in the face of pay the Labour Relations Commission and that the is- payer. cuts and dismissals in a number of high-profile sues had been referred to the body as far back as Pointing out there was no legislative provision disputes.Workers from Coca Cola HBC Ireland, July 8, but that the company had sacked all the for this, he added: “We can be sure that the banks on strike for four weeks, Green Isle Food, out for strikers on September 8. will fully benefit if NAMA gets its pricing right but Mr Dunne added: “Members are attending the three weeks, and a delegation from the long-run- Dail protest to show how angry they feel regard- we can be a lot less confident that the banks will ning Marine Terminals dispute stood stood shoul- be made to pay if NAMA gets it wrong.

COCA COLA DISPUTE BASIC DEMANDS The right to use agreed industrial Labour Court proposals L relations procedures, including the Labour THE Labour Court has made a ommendation to conclude an engage with the union at the Relations Commission settlement recommendation amicable settlement in the in- Labour Relations Commis- and the Labour Court over the four-week long dis- terest of all parties. sion. pute at Coca Cola HBC Ire- “We are therefore urging the Mr OʼConnor said: “This is a The right to have their land. company to accept the Labour company that has not had a

Following a hearing on Sep- L case heard through Court recommendation and trade dispute in living mem- agreed procedures tember 18, the court proposed bring this dispute to an end.” ory, whose workforce previ- the company offer a redun- The move is a welcome de- ously delivered major change dancy package in line with velopment. Earlier this month programmes and initiatives, The right to try and arrangements previously save jobs for directly

SIPTU general president Jack all through the normal indus- L agreed with SIPTU. OʼConnor had warned the trial relations process. employed Coca Cola It also suggested there Workers should be further talks on the strike was entering “a very “What is now of major con- unionʼs proposal to conduct a dark phase”. cern is the employersʼ attitude feasibility study looking at the He made his comments dur- to the tried and tested system The right to have the

retention of jobs at the Bally- ing a visit to union members of local collective bargaining L positive contribution coolin plant in Dublin. on picket duty outside the followed by joint referral to the of workers to Coca Cola Branch organiser John Cappagh Road depot in Labour Relations Commission HBC acknowledged by its Dunne said: “An opportunity Dublin. At the time he claimed and to the Labour Court if nec- new management team. now exists through this rec- the company had refused to essary.” 46 printing jobs lost Health attacks up 400 UNITE has described the closure of the Kilkenny People FIGURES from the UKʼs Department of Health have revealed printing press with the job of 46 jobs as a hammer blow to there were 3,622 attacks on healthcare staff in Northern Ire- the local economy. land in the six months up to March. The plant – which has printed the title for 100 years – was Stormont Health Minister Michael Gimpsey said such at- sold to regional news giant Johnston Press four years ago. tacks – representing a rise of 400 on the previous six month UNITE regional officer Billy Kyne said the union would be period – would not be tolerated. fighting for the best possible terms for what he called “the He added: “Since I came into office, a zero tolerance cam- most loyal and long-standing group of workers in the coun- paign has been running. This has included strengthening try”. He added: “We expect Johnston Press to play fair with the law to ensure that people who are violent and abusive their Irish workforce.” are dealt with fully.”

4 UNION POST S September 2009 COMMISSION REPORT ICTU fear workers could bear tax brunt CONGRESS has expressed deep concern that the recommendations of the Commission on Taxation could result in “significant new bur- dens being placed on already hard-pressed working people.” Congress Economic Advisor Paul Sweeney People power: Mass demo organised by Congress in February Picture: Anna Farrell, TEEU said: “The Commission’s recommendations, if implemented in full, could see working people hit with higher costs at an already difficult time, while the business sector would benefit – ef- fectively a transfer of resources from one to MASS DRIVE ON the other. That is neither fair nor sustainable. “We have always believed and supported tax reform as we believe in an equitable, fair and progressive taxation system – unfortunately we cannot see how the Commission’s report will deliver on that goal,” Mr Sweeney said. JOBS AND CUTS “This exercise was flawed from the beginning: its terms of reference and composition virtu- CONGRESS has announced it will organise a the employers is more in tune with practices ally guaranteed this outcome. We support the campaign of sustained opposition to Government from the early 1900s, than with a modern society. decision of the trade union representative to inaction on jobs, the threat of cuts to public serv- “Our talks with Government have not pro- the Commission – Brendan Hayes of SIPTU – ices and to ensure the burden of economic ad- duced anything. Congress therefore sees no al- not to sign the final report and agree fully with justment is not borne disproportionately by ternative but to mobilise its membership – some his reasons for so doing. working people and their families. 650,000 people and their families, in this jurisdic- “The entire exercise was driven and domi- In a statement issued on September 16, gen- tion – in a campaign of sustained opposition and nated by an outdated ideology that has been abandoned wholesale across the globe. This eral secretary David Begg stressed that fairness in order to convince Government that fairness misguided philosophy is what has caused the and equality had to be at the heart of any solu- and social justice must be central to any pro- greatest financial crisis of the modern era. Re- tion to economic crisis. posed solution to the crisis.” markably some still believe it to be a suitable He said: “Not alone has there been no action A special meeting of the Congress Executive reference point and basis for an examination of to keep people in work, but those defending their Council will be convened on September 30 to fi- our tax system. jobs have been subjected to extraordinary mis- nalise and approve detailed proposals for the “Our fear is that the tax base had not been treatment and abuse. campaign. widened but that the burden imposed on “There are currently five serious private sector These will drawn up in advance by the General working people, as opposed to business, has disputes in progress in which the behaviour of Purposes Committee of Congress. been increased.” BRENDAN HAYES: PAGE 6 OLD-STYLE MANAGEMENT TACTICS BLASTED BY CONGRESS LOCKOUT MENTALITY CONGRESS has claimed the behaviour of a num- that is what the company still refuses to discuss.” vented SIPTU and Congress from distributing fly- ber of companies involved in a series of continu- Last month, SIPTU general secretary Joe ers or publishing details of those who had contin- ing high-profile disputes is more in keeping with O’Flynn slammed what he called the “bully boy ued working during the strike at MTL. the industrial relations of a bygone era. tactics” of Peel Ports bosses at Marine Terminals However, on that occasion, Mr Justice Kevin Nearly 100 years after the infamous Dublin and claimed they had shown “total contempt for Feeney ruled that workers were entitled to use Lockout, some firms are once again resorting to the conflict resolution institutions of the Irish strong language – including “scab” – outside the court injunctions and to drafting in strike-break- state”. He told a rally outside the Marine Teminals company’s gates. ers against workers taking industrial action. site on August 24 that the firm had “set its face” Green Isle Foods has also made use of strike Increasingly employers are making less use of against engaging in serious negotiations with em- breakers and the courts during the continuing state mechanisms in place to resolve disputes – ployees. dispute at its plant in Naas, Co Kildare. such as the Labour Court – and seem intent on Mr O’Flynn added: “Peel Ports are trying to set According to the TEEU, 40 workers have been deploying more aggressive tactics. the clock back a hundred years to secure super drafted in from other operations in Britain to Earlier this month, Congress general secretary profits for themselves and consign dockers and carry out the work of the striking staff. David Begg referred to the “extraordinary mis- their communities to penury.” The stoppage arose out of the dismissal of treatment” meted out to employees who he One of the strikers claimed the company three workers over alleged misconduct involving claimed were simply defending their jobs. “seemed quite happy to leave us outside for as computer use. He said: “There are currently five serious pri- long as it takes to break our spirits”. TEEU general secretary designate Eamon vate sector disputes in progress in which the be- Peel Ports management has often made use of Devoy claimed the dismissals were a “clear case haviour of the employers is more in tune with the courts during the stoppage. of ordinary employees paying for sloppy manage- practices from the early 1900s than with a mod- They applied for a High Court injunction on ment procedures”. ern society.” July 3 frustrating workers attempts at mounting He added the union had offered to discuss the This view was echoed by one of the Marine Ter- an effective picket. The following month an in- issue but that the company seemed determined minals Ltd strikers who claimed the foremost terim injunction was granted against SIPTU, Con- to use it as a means of pursuing an “anti-union reason that the stoppage was taking place was gress and a number of named officials and strikers agenda”. that the company had made workers redundant preventing them from “intimidating” strike break- Mr Devoy said:“What they’re doing here is try- with no negotiation. ers or referring to them as “scabs”. ing to use their own blunder to get rid of work- He said: “That is why we are on strike – and On September 16, another injunction pre- ers they wanted to make redundant anyway.”

September 2009 S UNION POST 5 EXCLUSIVE BRENDAN HAYES ON GOVERNMENT’S NOT MAKE US A WON’T CREATE

OW taxes, inequality in the provision of And while I could not sign the report, I be- of after tax income, by the PAYE sector. The health and education, a growing income lieve they are convinced that the recommen- 'best of both worlds' nature of the recom- Lgap and sub-optimum economic growth: dations they made are in the best interests mendation, at the cost of up to €600 million these are not separate, unrelated issues, but of Irish society and the economy. to the state, is not defensible. are inextricably connected and bound up to- However, I am also confident that another Another example is the recommendation gether. group of people drawn from different back- in respect of professional sports people. And it is this deep connection that meant grounds would have come to different con- Here the Commission proposed that profes- when the Commission on Taxation opted to clusions with equal conviction that they too sional sports people should be entitled to gratuitously support continuation of our low were acting in the best interests of the Irish reclaim up to €350,000 tax back at the end tax model, I could not sign the report. people. of their sporting careers. In essence the tax- The Commission's Term of Reference There are many good recommendations in payer would be subsidising the income of were designed to underpin and reinforce the Commission’s report. For example, it millionaires in order to keep them playing in conventional wisdom on taxation policy in recommends a broadening of the tax base, Ireland. Ireland, which holds that low income and the elimination of many of the reliefs that A similar recommendation was made in corporate taxes promote the economic were availed of by wealthy individuals to respect of “leased land relief” where people growth necessary to generate the revenue avoid paying tax, suggests systematic cost who lease out their land on a long term required to run public services. benefit analysis for evaluating tax expendi- basis can receive up to €40,000 per annum Within that limited framework the Com- tures in future and makes some valuable pro- tax free. mission was mandated to review the effi- posals on the future financing of local Or the decision to recommend a reduc- ciency and fairness of government. tion in the current tax rate on some 'divi- the tax system and to However, in assessing the dend income' – irrespective of the location make recommenda- To raise doubts report as a package of meas- of the investment and without any linkage to tions on proposed ures I asked one key question: the creation of jobs or economic activity in changes. In addition about low tax would the Commission's rec- this state. the Commission was ommendations do anything to Of particular concern was the decision to directed to leave un- model is to eliminate social inequality? recommend that the proposed new third touched the current The broad answer was that rate of income tax should be set at a level corporation tax rate, they would not. below the current top rate of tax. In essence make recommenda- commit heresy There remain far too many this meant that those on super incomes tions on the design of reliefs in the Commission’s would pay no more tax than at present. a carbon tax, indicate and economic recommendations that con- By implication the exchequer would either how long term savings tinue to promote inequality lose revenue, if it set the new rate between for retirement could treason rather than reduce it. Thus, it the two existing rates without doing major be incentivised recommends the introduction surgery on the tax bands, or those on in- through the tax sys- of a “modest” earned income comes currently outside the tax net would tem and bring forward proposals on how credit for the self employed. This earned in- now be taxed. local government might be financed through come credit is essentially the extension of I could not support a proposal that would future charges and taxation. the PAYE Tax Allowance to the self em- in effect exempt those on super incomes There was no mandate to address social ployed. If this was done at the same level as from paying additional tax and impose taxes or economic inequality, to provide for a the PAYE Allowance the cost to the excheq- on people with low or marginal incomes. fairer society or to make recommendations uer would be in the region of €600 million It appeared to me that these and other on how income and wealth might be redis- per annum. In essence, close to the entire recommendations were indefensible and tributed to bring about social cohesion in net value of a property tax would be gifted would have had the effect of increasing the tandem with economic growth. to the self employed. tax burden on those least able to pay, while The members of the Commission were Whatever justification there is for this, and protecting those with the ability to pay from chosen by the then Minister for Finance, I find it hard to identify any, it is totally inde- contributing more, an outcome that would Brian Cowen. The Minister did not disclose fensible that this would be done without any have simply entrenched and exacerbated so- why any of those he appointed were se- restrictions on the current expenses regime cial inequality. lected to serve. that applies to the self employed. That However, in many ways these specific rec- However, the Commission members acted regime is generous to a fault and is used to ommendations are on the margins of the with integrity in discharging their mandate. finance activities that would be paid for out real debate that needs to take place. Ireland

6 UNION POST S September 2009 WHY HE COULDN’T SIGN REPORT LOW TAX MODEL WILL FAIRER SOCIETY AND A VIBRANT ECONOMY

is one of the most unequal societies in the jority of citizens. A similar process is taking turn causes them to buy into the low tax ar- developed world. The incomes of those at place with regard to the introduction of gument to their own detriment and bring the top of society are rising at a much faster local charges, pension provision, college fees about the very pressures they are reacting rate than that of those at the bottom. In- and nursing home care. against in the first place. deed the really revealing figures from the re- The drive for low taxes on incomes and The politicians refuse to face up to the cent ESRI report on pay is not the so-called wealth effectively means that substitute real debate and over promise on public gap between the public and the private sec- charges are necessary to finance the provi- services and then under deliver, giving rise to tor, but the growing gap between those at sion of services. a huge level of distrust of the state and its the top and those at the bottom of the in- Thus, the total cost of providing first class capacity to deliver quality services to the come scale. third level education is greater than the fi- public in any form. Conventional economic wisdom holds that nances currently available to the universities. The only people who gain from the this is inevitable and that there is little we As a society we can address this shortfall in process are the wealthy who provide for can do about it. Add this to the privatisation a number of ways.We can pay more in taxa- themselves anyway and avoid any require- and commercialisation of health and educa- tion or we can levy charges on students or ment to address the wider issues facing soci- tion services and the chronic underfunding their families: that is, we can pay at the point ety. of public services and you see clearly how of use or we can pay through general taxa- The normal justification for a low tax the social and economic capacity of the state tion. economy is that it is the most successful is being undermined and inequality is rein- Either way we pay roughly the same model of economic development that has forced. amount. In order to pay the charges out of ever been constructed. But the evidence The low tax model has taxation we need to raise does not support this view. assumed near conse- I could not back a taxes. However, those on There are many pathways to economic crated status and is be- high incomes and those growth and a low tax model is not the most yond either reason or who enjoy considerable successful by a long shot. question, a fact which is levels of wealth, including proposal that would Indeed anyone interested in exploring the reinforced regularly in some of our own mem- both print and broadcast exempt those on bers, would rather keep data might follow the link below, where it is media. To raise any doubts taxes low and pay fees at clearly demonstrated that the most success- about its efficacy is to si- the point of use. This is ful countries across all social and economic multaneously commit super incomes understandable as in indicators are those that have followed high heresy and economic these circumstances they tax and social security growth models. treason. from paying only have to pay for them- www.sourceoecd.org/pdf/society- The argument that pub- selves or their own fami- ataglance2009/812009011e-01.pdf. lic services need to be cut additional tax lies. When their children By and large these are the Nordic coun- is essentially a demand for have completed university tries and they have been particularly suc- the continuation of a mas- the liability to pay is dis- cessful in managing social progress and sively unequal society. Those on high in- charged. But when the charge is levied economic growth, combined with high levels comes would prefer to purchase education, through taxation they make a contribution of taxation and first class public services. health and other public services through the towards the cost of educating all the chil- The Report of the Commission on Taxa- private sector. In this way they need only dren of the state. tion was compelled by its terms of reference look after themselves and their families However, middle income families find the to look at one model and one model only. It through private provision, as opposed to burden of paying at the point of use much had no mandate to address the social conse- contributing to the provision of public serv- more difficult to finance and the cost can be quences of adopting that model. ices, in proportion to their income and crippling. They cannot afford to meet the I am of the view that the model adopted is means. burden out of current income and normally not capable of providing Ireland with both a The state supports this process by large need to borrow to finance it. vibrant economy and a socially cohesive and scale tax relief on private schools and hospi- The result is that middle income families fair society. tals and private health insurance. In effect see the level of public services available to Accordingly, despite the many progressive the tax payer is subsidising private health them as totally inadequate and resent paying individual proposals it contained, I believe and education, while at the same time sup- taxes for poor services and having to make that the overall report will do little to pro- porting a low tax policy that undermines the up the additional monies that are levied mote economic growth, secure social provision of public services to the great ma- through charges at the point of use. This in progress and bring about a fair society.

September 2009 S UNION POST 7 WAGE MYTH DASHED NEW data from the European Commission has ings follow controversial comments in July by Fi- wage in Ireland must pay for these services. exploded the myth about Ireland’s “over gener- nance Minister Brian Lenihan in which he claimed “Congress constantly opposed the Govern- ous” minimum wage levels in comparision with the minimum wage had been “under debate” for ment policy from 1998 to shift tax from direct the rest of Europe. months. taxes on incomes and profits to consumption. The Eurostat report which tracked minimum He said: “Clearly if the minimum wage becomes “We said it was regressive and it pushed up wage levels in 20 EU states in Janaury showed the an impediment to job creation the Government prices. At one point we demonstrated that it monthly minimum take-home here was €1,462 – has to look at it.” added over a quarter to Irish inflation. Govern- second only to Luxembourg at €1,642. Responding to the EC findings, Congress eco- ment policy in moving to high consumption taxes But when the actual purchasing power of this nomic adviser Paul Sweeney said: “In some re- such as 21.5% VAT and user charges over time amount was taken into account, Ireland slipped to spects, this is the Government hoist on the had led to Ireland’s high price levels. sixth in the earnings league at €1,152 per month. petard of its own flawed policy. “Our price levels are second only to Denmark Other states with a higher minimum wage “Our minimum wage must be high because in in the EU27. when guaged against this measure were UK most other EU countries, people benefit from a “But in Denmark you have a free health system, (€1,154), France (€1,189), Belgium (€1,254), Hol- good ‘social wage’ – free childcare, free access to a public transport system that works and full land (€1,336) and Luxembourg (€1,413). The find- primary health care etc. People on the minimum child care.” FG promise on new union law FINE Gael will, if elected, introduce legis- lation that will recognise the rights of workers to engage in collective bargain- ing. Employment spokesman Leo Varadkar said the right was included in the Char- ter of Fundamental Rights and claimed the issue was “centre stage” in the de- bate over Lisbon Two. He added:“Ireland is the only country in Europe in which workers do not have a legal right to engage in collective bar- gaining with their employer. “Fine Gael believes that if the Irish people vote for the Lisbon Treaty, any fu- ture government must honour the Char- ter in its national laws. “That is why Fine Gael is now commit- ting itself, in Government, to legislating for this important right.” IMPACT slams ESRI pay data IMPACT has rejected calls for public sector pay SEPT cuts, following the release of wages data in a Economic and Social Research Institute report. The union claimed the findings were based on statistical averages that did not compare real jobs in the public or private sectors. 30 Claiming the paper was a re-hash of research published last year, IMPACT spokesperson Bernard Harbour said: “The ESRI is on record as saying pay should be cut in the pri- THOUSANDS are expected to attend a Com- ing on all community activists, community work- vate sector as well as the public service. munities Against Cuts protest in Dublin at the ers, volunteers and service users to mobilise “The fact this edited version of the ESRI’s end of the month. and participate on September 30. 2008 paper has been re-issued now clearly sug- Organisers claim the September 30 march will “We are also calling for solidarity from all gests that it’s part of the softening up exercise give people an opportunity to express their public and private sector workers.” for public service pay cuts in the forthcoming anger over savage cuts in community sector The campaign against the cuts is organised by Budget. But the pay of private sector workers budgets. SIPTU, IMPACT and the Community Sector Em- is firmly in the ESRI’s sights as well.” Last month IMPACT general secretary Peter Recommendations contained in the McCarthy ployers Forum. McLoone warned the Government the union report will – if enacted – see 6,500 jobs go in would take industrial action – including strikes the sector at local level. Communities Against Cuts protest march – if attempts are made to impose public service A spokesperson said: “These cuts are ripping Wednesday, September 30 Assemble 1pm at Parnell Square, Dublin pay cuts, pension reductions or compulsory re- the heart out of local communities. We are call- dundancies.

Picture: Evelina Saduikyte SIPTU general president Jack O’Con- of data to the period between March to ignore the fact that pay in the pri- nor has hit out at “the fanfare of 2003 and March 2006, during which vate sector was being depressed dur- ‘Obscene’ propaganda” directed against public the benchmarking catch-up awards ing that period, due to the rapidly sector workers. were being implemented. growing employment of immigrant He was reacting to the release of “And it very conveniently omits labour. onslaught an ESRI policy paper on public sector the fact that before such catch-up, “At a time when we are witnessing pay, which he claimed was “as totally during the four-year period to De- the obscene molly-coddling of misleading as it is objectionable”. cember 2002, public sector pay had bankers who have brought on such a on public Mr O’Connor – who is also Con- been increasing at only half the rate devastating economic crisis, it is high gress president – said: “This is not a of increase in the private sector.” time that the propaganda onslaught new study, but a reworking of a draft He claimed that the data failed to on public sector workers, and on the sector pay previously made public by the ESRI compare like with like, adding: “More lower paid workers among them in last December. It confines its analysis significantly still, the ESRI has decided particular, is brought to an end.”

8 UNION POST S September 2009 September 2009 S UNION POST 9 NEWSBRIEFS GOVT MUST STOP More must be done to deal with jobless crisis THE IRISH National Organisation of the Unem- ployed has called on the Government to make the jobless crisis its number one priority before FEAR ECONOMICS the scourge of long-term unemployment be- Picture: SIPTU comes endemic to society once again. SIPTU has called on the Government to stop fu- It follows the release of Central Statistics Of- elling “the economics of fear” and warned that a fice data that shows the unemployment rate in “non-stop mantra” about pay cuts would only the Republic now stands at 12.2%. serve to further depress consumer confidence A total of 423,400 people were on the season- and lengthen dole queues. ally-adjusted register at the end of July. Head of research Manus O’Riordan said: “We While welcoming last month’s announcement are well on our way to reaching half a million un- by Tanaiste Mary Coughlan of a €250 million employed in the New Year. scheme to protect vulnerable jobs, INOU policy “The present unemployment rate is primarily and media chief Brid O’Brien warned: “Given the being driven by a collapse in consumer expendi- scale of the unemployment crisis, considerably ture due to the climate of fear that appears to be more needs to be done.” the over riding objective of Government policy.” Describing the pay cuts strategy as the Govern- Record quarterly hike in ment’s “chief weapon”, he added: “The latest in- dustrial earnings data prove that the non-stop UK unemployment rates mantra about pay cuts in industry being wide- spread is just not true. FIGURES released by the Labour Force Survey “Even if we discount the overall earnings in- have revealed the largest quarterly increase in UK unemployment since records began in 1981. crease for all employees in industry of 5.9 per The 281,000 rise in the three months to May cent annually, because it may be structurally af- brought the UK jobless total to 2.38 million – fected by large scale redundancies among lower 7.6% of the working population. paid manual workers and rising numbers in man- Unemployment among 18 to 24 year olds agement positions, the average earnings increase jumped to a 16-year high of 726,000. for manual workers themselves still works out at The unemployment rate for this group now 5.2 per cent in the full year. stands at 17.3%. “Of this, 4.5 per cent is accounted for in the six Dubbing the figures “horrendous”, TUC general months since the third quarter of 2008. secretary Brendan Barber called for swift govern- “This means that the IBEC survey which found ment action to tackless the problem of jobless- that pay increases were more common than pay ness and warned of the “permanent scar of cuts is in fact still the case and the trade union O’Riordan: Cut out doom laden mantra long-term unemployment”. movement in determined that it remains so.” Watchdog chief’s pay freeze call attacked

TRADE unions have lashed a Prentis hit back claiming pay last 25 years has seen the trans- call by Audit Commission chief freezes were no way to steer the fer of wealth from the bottom executive Steve Bundred to slap country out of recession. and middle sectors of our soci- a pay freeze on the UKʼs six mil- He said: “Letʼs be clear, the

Picture: NIPSA Picture: ety to those at the top and to lion public sector workers. recession was caused by the major financial and other He also attacked politicians bankers and speculators and corporate bodies, the very indi- for not acknowledging “severe the lack of regulation. pay restraint” was needed to re- “Yet, low paid public sector viduals and organisations balance public finances workers, who will be helping which have played their finan- Mr Bundred said: “At a time communities deal with the fall- cial roulette at the expense of when inflation is likely to be be- out, are being asked to pay the ordinary working people. tween 2% and 3%, a pain-free price — itʼs just not on. “Now they want public ser- way of cutting public spending “We all want to see a bit of vants – most of whom are al- would be to freeze public sector fairness injected into the sys- ready low paid – to carry the pay, or at least impose severe tem. How about cracking down burden. pay restraint . on the tax evaders and making “What we need is higher “This is especially true if real the rich pay their fair share, wages for public servants and a wages in the private sector are rather than always targeting the still falling.” low paid workers?” more progressive tax system In 2007-08, the watchdog NIPSA deputy general secre- that secures more tax revenues chiefʼs annual pay was £212,000 tary Brian Campfield also at- from company profits, high — equivalent to £4,077 a week. tacked the pay freeze call. earners and those with large as- Campfield: Progressive tax UNISON general secretary Dave He told The Union Post: “The sets.” We’ll use poll power on health A LEADING US trade unionist ing on CNBC News, he said: health care industry is to have a AFL-CIO Picture: has claimed unions will deploy “Every 30 seconds an American public option. The fight to reform their massive voting and mobilis- declares bankruptcy because of the health care system and pro- ing power in forthcoming Con- medical bills. vide quality, affordable health care gress polls to support candidates “Millions of people don’t have for everyone is at a critical point. who back health care reform. health care. You have millions of “Now is the time to make it AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer small businesses and large busi- clear: America’s workers are look- Richard Trumka claimed unions nesses that are struggling because ing to elected officials for leader- would “step up and use their en- health care costs are out of ship and support, and how ergy and votes” for those politi- sight. members of Congress vote on cians “who want to fix what’s “Insurance companies have a health care will be at the forefront wrong the the system not main- stranglehold on us. The only way when they go to the polls to tain a broken status quo”. Speak- to break that stranglehold on the vote.” Trumka: Voting power

10 UNION POST S September 2009 Gambian journos freed SIX jailed Gambian journalists have been freed following in- tense campaigning by Amnesty international, the NUJ and the International Federation of Journalists. Announcing the release on September 7, Gambian Inte- rior Minister Ousman Sonko praised the countryʼs Presi- dent Mr Jammeh for his “humanitarian” gesture made in “the spirit of Ramadan”. The journalists, three of whom are executive members of the Gambian Press Union, were convicted on August 9 of sedition and defamation and sentenced to two years in jail and fined the equivalent of $10,000. The six – Emil Touray, Sarata Jabbi Dibba, Pa Modou Faal, Pap Saine, Ebou Sawaneh and Sam Sarr – were charged following the publication in two newspapers of a GPU press release which criticised the way Mr Jammeh spoke about former GPU president Deyda Hydara who was murdered in 2004. Left: Joint Amnesty/NUJ protest outside Gambian embassy Picture: Amnesty International GOVERNMENT MEASURES ‘TOO LITTLE & ALWAYS TOO LATE’ POLICY ON JOBLESS JUST NOT WORKING

CONGRESS assistant general secretary Sally Anne which a strict qualifying test kicks in. Have these Under the new €250m scheme, the Government Kinahan has claimed Government measures to 2,622 people become victims of this cut? will provide subsidies to firms in the manufactur- combat rising unemployment are just not working. "If so, Government has compounded its inertia ing sector – with a grant of up to €9,100 per She was responding to the latest data that by punishing the victims and making the jobless pay worker over 15 months to help firms meet their showed a hike in jobless numbers to 11.6 per cent. for the crisis.” wage bills. Pointing out that the rate of increase was the Last month, Ms Kinahan gave a “guarded wel- Ms Kinahan also said Congress had concerns sharpest in the Eurozone, Ms Kinahan said: "We are come” to the Employment Subsidy Scheme un- about how the new scheme is structured, particu- falling further than any other EU country, which veiled by Tanaiste Mary Coughlan, claiming in was larly the fact that it laid no emphasis on training or means it will take us far longer to climb out of this “step in the right direction” but fell “far short of upskilling those whose jobs were under threat. recession. what is required”. “During negotiations, Congress sought to ensure “While some countries show signs of growth, we At the time, she said: “While we do welcome that affected workers were given full and free ac- continue to hemorrhage jobs. Government engagement with the jobs crisis as a cess to training and upskilling opportunities, as the "Yet Government continues to treat the jobless step in the right direction, this new scheme falls far only sustainable way to assist threatened enter- crisis as some sort of seasonal blip, instead of the short of what is required. prises and workforces – but the new scheme does national emergency it actually is. Ms Kinahan added: “When we were first given not do that. “To date, their measures have been too little and details of these proposals during negotiations in “Equally we are concerned at the lack of penal- always too late. Nothing introduced so far even June, Congress criticised them as lacking in scale, ties for employers who abuse the scheme and who grasps the scale of this problem.” ambition and application. That criticism is even fail to use it to protect the maximum number of She said that governments across Europe had in- more valid today, with more than 418,000 people jobs.” tervened strongly in the labour market to keep out of work. Ms Kinahan pointed out that these issues could people at work and to upgrade their skills. “Taken with the dramatic fall in the tax take, it is have been dealt with by an oversight group, as pro- Ms Kinahan added: "Germany alone has kept also clear evidence that the Government’s defla- posed by Congress, which would have given a voice 1.25m people in work through state-supported tionary strategy is now destabilising and under- to those workers affected, employers as well as short-term working," mining the entire economy. Government. She also expressed concern over the fall in those “We need a response to the crisis that is com- But she claimed the new scheme had no such seeking Jobseekers' Benefit adding: "There were mensurate with the scale of the crisis – the €1bil- place for workers or their representatives, adding 2,622 fewer people claiming this benefit in August, lion job creation and protection plan which that this was “further evidence that the social part- as compared to July, following the Government de- Congress tabled some months ago, would mark an nership talks with Government are well and truly cision to cut eligibility from 15 to 12 months after appropriate response from government.” over.” Unite & USW counter anti-NHS propaganda UNITE have teamed up with the Pittsburgh- Ted Kennedy - a champion of health care re- and mistruths being circulated by oppo- based United Steelworkers union to counter form - would not have received treatment nents, including those about the universal widespread misinformation in the US about for his brain cancer under the British sys- health care system in the UK. Our sisters the UKʼs National Health Service. tem. Another senator from South Carolina and brothers in the UK know the truth and The two unions came together to form claimed the NHS did “not allow” women are helping set the record straight. “ Workers Uniting in July last year. under 25 to receive screening for cervical UNITE joint general secretary Derek Simp- Their latest online campaign is an example cancer. son said: “The NHS is the pride of the UK of how the partnership - representing three USW international president Leo W Gerard and workers will not stand by while rich in- million workers across the US, Canada, said: “Health insurance reform [in the US] is surance companies spend millions of dol- Britain, Ireland and the Caribbean – is using about human and civil rights – exactly what lars to promote their smear campaign. its transnational character to maximum ef- Workers Uniting was created to fight for. “We are proud of our universal health care fect. “The debate in the US has been intense, at system and view the attempts to represent One Iowa senator said the late Senator times unfairly focused on the many myths the NHS as inefficient as outrageous.” US reform needs resuscitation - P14/15 September 2009 S UNION POST 11 Consultation on flexible working STORMONT Employment minis- HEALTH ter Sir Reg Empey has an- nounced a public consultation THE IRISH Nurses Organisation has who are consistently engaged in re- on proposals to change flexible lashed proposals for swingeing strictive work practices which are working provisions in Northern health service cuts contained in the costly and ineffective. Ireland. McCarthy report. “This is patently untrue and sim- At present employees have An Bord Snip Nua called for sav- ply reflects a long-standing manage- the right to ask their employer ings of €5.3 billion to be made in- ment wish to attack hard-won for flexible working if they have volving the shedding of 17,300 jobs terms and conditions of nurses, mid- parental responsibility for a across the public service. wives and other essential and hard child under six, a child with a Of these, a total of 6,168 jobs working professionals and staff disability under 18, or if they would go in the public health sector within the health system.” have caring responsibilities for if the recommendations are acted Among other recommendations, an adult. upon. the McCarthy report proposes a re- But the right to request flexi- In a statement issued shortly after duction of 168 posts from within ble working was recently ex- the report was published, the INO the Department of Health and Chil- tended to cover parents of claimed such cuts would effectively dren with a further reduction of at children under 16 across the lead to the “destruction of the pub- least 6,000 staff from the health rest of the UK. lic health service” and render it in- capable of meeting the needs of service “mainly” from health admin- Sir Reg said: “Research istration. shows that the right to request ordinary people without health in- surance. The report also proposes nurses flexible working has been a suc- NIPSA Picture: It continued: “The report was be allowed to carry out routine cess right across the UK. Geraldine Alexander: Welcome medical procedures, currently per- “Following the recent exten- quite clearly written from the per- spective of people who do not see, formed by non-consultant hospital sion of the law in Great Britain, proach to flexible working and doctors. it is appropriate to ask whether better work life balance which let alone understand, the challenges facing over stretched, overworked It calls for a rise in the A&E atten- we in Northern Ireland should has failed to deliver for working dance fee to €125 and a hike in in- follow suit, or whether an alter- families. and under staffed frontline services as they strive to meet the needs of patient fees by 20% as well as a full native approach would be better “A study of Irelandʼs top com- revision of the income guidelines for suited to our local needs.” ordinary people seeking essential panies by the National Centre medical cards. A second proposal up for con- for Partnership – New Models of health services. sultation concerns an em- “The report also reflects a total There is also a proposed 36% re- High Performance – reveals a 17 duction, in the number of acute ployeeʼs right to ask their perc cent national usage of flexi- bias against frontline staff repeatedly employers for time away from ble working systems, which suggesting that the staff, through beds, leaving 8,800 out of the total their normal work duties to un- confirms 2004 data from the their unions, are barriers to change of 12,778. dertake training. Central Statistics Office show- Sir Reg added: “It is also ap- ing some 80 per cent of people propriate at this time that we enjoyed no discretion over start consider whether there is more or finish times. we can do to support the devel- “Congress has repeatedly opment of skills in our work- called for a legal right to flexible places. A skilled workforce is working for all, the provision of central to our economic compet- meaningful opportunities for the itiveness.” low-skilled and low paid to ac- NIPSAʼs Geraldine Alexander cess skillsʼ development and the said: “We welcome the exten- creation of an infrastructure of sion of any rights that will en- care that better supports work- sure a greater number of ing parents.” working families in Northern Ire- Meanwhile, the European So- land can have the opportunity to cial Partners have agreed a re- avail of a better work-life bal- vised framework agreement on ance. parental leave. “We also believe encouraging One of the changes proposed employers to invest in the skills is the right to request flexible of their employees can not only working arrangements upon re- contribute to the health of the turn from leave. business but also the prospects The Commission will now sub- of the individual.” mit a proposal to the Council for However, according to Con- implementation of the agree- gress Equality Officer David ment by a directive which at the Joyce, this approach is in “stark moment seems like the only contrast” to the situation in the prospect of a legal access to Irish Republic. flexible working for some work- He said: “In the south, there is ing parents in the Republic of a completely voluntary ap- Ireland. Frontline staff: Nursing staff will bear brunt Picture: INO Success at Carrolls CPSU lash Snip report A SIX-week dispute at Carrolls Joinery has ended with the com- THE CPSU has warned it will oppose – with industrial action if necessary – any pany agreeing as part of the deal to make a further €650,000 bid to implement proposals contained in the Bord Snip Nua report. available to compensate workers made redundant. General secretary Blair Horan said: “The Executive Committee were very The August 26 agreement followed intensive talks between SIPTU and UCATT officials and management. angry at the contents of the report, and considered some of the proposals a SIPTU branch organiser Ger Kennedy said the dispute had deliberate attack on public servants and the services they provide.” been resolved as a direct result of the huge efforts put in by the The proposals include further cuts in pay and allowances, a new bench- workers over the last six weeks in maintaining pickets at the marking exercise and the privatisation fo public service work. Ballintaggart plant in Co Cork and the firmʼs head office in Mr Horan added: “A blind belief in free market economics has brought this Parkwest, Dublin. He added: “I wish to acknowledge on behalf of the workers country close to disaster. Many policy choices of the past decade were fun- involved the solidarity shown by other workers and worker rep- damentally flawed and a similar policy approach cannot provide a solution to resentative bodies that has resulted in this success.” the crisis.”

12 UNION POST S September 2009 Taoiseach WARNING must clip

THE wings of McCARTHY the hawks SIPTU general president Jack O’Connor has called on the Taoiseach to go to the polls if he REPORT wants to forge ahead with the “slash and burn” policies of “hawks” in the Department of Fi- nance. Claiming the Government had no mandate to pursue this course, he said: “If the Taoiseach cannot rein in those elements in the Depart- ment of Finance who appear determined to wreck the economy and the country then he should call it a day and call a general election.” He added that in the past he had stopped short of making such a call but now believed the country needed to be given a choice be- tween “those who believe that ordinary people should pay the price for the economic catas- trophe and those who favour a national initia- tive for recovery based on the principle that those who have the most should contribute the most”. Mr O’Connor, who is also Congress presi- dent, was responding to the publication of the McCarthy report into public expenditure cuts in July. He said it could not be seen in isolation, and was one of a “glut of recipes for the eco- nomic crisis that all contained the same ingre- dient” - to make workers and the least well off pay for the slump. He added: “The report of An Bord Snip Nua is another illustration of this recipe of repre- Vulnerable are targeted hensible remedies. It follows the transfer, or socialisation, of the massive bank debts on to IMPACT general secretary Peter McLoone ignore it and instead engage with the people the ordinary tax payer and the constant call for has called on the Government to ignore rec- who manage, deliver and use public services workers to take wage cuts. ommendations set out in the McCarthy re- to find ways to maintain and increase them “It represents an attack on public services port because it shows no understanding of during the recession and beyond.” and on the social welfare payments of the citizensʼ needs or the challenges of deliver- Mr McLoone also warned the Government most vulnerable while simultaneously propos- ing decent public services. IMPACT would respond with industrial action ing to sell off important state assets so that He warned that if implemented such poli- if attempts were made to impose public serv- those who still have money can pick them up cies would target the most vulnerable in Irish ice pay cuts, pension reductions or compul- at bargain basement prices. society but seek no contribution from those sory redundancies. “This would reflect the disastrous decision who caused the recession through their He added: “There will be a reaction which of a decade ago to privatise Eircom, which greed and recklessness in the first place. will include sustained, widespread and could have been such a vital engine of renewed Claiming the report would never command painful industrial action including strikes. economic growth.” the support of the Irish people, Mr McLoone “I donʼt believe there will be many, if any, Mr O’Connor warned Finance Minister said: “This report is just one of many, set winners if the Government takes this route, Brian Lenihan if he was not careful he would apart only by its callous disregard for the least of all among the people who – more follow in the footsteps of his 1950s predeces- people who most depend on public services. than ever – depend on our public sor Sean McEntree “who almost turned off the “The Government would be well advised to services.” lights” condemning the country to “a decade of zero growth, widespread misery and mass emi- gration”. He advised the Taoiseach to rein in the De- DOWNLOAD THE McCARTHY REPORT AT partment of Finance before it did “irreparable www.finance.gov.ie/documents/pressreleases/2009/bl100vol1.pdf damage”. Mr O’Connor said SIPTU accepted certain job reductions in the public service were pos- sible but warned frontline services must be maintained. TEEU: ‘What we have we hold’ He added: “We are prepared to fully engage in discussions on these public service issues TECHNICAL Engineering and Electrical Union has did not intend to meekly accept cuts proposed by and we will respond positively, in the context warned the Government it will resist any attempt a group of consultants “who were themselves of a progressive social dynamic, to any policies and proposals put to us in good to implement the cutbacks proposed by An Bord cheerleaders for the boom”. faith by the Government. Snip Nua. He added: “Our members have done no more “We are not prepared, how- Giving its response to the McCarthy report, the than secure increases over the past decade that ever, to engage with those union claimed workers had exercised “a degree of were hard earned and, as far as we are concerned, who believe that national moderation and discipline” during the boom years what we have we hold. economic recovery can be achieved through a ‘red pen’ in marked contrast to the excesses of “bankers, “We are putting the Government on notice that exercise that rips apart the speculators and developers”. if it opts to follow the advice of An Bord Snip Nua social contract and places the General secretary Owen Wills said the TEEU and squeeze workers and the unemployed even burden on workers and the wanted to give the Government “fair warning” it harder, it will have a fight on its hands.” most vulnerable in our society.” Picture: Dept of Finance September 2009 S UNION POST 13 FIGURES IMPACT hits out at €8bn PIBA claim on pensions IMPACT has slammed “fantasy” claims made by the Professional Insurance Brokers Association about public service pensions. According to figures produced in a PIBA press release in July, private sector workers contribute €8 billion a year towards public service pensions. But IMPACT hit back claiming the insurers had got their sums wrong and pointed out that even the PIBA had conceded half of the €8 billion fig- Do you hear us, Mary? Migrant protestors make their feelings clear Picture: MRCI ure referred to ordinary social welfare pensions. These go to all workers, public and private, and are largely funded from employees’ PRSI contri- butions made over their working lives. IMPACT national secretary Paddy Keating said CONGRESS HAILS the PIBA press release was littered with other in- accuracies, including the ridiculous assumption only private sector workers paid tax. He added: “These are fantasy figures, which take no account of the 6.5% of gross salary that most public servants pay towards their pensions or the MIGRANTS MOVE 7.5% pension levy imposed in March. CONGRESS has welcomed changes to regula- fought campaign to change the unjust and cruel “This interest group, whose objective is to tions governing non-European Economic Area policies that were introduced by the Govern- drum up business for companies selling private migrant workers who have been made redun- pensions, also fails to mention that the headline ment back in June. dant. “This campaign was driven by migrant work- figures paid to public service pensioners include The new guidelines, announced by Justice their social welfare entitlements, paid for out of ers themselves together with the support of Minister Dermot Ahern and Tanaiste Mary trade unions, employer bodies, the faith com- their PRSI payments.” Couglan on August 28, double the length of However, Mr Keating did agree many private time a newly-redundant migrant worker has to munity and other immigrant organisations. sector pensions were in crisis. seek alternative employment from three to six “While there are still several issues and barri- He added: “The value of occupational pensions months. ers to overcome both Minister Ahern and the has collapsed because of recklessness in the fi- Backing the move, Congress official Esther Tánaiste have heard the collective voice of mi- nance sector, which caused the banking crisis and grant workers and have done the right thing.” share price collapse, and the fact that so many Lynch said: “There are about 13,000 workers private sector employers walked away from their on employment permits and given the danger He added: “These changes will make a signifi- pension responsibilities to maximise profits dur- of some people blaming migrant workers for cant difference in the lives of thousands of non- ing the boom years.” the problems we face it’s important to be clear EEA migrant workers who have committed that they are in no way a contributing factor to themselves to Ireland , but whose lives have the overall unemployment situation. been hanging in the balance. “Indeed these 13,000 workers are even more “These changes give migrant workers greater vulnerable to losing their job for reason of re- Cuts mania equality and greater opportunity to support dundancy. “That why Congress advocated a fair ap- their families and to contribute to Irish society.” proach to amend the permit rules to allow an However, Mr Abom criticised a recent deci- ‘a delusion’ adequate period to seek new employment and sion by Minister Ahern to impose a new €500 to be able to do so without the need for their fee on non-EEA long-term residents in Ireland THE TUC has warned a 10% cut in public spend- employer to fulfill the labour market test. Calling the move “shameful and under- ing – the equivalent to £58.27 billion – would lead “But it’s a real sting in the tail for workers handed”, he said: “Many migrant workers are to 200,000 job losses in the public sector. that they now have to pay for their permit. It’s struggling to support themselves and their fami- It claimed there would also be a significant not fair, and Congress will continue to fight for lies at this moment. knock-on effect on the UK’s private sector with a just system that charges the employer not the “The fee places an additional burden on mi- tens of thousands more joining the dole queues. worker for the permits.” grant workers, who already pay their taxes and In an analysis of spending figures published last Non-EEA migrant workers who have lived and worked in Ireland for five years under the numerous other fees.” month, the TUC argued that because health and At present as well as paying taxes non-EEA education are two of the highest spending areas work permit system will also be granted a new and had both seen major growth since 1997, no permission to live and work without the need migrants must also stump up a number of fees cuts package could be implemented without to apply for another work permit. Migrant to the Government including €500-a-year work hitbting these budgets, including private sector Rights Centre Ireland deputy director Bill permits, €100 for annual re-entry visas and procurement. Abom said: “This victory is as a result of a hard €150 for GNIB registration cards. Health and education both have large procure- ment budgets (£67 billion and £16 billion in 2007- 08 respectively) so private sector contractors ICONGRESS and the ploitation, deception, or sive and exploitative em- would also lose out from any departmental cuts. MRCI have welcomed a unexpected redundancy to ployers. It is a necessary TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, below, new scheme to ʻregulariseʼ apply for a four-month first step and helps pre- said: “A mania has gripped otherwise sensible migrant workers who temporary residence per- vent the emergence of a commentators who are calling for have become undocu- mission. Having this working underclass that is deep cuts in public spending to re- mented for reasons be- “bridging visa” will give without either hope or pro- duce the budget deficit. yond their control. those affected the chance tection.” MRCI director “They talk as if these cuts The scheme – an- of re-entering the work Siobhán OʼDonoghue would have no effect on the pri- nounced on September 14 permit system. added: “The Government vate sector or the wider econ- by Justice Minister Dermot Congress official Esther is on the right path, but omy, and that health, education Ahern – allows non-EEA Lynch said: “Condemning this only the first step to- and front-line services migrant workers who have undocumented migrant wards regularising the would hardly no- become undocumented workers to a life of fear 30,000 undocumented per- tice. But this is a through workplace ex- benefits no one but abu- sons in Ireland.” delusion.”

14 UNION POST S September 2009 DEFENDING LOWER PAID Trade unionist who WORKERS had the doodle bug LEGENDARY trade union chief He had a habit of sketching dur- Ken Gill, who died in May, was ing meetings and a host of politi- known to be quick on the draw cians, campaigners and fellow when it came to tough negotia- trade unionists were captured by tions with government ministers him in ink. and industry bosses. His caricatures were more gen- He was also an able and per- erous than cruel which reflected ceptive caricaturist and a new the temperament of the man him- book Hung, Drawn And Quar- self. tered, which brings together Hung, some of his cartoons, is a fitting Drawn and tribute to the Wiltshire-born Quartered: union stalwart who was once The Carica- voted “the trade unionist’s trade tures of Ken unionist”. Gill by John A convinced Communist from Green and his teens, Gill sat on the TUC Michael Boñcza Artery Publications, General Council for 18 years and 132 pages, paperback, £12/€12 was MSF general secretary from Available at www.artery 1988 to 1992. publications.co.uk

CIVIL PUBLIC & SERVICES UNION UNITE remembers Ken WORKING UNITE is to hold an evening of remembrance next month in Belfast to honour the late Ken Gill. The trade union stalwart, WITH YOU who spent time as an organiser in the city in the early 60s, is fondly remembered by his Irish colleagues. UNITE Irish Secretary Jimmy Kelly said: “It is fitting that Ire- land pays its tribute to Ken who helped invigorate the union movement throughout the island with his wit and well-known JOIN US powers of persuasion.” The event will be held at the UNITE of- fices on Belfastʼs Antrim Road on Friday, October 16. www.cpsu.ie

September 2009 S UNION POST 15 SRI LANKA CONGRESS CALL OVER

WAR CRIMES CLAIM Begg: Fair treatment

CONGRESS chief David Begg has backed an Amnesty International call for an independent in- quiry into alleged war crimes carried out during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war. He made his comments in a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin in July. It followed the adoption of a motion at ICTU’s Biennial Delegates Conference earlier that month asking for intensified solidarity work with Tamils in Sri Lanka. In the letter, Mr Begg underlined his hope that the Irish government would raise the inquiry call both in Europe and internationally. He wrote: “Two months ago the Sri Lankan army defeated the Tamil Tigers. But this was also a war against hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Tamils. “According to witnesses up to a quarter of a million Tamils were crammed into an area not big- ger than New York's Central Park, an area which was repeatedly bombarded over a four months period. The large majority of these people were civilians. “The UN estimates up to 8,000 were killed during the bombardment; other sources claim that more than 20,000 people were killed. There are several reports about serious war crimes committed by the Sri Lankan army.” He also claimed that following the end of hos- tilities some 300,000 Tamils were being held in “welfare centres... that are concentration camps in all but name” and pointed to worrying reports Living in fear: Tamil civilians displaced by the conflict Picture: Amnesty International that up to 1,000 detainees were dying amid insan- itary conditions each week. HUNDREDS of thousands of Sri Lankan to detain civilians including entire families, the eld- Mr Begg said it was near impossible for inde- Tamils displaced by the recent war and liv- erly and children for an indefinite period. Human pendent organisations or the international press Iing in camps are being denied the most rights activists fear with no independent monitors to enter the compounds to check out the re- basic human rights, according to Amnesty Interna- able to freely visit the camps, those inside are un- ports. He concluded: “The Irish Congress of tional. protected and at risk from enforced disappear- Trade Unions also believe that as long as the Sri Secretary General Irene Khan made the claim ances, arbitrary arrest and sexual violence. Lankan government rejects the calls for access at the launch of the organisation’s Unlock The It is believed at least 280,000 people have been and fair treatment of the Tamils interned in the Camps campaign in July. displaced from areas previously under Tamil Tigers camps, economic sanctions and an arms embargo Nearly four months after the end of the fight- control. These people, including at least 50,000 should be imposed against Sri Lanka. ing, civilians are still being forced to subsist amid children, are being accommodated in 41 camps “The extensive and systematic human rights overcrowded and unsanitary conditions. spread over four districts. abuses have to stop. The camps have to close. In addition, the camps are effectively military- n When United Nations Secretary General Ban “We believe that Ireland, with our own history run detention centres. Ki-moon visited some of the camps in May, he and experience, can make an important contribu- Amnesty claims the Sri Lankan government's said: "I have travelled around the world and vis- tion to an international endeavour to find a sus- assertion that it needs to hold the Tamils to carry ited similar places, but this is by far the most ap- tainable peaceful solution in Sri Lanka.” out a screening exercise is not a justifiable reason palling scene I have seen." Warning on SNA job losses IMPACT has warned children “Alternatively, the teacher can the Education for Persons with will lose out following the loss ignore the pupil and get on with Special Education Needs act of an estimated 1,200 special teaching the rest of the class. has paved the way for the loss needs assistant posts from next “In the darkest days of our of 2,000 SNA jobs, as proposed February. education system this was the in the McCarthy report. Assistant general secretary norm, and a return to this ap- He added:“This is as far re- Philip Mullen claimed the cuts proach would be cruel and moved from the idea of cherish- will leave the service spread senseless. ing all the children equally as much thinner increasing the “The only other option left we can get as a society. risk some children with special open to the school is to look to “The advent of the SNA role education needs wonʼt have ac- put the child in a special educa- and bringing children with spe- cess to an SNA at all. tion school, cutting them off cial needs into mainstream edu- He said: “In the event a child from the experience of main- cation has been one of the most is left without that support, the stream schooling.” positive developments of the school faces three very stark The job losses follow a review last decade in Irish education. choices. by the National Council for Spe- “To turn back the clock now “The teacher can make extra cial Education of special needs makes no sense. time to support the childʼs assistant allocations in all “The question is not where do needs, which would prove par- schools. we cut jobs, the question is how ticularly difficult as we expect Mr Mullen also claimed the do we pay for a system of edu- Picture: IMPACT the pupil-teacher ratio to in- decision in the last budget to cation that has ensured a fairer crease in the coming years. suspend the implementation of outcome for these children?” Mullen: ‘Darkest days’

16 UNION POST S September 2009 SUCCESS NIPSA traffic attendants dispute deal is brokered

NIPSA general secretary John Corey has paid tribute to a group of Belfast-based traffic atten- dants following a successful resolution to their 14-week dispute, The campaign to reinstate the 26 workers, dis- missed by employer NSL Ltd after a protest walk- out in April, had the full backing of the union’s General Council. During the dispute NIPSA staged a daily protest outside NSL’s offices in Belfast, as well as lobbying and making representations to MLAs and Stormont ministers. After a series of meetings with NSL at the Labour Relations Agency’s offices, the NIPSA team led by Mr Corey secured an agreement which was unanimously accepted by the dis- missed traffic attendants. One condition was the detailed terms of the settlement were to remain confidential. However, the core aim of the campaign was to secure reinstatement for traffic attendants and NIPSA confirmed all those dismissed were given the option of accepting reinstatement. There was also an option of leaving under a compromise agreement which a number of work- WINDOW ON PAINE ers decided to accept. Health and safety at work – one of the factors that sparked the initial walk-out – was also ad- THE Working Class Movement Library is Common Sense, Rights of Man and Age dressed in the settlement. marking the 200th anniversary of the of Reason – early editions of which will Mr Corey said: “I pay tribute to the traffic at- death of revolutionary writer and political be on display. The exhibition will also tendants for the way they campaigned for an ac- thinker Thomas Paine with an exhibition contain political cartoons, radical pam- ceptable resolution which has been achieved. at Salford Museum and Art Gallery in phlets and rare editions of books by and “I also wish to acknowledge and thank sincerely Manchester. about Paine and his followers. all trade unions and trade unionists and many The exhibition, which runs until Novem- Veronica Trick, a volunteer co-ordinator ber 22, tells the story of Paine's adventur- at the library, said: ʻIf our library had a others who supported the traffic attendants. ous life, his narrow escapes from death patron saint it'd be Thomas Paine. He's “It is an important example of where both an and his involvement in both the American so much the starting point, both chrono- intensive campaign and concerted negotiations and French Revolutions. logically and ideologically, for working with the employer can secure justice and fairness However, the primary focus of the exhi- class history.” for workers. bition is on the very modern ideas con- For details contact the library at “I acknowledge too the help and assistance tained in Paineʼs three key publications [email protected] provided by the Minister Conor Murphy in ensur- ing the company accepted the imperative of nego- Illustrations: Courtesy WCML tiating a resolution with NIPSA.” Thomas Cook workers stand hailed

TSSA general secretary Gerry Do- enhanced package but it is understood herty has hailed the determined stand the firm agreed to increase ex gratia taken by Thomas Cook workers fol- payments to staff on top of the origi- lowing the settlement last month of nal offer of five weeks pay per year of their dispute with management over service. lay-off payments. The dispute began in July after The protesting staff, who staged a Thomas Cook announced it was five day sit-in at the travel giant’s pulling out of the Republic with imme- Grafton Street store in Dublin, ac- diate effect following a unanimous cepted an improved redundancy pack- vote by staff in favour of strike action. age. Gardai raided the travel agents early It followed a deal brokered between on August 5 and 27 protesters occupy- the TSSA and company chiefs over 10 ing the premises later appeared at the hours at the Labour Relations Com- High Court. mittee on August 12, The workers walked free but Mr Mr Doherty said: "I am extremely Justice Michael Peart warned them the proud of our members at Thomas rule of law "cannot be broken" as this Cook who secured a better deal by would be a "recipe for anarchy". their determination to stand up for One of the workers went into their rights against a multinational labour after her arrest and later gave Picture: TSSA company." birth to a baby girl in Coombe Hospi- He declined to reveal details of the tal. Occupation: Thomas Cook workers during sit-in

September 2009 S UNION POST 17 SHOW OF SUPPORT!

SIPTU general secretary Joe OʼFlynn Irish Transport and General Workersʼ has slammed the “bully boy tactics” Union by Jim Larkin. He added: “Its used by Peel Ports bosses against core group was dockers and it was workers involved in the long-running set up to ensure they, and other dispute at Marine Terminals. workers, had decent pay and condi- He told protestors at a rally out- tions and security of employment. side the Dublin docklands site on “Today Peel Ports are trying to set August 24 the company had shown the clock back a hundred years to what he called a “total contempt” for secure super profits for themselves the “conflict resolution institutions and consign dockers and their com- of the Irish state”. munities to penury. Mr OʼFlynn said: “This company “We are not going to let it happen has consistently set its face against and we are going to do whatever it serious engagement with the work- takes to ensure it does not happen. ers, steamrolling through mass re- “We are prepared to do business dundancies and threatening further with any employer who is prepared job losses, as well as cuts in pay and to treat employers decently – even conditions.” Peel Ports – but we also know how Mr OʼFlynn reminded the several to deal with them if they donʼt.” hundred-strong protest, which in- Messages of support were read cluded a large contingent from north out at the rally from dockersʼ unions of the border, that it this was the in Australia, Belgium and the Nether- centenary year of the founding of the lands. PICTURE SPECIAL: EVELINA SADUIKYTE & DARIUS KRYZEVICIUS

18 UNION POST S September 2009 SIPTU chief Joe O’Flynn and ICTU assistant general secretary Peter Bunting, left, both addressed the protest

September 2009 S UNION POST 19 STATESIDE US nurses union chief ROSE ANN DeMORO fears time is running

HEALTH REFORM NEEDS IF THERE is one thing more dysfunctional than wildering to the rest of the industrial world care CEOs enjoy record compensation, Ameri- the US healthcare system, it may be the which long ago concluded that health care is a can workers and their families have borne the grotesque debate over how to fix it. fundamental right, and government does have an brunt of the broken system. Insurance premiums On the one hand are the wild-eyed conserva- essential role in promoting the health of its peo- have risen four times faster than family incomes tives waving Nazi regalia, fabricating tales about ple. the past decade, and probably 90 per cent of national health systems in the UK and Canada, Data just released by the World Health Organ- labour disputes are the direct result of efforts by and terrorising pensioners about the non-threat ization re-confirms that many already know management to reduce employer-sponsored to their health coverage. about the embarrassing state of the US system health coverage. But the Obama administration and many of its which continues to trail other countries in a In a recent TV interview, a Democratic Party allies have hardly fared much better, compromis- long array of healthcare barometers. Both Ire- consultant who worked on the failed Clinton ad- ing from the outset on the most comprehensive land and the UK, for example, exceed the US in ministration reform plan of the early 1990s, con- reform, making concession after concession to life expectancy, and have lower infant mortality ceded that the White House erred from the the right even while holding sizable majorities in and adult mortality rates than the US though start by paying too much heed to the propo- Congress, and failing to deliver a message that spending less than half per capita on health care. nents of political expediency. resonates with the public. Aside from spending more for less than any- Rather than propose a national system, as ex- Prospects of broader reform were further un- one else, the US remains distinct in being the ists in other countries, or simply expand US dermined by some liberal constituency groups only industrial nation that barters human life and Medicare to cover everyone, the Obama admin- and labour unions, who chose to health for profit. The result is a big industry istration and Congress lowered its standards merely endorse the proposals of of insurance companies that the administration and top Con- routinely deny medical care from the outset, and then began negotiations gressional Democrats, rather simply because they don't with conservatives and the healthcare industry than fighting for a national system want to pay for it, and engage which led to additional giveaways. as exists in other developed in predatory pricing practices What was left was a proposal whose central countries, or the still highly popu- that have prompted half of element remains a requirement that all those lar, government-funded US Americans to skip needed without health coverage be required to buy pri- Medicare system for pensioners. medical care because they vate insurance, with subsidies for the low in- All of this lunacy must look be- can't afford it. While health- come to purchase policies. In sum, tens of millions of new customers for

20 UNION POST S September 2009 out for President Obama’s universial healthcare drive NEWSBRIEFS LRD research: UK pay freezes in 23% of deals FIGURES compiled by the UK-based Labour Re- search Department have revealed that only around 23% of wage settlements since January have been pay freezes. Its Payline database, which brings together in- formation on around 2,300 basic pay agreements, found the great majority of deals brokered since the start of the year have been positive. Researchers came across only a small handful of cases here pay has been actually cut but did confirm that the average settlement had dropped since last year. The deals ranged from zero to more than six per cent but averaged at about 2.5% in the first half of the year. One trend identified in the LRD research was the growing difference between long-term and short-term negotiated pay deals. Since the beginning of the year, the average for long-term deals was 3.2% compared to just two per cent for new deals. LRD’s pay and conditions researcher Lewis Emery said: "It is likely that employers that sign long-term deals with their unions favour stability and good industrial relations, and know that over time the pay picture will probably even out under these deals. "Freezing pay is a short-term solution, and is not sustainable in the long term. Many employers even in a downturn see the benefits of a more predictable situation where they can be sure of rewarding their staff consistently." A NEW new code of practice on time off Ifor trade union duties and activities has been published by UK industrial relations serv- ice Acas. The new provisions will come into force on October 1. Details of the guidelines are available on www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2642. Govt could have done more to save SRT jobs SIPTU has claimed the Government could have Picture: Courtesy CNA done more to save the 1,100 jobs lost when SR Technics closed in April. It follows news that a new aircraft maintenance factory is to open on the old SR Technics site at Dublin Airport.Dublin Aerospace hopes to em- ploy 226 people within five years. The company estimates it will create 150 new positions in its first year of operation but, speak- RESUSCITATION ing at the September 2 launch, executive director Conor McCarthy said: “There’s no reason that a cut-throat private insurance industry that is mer President, Bill Clinton, who chastised a con- number should not be exceeded if we exceed our largely responsible for the present crisis. And a ference of worried net-roots activists on August initial expectations.” reminder for some of a massive public bailout of 13 saying: “I want us to be mindful we may need SIPTU's Pat Ward said: “While SIPTU welcomes the private banks that has angered many. to take less than a full loaf.” these jobs, we feel that the Minister [Tanaiste In exchange, the insurers will be expected to But mobilising activists for a half loaf has Mary Coughlan], her department and Enterprise end their indefensible practice of refusing to sell proven to be a challenge, as the White House Ireland should have done much more to save the policies to people with prior health problems, and and Congress have learned to their dismay in re- jobs at SR Technics.” dropping people from coverage when they get cent weeks as they struggle to counter those sick. denouncing them from the right. State-of-the-art features But there will be no requirement to end the Even the grassroots network built by candi- equally immoral behavior of insurance companies date Obama that set new standards for cam- on revamped ASTI site denying medical procedures or other care, even paign activism last year has, the New York Times ASTI have just launched a major revamp of their when recommended by a patient's doctor, be- noted on August 15, failed to produce much en- thusiasm for the current health plan, and most website which is to include a number of state-of- cause it cuts into their profits. the-art new features. Further, insurers will likely continue to be able liberal constituency groups have not fared much better. Facilities for video and podcasts are being devel- charge as much as they like. And, in a separate The nation's registered nurses and many doc- oped while members can sign up to RSS feeds and controversial deal with the pharmaceutical indus- tors continue to press for real change, a national receive emails detailing the latest news and events try, the White House agreed to sacrifice its lever- or single payer system based on US Medicare. It as they appear on the site. age on drug companies to reduce their is still possible to achieve stronger reform, but Every ASTI branch will have its own page acces- exorbitant charges. time is running out. sible only to members. As of late August, the main debate was whether Branches will also be able to send their photos progressive legislators would resist the further Rose Ann DeMoro is executive for inclusion in a website gallery. concessions to the right, especially as Republican director of the 86,000-member Describing it as “campaigning website”, an ASTI legislators have made it clear that for political California Nurses Association/ spokesperson said: “It mirrors all of the union’s National Nurses Organizing reasons they will vote against any reform plan, no Committee, the largest US union areas of activity including campaigns, teachers’ matter what's in it. of nurses, and a national vice terms and conditions of employment, professional This retreat was clearly articulated by the for- president of the AFL-CIO. development, industrial relations and legal issues and education policy.” Go to www.asti.ie

September 2009 S UNION POST 21 LISBON TREATY SIPTU YES VOTE CALL Detailed statement gives ‘qualified’ backing for treaty SIPTU has given its backing to the ratification of Turning to the social aspects of the treaty, the The union claimed many trade unionists in the the Lisbon Treaty – though admitted it still “har- union claimed it reflected a “consensus” between No camp hoped that rejection would result in a boured a number of reservations”. business and labour borne out of the carnage of better treaty but claimed that this outcome, Ireland’s largest union flagged up the impor- World War Two and “consequently the vision of though not impossible, was “very unlikely”. tance of Labour’s recent undertaking to legislate the trade union and socialist movements for a SIPTU pointed out recent successes for centre on collective bargaining rights if the party forms truly civilised world based on social solidarity right parties in the European Parliament and sug- part of the next Government. globally is reflected in it”. gested “they are not going to sit back and allow a SIPTU made no recommendation during the The union said the right to engage in collective better treaty from the point of view of working last referendum vote. bargaining and the right to take collective action – people to be formulated”. However, in a detailed statement issued on Sep- enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights – The statement added: "It is not simply a case of tember 3, the union claimed on balance their would in effect become “primary law” on the saying 'No' this time and waiting for a better out- analysis showed the ratification of the treaty – in- same level as the so-called “Four Freedoms” of come. We must also take account of the possibil- cluding the Charter of Fundamental Rights – free movement of goods, capital, services and per- ity of worse emerging.” “would not make matters worse overall” but sons set out in the 1957 Treaty of Rome. While calling for a Yes vote, SIPTU said it would would have “the potential to improve them”. SIPTU acknowledged the Charter was not “a not be sharing platforms with representatives SIPTU pointed out that the “leave it to the mar- panacea” and admitted it would be open to chal- from Government parties. ket” approach had been exposed over the past lenge from those who “prioritise accumulation of The statement concluded: “Our agenda is not year and “the mirage created by a decade of pri- profits over the interests of working people and the same as theirs. Our commitment is to the oritising speculation over sustainable develop- the common good”. kind of Europe envisaged in the social clauses of ment has evaporated spectacularly with dreadful But the statement continued: “The outcomes the treaty and in the Charter of Fundamental consequences for working people”. on all these matters are always determined Rights, not in their strategy of implementing the Against that backdrop, it said Ireland’s expe- The by the balance of forces in the political aspects which reflect the priorities of the busi- rience since joining the EEC in 1973 had and industrial arena.” ness lobby, while ignoring the rest.” been “almost universially positive” though admitted that this had changed since 2004. YES/NO However, the union claimed this was in large part due to Dublin rather than Brus- debate sels. p24/25 The statement continued: “Many of the dif- ficulties are actually due to the policies pursued by the Government here. These issues can be ad- dressed by electing an alternative Government with a strong Labour/Left component here next time.” SIPTU characterised claims from the ‘No’ camp that Irish young people would be drafted into a European Army or the minimum wage slashed to €1.84 as “absolute nonsense” but also attacked the voices of doom in the ‘Yes’ camp if Ireland again voted down the treaty. It claimed the issues at stake were “much more subtle” than that. The union warned against the drift towards “strident free-marketism” in Europe in recent years in particular the impact of some EC initia- tives and ECJ judgments. The statement cautioned: “Unless this trend is corrected it will sow division both between states and within them undermining the cohesion neces- sary for the continued success of the entire EU project itself.” SIPTU pointed to legal guarantees to be given to Ireland over defence, neutrality, taxation, edu- cation, family and the right to life upon ratifica- tion. “It is important to note that this does not rep- resent an amendment, merely a clarification. However, it is not without substance as it makes it absolutely clear that these matters will remain within the exclusive remit of the Irish people to decide for ourselves.” Differing positions: Original text of the Lisbon Treaty Picture: European Communities UNITE calls for a second UNITE has called on its 60,000 ity, and in numbers of commission- we are told to have faith in govern- members in the Republic to vote no ers but over workersʼ rights. mentsʼ willingness to treat workers in the October 2 Lisbon Treaty ref- “Instead we got a ʻsolemn decla- fairly and with respect.” erendum. rationʼ that is worthless given the Claiming the Irish government The union – one of the leading way in which the European Courts was “the last we should trust to opponents of the treaty last year – have interpreted workersʼ rights as stand up for workersʼ rights”, he claims its continued opposition is being subservient to those of busi- continued: “Irish workers are alone based on the lack of any progress ness. in Europe as having no legal right in the critical area of workersʼ “UNITE and colleagues across to representation by a union. rights. Europe sought the inclusion of a “Irish workers are alone in Eu- Irish regional secretary Jimmy social progress clause in the Lis- rope as having no provision for Kelly said: “We were told that bon Treaty which would make it pension protection. workersʼ rights would be protected clear the fundamental right to or- “Irish workers are alone in Eu- under Lisbon and that we were ganise and the right to strike are in rope as the only ones whose right scaremongering. no way subordinate to the eco- to fair pay and employment secu- “When the Irish government went nomic freedoms pursued by the EU rity are considered by their govern- seeking legal guarantees they got member states. ment as obstacles to economic Kelly: No vote call them in areas of taxation, of moral- “This was rejected and instead recovery.” Mr Kelly warned that

22 UNION POST S September 2009 DELEGATES at this month’s TUC conference in Liverpool demonstrate their abhor- rence of racism during a silent vigil to remember its victims. Hundreds carrying ‘not SILENCING in my name’ placards gathered at the city’s dockside for the event which general sec- retary Brendan Barber said was a direct riposte to the racist BNP. He added: "We are in one of the constituencies that elected a BNP member to the European Parlia- ment. But our message today is that they were not elected in our name – or in the THE RACISTS name of the vast majority of the British people who reject the politics of hate." Picture: Courtesy of TUC No vote on Oct 2 TEEU backs a No vote voting yes to Lisborn would allow from that meeting waving a paper TEEU general secretary des- tice, Mr Devoy added it was EU institutions “to follow a busi- about the legally binding nature of ignate Eamon Devoy has not too late for workers to ness over labour ideology which is what they had got in some areas, claimed trade unions must seize the initative and reject too loaded against workers all despite having said prior to the demand a redrafting of the any treaty that failed to in- across Europe”. vote that nothing could be Lisbon Treaty so that it in- clude a social progress pro- He added: “Lisbon is not about changed.” Irelandʼs place in the EU. UNITE cludes fundamental rights to tocol. “In the area of workersʼ rights fully supports the vital role which workplace organisation and He said: “In the wake of the Europe plays in the everyday lives however, there was a singular fail- representation. ECJ decisions, the last thing of Irish citizens. ure to secure the clause that would He said his union was rec- we need is to consolidate ex- “Fourteen months ago the Irish prevent social dumping and second ommending a No vote on Oc- isting European institutions people stood up for the rights of class treatment of workers. tober 2 because of a any further without making “For that reason we are recom- working people all across Europe. deterioration in employment an effort to balance workersʼ “We earned the right to go back mending to all of our members that standards in Ireland. Pointing rights with the rights of busi- to the EU and to clarify and secure they should reject Lisbon once to recent decisions taken by ness moguls who [can] do elements of the workings of the again, and we are encouraging fel- Union that are essential to get right. low trade union members to do the European Court of Jus- what they want.” The Irish government emerged likewise.”

September 2009 S UNION POST 23 Victory for workers sacked by email A GROUP of Christian bookshop workers - ers were sacked with many receiving the news by done nothing wrong. But Usdaw was behind us many sacked by fax and email - have won a sub- email, breaking UK employment law. from the start and guided us round all the legal stantial payout at a UK Employment Tribunal. Shopworkers’ union Usdaw launched a legal hurdles the Brewers tried to put in our way.” The 32 employees worked at the SPCK chain fight, lodging claims on the employees’ behalf at Usdaw general secretary John Hannett added: until November 2006 when they were trans- the Employment Tribunal. “Usdaw’s Legal Department has worked hard to ferred to a new charity called Saint Stephen the A deal was finally brokered after an interim ensure that justice was achieved for these work- Great Charitable Trust, controlled by American manager was appointed following the involvement ers. brothers Mark and Philip Brewer. of the Charity Commission in the dispute. “Because the case was so complex, affecting peo- The Brewers tried to force staff to sign new Heather Leather, one of the sacked workers, ple in shops across the country, they would never contracts which gave them longer hours, fewer said: “We simply didn’t know what was happening have been able to get such a great result without holidays and poorer pension rights. when the Brewers started all this, and we never the backing of a union, and Usdaw is proud to Between February and June last year the work- expected to be treated this way, when we had have been able to help them.” NO ALTERNATIVE AS ROYAL MAIL WORKERS BALLOTED COMMUNICATION Workers Union regional our members to continually improve on un- secretary Lawrence Huston has slammed the achievable productivity targets, is at the heart Royal Mail’s “chaos management” style of cut- of this dispute.” ting jobs while imposing unachievable produc- He claimed the Royal Mail and the Labour tivity targets on its workforce. government - as a major shareholder - could His comments came as the CWU issued a not ignore the worsening situation. strike ballot to its members in a bid to end the Mr Huston added: “We need an agreement long-running dispute over terms and condi- which addresses pay and modernisation, the tions, pensions and the introduction of new technology. growing pensions’ deficit, and sets out a strat- Mr Huston said: “This is without doubt a last egy for growth in new areas of business oppor- resort for our postal members. tunity for Royal Mail. “No one wants a strike but the ‘chaos man- “Our members do not want to lose money agement’ style of Royal Mail, where they have or disrupt services by taking strike action. continued to cut jobs and hours, in every office However, while Royal Mail refuses to ac- across Northern Ireland, while at the same knowledge the serious issues facing its own time putting further and further pressure on employees, then the CWU has no alternative.”

IUNITE has called on ISIPTU and the man- Stormont health min- IBOA: 5,000 jobs could go agement of the Gre- ister Michael McGimpsey sham Hotel in Dublin to reverse cost-cutting THE Irish Bank Officials Association fears ownership of the banks was “inevitable” have reached agreement plans that will see one- 5,000 finance sector jobs could go be- but claimed nationalisation would be “Ar- under the auspices of the person rapid response cause of the impact National Asset Man- mageddon for the economy and the in- Labour Relations Com- vehicles taking over the agement Agency and consolidation will dustry”. mission following more role of emergency ambu- have on the industry. Last month, the IBOA chief called on than 12 hours of talks. In- lances staffed by two General secretary Larry Broderick the Government to use its clout as a dustrial action has been paramedics. The unionʼs claimed that there was a chance of major major shareholder in the banks to ensure suspended pending ac- health officer Kevin consolidation among banks leading to they were in the long-term public inter- ceptance of the terms by McAdam said: “A single- “mergers, acquisitions or closures”. est. SIPTU members. Both manned RRV is no sub- He said that while the union gave “qual- He said ordinary bank staff had not par- parties recognise the dif- stitute for a ified support” to NAMA as “the most re- ticipated in the “culture of greed” that ficult environment in fully-equipped frontline alistic option”, this backing was had caused the financial crisis but warned: which the hotel is operat- ambulance and replacing conditional on a major change in banking “They could be scapegoated by the same ing and are pleased that a them will reduce the serv- culture and guarantees on protecting staff management philosophy which was be- satisfactory way forward ice to the public.” who had played no role in bad lending de- hind the current crisis unless the Govern- has been reached cisions. Mr Broderick said greater state ment takes steps to prevent it.”

IT’S WORKERS VAN-GUARD! Union activists in Colorado line up against their “roving billboard” during a publicity drive through the state to enlist support for the Employee Free Choice Act. If passed, the Act would make it easier for workers to set up union structures.

24 UNION POST S September 2009 September 2009 S UNION POST 25 LISBON OCT 2 DIFFERING UNION VIEWS ON TREATY DEBATE

IMPACT’s BERNARD HARBOR argues that ratification is an important step in laying the groundwork for a social vision of Europe, while JIMMY KELLY of UNITE believes voting No again will force our leaders to go back to the EU and this time secure meaningful guarantees on workers’ rights Giving workplace rights equal standing in EU law

AT THIS time of deep eco- tion of workers, citizens, communities and the as existing EU laws and treaties that govern in- nomic recession and environment are just as important. ternal trade and the free market. growing unemployment, it This social Europe approach has already deliv- Among other things, the charter’s 50 specific has never been more im- ered many benefits and protections for Irish and articles include workers’ rights to representa- portant for Ireland to be European workers, including most of our laws tion, collective bargaining and collective action, YES! a respected and fully-par- governing equal opportunities, gender pay equal- including strike action. ticipating member of an ity, paid maternity leave, parental and adoptive Irish opponents of the treaty point to four re- TO TREATY EU equipped to deliver leave, health and safety protection, and working cent European Court of Justice rulings – Lavel, sustainable investment, time limits including legal entitlements to paid Viking, Ruffert and Luxembourg – as proof that employment and economic recovery. holidays. Lisbon ratification would be bad for workers. Equally, workers and their unions are con- These progressive measures provide strong This is a strange argument, not least because cerned that some employers and politicians evidence of the long European tradition of soli- these decisions were based on EU law as it ex- want to exploit the recession to drive down darity, which informed the post-war formation ists now, prior to Lisbon ratification. wages and erode hard-won workplace rights. and development of the EU. Furthermore, the four cases were lost prima- Some Lisbon opponents have tried to exploit And, although it’s far from perfect, most rily for reasons that stem from the inadequate this fear and have misrepresented the treaty, unions believe Lisbon ratification would immedi- transposition of EU laws or other inadequacies claiming it would erode existing workplace ately give supporters of a social Europe some in domestic law, which would not be directly af- rights. important new tools to help win improved fected by the treaty. Nobody argues that Lisbon is a panacea for rights for workers, consumers and citizens. On the basis of these cases, some in the No working people or their unions. Trade unions This is because it would establish the Euro- camp have also argued that the ECJ is funda- will continue to campaign for a “social Europe”, pean Charter of Fundamental Rights as primary mentally anti-worker and consistently favours which recognises the importance of markets EU law for the first time, giving the same legal business interests. and cross-border trade but insists that protec- status to a wide range of human and civil rights This argument completely ignores other It’s time to make another

THE issue of workers That will remain on October 3 when the peo- cases, of Viking, Ruffert, Laval and Luxem- rights has been central ple have rejected Lisbon for a second time. bourg the drift in employment rulings has to the debate on Lis- We were told ahead of the last referendum been towards the primacy of the rights of bon. It was a key factor that rejection would leave us on the fringes. business as opposed to workers. in the rejection of the We were told that nothing in Lisbon could be Voting Yes to Lisbon will applaud the deci- treaty by the Irish peo- changed or amended. Neither was true. sion that allows companies from one country NO! ple in 2008. We remain an influential and important to bring their own national workers to a proj- It is again an area of contributor and benefactor from Europe. Our ect in Dublin, Cork or Limerick and pay them weakness for the polit- government went to their colleagues and se- the rates prevalent in their home state, ignor- TO TREATY ical elite who have ig- cured legal guarantees in areas of morality, ing the laws of Ireland. nored the will of the neutrality, taxation policy and on the number This is how our minimum wage legislation people and seek once more to railroad the of commissioners. All these things that can be undermined. This is not scaremon- people of Europe into a more centralised and could not be changed were changed. gering. Our own Labour Court has said on less democratic European project. The one area, however, where no guaran- Laval: “It seems reasonably if not absolutely Yes, the institutions of the European Union tee was secured was in the area of workersʼ clear to the Court that in the absence of a need to be reformed to encompass the grow- rights. Instead we got a solemn declaration. Registered Employment Agreement, contrac- ing number of member states. Yes, member- Meaningless and an insult to those who have tors from other Member States could exer- ship of the European Union has been good pledged to stand up for rights of working cise their freedom to provide services in this for the people of Ireland. But let us be clear, people. jurisdiction under the EC Treaty at the same this is not a referendum on Irelandʼs mem- European law has been steered by the Eu- rates and conditions of employment as apply bership and central place within Europe. ropean Court of Justice. In the most recent in their country of origin. Much has been

26 UNION POST S September 2009 Picture: European Communities highly positive ECJ rulings – many of them recent to the Labour Court, which could then refer it implementing or transposing EU law, and when – concerning gender equality, equal pay, fixed- to the ECJ under Article 28 of the charter the Irish courts and the ECJ were interpreting term workers’ rights and carers’ rights. (which enshrines rights to collective bargaining). EU legislation. Lisbon ratification would most likely have If successful, such a case would automatically Irish unions would continue to campaign to strengthened the trade unions’ hand in these override Irish case law, including that decided in have the charter enshrined in Irish legislation too. cases. The first and immediate benefit of achiev- the Supreme Court. This won’t be easy, but it will never happen if the ing full legal status for the charter is that the ECJ Thirdly, establishing the charter’s 50 provisions charter has not first been adopted as primary EU would have to place as much weight on the char- as primary EU law would prevent Ireland and law. ter as it does on other EU laws and treaties. other member states from rowing back on exist- Although it would not give workplace rights ing legal rights where they relate to EU laws, precedence over market rules, it would for the treaties or regulations. first time give them equivalence when the ECJ This would effectively strengthen worker pro- Bernard Harbor is an makes its rulings. tections at a time when employers, politicians information officer at Trade unionists, including ETUC general secre- and others are calling for deregulation as part of IMPACT, the largest public tary John Monks, have said this could have been the Government’s response to the recession. sector trade union in the significant in recent controversial judgments. Finally, achieving full legal status for the charter Republic, and a member of Secondly, Lisbon ratification could be very sig- would strengthen trade union campaigns for en- the Charter Group, which has published ‘Lisbon nificant on the controversial issue of Irish collec- hanced Irish legal protections for workers. and Your Rights at Work: Why the Lisbon Treaty tive bargaining rights. Although the charter’s provisions would not is good for workers and their unions’. The book- If the treaty is ratified, and the charter is given automatically apply to all domestic Irish law, the let can be downloaded at www.thecharter full legal force, unions would be free to take a rights it enshrines would have to apply when the group.ie. suitable Irish case on collective bargaining rights EU is legislating, when its member states were stand for workers’ rights made of the Fundamental Charter and in many ship negotiations. Those among our own secure proper guarantees for workers and the ways it is a good thing but it must be given movement who urge us to wait again are fail- inclusion of a social progress clause in the re- stronger effect across Europe but especially ing to see the pattern of denial in which this is form legislation that will then have to be prop- in Ireland. the latest chapter. erly and democratically addressed across Working people in Ireland are the only ones Voting No to Lisbon again will be our stand Europe. in the developed world who do not have a for workersʼ rights. We are in the spotlight once more. Working legal right to collective bargaining. Only in The rights which have been gained across people across Ireland must stand up for our Ireland do employers have no obligation to the continent have not been earned through rights as workers, as equal partners in enter- recognise a trade union chosen to represent waiting for others to grant us what is ours by prise and as citizens of Europe. their interests by the workers themselves. right. Across Europe workers and the trade We have a duty to vote no. Labour and Fine Gael have made promises unions they represent have stood up, taken about ʻafter the next electionʼ. We have been action and reaped the rewards. waiting for legislation ever since 1951 when The political and corporate elite within Ire- the state signed the ILO Convention guaran- land will not give up voluntarily what they do teeing collective bargaining rights. not feel they have to. If they have held out We've been waiting since social partnership against such a basic right of workers for began in the late 1980s and successive gov- nearly 60 years, then why stop there. ernments promised to address the issue. In Let us now make our stand on October 2. Jimmy Kelly is the Irish Regional Secretary of the last referendum we were told by the Let us say no more waiting. Let us stand to- UNITE the union Taoiseach to wait until the next social partner- gether and send our political leaders back to

September 2009 S UNION POST 27 BHOPAL GROUPS RUBBISH PRIMARIES WORKER SABOTAGE CLAIM Early years education must not be hit by cuts

INTO general secretary Sheila Nunan has called on ministers not to target primary education in forthcoming public expendi- ture cuts. She said: “Ireland must do better for chil- dren. The Government must not try to make short-term savings on primary educa- tion. In purely economic terms early child- hood education is one of the best investments our country can make.” Ms Nunan claimed research carried out in the US showed young people who re- ceived pre-school education were less likely to repeat classes or need special edu- cation and more likely to complete second- level education. They were also less likely to get into future trouble with the law, were more likely to own their own homes and even have longer marriages. Ms Nunan Disaster site: The now rusting Union Carbide works at Bhopal, India added: “Rep- utable studies Nunan: Research CHEMICALS giant Union Carbide has de- Chemical since 2001 – last month rolled such as the fended a former chief executive, claiming once again what its critics allege is a con- High/Scope Perry Preschool Project have managers could not have foreseen the gas spiracy theory that has been repeatedly found children who got a quality early leak that claimed thousands of lives close debunked by investigators. childhood education ultimately earned up to its Bhopal plant 25 years ago. A spokesperson said: “Overwhelming to $2,000 more per month than those who Last month an Indian court issued a war- evidence has established that the Bhopal did not. rant for ex-CEO Warren Andersonʼs arrest gas release was caused by an act of em- “We know attempting to repair reading and ordered its own government to press ployee sabotage that could not have been skills in fourth or fifth class is far more ex- Washington for his extradition. foreseen or prevented by the plant's man- pensive and risky than guaranteeing good Anderson had been arrested shortly after agement.” pre-reading skills in the early years.” the December 1984 disaster but then left But UK-based campaign group Families Ms Nunan also claimed a recent OECD the jurisdiction and now lives in New York Against Corporate Killers hit back at the report, Doing Better for Children, backed State. sabotage claim and said survivors refuted up INTO’s call for increased investment in Several thousand people died following the allegation “as an outright lie” that has primary education. the release of 42 tonnes of toxic compound been “utterly discredited”. The report, which looked at child well- methyl isocyanate into the air around the A report by an international trade union being in 30 countries, said governments plant. fact-finding mission to Bhopal found that should invest more in children in the first More than half a million others who sur- the disaster was caused by “insufficient at- six years of their lives in a bid to reduce vived the initial disaster in the Indian state tention to safety in the process design, social inequality. of Madhya Pradesh are thought to have dangerous operating procedures, lack of suffered sometimes deadly after-effects in proper maintenance, faulty equipment, and the years since. deep cuts in manning levels, crew sizes, However, Union Carbide – owned by Dow worker training and skilled supervision”. SIXTY five Aer Lingus cabin crew Iworking on temporary contracts are to be made redundant. IMPACT official Christina Carney said many of the workers – who received the Euro fund bid for Dell workers news by telephone – had been left devas- tated by the development. A EUROPEAN Union fund that supports workers support industries such as Banta Global Turnkey. Most of those affected had worked for made redundant as a result of globalisation has At the time, she said: “I am making this applica- the carrier for more than two years with helped nearly seven out of 10 applicants back into tion to support the training and other active most being employed on the airlineʼs employment last year, it has been claimed. labour market measures for the many of workers short-haul routes. Figures revealed that 69% of 10,000 employees affected in the region and to ensure that they Ms Carney added: “There is a lot of who received backing from the European Globali- benefit in a way that meets their individual needs shock and anger at how they have been sation Fund found new jobs in 2008. and gives them well-grounded hope for future treated by the company, and the manner in Set up in 2007 and with an annual budget of employment through training opportunities.” which the news was broken to them has €500 million, the EGF provides assistance in job The move to access EGF funding was wel- only added to the shock and anger they searching, retraining, mobility support and further comed by SIPTU’s Karan O’Loughlin who had of- are feeling. They have worked very hard education. fered advice to some of the workforce at Dell. for the company over the last number of In June, Tanaiste Mary Coughlan applied to the She told The Union Post: “I would totally sup- years in order to ensure that passengers EGF to help 1,900 workers laid off at Dell’s Ra- port the bid to get this funding. return to Aer Lingus. heen plant in Co Limerick after production was “This is especially important as the Mid-West “Many of them have mortgages and now shifted at the start of the year to Poland. has taken quite a battering this year with at least facing a very uncertain future.” The application also covered employees in local 5,000 jobs lost across the region.”

28 UNION POST S September 2009 Works programme call as NI dole figure hits 52,700 UNITE regional secretary Jimmy Kelly has called on the Stormont Executive to put in place a pub- lic works programme aimed at the long-term un- employed. His comments follow the release of new figures that show the number of people drawing the dole north of the border rose by 1,600 last month to 52,700. Mr Kelly said: “New work schemes have proven successful in the past and Stormont needs to do all it can to reduce the awful impact of the recession and ensure that Northern Ireland is poised to make the most of opportunities for re- covery." Figures also revealed youth unemployment in- creased by 6.5% over the last 12 months with the GAS WORKS AT FABRIS rate standing at 18.6% for those aged between 18 and 24.

FRENCH workers who threatened to in Chatellerault, central France. The T blow up their factory in a bitter dispute new deal brokered at the end of July I HE TUC has claimed UK taxpayers over lay-off payments have accepted an means that each worker will walk away are paying £2.50 for subsidising the pensions of the richest one per cent of improved compensation offer. with a tax-free sum of €12,000. the population. Thatʼs more than twice the During the dispute - which last sev- Force Ouvriere union spokesperson amount for every pound spent on paying eral weeks - angry employees piled up Dominique Duval said:"It was €12,000 for retired public servants such as nurses dozens of gas cylinders, above, around or nothing, and at this stage nothing and teachers and is because tax relief on the New Fabris car components plant was not an option for us." pensions is heavily skewed towards the better off. Treasury figures revealed 60% of the total goes to higher rate taxpayers with 25% going to the top one per cent – New Mandate for President! representing nearly £10 billion a year. PRESIDENT Mary McAleese at the official opening of Mandate’s state-of-the-art Organising and Training Centre in Dublin on September 21. Teachers unions vow to The union’s national training coordinator Aileen Morrissey said: “This investment in the training resist any cuts in pay centre by Mandate is a huge commitment to our members in terms of helping them to reach their FOUR teachers unions have insisted they will re- full potential in their personal lives and in their sist any attempt to cut their members’ pay. careers.” At the ceremony 30 workers received In a joint statement issued on September 22, FETAC awards for completing courses provided by the general secretaries and presidents of ASTI, Mandate and FAS. Picture: Moya Nolan IFUT, INTO and TUI said: “We want to send a crystal clear message to An Taoiseach and his ministers we will not accept the scapegoating of our members to pay for a financial crisis we did not cause. “We are dismayed that, all of a sudden, the Government seems to have come to the belief that cutting the pay of teachers and other public servants is an easy and readily available option. “Our national crisis can only be resolved by a national consensus and a shared sense of pur- pose. If more pain is necessary, it must be spread fairly and evenly over those who can most afford it. Singling out public servants for special treat- ment is nothing more than an ill-thought out recipe for social division.” A TRADE UNION PUB FOR TRADE UNIONISTS Lunches served Mon - Sat 12pm - 3pm Talking bowls served Fri & Sat 3.30pm - 6pm Live music 6 nights per week Monthly art exhibitions The best choice of local & worldwide beers in the city No TVs or gaming machines REAL BEER • REAL FOOD • REAL MUSIC • REAL PEOPLE THE JOHN HEWITT 51 Donegall Street, Belfast BT1 2FH. 028 90233768

September 2009 S UNION POST 29 The Poor Can’t Pay NGOs JOIN UNIONS IN DRIVE AGAINST CUTS MANY of Ireland’s leading trade unions and nearly a third of all households at risk of poverty those most in need of support remains a key pri- NGOs have joined forces to launch a drive to are headed by a person who is in employment. ority for the Government.” Mr McCafferty added: mobilise opposition to proposed cuts to basic Meanwhile, the Poor Can’t Pay campaign also “It's important to stress the Christmas welfare social welfare payments and the minimum wage. called on the Government to reverse its decision payment is not a ‘bonus’. It is a key part of the in- The Poor Can’t Pay campaign is backed by a to cut the Christmas welfare payment. come of the poorest households. range of organisations including Mandate, SIPTU The payment – widely dubbed the “Christmas “If it the Government does not make this pay- and Unite as well as Age Action, Barnardos, bonus” – went to 1.3 million people last year and ment it represents a real cut in income to the CORI Justice, EAPN, Focus Ireland, SVP, the Na- Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin families and single people who can least afford it, tional Women’s Council of Ireland and INOU. said at the time this was “a clear sign that helping adding to their hardships.” Campaigners claim the Government must live up to its word to protect the most vulnerable in society from the impact of the recession. FOR MORE CAMPAIGN NEWS GO TO www.thepoorcantpay.ie John Mark McCafferty, head of social justice and policy at the Society of St Vincent de Paul, said at the campaign launch on August 3: “We hear all the time from many commentators who say it is inevitable that basic social welfare pay- Give us cuts data, Mary ments and the minimum wage must be cut. THE Poor Canʼt Pay campaign group has bate. We also believe she should assess the “This campaign aims to highlight that most called on Social Welfare Minister Mary impact of the announced withdrawal of the people in Ireland do not accept this view and Hanafin to reveal her departmentʼs analysis Christmas payment and the deflationary im- they actually believe that we must do all we can of proposed welfare cuts. pact cutting welfare payments would to protect the most vulnerable people in our It follows a comment Ms Hanafin made dur- have. society. ing a RTE interview last month in which she “The debate on welfare payments has been “The reality is that cuts to welfare payments will mean people going without food, essential promised to have officials in the newly estab- dominated by people who know very little healthcare, children getting no presents at lished Social Inclusion Division probe the im- about the welfare system or about what it is Christmas and pensioners wondering if they can pact the cuts will have. like to live on a low income.” afford to keep the heat on. Campaign spokesperson Dr Mary Murphy Dr Murphy added: “We in The Poor Canʼt “We all need to ask ourselves as a nation are said: “Everyone should know what the con- Pay believe that the Government must pro- these the people who should be forced to pay sequences of cutting the income of the poor- tect the most vulnerable during this reces- the cost of the economic crisis?” est will be. sion. Campaign organisers point out that those liv- ing on the minimum wage just can’t afford to “We welcome the Ministerʼs statement that “If the Government refuses to publish this take any cut in their income. this analysis is being carried out and we are analysis we can only conclude that they want Having a job offers no protection from hard- calling on her to publish the findings of this to hide the consequences of the decisions ship to people on low incomes as it is estimated work so that it can lead and inform public de- they are making.” Hard facts about the minimum wage THE Establishment clarion cry for a cut in cent. Butter prices have also risen by 15 the minimum wage is based on an "analy- per cent. But there is little point in seek- sis" which, if it exists it all, is decidedly VIEWPOINT ing refuge in margarine, which is dearer faulty. by 12 percent. The minimum wage was equivalent to Manus O’Riordan SIPTU Admittedly, potato prices have fallen by €5.59 per hour when first introduced in Consumer Prices in June 2009 remains 11 percent. So perhaps we should view April 2000. In the meantime, average in- higher by 1.8 per cent than its level in July the Establishment message as a pack- dustrial earnings for manual workers in- 2007. Minimum wage earners have, accord- age: cut the minimum wage, switch low creased by 60 per cent up to the final ingly, already suffered a four per cent cut in paid workers to a pre-Famine diet of quarter of last year. If there had been a pro their living standards. spuds, and at the same time expect them to show gratitude for the fact that potato rata adjustment in the minimum wage, it The Minister for Finance admitted on June blight seems under control! would have been set at a level of €8.95 25 that "the availability of cheap labour after from this January. There is no evidence that a single job 2004" had been a key factor in bringing But the hard fact is that the minimum has been lost because of the minimum wage has actually been frozen at level of about our current economic crisis. Why, wage, and small wonder. €8.65 for the past two years - since July then, suggest curing the disease by overdos- The latest CSO data shows that the per- 2007. ing on the same virus? centage of industrial workers restricted Furthermore, in May of this year, it expe- While the minimum wage has remained to that minimum rate fell from 2.5 per rienced a de facto cut, when the Minister frozen at its July 2007 level, there have also cent in the first quarter of 2007 to 1.6 per for Finance subjected it to a two per cent been above average increases in some basic cent in the final quarter of last year. income levy, thereby reducing the take- foodstuffs in te two years since then. Any call for still further minimum wage home minimum wage to €8.48 per hour. The price of lamb has soared by 10 per cuts is, accordingly, as economically ig- On top of that, the Harmonised Index of cent, bread by 15 percent and milk by 23 per norant as it is ethically indecent.

30 UNION POST S September 2009 Turning the table on the Govt

Government by the people for the people: The ‘alternative Cabinet’ outside the Dail Picture: Patrick Bolger Photography THE Poor Can’t Pay campaign held an “alterna- pay relative to those on the minimum wage may vulnerable. Cuts to welfare payments will mean tive Cabinet meeting” earlier this month to mean that the statutory minimum wage effec- people going without food, heating and essential launch its online drive targeting politicians in the tively sets a ceiling for wages in lower paid sec- healthcare. run-up to the Budget at the end of the year. tors like retail, rather than providing a floor. “It will be grossly unfair if the most vulnerable The campaign organisers are urging people to “Any subsequent reduction therefore in the are forced to pay the cost of the economic crisis log on to www.thepoorcantpay.ie and minimum wage may see tens of thousands in this way and will have a very negative im- email their local TDs calling on them to do all in of low paid workers already at risk of pact on our society.” their power to protect the most vulnerable from poverty sink deeper into the Aaron Kirkham from the Irish Budget cuts. poverty trap. Having a National Organisation of the The coalition of trade unions, community or- “Attacking low paid workers Unemployed added: “I think a ganisations and voluntary groups have joined is not the way we see a fair lot of the people who are call- forces to defend basic welfare payments, oppose and just society acting. We job does not ing for cuts in the minimum any cut to the minimum wage and to ensure the will not stand idly by and payments should live on that traditional Christmas payment is continued. allow the vulnerable in soci- mean people are kind of payment first and see Representatives from Age Action, Barnardos, ety to pay for the mistakes how they get on." CORI Justice, EAPN Ireland, Focus Ireland, Irish of others.” immune from Sharon Kirkpatrick, who National Organisation of the Unemployed, Man- John Mark McCafferty of also took a seat around the date, the National Women’s Council of Ireland, the SVP, who was also at the “ministers’ table”, said people SIPTU and Saint Vincent de Paul took a seat event, said: “We are holding this poverty who did not cause the economic around the “Cabinet table” on Molesworth cabinet meeting to appeal directly crisis should not be forced to pay Street in the shadow of Dail Eireann. – Brian Forbes to the Taoiseach and every single Mandate for it through Government cutbacks. Mandate national co-ordinator Brian Forbes, a minister to bring the key issue of pro- She said: "I am going to college and member of the “alternative Cabinet”, told The tecting the most vulnerable to the real cabinet bringing up my son and already in debt as we are Union Post: “Having a job does not mean people table when they are making decisions on budget struggling to get by on lone parents allowance are immune to poverty as 30 per cent of all cuts. and child benefit. If there are cuts to welfare households at risk of poverty are headed by a “These decisions cannot be taken purely on an payments I couldn't pay for childcare and would person who has a job. economic basis without taking account of the not be able to continue in college.” “Failure to protect the wages of those on low terrible impact some cuts will have on the most

September 2009 S UNION POST 31 VIEWPOINT PSEU General Secretary TOM GERAGHTY claims public servants are being scapegoated and vilified in a concerted campaign of media distortion Facts to thwart the myth makers

IN RECENT times public servants have become rates of pay, having regard to other benefits. No that at 10 per cent of GDP, our public sector pay- used to being attacked and scapegoated. The lat- other body, including the CSO, uses that level of roll costs are below the EU average of 12 per est manifestation is a concerted attempt to mis- detailed job comparison data. cent. represent their pay situation relative to the rest Also, in view of the fact that 100 per cent of While the McCarthy agenda is driven by the of the community. public servants now pay a pension levy which country’s fiscal position, others argue that we The publication of Central Statistics Office fig- rises to 10.5 per cent of pay, while, as the recent need to cut pay rates generally. ures which appear to suggest that the pay of pub- report by Mercer reveals, only nine per cent of Dr FitzGerald in a recent column in The Irish lic servants is significantly ahead of the rest of the private sector employees have had cuts applied to Times suggested, again incorrectly, that pay rates economy and subsequent ESRI comments that their pay, the position of public servants’ actual in the private sector were falling. there is scope for cutting their pay, have gener- take home pay has disimproved significantly rela- In fact, the Mercer report, the Hay Group and ated an impression that public servants are paid tive to private sector counterparts. Ibec all suggest that this is not the case for most more than private sector counterparts. This is not to argue for cuts to be applied to private sector workers. The McCarthy group even felt emboldened to the remaining 91 per cent of private sector em- Those who argue for a general cut in pay rates stray beyond their terms of reference to lend ployees, but, rather, to inject some factual infor- might also be asked to consider that according to weight to this growing campaign. However, the mation into a debate that has been skewed by the the OECD, Ireland has the 11th highest wage entire proposition has no basis in fact. misuse of statistical data. rates in the EU – 22 per cent below the average The ESRI comments relate to 2006 data. This is of the top 10 countries. significant because, ironically, the second report of ESRI gloss on public None of this is put forward to suggest that the benchmarking body – a report based on com- there are no difficulties with our public finances. parison techniques designed to do public servants L service pay relates However, two complementary agendas threaten no favours – dealt with some of the mythology to undermine our efforts to haul ourselves out of surrounding these figures at around that time. to 2006 data recession. That body commissioned outside expertise and, One seeks, as a matter of policy, to deflate our among other tasks, asked the experts to examine Taken over a decade economy further through the advocacy of pay claims based on a CSO survey, the National Em- cuts; even though our current pay rates put us in ployment Survey, that public servants earned L differences in wage the middle range of EU countries. The other is to about 40 per cent more than private sector suggest that public servants should bear the bulk counterparts. hikes work out at 0.3 The benchmarking report noted “. . . the NES of the burden for rectifying the public` finances. does not allow comparisons to be made between per cent per year Our economic history in the last 20 years or so public service and private sector jobs on a like- should have taught us that we can climb out of for-like basis . . .” Pension levy de recession through consensus and a commitment It then went on to conduct such a comparison to share any burden that arises. itself and while finding that there was what it L facto pay cut of 6.8 Scapegoating public servants will make any con- called a “public service premium” in some cases, sensus impossible. Public servants, two-thirds of (and in some instances, this was on a significant per cent whom earn less than €60,000 per year, have been scale), it also found that some occupations did softened up as a target by a campaign of misinter- not have one “or are below the private sector” pretation of statistics. and concluded that “there is little or no public As SIPTU’s Manus O’Riordan has pointed out, However, they have borne their share of tar- service premium if comparison is made with pri- public service workers’ pay increased in the three geted “pain” already in the form of the pension vate sector employees in large establishments” years to 2008 at virtually the same rate as the in- levy. which, they noted, “account for a significant ma- crease in pay for manual industrial workers. Attempts to victimise them further in the form jority of public service employment”. In the full decade up to 2008, the difference in of yet more pay cuts are, simply, unjustifiable, by Unfortunately, this has not prevented the myth the increases for public service workers and man- any measure. from gaining ground through constant repetition. ual industrial workers was a mere 0.3 per cent An alternative within which public service The ESRI’s Alan Barrett referred to it so it was per year, even though this period includes awards unions will work with Government to restructure picked up by Jim O’Leary and then by Dr Garret from the first benchmarking exercise designed to our public service organisations and to assist in FitzGerald and so on. help public servants’ pay to “catch-up” with pay the deployment of staff to areas of greatest need, The fact that it does not stand up to objective movements in the private sector. in light of changed economic circumstances and scrutiny gets lost. Furthermore, in the six months since Decem- reducing staff numbers, is on offer to Govern-

The benchmarking body’s report is the only re- ber 2008, the Consumer Price Index has fallen by ment, but not if pay and conditions are to be sub- port that actually made like-for-like comparisons 3.6 per cent, but with the application of the Public jected to further attack.

that identified types of work performed by public Service Pension Levy, there has been a de facto We can turn our economy around together in a servants, searched for and identified outside com- pay cut for public servants of an average of 6.8 spirit of consensus or conflict will result from at- per cent in that time. It is also worth pointing out parators doing like work and then compared tacks on perceived soft targets. ‘

Public servants – two thirds of whom earn less than €60k – have been ‘softened up as a target by a campaign of misinterpretation of statistics 32 UNION POST S September 2009 Workers Memorial Day consultation launched THE UK Government has launched a consultation into recognising Workers’ Memorial Day. PRIDE OF The global trade union event, held on April 28 each year, commemorates those who have lost their lives in workplace accidents. It is also an opportunity for trade unionists to “remember the dead and fight for the living”. Yvette Cooper, secretary of state for work and BELFAST pensions, confirmed the consultation would look at how the day could be marked officially in the UK. She said: “It is a tragedy that some people go out to work and then never return home to their families. I want to look at what the UK can do to remember the thousands of workers who have lost their lives.” Welcoming the move, TUC chief Brendan Bar- ber added: “Official recognition of the day would acknowledge the terrible toll that work has placed on many families whose loved ones have been killed at work or more slowly through a dis- ease caused by their work. “It will also act as a reminder of the need to ensure that action is taken to ensure that such deaths are prevented in the future.”

THE TUC has said new research has Irubbished claims workers are taking swine flu sickies. It follows a study of 450 companies car- ried out by the British Chambers of Com- merce which found that most UK firms have not been affected by swine flu. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: “This shows that, contrary to what some have been claiming, workers are not using swine flu as an excuse to take time off work.' SA union chief calls for end to mines ‘carnage’ CONGRESS of South African Trade Unions chief Zwelinzima Vavi has branded the appalling safety record in the country’s mining industry “a na- tional disgrace”. He made his comments at a memorial service for nine miners who died at Impala Platinum’s Rustenburg works in July. Calling for an end to the “carnage”, Mr Vavi told mourners: “Such fatalities are personal tragedies for bereaved families, but are also a national dis- grace.” A total of 244 work-related deaths were re- ported in South African mines per year between 1997 and 2007. Mr Vavi added: “We want an efficient industry Regent’s place: Prince Albert’s statue clocks this year’s gay pride parade that continues to create wealth for the nation but as it winds its way through central Belfast. Thousands took to the streets uses the profits to pay workers a living wage, pays on August 3 for the culmination of a weekend of festivities in the city taxes to improve the lives of the workers and the poor, in conditions that are safe, healthy and envi- ronmentally friendly.” Picture: Amnesty Equity talent shows bid A MOTION put forward by actors’ which has been replaced by this cheap union Equity and passed at this month’s exploitation." TUC conference could sound a finan- The union wants independent pro- cial bum note for the producers of lu- duction companies to follow BBC best crative talent shows such as The X practice. Finalists on Beeb shows How Factor. Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, The union wants contestants who Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Any- win through to the final rounds of such thing are paid Equity rates. entertainment programmes to be given In March last year, French broad- the same legal status as workers with caster TF1 was forced to pay a total of accompanying employment rights. €27,000 to three participants in the re- Equity also called for a competitions ality show I’lle de la Tentation (Tempta- loophole in the UK’s National Mini- tion Island). mum Wage Act to be closed off. The award granted by an Appeal The motion continues: "These pro- Court in Paris gave Anthony Bro- grammes may be very popular with the cheton, Marie Adamiak and Arno Laizé SUBSCRIBE public but are based on exploitation €8,176 in overtime, a further €817 for and humiliation of vulnerable people, the time spent there not being a holi- UNION POST which cannot be acceptable. day, €500 for unfair dismissal, €1,500 FREEAT "The public's demand for high-quality for wrongful termination of their con- entertainment should be met by pro- tracts and €16,000 for being employed [email protected] fessional drama and light entertainment illegally.

July 2008 S THE BRAZIER 33 NEWSBRIEFS EQUALITY ASTI chief reminds Govt young ‘greatest resource’ DUTIES AT HOME ASTI president Joe Moran has reminded the Irish Government young people are “our greatest re- source”. He made his comments as he expressed pride in the accomplishments of the 55,000 Leaving ‘CAUSE PAY GAP’ Cert students who received their exam results last month. He said: “Many teachers have spent five or six A NEW study has revealed family responsibili- enters after a number of years she tends not to years working with these young people, watching ties constitute the single greatest factor in sus- go back in at the level she left.” their personalities and potential develop. taining the wage gap between the sexes in This also had knock-on implications for pen- “As a teacher, I know how proud teachers feel Ireland. sions as these were linked to life-time earnings. when they see another group complete their sec- Economic and Social Research Institute re- The Equality Authority called for the govern- ond-level education and leave the school as young search – based on data collated in 2003 – found ment to introduce new policies that would allow adults.” that males’ average hourly rates were the still both sexes to take on care work with being pe- Mr Moran added he was also proud of the com- eight per cent higher than their fe- nalised. mitment shown by teachers but admitted that the male counterparts. Dr McGuinness added: “Career “challenging” economic climate was an “inauspi- The study, commissioned by the breaks, which allow people to main- cious” backdrop to the results. Equality Authority, showed the differ- tain their position while away from He said: “It is also a timely moment to remind ential was greatest among those em- the formal labour market, would ap- our Government and policy makers that our ployed in construction, sales and pear to be the most effective way of young people are our greatest resource. professional occupations. doing this.’ “Our school leavers and young people must not Reearchers, who looked at figures Responding to the findings, be the casualties of the banking excesses and the taken from the National Employment UNITE equality officer Taryn Trainor McCarthy Report proposals. Survey, believe the primary reason is told The Union Post: “If caring du- “Investment in education and first-time employ- the loss of experience caused when ties are having a negative financial ment for our young people must be major priori- women leave the shopfloor or office impact on women, measures need ties. for family reasons. to be taken to ensure that men take on a greater “Looking after the future of our young people is Women tended to have higher levels of edu- share of family responsibilities. looking after the future of our country.” cation, but men had more job experience as they “However, such measures need to be accom- had not taken time out for “care duties”. panied by a change of culture and a change to ITUC launches petition Dr Sean McGuinness, who co-authored the outdated stereotypes about the roles and abili- report, claimed taking time out had a dual im- ties of men and women before females can com- for UN nukes conference pact on a woman’s earning potential. pete effectively with males.” He said: “Her skills get degraded while she’s http://www.equality.ie/index.asp? THE International Trade Union Confederation has out of the labour market, and then when she re- locID=105&docID=817 launched a global petition calling on the UN to abolish nuclear weapons. The petition – being jointly run by the Mayors for Peace group – will be handed over to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon next May as Mums’ job prospects hit world leaders gather in New York to discuss the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). MOTHERHOOD has a “profound impact” care, and the lack of decent child-friendly A letter accompanying the petition states: “We on womenʼs pay and work prospects, the jobs”. This in turn creates a cycle “where believe the world needs to take urgent action to authors of a new report have claimed. increased caring roles lead to a decrease stop the spread of nuclear weapons, and to make Drawing on the latest UK research, gen- in work status due to absence from work or the world free of nuclear weapons, as part of the der equality body the Fawcett Society re- part-time work”. overall drive for worldwide peace and the trans- vealed that before becoming parents, men According to data presented in the re- fer of military spending to socially-useful ends.” and women are equally likely to be em- port, partnered women in full-time work It goes on to list a series of demands: G ployed but following childbirth “a great di- without children earn nine per cent less A call on those countries that have not vide” develops which continues even after than men on average. joined the NPT to do so, and for all nations to children have left home. But that pay gap shoots up to 21.6% for comply with its provisions, G A total of 57% of mums with kids under full-time women workers with two children. The enforcing of the Comprehensive Nuclear five are in paid work compared with nine in The Fawcett Society wants to see better Test Ban Treaty as soon as possible, G every 10 dads. support for mothers returning to jobs at An immediate start to and rapid progress on When these mothers do return to work, their previous skills levels, an enforcement the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty, and G many of them opt for part-time employment of the law to protect pregnant women and International agreements to support nuclear- to fit in with their childcare responsibilities. women on maternity leave from discrimina- weapon-free zones. While the authors acknowledge this may tion, more part-time work in higher-paid oc- There are almost 24,000 nuclear weapons and be viewed as a positive choice by some, cupations and action on low pay in those it is estimated these arsenals combined have the for many others this is a compromise “aris- sectors primarily employing women. same destructive power as 400,000 Hiroshima ing from the lack of shared responsibility www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/documents/ bombs. for children, the lack of appropriate child- NotHavingItAll.pdf www.ituc-csi.org/peace

FRANCE Telecom Iworkers held Big hike in workplace bullying protests on September 15 after a spate of sui- AN Irish-based suicide prevention charity has claimed there the recession and piling pressure on workers fearful of los- cides at the firm. The has been a huge increase in the number of people contact- ing their jobs. Meanwhile, the slump may be playing a major CGT union blames the ing them about workplace bullying. role in a suicide hike at workplaces in the US, according to company for its failure The Awareness Education Office, a collaborative ministry new research. Statistics released by the US Bureau of Labor in helping staff deal involving the Holy Ghost Fathers and Presentation Sisters, Statistics showed the number of people who killed them- with stress caused by a believes the economic downturn has led to increasing pres- selves at work in the States rose 28 per cent to an all-time massive restructuring high last year. sures on vulnerable workers. exercise. France Tele- “Self-inflicted” deaths on the shopfloor rose from 196 to comʼs HR chief Olivier Spiritan priest Dr Tony Byrne said: “It is unbelievable how 251. A BLS spokesperson claimed anecdotal evidence Barberot told one na- many people are calling for help. pointed to the financial crisis and job insecurity as con- tional daily the com- “We deal with suicide prevention and so look at all forms tributing factors. pany was stepping up of bullying, but in recent times problems in the workplace An American expert on suicide said: “When people do suicide awareness have far surpassed others.” training for its 20,000 something in a public place, it tends to imply a suicide rela- managers. He said: “I He warned that some bosses were taking advantage of tive to something going on in that place.” am confident we can improve the situation”. AWARENESS EDUCATION OFFICE (00 353) 1 838 8888 or (00 353) 87 918 0777 SAMARITANS 08457 90 90 90 (UK) or 1850 60 90 90 (Irish Republic), email: [email protected]

34 UNION POST S September 2009 OZ UNIONS ON THE MARCH

UNIONS have staged a series of tered down standards massive rallies across Australia “Unions stand up for workers as part of a major drive for and their families, and an over- stronger national health and whelming number of people want safety laws. us to have a central role in health More than 15,000 workers took and safety – as we have done for to the streets of Melbourne on over 150 years.'” September 1 while thousands more attended large events in A poll of 1,013 people released Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Ho- earlier this month showed over three quarters (78 per cent) of bart, Perth and Brisbane. those questioned believe em- Protesting workers fearful of ployers should do more to pro- the watering down of workplace tect health and safety, even if it safety standards under proposed means more costs or red tape. new legislation were joined by More than four in five (81 per relatives of victims of work-re- cent) want to be able to call in a lated illness and accidents. union to help with occupational Jeff Lawrence, secretary of the health and safety issues at their national union federation ACTU, workplace and nearly three quar- said: “Workers and the broader ters (73 per cent) said safety rep- community are saying they want resentatives in workplaces stronger health and safety laws should be elected or chosen by and we are calling on govern- their colleagues, not by manage- ments to deliver that – not wa- ment. Pictures: Courtesy ACTU

NEW research has Irevealed than more Visteon pensions vow than one in 11 workers in the European Union UNITE joint general secretary Tony Wood- propriate behaviour that sees thousands of has suffered from a ley has vowed the union will do all in its workers having to go into the Pensions work-related health power to secure pension justice for for- Protection Fund." problem in the last mer Visteon workers in Belfast. Earlier this year, Visteon went into ad- year. He said: “Unite stood by Northern Ire- ministration with nearly 1,000 workers at According to EU land Visteon workers in the fight for fair Belfast, Basildon and Enfield losing their Labour Force Survey redundancy payments when the company jobs. Following a sustained campaign and data an average of 8.6 went into administration and the union sit-ins a fair redundancy settlement was per cent of employees will not abandon Visteon workers fighting reached. were affected with 3.2 for pensions justice. Now Unite is fighting for pensions jus- per cent suffering a "Ford made copper-bottomed promises tice for 3,000 former workers affected. work-related injury. to the workers before they were trans- But the UK government’s Pension Pro- Industries with par- ferred to Visteon and we intend to hold tection Fund will only cover a proportion ticular high incidences them to those promises. of these workers' pensions with the union of work-related ill- "Unite is calling for an urgent meeting insisting that the taxpayer should not have health included agricul- with the Chairman of Ford and has already to pick up the bill when Ford made firm ture and forestry. asked the Government’s pensions regula- commitments to protect terms and condi- tor to investigate whether there was inap- tions before the transfer to Visteon. Woodley: Pensions bid

September 2009 S UNION POST 35 AGENDA COLM O’GORMAN on terrible price paid for organising in Colombia

Protest against the September 2006 murder of miners chief Alejandro Uribe Chacón. Local activists claimed his killers were regulars in the Colombian army LIVING IN FEAR OF THE KNOCK ON THE DOOR... AT eight o clock in the morning on the 8th of the world to carry a union card. Oscar Arango trade union members in Colombia at one per August last, while most of the world’s attention started working in a Coca-cola bottling plant in cent and as Oscar puts it, “To be a trade unionist was on the opening ceremony of the Olympic Carepa in 1984. It was a good job. The union had in Colombia is to walk with a gravestone on Games, Luis Prada was walking to work. Luis secured bonuses, overtime and health benefits your back.” worked in a clothes shop in the town of Sar- for employees. While Colombia is the most dangerous coun- avena in the east of Colombia where he lived But in 1994 paramilitaries began to organise in try in the world to be in a union, the right to be with his wife and five children. the area. Backed by the Colombian security part of a trade union, to join with your co-work- As he neared his shop a man walked up to forces they have targeted human rights activists ers to negotiate better wages and safer working Luis and shot him 17 times in broad daylight be- and trade union members with impunity. conditions is one that is under threat around the fore fleeing on a motorcycle with an accomplice. Research carried out by Amnesty International world. Luis was the third member of his family to be indicates a co-ordinated strategy between the A total of 144 trade union activists were killed assassinated. He had spent most of his life living Colombia military and paramilitary death squads in 2006. Nearly 5,000 men and women were ar- under death threats, forced to move home on to undermine the work of trade unionists rested for trade union activity with hundreds numerous occasions. through assassination and intimidation. suffering beatings or torture. Almost ten thou- In the minds of his killers, Luis’ crime was that The second Coca-Cola worker and union sand people lost their jobs for trying to organ- he was a member of the Colombian Trade Union member to be killed at the Carepa plant was ise. Federation. Oscar’s brother, his body left by the side of the In the mid-80s 12 Dunnes Stores workers in Luz Maria Diaz Lopez was a teacher at a rural road. Dublin’s Henry Street went on strike for two- school in Putumayo. She was seven months preg- For two years Oscar and his colleagues were and-a-half years. nant when she and her colleague Emerson Ru- attacked and intimidated, their offices fire- They refused to handle goods from Apartheid ales were shot dead as they made their way to bombed, their officials hunted through the South Africa. Nelson Mandela later said that work. Both victims were members of the local streets of Carepa by paramilitaries. their stand helped keep him going during his im- teacher’s union. In December 1996 when paramilitaries walked prisonment. Jose Martinez sold lottery tickets for a living. into the factory and murdered a union member Trade union activists are human rights ac- At ten o clock on the night of the 23rd of Au- at his place of work, it was the final straw. tivists. They work to ensure that our right to a gust he was shot dead by unknown gunmen. The next day the workers were all assembled decent wage, to a safe and secure working envi- Jose was also President of the Colombian Na- at the plant and forced to sign letters resigning ronment, to be treated with respect by our em- tional Lottery Worker’s Federation and a leading from the union. ployers are protected and enhanced. They often campaigner against proposals to privatise Managers at the plant immediately imposed a do so at great personal risk. Colombia’s national lottery. pay cut with wages being reduced from around There is an old trade union slogan that de- He was the 38th trade union member to be $400 a month to $130 a month, Colombia’s min- clares an injury to one is an injury to all. It is as assassinated in Colombia this year and the third imum wage. good a summation of the notion of human rights in the month of August. The International Trade Union Confederation as I have heard. Colm OʼGorman is Executive Director Colombia is the most dangerous country in puts the conviction rate for the murders of of Amnesty International Ireland To be a trade unionist in Colombia is to walk with a gravestone on your back Oscar Arango Commitment: Colombian Trade Union Confederation march Pictures: Courtesy of Amnesty Ireland

36 UNION POST S September 2009 FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT Congress President and SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor calls on the Irish Government to enact into law Article 23.4 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

THE Universal Declaration of Human Rights vide goods and services under EU law ahead of truths on which the UDHR is founded is that was adopted and proclaimed by the General As- the freedom to protect the workers who supply rights enshrined in law are necessary to protect sembly of the United Nations in December those goods and services. the weak against the strong. Regrettably, the law 1948. All of this has been done in the name of the is a lot more accessible to the rich than the Like many great historic documents, it re- consumer, conveniently forgetting that the vast poor. For almost 200 years, successive govern- flected fundamental human aspirations but did majority of consumers must also work for a liv- ments of all political persuasions in Britain and so within a specific historical context. 1948 was ing in order to avail of all these goods and serv- Ireland have recognised this and accepted that a turbulent time. It witnessed the Berlin block- ices. In Ireland, the impact of this hijacking by collective bargaining is a far more desirable way ade which led to the onset of the Cold War in the individual rights agenda has been even of resolving disputes between employers and earnest, the assassination of Mahatma Ghandi greater than elsewhere in Europe because we employees than the prohibitively expensive, and and the partition of the Indian sub–continent, are virtually alone in having no right to collec- highly combative alternative of contract law. the first Arab–Israeli war, the Communist vic- tive bargaining enshrined in domestic law. Contract law is based on the notion that both tory in the decades-long Chinese civil war and The consequences can be seen everywhere parties are roughly equal in resources as well as the outbreak of wars of liberation across a and are borne most heavily by the most vulnera- rights. This has always been patently untrue swathe of south-east Asia. ble producers of goods and services – migrant when an individual worker has been in dispute In Europe, we saw the first tentative steps to- workers. Many of them are casualised agency with his employer. Today the unions that repre- wards greater cooperation between states. The workers often physically and socially isolated sent workers are themselves constantly de- Brussels Treaty pledged Britain, France, Belgium, from the wider community. They include people picted as vested interest groups on a par with Luxembourg and the Netherlands to a fifty-year such as Latvian women picking mushrooms for business enterprises. In fact, union leaders are alliance aimed at social and economic progress, less than €3 an hour or Serbian electricians on often referred to as union ‘bosses’, a term rarely as well as opposition to war as a means of re- €4 an hour. used any more in relation to real bosses, who solving differences. All of these states called for This phenomenon can affect whole sectors. tend to be described with less pejorative termi- the rehabilitation of Germany within the family Take, for example, provincial hotels where 37 nology, such as ‘chief executives’, ‘directors’ or of European nations and the Movement for Eu- per cent of the workforce is made up of mi- business ‘leaders’. ropean Unity was launched in The Hague. grants – and the figure is over 60 per cent in But it is no more realistic to equate even a It was a time of great material hardship some parts of the country – and where only large trade union and its economic resources caused by the devastation of war, but it was also eight per cent of such workers are in with the business organisations with which a time of great hope for ordinary working peo- a union. it must contend. The legal ple and their representative organisations. There This sector used to be a colonisation of industrial was widespread recognition of the tremendous highly unionised relations under the guise role that the labour movement had played in and one legacy of of championing individual the struggle against fascism and the defeat of that era is the ex- ARTICLE 23.4 rights is one of the great Hitler. This is implicit in many articles of the istence of an Em- injustices of our time. Workers UDHR, but none more so than Article 23, which ployment Rights do not want the ‘right’ to hire guarantees everyone ‘the right to work’ and ‘to Order (ERO) that lays Everyone has the a lawyer at ruinously expen- just and favourable conditions of work’, as well down minimum conditions right to form and to sive rates to fight their corner as ‘protection against unemployment’. for many hotel workers. for them. They want the right Thirty years before we managed to pass our While the wage rates in join trade unions for to fight their own corner and first employment equality legislation, the UDHR that sector are not much the protection of his to do so through their own or- proclaimed ‘the right to equal pay for equal above the national minimum ganisations, led by people they work’ and the right of all ‘to just and favourable wage the ERO provides other or her interests elect and who are answerable to remuneration ensuring for himself [sic] and his important entitlements, such as them. family an existence worthy of human dignity’. occupational pensions, sick leave and To achieve this basic freedom, which is Since 1948, we have made some stuttering holidays. so central to the lives of over 75 per cent of progress towards implementing the latter right A similar threat has been posed to the Regis- our workforce, we need Article 23.4 of the but, even during our recent and unprecedented tered Employment Agreement (REA) in the UDHR, which recognises the right to collective boom, 18 per cent of the population remained highly unionised, and much better paid, electrical bargaining, enacted into law by the Irish govern- at risk of living in poverty, two per cent above contracting industry. REAs provide similar pro- ment – and we need it now! the EU average, and seven per cent of people tection concerning pay and conditions to EROs The world that gave birth to the Universal actually lived in poverty. The figure was much and are negotiated between unions and employ- Declaration had learned through over 30 years higher for those who were unemployed and, as ers before being registered with the Labour of war and revolution that a historic compro- we all know, unemployment is currently rising at Court. REAs have existed for sev- mise was needed between capital and labour to an accelerating rate (CSO Measuring Ireland’s enty years and have served both make the planet a safe place for Progress 2007). sides of industry well. human beings to live and pursue Unfortunately, when it comes to the fourth Between them these two mech- their dreams. As that collective and most fundamental right asserted in Article anisms have provided basic protec- memory recedes, corporate greed, 23 – that: ‘Everyone has the right to form and to tions for hundreds of thousands marching under the banner of con- join trade unions for the protection of his [sic] of workers in this country. With- sumer-based and individualised interests’ – we have actually retreated in recent out a legal right of collective bar- rights, is trying to turn the clock years. Individualised rights have been used quite gaining to fall back on, many back. The champions of such an ap- skilfully by the neo-liberals in both political and workers will face even greater proach must not succeed or we will business manifestations, to undermine collective levels of exploitation in the fu- have to learn the lessons of history all rights, such as the right to collective bargaining. ture, especially from companies over again. This is not just an Irish phenomenon, we have that refuse to recognise unions seen it right across Europe and it is a process, I and seek to use the courts as a 60 Years, 30 Perspectives: Ireland and the Universal regret to say, which has been aided and abetted weapon to deny people rights Declaration of Human Rights is available in most bookshops. You can also order direct online at by the courts. Recent judgments of our own enshrined in the spirit and let- www.amnesty.ie/60years. Price €23.50/£17.50 Supreme Court and of the European Court of ter of the UDHR. including €3.50/£3 post & packaging. Justice have effectively put the freedom to pro- Ironically, one of the great

September 2009 S UNION POST 37 Blacklister’s fine was ‘slap on wrist’ UCATT chief Alan Ritchie has de- angry scenes as Kerr left in the scribed as “a slap on the wrist” a back of car, his face hidden be- £5,000 plus costs fine handed out hind a newspaper, while some of to a business consultant for those blacklisted yelled and breaching the UKʼs Data Protec- banged on the vehicle. tion Act in compiling a blacklist of Many outside the court said workers. they were disappointed both at Knutsford Crown Court was the small fine and because build- told Ian Kerrʼs firm the Consulting ing firms that had used the data- Association kept files on more base were not also in the dock. than 3,200 workers that were ac- Mr Ritchie said: “This is not cessed by dozens of companies justice. The fine imposed was no in the building industry to vet po- more then could have been im- tential employees. posed by the Magistrates Court The 66-year-old had built up who recognised their powers this information - stored on a were ʻinadequateʼ. card index system - over at least “Ian Kerr wrecked the lives of 15 years. hundreds of construction work- Kerr, who pleaded guilty to the ers, many of whom were forced charge, was fined £5,000 with out of the industry. This fine is a £1,187 in costs after judge slap on the wrist to Mr Kerr and a Stephen Clarke heard he had few slap in the face to our members assets and a small pension. who were denied work because of Union members outside court for Kerr’s sentencing Picture: UCATT Outside the court there were his actions.” IMPRESSED BY SWEDES A GROUP of tutors and co-ordinators from the Congress Centres Network had first-hand expe- rience earlier this year of how the Swedes deal with vocational education and training. The 15-strong party visited the city of Vasteras in central Sweden on a fact-finding mission in April. Their brief was to gain an insight into the Swedish approach and identify possible innova- tions in service provision and delivery in the com- munity services relevant to unemployed people in Ireland. The five-day visit, funded by Leargas under the Vocational Training Professionals category, was partnered by Vasteras group ProAros which has local involvement in schools, pre-schools, home- Nordic approach: Congress Centres Network group on visit to Vasteras Picture: CCN care for older and disabled people, social support and culture. education. The visitors were told unemployed away with a positive attitude towards the Group members visited community-based un- Swedes are given the opportunity to train in Swedish approach. employment centres as well as a childcare facility whatever field of employment they’d like to enter. One participant said: “In short, nobody falls and attended various workshops including one Also any 16 to 20 year olds who drop out of through the net, everybody is offered a chance that outlined the Swedish flexicurity system for secondary school are offered individual coaching and for every problem it seems there is a “A very helping unemployed people return to on how to find employment. The group came good basis to start with back home.”

Produced in association with Congress WE’RE HERE TO KEEP YOU POSTED

38 UNION POST S September 2009 NEWSBRIEFS A SYSTEM MIKE Industrial relations rules binned by some bosses A NUMBER of firms have “torn up the rule book” when it comes to industrial relations, it has been LOVES TO HATE claimed. SIPTU national industrial officer Christy McQuillan said unions would have been “pillo- ried” if they had taken part in “unilateral industrial action” yet some employers had forged ahead and even “flouted” employment law. He said: “They have unilaterally imposed redun- dancies on workers without any consultation, ex- planation or selection process.” Mr McQuillan added that others were using the slump “to change hours of work, slash pay and slow down pension schemes”. He also pinpointed areas were employment law had been flouted including the transfer of under- takings, where employees are entitled to the same terms and conditions with a new employer when a business is taken over or merged.

FEARS over the break-up of the ESB with Ithe threat of privatisation will be the main theme at next month’s linesmen conference. The event, which is being held at the Clarion Hotel Liffey Vally on October 17 and 18, will be attended by UNITE assistant general secretary Len McCluskey - hotly tipped to be the union’s next general secretary. Energy Minister Eamon Ryan has also been invited. UNISON warning over marginalising the young FILMMAKER Michael Moore, banner in September 15, Mr Moore said: "I have put UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis has hand, marches through the centre of Pitts- every bit of my heart and soul into this warned the UK faces dealing with a generation of burgh in support of “single payer health- movie. marginalised young people unless the Govern- care” earlier this month. “It is a culmination of 20 years of mak- ment takes action to improve their employment The Bowling For Columbine director ing movies and this is the big one." prospects. was leading a crowd of 1,500 union dele- He also slammed the excesses of US gates and nurses to the premiere of his capitalism and told the audience: "The He said: “Unless more is done to find young new documentary Capitalism: A fight in front of us isn't going to be people work, we risk creating an underclass who Love Story. easy. The richest one per cent are discriminated in the workplace, and by adults He choose to forgo a Broad- have more financial wealth than who misjudge their involvement in crime and way or LA debut to release the the bottom 95 per cent combined.” anti-social behaviour. movie and instead opted to The crowd roared back: "Take it "The Government has set up a number of proj- debut in the heartland of work- away from them!" ects to help get the under-25s into work. ing class Pennsylvania. Watch trailer of the movie at “Private companies and individuals must exam- Speaking before the screening www.youtube.com/ watch?v= ine their own attitudes and look at what they can at the AFL-CIO convention on IhydyxRjujU do to create apprenticeships to help young peo- ple into the jobs market.” Picture: michaelmoore.com Each month The Union Post features stories about prisoners of conscience taken from Amnesty International files... Death threats issued to Colombian trade unionists

GUSTAVO Gomez, of the was stopped by two men on a mo- to Switzerland to testify about Colombian food workers’ trade torcycle who told him: ‘Now you death threats against trade unionists union SINALTRAINAL, was gunned are going to die, trade unionist son- representing workers in Nestlé down in his home on 21 August this of-a-bitch.’ The next day, José plants in Colombia. His body, bear- year. His death comes against a Domingo Flórez received another ing 40 stab wounds, was found in an backdrop of threats and attacks death threat, giving him eight days area reported to be under paramili- against leaders of the union that co- to leave the area. The threat men- tary control. incide with labour disputes against tioned his daughter, saying that she Amnesty International believes major multinational corporations. was very nice and they would “take that leaders of SINALTRAINAL, and On 12 February last year José her for a ride”. their families, are in real danger. The Death squad victim: Luciano Domingo Flórez, another local The men knew that these were union has been in dispute with sev- Enrique Romero Molina Picture: Private leader of SINALTRAINAL, received not idle threats. In September 2005 eral large national and multinational asking people to write to the a letter containing death threats Luciano Enrique Romero companies in recent years, and re- Colombian authorities, urging them from a paramilitary group called the Molina, leader of another local ports of human rights violations to protect these trade unionists and Black Eagles Front. That evening, his branch of SINALTRAINAL, was against its members tend to coin- to bring to justice those who are colleague Luis Eduardo García killed. He had been planning a trip cide with these disputes. Amnesty is threatening to kill them. Find out more and take action on www.amnesty.org.uk/tradeunions

September 2009 S UNION POST 39 magsjournalspress/pr

BRAZIER MEDIA TRADE UNION NEWS SPECIALISTS [email protected] Bob Miller 07894305173 Joe Mitchell 07703055302