Agenda Irish Congress of Trade Unions Northern Ireland Committee 31/32 Parnell Square Irish Congress of Trade Unions Dublin 1, D01 YR92 45–47 Donegall Street Ireland Belfast BT1 2FG, Northern Ireland Tel: +353 1 8897777 Tel: 02890 247940 Fax: + 353 1 8872012 Fax: 02890 246898 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.ictu.ie Web: www.ictuni.org

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Notice to Delegates 2 Timetable of Business 3 List of Motions & Amendments to BDC2019 8 Motions & Amendments to BDC2019 12 Standing Orders Committee Report Number 1 39 Nominations to BDC2019 43 Fringe Events at BDC2019 46 Notice to Delegates

1. This year, the overall theme of the Conference 6. If you are moving a motion you will is Building a Better Future for All. be allowed to speak for five minutes maximum, and each subsequent speaker Within that overall theme, Conference will for three minutes maximum. You should debate: give your name and the name of your • 55 Motions and one Amendment, including organisation when speaking. seven Motions from the Executive Council. If you wish to contact the Standing Orders • A Report from the Executive Council on Committee you may do so by contacting any Congress Priorities & Strategy, Organisation member of the Congress Secretariat at the & Finance over the past two years. entrance to the Conference Hall. The members of Standing Orders Committee are: Kieran 2. This document contains the motions to Jack McGinley (Chair), Services Industrial be debated at Conference, the timetable Professional & Technical Union, Annette Dolan, of business and the first report from the Teachers’ Union of Ireland, Joan Gaffney, Standing Orders Committee. MANDATE, Denis Keatings, UNISON and 3. The timetable of business gives you the Dennis Walshe, Fórsa. order in which the motions will be debated and voted on for each day. It also gives you the times at which various sections of the Report from the Executive Council will be discussed. Any changes in the order of business will be notified to the Conference by the Standing Orders Committee. 4. The commencement time for each morning session of the Conference is 09.30hrs on Tuesday 2nd July, Wednesday 3rd July and Thursday 4th July, 2019, and the afternoon sessions will commence at 14.30hrs. The Conference is scheduled to finish at 17.30hrs on Tuesday 2nd July, at 17.00hrs on Wednesday 3rd July, and at 13.30hrs on Thursday 4th July. You are asked to be in the Conference Hall punctually and to remain throughout the sessions. 5. You must show your Credential/Lanyard Card to gain entrance to the Conference Hall. You should bring Conference documents with you to each session, as additional copies will not be available.

2 Notice to Delegates Timetable of Business Tuesday 2nd July

Morning Session Afternoon Session 09.30–11.30 14.30–16.15 OPENING OF CONFERENCE EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Address of Welcome: Lord Mayor of Dublin Exchange of Stubs for Voting Cards and President of Dublin Council of Trade from 14.30hrs on Tuesday to 11.00am Unions on Wednesday Election of Tellers (Six) (Principle Report Reference: Section 2, The Work of Congress, (i) Industrial, Legislation & Election of Scrutineers (Six) Organising)

Adoption of Standing Orders Reports Motion 8 (Collective Bargaining – Executive No. 1, and No. 2 Council) Address by Congress President Motion 9 (Trade Union Organisation – Fórsa)

Introduction of Executive Council Report Motion 10 (Right to Statutory Collective Bargaining and Trade Union Access 11.30–13.00 Rights –MANDATE) NORTHERN IRELAND Motion 11 (Precarious Work – SIPTU) (Principle EC Report Reference: Section 2, The Work of Congress, (i) Industrial, Legislation and Motion 12 (Precarious Forms of Employment for Organising (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) Equality, Craft Workers and others – OPATSI) Social Policy & the Labour Market, Motion 13 (Public Contracts and Collective (iv) Education & Training and (v) Public Bargaining – CWU) Engagement, Campaigns & Communications) Motion 14 (Publically Funded Projects – Motion 1 (Northern Ireland – Executive Council) Connect) Motion 2 (Return of Devolved Government Motion 15 (Securing Decent Work and Jobs in Northern Ireland within an Equality in Financial Services – FSU) And Human Rights Framework – UNISON) Motion 16 (Industrial Relations in the Energy Sector – Prospect) Motion 3 (Fair Employment and Nepotism – NASUWT) Motion 17 (Industrial Relations Disputes do not Require Legal Approach – Motion 4 (Provision of Publically Owned NHS IFUT) Healthcare – Fermanagh Trades Council) Motion 18 (Exploitation of Seafarers – RMT) (Amendment – UNISON/CSP) Motion 19 (Recognition of Qualifications in the Construction Sector – OPATSI) Motion 5 (Welfare Reform in Northern Ireland – Derry Trades Council) Motion 20 (Payment of Wages – Connect)

Motion 6 (Corporate Governance – UCU) Motion 21 (Supporting Trade Unionists deal with the Mental Health Crisis – Unite) Motion 7 (Murder of Lyra McKee – NUJ) Motion 22 (Health of Workers – ASTI) Fraternal Speaker: General Secretary, STUC 16.15–16.30 13.00–14.30 BREAK LUNCH ADJOURNMENT

4 Timetable of Business Tuesday 2nd July (contd.) Wednesday 3rd July

16.30–17.30 Polling Stations open 11.00 – 15.00hrs FINANCE, ORGANISATION & ORGANISING Morning Session (PRIVATE SESSION) 09.30–10.15 (Principle EC Report Reference: Section 2, CLIMATE CHANGE The Work of Congress (i) Industrial, Legislation & Strategic Organising, (iv) Education & (Principle Report Reference: Section 2, Training, (v) Public Engagement, Campaigns The Work of Congress, (i) Industrial, & Communications, Appendix 1 – Accounts, Legislation & Strategic Organising) Appendix 2 – Congress Committees, Appendix 3 – Affiliations, Appendix 4 – Staff at Congress Guest Speaker: Mrs Mary Robinson 2019, Appendix 5 – Membership of Congress Committees and External Bodies, Appendix Motion 25 (Climate Action & the Need for a Just 6 – Action on Motions to BDC2017, Appendix Transition – Executive Council) 7 – Congress Appeals Board, and Appendix 8 – Motion 26 (Duty to Defend the Environment – Disputes Committee Reports). Omagh Trades Council) Motion 23 (Gender Balance Membership – 10.15–11.00 INMO/RCM) THE ECONOMY Motion 24 (Engagement with Students – Kildare Council of Trade Unions) (Principle EC Report Reference: Section 1, The Economy) Committee Speaker: Congress Youth Committee Motion 27 (Crisis in the Retail Sector – USDAW)

ADJOURNMENT UNTIL Motion 28 (Future Potential of Rosslare Europort – Wexford Council of Trade Unions) WEDNESDAY 3rd JULY Committee Speaker: Congress Centres Network

11.00–12.00 BREXIT

(Principle EC Report Reference: Section 1, The Economy – Brexit) Fraternal Speaker: Deputy General Secretary, ETUC Motion 29 (Protecting the Rights of Workers North and South Post-Brexit – UNISON) Motion 30 (Protection of Workers’ Rights – Equity) Motion 31 (Workers’ Rights Post-Brexit – NIPSA)

Congress BDC – Agenda 5 12.00–13.00 Motion 43 (Foster Leave – CWU) SOCIAL POLICY Motion 44 (Reverse the Waiting Time for (Principle EC Report Reference: Section 1, Disability Benefit – Bray Council The Economy, Section 2, The Work of Congress of Trade Unions) (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) Equality & Social Motion 45 (Tyred – Old Tyres Kill – GMB) Policy, (v) Public Engagement Campaigns & Communication) Committee Speaker: Congress Women’s Committee Motion 32 (Increase in the Qualifying Age for State Pension – Executive Council) 15.45–17.00 Motion 33 (Participation of Retired Workers – PUBLIC SERVICES Fermanagh Trades Council) (Principle EC Report Reference: Section 1, Motion 34 (Housing – Executive Council) The Economy, Section 2, The Work of Congress (i) Industrial, Legislation & Strategic Organising) Motion 35 (Housing Crisis – Dublin Council of Trade Unions) Motion 46 (Building a Better Future through Educational Justice – TUI) Motion 36 (Homelessness and the Working Poor – Unite) Motion 47 (Primary School Education – INTO)

Motion 37 (Campaign of Industrial Action Motion 48 (Health Services Funding Crisis – in relation to Housing Policy – INMO/RCM) Waterford Council of Trade Unions) Motion 49 (Scoping Enquiry into the Cervical Motion 38 (Alternative to Rebuilding Ireland Check Screening Programme – Plan – Cork Council of Trade Unions) Galway Council of Trade Unions) Committee Speakers: Retired Workers x 2 Motion 50 (Abuse of Education Workers on Social Media – UTU) LUNCH ADJOURNMENT Motion 51 (Free Public Transport – PCS) Committee Speaker: Congress Disability Afternoon Session Committee 14.30–15.45 ADJOURNMENT UNTIL THURSDAY 4th JULY SOCIAL POLICY CONTD…

(Principle EC Report Reference: Section 1, The Economy, Section 2, The Work of Congress (ii) Northern Ireland, (iii) Equality & Social Policy, (v) Public Engagement Campaigns & Communication) Motion 39 (Equality – Executive Council) Motion 40 (Anti-Racism Campaign – Waterford Council of Trade Unions) Motion 41 (Reasonable Adjustments/ Accommodations Passport – GMB) Motion 42 (Reproductive Rights – Belfast & District Trades Union Council)

6 Timetable of Business Thursday 4th July

Morning Session 09.30–13.00 INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

(Principle EC Report Reference: Section 2, The Work of Congress, (vi) European Union & International) Guest Speaker: Matt Frei, News Journalist/ Author

Motion 52 (The Rise of the Far Right and the Need for a Robust Trade Union Response – Executive Council) Motion 53 (Rise of the Far Right – NIPSA) Fraternal Speaker: Tim Noonan, ITUC

Motion 54 (Labour Rights – Strengthening the ILO – NUJ) Motion 55 (Solidarity with Venezuela – Belfast & District Trade Union Council Committee Speaker: Congress Global Solidarity Committee

13.00 CLOSING CEREMONIES

Congress BDC – Agenda 7 List of Motions & Amendments to BDC2019 Tuesday 2nd July, 2019

Morning Session, 11.30–13.00hrs — NORTHERN IRELAND

Motion No. Name Mover

1 Northern Ireland Executive Council

2 Return of Devolved Government in Northern Ireland within an UNISON Equality and Human Rights Framework

3 Fair Employment and Nepotism NASUWT

4 Provision of Publically-Owned NHS Healthcare Fermanagh Trades Council

Amendment UNISON/CSP

5 Welfare Reform in Northern Ireland Derry Trades Council

6 Corporate Governance UCU

7 Murder of Lyra McKee NUJ Afternoon Session, 14.30–16.15hrs — EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS

Motion No. Name Mover

8 Collective Bargaining Executive Council

9 Trade Union Organisation Fórsa

10 Right to Statutory Collective Bargaining and Trade Union MANDATE Access Rights

11 Precarious Work SIPTU

12 Precarious Forms of Employment for Crafts Workers OPATSI and Others

13 Public Contracts and Collective Bargaining CWU

14 Publically Funded Projects Connect

15 Securing decent work and jobs in financial services FSU

16 Industrial Relations in the Energy Sector Prospect

17 Industrial Relations Disputes do not Require Legal Approach IFUT

18 Exploitation of Seafarers RMT

19 Recognition of Qualifications in the Construction Sector OPATSI

20 Payment of Wages Connect

21 Supporting Trade Unionists deal with the Mental Health Crisis Unite

22 Health of Workers ASTI 16.30–17.30hrs — FINANCE, ORGANISATION & ORGANISING

Motion No. Name Mover

23 Gender Balance Membership INMO/RCM

24 Engagement with Students Kildare Council of Trade Unions

Congress BDC – Agenda 9 Wednesday 3rd July, 2019

Morning Session, 09.30–10.15am — CLIMATE ACTION

Motion No. Name Mover

25 Climate Action & the Need for a Just Transition Executive Council

26 Duty to Defend the Environment Omagh Trades Council 10.15–11.00am — THE ECONOMY

Motion No. Name Mover

27 Crisis in the Retail Sector USDAW

28 Future Potential of Rosslare Europort Wexford Council of Trade Unions 11.00–12.00noon — BREXIT

Motion No. Name Mover

29 Protecting The Rights Of Workers North And South Post-Brexit UNISON

30 Protection of Workers’ Rights Equity

31 Workers’ Rights Post-Brexit NIPSA 12.00–13.00hrs — SOCIAL POLICY

Motion No. Name Mover

32 Increase in the Qualifying Age for State Pension Executive Council

33 Participation of Retired Workers Fermanagh Trades Council

34 Housing Executive Council

35 Housing Crisis Dublin Council of Trade Unions

36 Homelessness and the Working Poor Unite

37 Campaign of Industrial Action in relation to Housing Policy Waterford Council of Trade Unions

38 Alternative to Rebuilding Ireland Plan Cork Council of Trade Unions

Afternoon Session, 14.30–15.45hrs — SOCIAL POLICY CONTINUED

Motion No. Name Mover

39 Equality Executive Council

40 Anti-Racism Campaign Waterford Council of Trade Unions

41 Reasonable Adjustments/Accommodations Passport GMB

42 Reproductive Rights Belfast & District Trades Union Council

43 Foster Leave CWU

44 Reverse the Waiting Time for Disability Benefit Bray Council of Trade Unions

45 Tyred – Old Tyres Kill GMB

10 List of Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 15.45–17.00hrs — PUBLIC SERVICES

Motion No. Name Mover

46 Building a Better Future through Educational Justice TUI

47 Primary School Education INTO

48 Health Services Funding Crisis INMO/RCM

49 Scoping Enquiry into the Cervical Check Screening Programme Galway Council of Trade Unions

50 Abuse of Education Workers on Social Media UTU

51 Free Public Transport PCS

Thursday 4th July, 2019

Morning Session, 09.30–13.00hrs — INTERNATIONAL

Motion No. Name Mover

52 The Rise of the Far Right and the Need for a Robust Trade Union Executive Council Response

53 Rise of the Far Right NIPSA

54 Labour Rights: Strengthening the ILO NUJ

55 Solidarity with Venezuela Belfast & District Trades Union Council

Congress BDC – Agenda 11 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 1. Northern Ireland the key 4 representative pillars, namely the trade union movement, the employers, Congress notes with increasing concern the the community & voluntary sector and confluence of events which are undermining the the farming community, working with the stability of society and the economy in Northern Government of the day. Such a forum Ireland. Congress notes with severe regret the could be modelled on the Welsh Council for failure of policy makers to heed the advice Economic Development. of serious stakeholders over many years and reasserts its position, as the largest civic body • Congress repeats its demand made each year in both jurisdictions of this Island, to express since the signing of the Belfast/Good and progress the interests of our members and Friday Agreement that its commitment to a wider society. comprehensive Bill of Rights be honoured. There can be no return to the selective In these circumstances, Conference affirms its interpretation of rights and equality of the full support for the affiliates and Trades Councils collapsed Executive. A Bill of Rights with in Northern Ireland and their campaigning meaningful ownership for each citizen is against a damaging Brexit, for a rights-based necessary for the advancement of a rights- restoration of all of the institutions of the 1998 based society and the development of equality Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and for a Forum as a birth right and a lifelong process. for Social Dialogue which can address some of the economic consequences of a decade of Tory Executive Council austerity – low pay in private and public sectors, the 1% pay cap and severe under-investment 2. Return of Devolved across society and our economy. Government in Northern Congress reaffirms its support for the principle Ireland within an Equality and of devolution as outlined and enshrined in the Human Rights Framework Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and will seek the following from the Executive (or in the Conference notes that at the time of writing, absence of an Executive the British Government) Northern Ireland has been without a devolved in order to make local devolved Government power-sharing Government for over 2 years. more relevant and responsive to the needs of Conference believes that this represents workers: a damning indictment of the failure of our elected politicians to genuinely share power in • That the parties reaffirm and commit to the interests of all the people on the basis of support the principles and practice of power equality and human rights as the Good Friday sharing as envisaged under the terms of the Agreement intended. Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, particularly given the nature of the divided society in Conference believes that our members, their Northern Ireland. families and their communities deserve better than a peace which represents merely the • That the will of the people of Northern absence of the violent conflict that damaged Ireland who oppose Brexit be respected and countless lives. Conference agrees that since that any Assembly subsequently elected the Good Friday Agreement was reached there agree to transpose future progressive EU has been regression away from its principles directives in the areas/competencies that and the non-implementation of its provisions are devolved, in particular, employment (and the provisions of subsequent agreements) rights. relating to equality and human rights. This has • That the aims and purpose of the trade been to the detriment of all. union campaign, Better Work Better Lives, The absence of political devolution in Northern be integrated into the work programme of Ireland has coincided with the economic, social, any forthcoming Northern Ireland Executive, constitutional and political crisis of the UK or prioritised by Direct Rule ministers exit from the EU which has and will continue using the vehicle of a new Forum for Social to undermine the Good Friday Agreement. Dialogue, which would be comprised of Conference believes that in the absence of

Congress BDC – Agenda 13 political leadership, Congress must continue to be 3. Fair Employment and Nepotism a voice for our members, North and South, who Congress asserts that nepotism is still a will not allow the peace process to represent the problem across the public sector in Northern collateral damage of the UK’s exit from the EU. Ireland but particularly in Education. Conference agrees that direct rule from a Tory Congress believes that in too many schools, Government in Westminster must be avoided but teachers and support staff are not appointed that the institutions cannot be re-established on solely on merit but on a ‘who you know’ basis. the same basis on which they collapsed before. Congress believes that as a consequence Conference supports the re-establishment of that good teachers and support staff are not the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland on appointed to jobs while students are denied the the basis of genuine power-sharing as provided best teachers and support staff. for under the Good Friday Agreement which Conference asserts that nepotism destroys delivers for all in Northern Ireland on the basis trust in management, breaks staff morale of respect and equality. and if not prevented leads to greater levels of Conference endorses fully the Equality Coalition adversarial management practices. ‘Manifesto for a Rights Based Return to Power Conference is particularly concerned that most Sharing’ (2019) on this basis. Conference notes nepotism in Northern Ireland schools centres that the Coalition is co-convened by UNISON around the use of short-term contracts and the and the Committee on the Administration of abuse of the fixed-term worker regulations. Justice and consists of dozens of civil society organisations, trade unions and the ICTU. Congress calls upon the Executive Council to Conference notes that this manifesto calls for a campaign for: rights based return to power sharing centred on three key elements: 1. The Department of Education to collect data on the extent of nepotism within grant- • Full implementation of the rights aided schools in Northern Ireland for both provisions of the peace settlement, permanent and temporary positions. including the Bill of Rights. 2. Measures to prevent nepotism in any future • Implementing international obligations and review of teacher appointments including addressing ‘rights deficits.’ the deployment of temporary teachers. • Ensuring power is ‘working within the 3. The employing authorities to review all rules’ so as to prohibit discrimination and appointments (permanent or temporary) promote equality of opportunity. where a relative is appointed to ensure that Conference therefore calls on the incoming no conflict of interest has occurred at any Executive Council, in line with the objectives of stage including in setting the criteria. the Northern Ireland Committee’s successful The National Association ‘Better Work, Better Lives’ campaign: of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers • to campaign for a return to devolved Government in Northern Ireland on the basis of equality and human rights for all, as set out in the Equality Coalition ‘Manifesto for a Rights Based Return’ (2019); and • to ensure that this campaign seeks to exert maximum pressure on not just political parties in Northern Ireland and the UK Government but also the Irish Government in its role as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement. UNISON

14 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 4. Provision of Publicly-owned NHS Conference further calls on the Health Healthcare Committee of the Northern Ireland Committee of Congress to continue to take forward all That this conference reasserts its support for a campaigns to protect a health and social care wholly publicly-owned NHS providing locally- service based on the core principles of ensuring accessible healthcare to all, free at the point a publically-funded, publically-provided, of delivery and funded adequately through universal, free at the point of delivery service, general and progressive taxation – that is including in any and all campaigns relating for an NHS based on its foundational, 1948 the current ‘transformation’ being led by the Bevin principles; and following the lead of Department of Health in Northern Ireland health campaigners in Britain, including the following from the Bengoa report and Health Labour party, conference calls on the incoming and Well-being 2026. Northern Ireland Committee to bring forward a campaign demanding a NHS Reinstatement Bill UNISON for Northern Ireland that will seek to legislate Chartered Society of Physiotherapy an end to privatisation, healthcare rationing and the internal market. 5. Welfare Reform in Northern That this conference asserts its rejection of Ireland current Department of Health policies: the This conference recognises the disaster that Donaldson review, the Bengoa report and welfare reform has been for the poorest in Health and Well-being 2026, which provide a our communities in Northern Ireland. Low framework to advance healthcare rationing, paid workers have been hit particularly hard privatisation and outsourcing; and expresses its by Universal Credit and, for them, there have solidarity with those campaigning against the been no mitigations payments available. results of these policies – one example of which Disabled workers have been hit by the double being the recent threat to close all but three or whammy of Work Capability Assessments four stroke units in Northern Ireland, potentially and PIP assessments, carried out by for-profit leaving communities in rural and peripheral companies ATOS and CAPITA. areas more than an hour and a half drive away from life-saving treatment. Conference mandates Congress to lead a campaign against these welfare “reforms”. In Fermanagh Trades Council particular, the trade union movement should take a lead on demanding that Northern Ireland:

Amendment • follow Scotland in banning private After wholly publically-owned, delete ‘‘NHS’’ and companies such as ATOS and CAPITA from replace with ‘‘health and social care system.’’ carrying out medical assessments and in scrapping the Bedroom Tax; After ‘‘locally-accessible’’ delete ‘‘healthcare’’ and replace with ‘‘health and social care • maintain the mitigations that have paid the services.’’ Bedroom Tax and protected larger families who are subject to a benefit cap and extend After ‘‘free at the point of delivery’’ insert these mitigations to cover low paid workers ‘‘universal, publically provided.’’ whose incomes have been slashed under Universal Credit. Delete all after ‘‘Bevin principles’’ and insert: Derry Trades Council Conference calls on the Health Committee of the Northern Ireland Committee of Congress to explore all avenues to end privatisation, healthcare rationing, the internal market and the commissioner/provider split, including possible legislative change drawing on the experience of trade unionists in Britain.

Congress BDC – Agenda 15 6. Corporate Governance experiences and work backgrounds are represented so that new Governing Bodies The Governing Body of a further education reflect the diversity of the community and college is responsible for securing the student body. efficient, effective management of the college, determining its strategic direction, appointing • Improving Governing Body accountability. senior staff and ensuring that the college acts University and College Union as a responsible employer.

UCU are concerned by the quality of governance 7. Murder of Lyra McKee in FE colleges in the Region. Congress notes the murder of NUJ member, The Governing Body is the employer yet, as journalist and activist Lyra McKee by the evidenced by a recent tribunal decision, they self-styled New IRA in Creggan, Derry on failed to act as a reasonable employer. College 18th April 2019. Governors fail to challenge the executive of the college and appear to simply rubberstamp The murder of a worker in the line of duty decisions brought before them by the senior evoked outrage across the world. The fact management team. that Lyra was a young, accomplished journalist and author with a promising career, and an UCU believe that real power is held by the inveterate campaigner for LGBTQ+ rights added Director or Chief Executive and Governors do to the poignancy of her killing. not fully understand their scrutiny role and serve solely in a capacity to legitimise whatever In her own words, Lyra McKee was a child of the decisions emanate from senior management. Good Friday Agreement. In her work she sought to promote equality, social solidarity and The current composition of college Governing inclusivity and highlighted the failure of political Bodies does not reflect the communities which leadership in Northern Ireland. Through her the colleges serve. Instead they are populated work, Lyra shone a light into issues all too by accountants and people in the business often missing from public discourse, including community. There should be an appropriate mental health, suicide and LGBTQ+ inequality in balance of skills, experience, and knowledge Northern Ireland. to enable the Governing Body to discharge its duties effectively. Congress salutes those who stood up to those responsible for the murder of Lyra McKee The staff representatives on the Governing Body and commends in particular the union activists are excluded from key committees and are the who organised vigils and protests in the wake only Governors who are not paid for attendance of the murder. at meetings. Mindful of the public response to calls for UCU believe college governance arrangements political leadership Conference reaffirms its would benefit significantly by the Department of commitment to the principles underpinning the Economy in: the Good Friday Agreement and resolves to • Providing mandatory training to current organise protests calling for the disbandment and new Governing Body members so they of paramilitary groups. properly understand what is involved in Congress commends the work of the Northern upholding the Nolan Principles for conduct Ireland committee and the staff of the Belfast in public life. This training should also office in promoting the Better Work Better include employment relations and how Lives campaign and acknowledges the to scrutinise evidence in key areas such dignified manner in which Lyra’s murder was as discipline, grievance, redundancy and marked at May Day events in Belfast, Derry dismissal. and other locations. • Changing the system used to appoint Congress resolves that the most appropriate Governors to ensure a wide range of life way in which the legacy of Lyra McKee can

16 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 be celebrated is through giving priority to and new challenges, as is increasingly the issues which she cherished, including the recommended by international commentators. achievement of equality for LGBTQ+ people, mental health and the provision of adequate Executive Council resources to tackle the issue of suicide in our communities. 9. Trade Union Organisation National Union of Journalists This conference: • Understands the importance of pooling our 8. Collective Bargaining resources to meet the challenges facing Conference notes that international working people, their communities and the organisations such as the IMF, the World Bank, unions that represent them. and the OECD have, over recent years, begun to • Values the unity that exists between workers publicly acknowledge – often in contrast to their in the private, public, and community previous positions – the negative implications sectors. of widening inequality, particularly in terms of • Commends the collaborative work done by economic growth and social cohesion, and the Congress and affiliates through the One Cork very positive role collective bargaining plays in initiative and the development of One Galway. reducing inequality. • Acknowledges the plans underway to Conference further notes that the new OECD develop local trade union centres. Jobs Strategy (December 2018) concluded that the best performing countries in terms • Appreciates the need to revitalise local of job quantity, job quality and inclusiveness Trades Councils in a way that places the are Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, trade union movement at the centre of and Germany – countries that are strongly communities. associated with collective bargaining and • Recognises the significance of the recent social dialogue; that one of its ‘detailed appointment of a Congress employee to policy recommendations’ is to “promote the coordinate this vital work. inclusiveness of collective bargaining systems [which it defines as well-organised social Conference therefore resolves to: partners based on broad memberships] • Intensify our cross-union efforts to increase while providing sufficient flexibility for firms union membership and build union density. to adapt to aggregate shocks and structural change” (recommendation A.7); and that • Continue to tackle non-union and anti-union it explicitly calls on Governments to put in sectors and employers. place “a legal framework that promotes • Strengthen our links with second and third- social dialogue in large and small firms alike level students. and allows labour relations to adapt to new emerging challenges.” • Support initiatives that attract young workers into the trade union movement. Conference also notes that the OECD identifies • Develop and implement strategies to rapid digital transformation, globalisation, organise and protect workers in emerging population ageing, as well as non-standard and precarious sectors, including the so- forms of work, as trends that are “changing called ‘gig economy.’ the very nature of jobs and the functioning of the labour market, thus raising new policy • Promote the visibility and profile of challenges.” trade unions in the workplace and in our communities. Conference accordingly instructs the incoming Executive Council to campaign to strengthen • Develop joint education and training collective bargaining with the aim of ensuring initiatives, and deepen trade union that the Republic of Ireland and Northern relationships with community groups. Ireland are better able to adapt to traditional Fórsa

Congress BDC – Agenda 17 10. R ight to Statutory Collective the vast improvement of Irish Labour Laws prior Bargaining and Trade Union to the next general election. Access Rights MANDATE The retail sector is witnessing an increasing number of employers deploying significant 11. Precarious Work resources and energy to ensure their extremely profitable businesses either remain union Conference notes that since the foundation free or that existing union structures are of our movement, trade unions have had to undermined. This is a coordinated approach face down the scourge of precarious work on by employers through the implementation of this Island. union avoidance or de-recognition strategies Today exploitative work practices exist in both and in some cases the direct use of union traditional and newer forms. A significant busting companies. Tens of thousands of low proportion of the working population paid workers are precariously employed in experiences precarious working and these highly profitable enterprises. Without the living conditions and this number is rising. presence of meaningful union representation, Precariousness stretches into almost every workers will be subject to an employer led “race industry, both in the public and private sector, to the bottom” and a corresponding growth through insecure terms of employment and of precarious work practices, job losses and uncertain living conditions. savage attacks on current established union negotiated terms and conditions of service. Conference acknowledges the progress made to date by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, its As a participating union in the concerted affiliates in Northern Ireland by means of the joint union led campaign to successfully Better Work Better Lives Campaign and in the ensure the adoption in law of the Employment Republic by achieving new legislation to tackle (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2018, we uncertain hours and campaigning for legislation witnessed first-hand exactly what can be to combat bogus self-employment. achieved when unions collectively campaign together. When employers are not prepared Conference resolves that the Irish Congress to listen to the reasonable demands made of Trade Unions makes the organisation of by employees through their union, the union precarious workers into trade unions a top movement has proved itself more than priority. capable of finding a way around this type of dogged resistance and towards effecting real, To this end conference mandates Congress to sustainable and beneficial work life changes for assign the necessary resources to implement a our wider membership. comprehensive strategy which will facilitate: Worryingly, there are a growing number of • Develop cooperation between affiliate workers across various employment sectors unions in both organising and industrial that are now being deliberately denied, by initiatives aimed at organising precarious their employers, the human right to have their workers into affiliated trade unions. constitutional entitlement to union association • Liaison with trade unions in other reasonably vindicated. Therefore, we are jurisdictions in pursuance of international calling on the incoming Congress Executive to cooperation on union organising and commence an immediate, well-resourced and industrial initiatives. comprehensive campaign for the legislative • Prepare detailed mapping of the sectors introduction of meaningful and robust statutory where precariousness is likely to proliferate collective bargaining and trade union access giving the changing nature of the labour rights to assist unions in organising workers. market as it interacts with new modes of We call on the incoming Executive Committee working and technological innovations. to initiate this campaign immediately so that it can be positioned with affiliates as a priority in • Conducts research on models and developing a union led leverage campaign for application of international best practice

18 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 campaigns in sectors with a propensity for 13. Public Contracts and precariousness. Collective Bargaining • Facilitates cooperation between unions Conference believes that awarding public on digital organising initiatives aimed at contracts to anti-trade union companies connecting with precarious workers and facilitates and encourages anti-worker encouraging them to join affiliates. behaviour on the part of employers. • Extend and enhance collaboration with By awarding contracts to companies which civil society groups which share the goal of do not respect the right of staff to collectively ending precariousness. bargain the State does not respect the role Services, Industrial, Professional of trade unions as stakeholders in a modern and Technical Union society that it otherwise claims to value. For example, it is concerning that the 12. Precarious Forms of Department for Communications awarded the Employment for Crafts contract for delivering the 999 Emergency Workers and Others Call Answering Service to British Telecom, despite the company’s refusal to recognise the Conference acknowledges the work of the Communications Workers’ Union in the Republic Executive Council on the issue of bogus self- of Ireland while it is prepared to collectively employment. This work practice has been bargain with other unions in the United Kingdom. bought to the fore in the media and has brought an awareness of the issue to the public in Conference instructs the incoming Executive to general. This precarious work practice affects lead a campaign calling on the State to make it all workers throughout all sectors and it denies mandatory for companies successfully bidding funding to much needed sectors such as for public contracts to pay a Living Wage as a Education, Health and Local Authorities. minimum, or the recognised union rates where appropriate, and to recognise trade unions for Plasterers and other craft workers have suffered collective bargaining where the staff organise at the hands of greedy unscrupulous employers themselves. in the construction sector as have their families when being forced to take work on a self- Communications Workers’ Union employed basis only. Recently it was identified that the State is at a 14. Publicly Funded Projects loss of up to €240million per year through the This conference calls for all publicly funded Revenue Commissioners facilitated system. projects to only be awarded on the basis of total Workers in the construction sector are losing compliance with Sectoral Employment Orders, out on legal minimums through a number of Registered Employment Agreements and Sectoral Employment Orders whereby they are National Collective Employment Agreements entitled to an occupational pension and sick where applicable and that any contractor pay. The State is at a further loss in tax on these which is proven to be non-complaint should be provisions as employers refuse to comply with removed from public project work tender lists. the law. Connect Conference calls upon the Executive Council to continue to highlight and lobby Government to abolish this precarious work practice. Operative Plasterers and Allied Trades Society of Ireland

Congress BDC – Agenda 19 15. S ecuring Decent Work and These changes would greatly enhance the Jobs in Financial Services ability of unions to organise and therefore to win greater job security, pay and conditions for Securing decent jobs in the financial services is workers and their families. They would raise the the core aim of Financial Services Union (FSU). standard for all workers and transform Ireland from being a low paid hub to an island of decent A declining traditional retail banking sector has jobs and decent working conditions for all. seen the loss of thousands of decent jobs. These jobs had union recognition, good conditions, Financial Services Union pensions and transparent pay structures. Factors such as increased competition and digitalisation, as well as the move towards a 16. Industrial Relations in the European banking union, are placing jobs at risk Energy Sector and also challenging hours of work, job quality Conference notes the increasing industrial and working conditions in the sector. relations tensions within the energy sector As a union we are committed to defending our across the Island of Ireland, and in particular members’ jobs in the traditional banking sector the pressures placed on members as a result of but we also see the urgent need to unionise uncertainty on employment security and incomes. work elsewhere in the sector to ensure a drive We believe that many of these issues stem from to the top rather than a race to the bottom. failures of the Regulators in both countries to We have seen new entrants into the market engage properly with Trade Unions. This is in stark with cool apps like Revolut but appalling contrast to their approach to other stakeholders. working conditions behind their slick façade. We also note with concern that instability within Unless unionised, these companies will not the energy sector in either Northern Ireland or the provide a better future for all. Republic of Ireland, has all-Ireland significance given the cross border working relationships. To build a better future for all we need to win fairly paid finance jobs across all of the sector. Conference calls on the Executive Council to: To do this we need to campaign and organise. • lobby both energy Regulators, in We call on affiliate unions and Congress conjunction with relevant trade unions, to to support FSU’s growth campaigns in the establish and maintain regular forums financial services sector to ensure decent for unions to engage with them on issues secure employment for working people and concerning their members ahead of decision their families. making which may impact them; In this regard we congratulate our colleagues • to raise awareness with politicians, in in Australia on their successful “change the conjunction with relevant trade unions, rules” campaign and we call on Congress and on both sides of the border regarding the its affiliated organisations, North and South, to issues within the sector, and the impact on campaign for legislative changes to provide for: our members; • issue, in conjunction with relevant trade 1. The right to access and organise working unions, a public statement, highlighting the people in their workplace. issues facing our members in the energy 2. The right to represent, collectively bargain sector and the impact on both sides of and be recognised for our members. the border which instability in industrial 3. The right to take meaningful industrial relations will have; action quickly and effectively if it is required • establish a permanent and appropriate ICTU to pursue the interests of our members; and forum to consider energy sector issues and 4. That where a company has received any support the work of trade unions moving State support or is contracted by any State forward in this area, on an all-Ireland basis. Department, Body, Agency, Local Authority Prospect or State funded project, that a condition of that support be union recognition.

20 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 17. Industrial Relations Disputes do Conference agrees to continue to support the not Require Legal Approach campaign to enforce and, if necessary, amend legislation in support of domestic seafaring As a consequence of the changing role of skills and calls on the Governments of the our statutory mechanisms within the newly Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to formed Workplace Relations Commission formulate a joint policy approach to eliminating and their place in the continuum of equality seafarer exploitation in the Irish Sea. This joint processes, this Conference commits Congress policy would be designed to establish a level to strengthen the argument for a need for commercial playing field based on minimum earlier, interest-based involvement in Equality domestic employment, equality, immigration cases, thus requiring university managements and vessel registration standards above the to actively avoid entering into legal approaches minimum standards established in the Maritime to resolve industrial relations disputes. Labour Convention. Irish Federation of University Teachers Conference remains concerned that nationality- based exploitation of seafarers if left unchallenged 18. Exploitation of Seafarers will see merchant passenger and freight ferries crewed entirely with foreign seafarers by the Conference remains deeply concerned at beginning of the next decade, causing profound the impact on domestic seafarers from ferry damage to the economic and social fabric, as operators’ recruitment of foreign crews on rates well as the strategic future of these Islands which of pay below legal minimum wage rates on both would take a generation to repair. sides of the Irish Sea. Finally, Conference wholeheartedly reiterates For example, Conference notes that Seatruck, its support for the RMT’s SOS 2020 campaign, Irish Ferries and P&O pay Ratings below the legal particularly the following aims: minimums in Eire and the UK between Liverpool and Dublin, Holyhead and Dublin and Cairnryan 1. Equal rights in employment, equality and to Larne. immigration law for domestic seafarers. 2. ‘Cabotage’ (transport between domestic Conference is dismayed that nationality-based ports) protections for domestic crew. pay discrimination against seafarers from EU and non-EU countries continues unabated and RMT has been accentuated by the introduction of new, larger vessels by exploitative employers, recognises that this is a political failure to 19. R ecognition of Qualifications in resist the de-regulation of employment and the Construction Sector equality law covering seafarers, whatever their Conference notes the shortage of apprentices nationality. in a number of crafts in the construction Conference also notes the effect that this sector. This is compounded by the fact that exploitation has on major employers in the employers in the sector are refusing to Irish Sea, particularly the largest employer of recognise qualifications as a requirement to Irish seafarers Stena Line, who are consistently employment. Employers have created an undercut by competitors’ low-cost crewing industry that celebrates the idea of training and practices, especially on international routes apprenticeships. However, the same employers which continue to go unchallenged by are ignoring those qualifications as workers Governments. pursue employment in the sector. Congress welcomes the arrival of new roll-on Employers are seeking to establish a register roll-off passenger ferries in the Irish Sea on of employers, contractors, sub-contractors, the condition that employment law, including sub sub–contractors on a statutory footing recognition rights for local trade unions, is fully and have achieved some notoriety on the issue. respected and enforced. This will have the effect of normalising bogus self-employed workers as contractors or sub

Congress BDC – Agenda 21 sub-contractors without seeking to provide health charter which has been developed by qualifications or proof of skills attained in order the Equality Commission of Northern Ireland. to gain entry on their register. In addition, we call on all trades unions in Northern Ireland, as employers themselves, to Conference calls upon the Executive Council sign up to the Mental Health Charter. to support the establishment of a register of qualified crafts people. This will create a valued In the Republic of Ireland, we call on the and incentivised apprenticeship and act as a Congress to engage with the Irish Human Rights safe guard to the apprenticeship system. and Equality Commission to bring forward an equivalent to the Mental Health Charter Operative Plasterers and Allied which affords a lead role for trade unions and Trades Society of Ireland workplace reps in ensuring all workplaces become mentally healthy workplaces. 20. Payment of Wages Unite This conference, in the interest of equality, calls for a campaign for the 6 months limit in the Payment of Wages Act 1991 for claiming unpaid 22. Health of Workers wages be abolished and allow workers to claim This conference calls on the incoming Congress all arrears due to them as another step in the Executive to encourage as a matter of policy, battle against wage theft. that all productivity measures which form part of proposed pay agreements allow that due Connect recognition be given to the health of workers, as prescribed in legislation. 21. Supporting Trade Unionists deal Association of Secondary with the Mental Health crisis School Teachers Congress recognises that mental health is increasingly one of the most pressing 23. Gender Balance Membership challenges faced by trade unionists and by workers generally. Many disciplinary cases In light of the recent gender breakdown of involve underlying mental health issues and Trade Union membership North and South, union workplace reps are often the first to conference is resolved to revise all committees be approached by employees suffering from and sub-committees of ICTU to ensure positive mental health difficulties. gender balance and adequate representation of the now majority gender group. Conference calls on the incoming ICTU Executive Committee to develop a range of Likewise, conference resolves that, all agreements courses and support interventions to ensure entered into by Congress are assessed for gender that all shop stewards and workplace reps balance and gender proofed prior to Executive receive the necessary support and training to Council approval being sought. cope with the current Mental health crisis. In Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation particular the trade union movement has a Royal College of Midwives responsibility to ensure that workplace reps are confident in their ability to effectively signpost individuals to relevant support mechanisms. 24. Engagement with Students But conference acknowledges that the trade Conference notes the recent move by union movement cannot resolve this alone, Government to exclude History and Geography employers have a responsibility to take the from the core curriculum whilst also noting lead; it mandates the incoming Northern Irish the absence of any trade union reference in Committee of the ICTU to initiate and resource subjects such as Politics and Society. a campaign in Northern Ireland to encourage Conference further recognises that the employers to sign up to the voluntary mental movement must counteract the negative effects

22 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 created by such limitations within our education The Paris Climate Agreement makes climate curriculum and seek to re-establish a visible action a binding international obligation for and strong presence within our schools and the Irish Government and demands that the local communities to develop a strong sense principles and ethos of Just Transition underpin of activism and civic engagement amongst our the official, policy response. youth population and communities. To meet these targets the Irish Government It is incumbent on us to work together to rebuild must raise its ambition and ensure investment and strengthen the movement for the next in jobs, communities and Just Transition. Lives generations who will have to live with our legacy and livelihoods are being lost to climate change defining their lives such as the future of work, and a world with a temperature increase of automation and climate change. more than 1.5 degrees Celsius will be unsafe and unsustainable for all. Whilst we strive to shift the paradigm for those who are already in the workforce we should Conference welcomes the work of Congress seek, with the same passion and enthusiasm, in highlighting these issues in the context of to engage and empower our students, who can the report produced in conjunction with NERI, then shape a positive future for themselves as on Bord na Móna and Just Transition. The members and critical thinkers! report highlights specific recommendations on investment in green energy initiatives and other Whilst Conference acknowledges the work areas, to ensure replacement jobs are created, already undertaken by Congress in schools and new opportunities are developed and the the development of good working relations with workers and communities of the Midlands are student unions, it resolves to: not disadvantaged by the transition. The case of • continue their engagement with all students Bord na Móna is a litmus test of official capacity in Ireland; to deliver a Just Transition and a failure to do so will make the move to a low carbon economy • re-establish our presence in schools; more difficult. • commit to work more closely with student Social dialogue and collective bargaining must unions as campaign partners; be central to the transition to a carbon free • establish and develop sustainable working world, as set out in the Paris Agreement. relations with student unions on a regional basis; Conference therefore calls upon the Government to: • adequately resource a multi-union programme directed at student education, • undertake long awaited impact assessments engagement and empowerment. on the distribution of costs and benefits of climate change and energy transition policy Kildare Council of Trade Unions measures in the context of drawing up our national Integrated Energy & Climate Action 25. C limate Action & the Need for Plan, due to be submitted to the European a Just Transition Commission by end of this year; • establish a Just Transition Commission that Conference notes that the promise of the ensures all relevant voices are heard and Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris included; Climate Agreement can only be realised by way of a Just Transition that ensures: • ensure that any increase in the carbon tax is progressive and mitigates the impact on “…workers, communities, employers and those with lowest incomes. Government (engage) in social dialogue to drive the concrete plans, policies and investments Executive Council needed for a fast and fair transformation to a low carbon economy and to ensure that employment jobs in the new economy are as decent and as well-paid as those left behind.”

Congress BDC – Agenda 23 26. Duty to Defend the Environment There is a clear link between instability on the high street and the reduction in retail Congress notes that proposals to mine employment. gold in the Sperrin Mountains would cause massive environmental pollution to an area of Conference is clear that retail is a crucial part of outstanding natural beauty, and threaten the the economies of both the Republic of Ireland entire Foyle River system. Congress notes that, and Northern Ireland and therefore calls upon rather than create jobs, the proposed mining the ICTU to campaign for: would damage existing and future sustainable jobs in agriculture, the food industry and • Urgent investigation and action from the tourism. respective Governments to develop an industrial strategy for retail, with focus on Congress believes trade unionists have a duty levelling the playing field for the high street to defend the environment. We believe that the and online retailers. supposed trade-off between jobs and pollution • Local governance to introduce measures is a dangerous illusion. Congress welcomes the focussed on increasing footfall in town campaigns of opposition from communities in centres. the Sperrins, and pledges support to all genuine community-based campaigns which stand by • A robust strategy on how to deal with the trade union principles. short and long-term impact of automation on key sectors such as retail. This must Omagh Trades Union Council include significant investment in skills for retail workers to help tackle the challenges 27. Crisis in the Retail Sector of automation. ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference expresses its Union of Shop, Distributive concern over the crisis on the high street and in and Allied Workers the wider retail sector. Over the past 12 months, the retail sector 28. Future Potential of Rosslare has been hit by more shop closures than ever Europort and consumer confidence has still not fully That this Conference notes with concern the recovered from the impact of the financial failure of successive Governments to maximise crisis, as customers continue to cut back on the strategic potential for Rosslare Europort in discretionary spending. These factors are relation to its central position as the nearest compounded as traditional brick-and-mortar Irish port to mainland Europe. shops are facing increasing competition from online retailers. Conference calls for the status of the port to be designated by Government as Tier 1 and that EU Irish retail is the country’s largest industry and assistance be sought to develop the port and private sector employer, with 280,000 jobs surrounding area to reflect the status of Ireland accounting for 14% of total employment. In as an Island with the economic implications that Northern Ireland, the retail sector provides a it brings. living to around 70,000 people. Conference further calls on Government to Research revealed staggering job losses across resolve the issue of the ownership of Rosslare the high street in Ireland in 2018, with over Europort if necessary through international law. 20,000 jobs axed in the first three months of the year. Conference commits to lobby Government to ensure the issue of ownership and control Conference believes that retail workers have continues within the public sector and that the long been undervalued as contributors to the future development of the port be linked to economies of the Republic and Northern Ireland best practice in local economic and democratic and action needs to be taken to safeguard the structures. future of retail jobs.

24 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 This asset must always operate in the interest of between communities that the Good Friday the Irish people with full recognition of the local Agreement was meant to bring down. communities and the location in which it exists. Conference is concerned that the Common Wexford Council of Trade Unions Travel Area, which has been presented as a solution to maintaining freedom of movement for Irish and British citizens across these Islands 29. P rotecting the Rights of after the UK leaves the EU is, in the view of Workers North and South both the NI Human Rights Commission and the Post-Brexit Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, ‘‘written in sand’’. Conference notes that at the time of writing, the UK has missed the deadline of 29th March Conference is further concerned that for non-Irish to leave the EU and that the terms of its exit EU citizens, who work on a cross-border basis, and whether it will exit at all remains unclear. including many that provide vital public services Conference agrees however that regardless in the areas of health, social care and education, of whether or not the UK has left the EU under there is uncertainty as to how their right to work the terms of Theresa May’s deal; whether or in Northern Ireland will be maintained whilst they not Article 50 has been extended for a further reside in the Republic of Ireland and vice versa. period; or whether or not a general election Conference notes that whilst provision exists for or second referendum in the UK have been these ‘frontier’ workers within the Withdrawal called, protecting the particular circumstances Agreement and a separate UK Government of Northern Ireland and the Good Friday scheme to secure their right to work has been Agreement in all its parts must remain of promised, no details of this scheme have been paramount importance. made publically available. Conference believes that too many people have Conference therefore calls on the incoming reduced the impact of the UK exit from the EU Executive Council, in line with the positions on the Island of Ireland to the movement of articulated by Congress in ‘The Implications goods across the border. Conference believes of a No-Deal Brexit’ (Spring 2019), to continue that whilst this represents a serious concern to campaign in Dublin, Belfast, London and in terms of the economic effects of the UK exit Brussels, in conjunction with affiliates and our from the EU, the UK exit from the EU also raises allies in the equality and human rights sectors, grave issues affecting the day-to-day lives of our the TUC and ETUC for: members, their families, their communities and the continuing operation of public services. • legislation to be passed in the UK and the Republic of Ireland that guarantees full Conference particularly notes that the UK exit equality for both Irish and British citizens from the EU threatens the key aspects of the in the rights they can access across these Good Friday Agreement relating to equality Islands and which recognises the particular of citizenship and parity of esteem. A core status of Irish citizens born in Northern principle of the Good Friday Agreement is Ireland, to protect equality of citizenship equality of citizenship, with the Agreement under the Good Friday Agreement; recognising it as the birth right of ‘‘the people born of Northern Ireland’’ to identify and • an international legally binding treaty be accepted as Irish or British or both and, between the UK and Ireland to fully clarify accordingly, to hold British or Irish citizenship or and protect the rights of British and Irish both. When considered in light of the equality citizens under the Common Travel Area, and parity of esteem provisions within the including the right to work and access Agreement, this provides for equal treatment public services across different jurisdictions; between British and Irish citizens. • a transparent scheme to protect the rights of EU frontier workers in Northern Ireland Conference believes that the UK exit from the without delay. EU will create numerous different categories of citizenship in Northern Ireland, creating borders UNISON

Congress BDC – Agenda 25 30. Protection of Workers’ Rights day one of employment, would also support workers’ freedom of movement by undermining We at Equity request that all the sister unions any “divide and rule” strategy – sometimes at this year’s ICTU Conference join with us to rooted in racism and xenophobia – that pursue these aims and any others necessary to attacks migrant workers and deflects from the protect all of our workers in all industries and employers’ responsibility for low pay and poor professions at this difficult time. conditions. We call upon the ICTU: NIPSA calls on the ICTU to ensure that, at this 1. To join with the TUC, STUC and others to time of economic and political uncertainty, ensure that workers’ employment rights, irrespective of the shape of future relationships including those relating to rest periods and with the European Union, workers’ rights are holiday pay are protected. protected and advanced through full trade union engagement with employers and within 2. To campaign on the existing and essential the wider political system. right of free movement for workers. Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance 3. To fight to ensure that lost audio visual industry funding from the EU is matched and guaranteed by the UK Government. 32. Increases in the Qualifying Age 4. To oppose the imposition of a hard border in for State Pension Ireland. Conference will be aware that in the Republic 5. In the event of a NO-DEAL BREXIT, to of Ireland the age at which workers become campaign to protect workers’ careers, eligible for the contributory State pension is incomes and ability to provide for their increasing to 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028. The families. decision to make this change was taken without consultation with workers’ representatives Equity and without consideration of the implications for workers and their families. While increases 31. Workers’ Rights Post-Brexit in the pension age are taking place in many countries, Ireland is currently on course to have Congress notes the risk, in a time of great the highest pension age in the OECD in 2028. We economic and political uncertainty for the are going too far, too fast. voice of workers, expressed through their trade unions, to become marginalised. This Similarly, in the UK, the State pension age has makes it essential that in any discussion of been gradually increased over the past two future economic development and trade decades, with the 2017 decision to increase “deals” the case for workers’ rights within an the pension age to 68 between 2037 and economy that is built on tax justice, whether 2039, rather than from 2044 as was originally at a local, national or international level is proposed. Nor should workers forget the heard and advanced. treatment of thousands of women born in the 1950s who have been affected by changes Congress reiterates its view that in order to proposed by the 1995/2011 Pensions Acts, deliver justice in terms of fighting economic which included plans to increase women’s inequality a radical reform of our trade union State pension age. laws North and South, that would empower trade union activity, is essential. Such reform, Congress calls on both Governments to reverse underpinned by: trade union recognition; its decision to implement increases to the sectoral collective bargaining and a real living pension age and commit to engagement with wage would enhance opposition to those the trade union movement on steps to address who seek to privatise our public services the challenges of population ageing and the and re-model the economy for the benefit of financial sustainability of the pension system. shareholders not workers. New trade union laws, by offering full employment rights from Executive Council

26 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 33. P articipation of Retired Congress reaffirms support for the Charter for Workers Housing Rights and the principles it sets out, namely: Conference acknowledges and values the work of its Retired Workers Committees and • Declare a national housing emergency and the significant contributions they make to the begin a major programme of public housing work of Congress. construction. Conference is concerned that these Committees • Establish a legal Right to Housing. cannot participate in delegate conferences, • End evictions to homelessness. in respect of their inability to send delegates • Establish security of tenure and rent and submit or amend motions and believes certainty for tenants and develop the ‘cost this is inconsistent with the stated Objects rental’ model (as set out by NERI). and Functions of Congress in the promotion of equality and inclusiveness. • Develop a national land management policy commensurate with the Right to Housing Conference requests that the Congress and to bring an end to land hoarding and Executive Council would work with the Congress speculation. Retired Workers Committees in order to further their active participation in the decision-making Congress notes that these essential principles processes of Congress and to ensure their were contained in a cross-party motion on fullest possible participation in the work of housing that was overwhelming passed in Congress. the Dáil, on 4th October, 2018 and calls on Government to immediately and fully implement Fermanagh Trades Council all of the measures contained in that motion. Local authority led delivery of public housing 34. Housing must be central to the successful resolution of Congress believes that the Right to Housing is a the current emergency and Government must fundamental human right. ensure that official policy reflects the primary role of local authorities in that capacity, whilst It calls for an immediate reversal of the failed acknowledging that cooperative and not for official housing policy (Rebuilding Ireland) that profit bodies can also play a positive role in the has resulted in: delivery of affordable housing.

• tens of thousands of workers – especially Executive Council younger workers – being effectively locked out of the housing market, with little prospect of ever being able to afford 35. Housing Crisis their own homes or obtain decent, secure This conference congratulates the Executive accommodation in the rental sector; Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions • record levels of homelessness, particularly for the initiatives it has taken in relation to the among children and families, in tandem with crisis of housing facing our people. record housing waiting lists and thousands The housing crisis is an all-Ireland one but of hidden homeless forced to live in its worst manifestation is to be found in the unsuitable and cramped accommodation; Republic of Ireland and in particular in the • profound and very damaging long term capital city of Dublin. consequences for a whole generation of workers, students, people on low and The Executive Council is to be applauded for modest incomes, women with children, its role in bringing together a broad alliance travellers, people with disabilities and of the trade union movement, political parties pensioners. and civil society groups, including housing advocates and campaigns, community organisations, tenants’ groups, students’ unions,

Congress BDC – Agenda 27 women’s organisations, Traveller, migrant and 36. H omelessness and the LGBT+ campaigners, social justice and faith- Working Poor based groups. Conference recognises the growth of This has culminated in the creation of a new homelessness in our society and the increasing campaigning body on housing entitled RAISE numbers of people forced to live and shelter THE ROOF. It has successfully put together on our streets, in cars and even with friends mass demonstrations, policy conferences or family. We also recognise that increasing and other initiatives which have validated numbers of those without a home or a the Executive Council’s strategy of building permanent shelter over their heads come from a coalition of all forces which are prepared the working-poor. to support a simple and reasonable policy platform to tackle the housing crisis. Conference notes that this problem is rooted in the austerity policies adopted by Governments There is little argument that significant change in London, Belfast and Dublin; and the greed in official policy is urgently required. Within of landlords and property speculators who are months the RAISE THE ROOF policy platform, exclusively focussed on making profits even including a major local authority led investment when it means individuals or families being in public housing, an end to forced evictions moved out of their homes. into homelessness, the legal right to housing, security of tenure and rent control, had In Northern Ireland the introduction of the become the democratically decided housing Universal Credit regime, made possible by the policy of Dáil Éireann and of most of the main Executive parties voting back the legal authority local authorities. But despite this support for welfare reform to the Tories, has been a from elected representatives, the current total disaster. As it is progressively rolled-out Government and local authority managements hundreds more have been forced onto the remain deeply wedded to a failed policy of streets as unscrupulous landlords refuse to reliance on the private sector and private profit accept non-payment for the lead-in period of for housing provision. Policy change will not five weeks. We note further that the promised happen of its own accord and requires a broad mitigations package which the Executive parties and sustained campaign that is politically promised would offset the worst effects of robust, sufficiently resourced and properly welfare reform has proved worthless for those structured. suffering the impact of this brutal social welfare policy. One of the most important aspects of RAISE THE ROOF is that it works on the principle of In the Republic of Ireland, the housing treating all the bodies connected with these emergency is driven by the sharp rise in initiatives on the basis of equality and by property and rental prices as Government has arriving at decisions through consensus while failed to bring forward public housing projects simultaneously accepting the autonomy of all to meet growing demand. This emergency is the groups involved. putting the productive capacity of the economy at risk, threatening the recovery, and causing Conference urges the Executive Council to untold hardship to the thousands of people who deepen, to widen and to build a massive cannot access secure and affordable housing. campaign of all these forces and of all those who are prepared to work for the housing In both cases, neoliberalism is resulting in programme of the RAISE THE ROOF campaign. unnecessary and avoidable suffering and death on our streets. Dublin Council of Trade Unions The right to a home, or at the very least a shelter, is a fundamental human right acknowledged by the UN and EU Human Rights Charters, the latter was meant to be incorporated into Northern Ireland law under the Good Friday/ Belfast Agreement but never was.

28 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 Conference commends the ICTU’s Raise the 38. Alternative to Rebuilding Roof campaign and calls on the incoming Ireland Plan ICTU Executive to establish trade union-led campaigns, North and South, to secure the That Congress devises an alternative plan to the vindication of the basic right to a home: Government’s Rebuilding Ireland, as the present plan by Government is not delivering homes for • Action to ensure no-one is left on our the citizens of Ireland and is totally reliant on streets – emergency housing through, if the private sector. necessary, State-led requisitioning of vacant properties. Cork Council of Trade Unions • Support to meet the mental and physical health needs of those in need who have 39. Equality been forced to live on our streets. Conference commends the ongoing work • Imposition of rent-controls on private sector of Congress and affiliates in protecting and landlords, North and South, to guarantee promoting human rights and equality on the the affordability of housing for all. Island of Ireland and in building a culture of respect for human rights and equality in our • Programmes of large-scale, State-led public workplaces and trade unions. Rights violations housing development and land acquisition and inequalities are still a feature of our to meet the growing housing shortage, workplaces and societies and we need to build North and South. on recent successes (including the repeal of the Unite 8th Amendment and subsequent introduction of abortion services in the Republic of Ireland; the planned introduction of paid parental 37. Campaign of Industrial Action in leave and…) and to continue our efforts in the relation to Housing Policy following areas, including:

Noting the hardship caused by the worsening • IHREC Group – continue our engagement of the housing crisis, the ICTU will initiate a with IHREC and employers in the advisory campaign of industrial action at national level group set up by the Irish Human Rights and similar to the action taken in 2005 in support of Equality Commission to promote a culture of workers at Irish Ferries, aimed at achieving: respect for human rights and equality in our • the right to housing being enshrined in the workplaces. constitution; • National Strategy for Women and Girls – • the declaration of a housing emergency; participate in the monitoring structures for the Strategy to seek to progress the • an increase in the social housing stock by objectives of particular relevance to working means of a major local authority-led public women. housing construction programme; • Family Leaves – seek to ensure the passing • the development of a national land of the Family Leave Bill leading to the management policy that will end introduction of paid parental leave and longer speculation and hoarding and ensure that breastfeeding breaks for working women. public land is reserved for public housing; • Gender Pay Gap – ensure the passing of • action to ensure security of tenure and rent Gender Pay Gap reporting legislation. certainty for tenants; and • Sexual harassment – commend the work at • a halt to evictions into homelessness. the ILO towards a new international labour Waterford Council of Trade Unions standard on violence and harassment in the world of work and seek its early ratification; and continue to seek to improve the legal protections for victims of sexual harassment.

Congress BDC – Agenda 29 • Childcare – continue our advocacy with the 40. Anti-racism Campaign Department of Children and Youth Affairs Having regard to the ever increasing rise in to ensure the development of the single levels of racism in Irish society, the emerging affordable childcare system equates quality number of organisations and individuals with an agreed set of terms and conditions spreading hate speech, the increasing attacks for those charged with working in the sector. on individuals because of their skin colour or Conference notes the progress achieved nationality and the arson attacks on proposed in implementation of the Comprehensive accommodation centres for asylum seekers Employment Strategy for People with and refugees etc., and being conscious of the Disabilities and urges all stakeholders to use detrimental effect of same on our movement, the next phase of the strategy to remove the the Irish working class and society in general, remaining barriers to equality in recruitment Congress resolves to mount a vigorous anti- and retention of people with disabilities in racism campaign to include: employment. a) Advertisements in newspapers and other Equality within our unions – to continue to media, on billboards, alongside press monitor equality within our trade unions and to releases with a view to interviews on radio develop initiatives to improve the diversity in and TV talk shows. our leadership structures. b) A school and college campaign, possibly In Northern Ireland, Conference notes, with in conjunction with USI, utilising leaflets, concern, the continued rollback on Equality brochures and posters etc. protections. Even before the collapse of the NI c) A national Anti-Racism Conference. Executive, Stormont had failed to implement d) A major national street protest march important Equality strategies including, among and rally this year alongside student others, an anti-poverty strategy, a gender organisations, anti-racism groups and equality strategy, a sexual orientation strategy political organisations with genuine anti- and a properly funded childcare strategy. racism policies. The failure to re-establish the institutions has Waterford Council of Trade Unions meant that long awaited equality regulations on the gender pay gap are still to be drafted and consulted on, some four years since provision 41. R easonable Adjustments/ was made in Employment Act 2015. Accommodations Passport Conference also notes that Northern Ireland Congress acknowledges the significant benefit continues to have some of the most restrictive of quality work for disabled people and and punitive laws on abortion in the world and recognises the valuable contribution that they that a continued failure to legislate for abortion make to the workplace. law reform has been recognised as a gross violation of women’s human rights. Same sex Equality legislation requires employers to make marriage is still not legal, despite having the reasonable adjustments or accommodations to support of the vast majority of the public and enable employees with a disability to carry out the majority of elected MLAs. their work on an equal footing with others. Conference calls for immediate action to be A passport system would provide a confidential taken to legislate for abortion law reform and live record of those adjustments. The passport same sex marriage. Further action must be is for workers to keep and share with anyone taken to ensure that Northern Ireland equality they think may need to know about the barriers protections are safeguarded. they face within or outside the workplace and the adjustments that have been agreed to Executive Council prevent or reduce its impact in the workplace. A passport system would ensure that everyone is clear about what has been agreed and reduce the

30 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 need to reassess these each time an employee • The 3 day wait or ‘cooling off period.’ changes roles or has a change in line management. • The lack of clarity around foetal abnormalities • We call on Congress to establish a model that means there are still abortion seekers Reasonable Adjustments Passport Policy for travelling to England and beyond. use in workplaces and to campaign for the • The high and prohibitive costs of provision wide use of a passport system. to those in the 6 counties of NI. • Provide training and education for reps Belfast & District Trade Union Council on the benefits of the Passport System and equip them with the required tools to negotiate a workplace policy. 43. Foster Leave • Seek to implement a passport system Congress acknowledges the important service amongst all public sector employers and that foster carers play in providing a safe and amongst affiliates as employers. stable environment for foster children in Ireland. GMB While their role is recognised by the State in terms of fostering allowances, there are no associated leave arrangements in place. 42. Reproductive Rights Foster carers must attend meetings and training Conference recognises the huge progress in the courses as deemed necessary to meet the Republic since the referendum on abortion in May requirements of child placements. In that 2018 and welcomes the solidarity shown North regard leave can only be granted by discretion and South during the campaign. Conference or is taken in the form of annual or unpaid leave. notes that services and provision of abortion up to 12 weeks have been rolled out since January Given the urgent need for foster families in the 2019, is evidence that the Government took the State it is important to recognise their role by referendum result seriously. providing adequate leave for them to continue this service. Conference also notes that in England, Scotland and Wales, regulations have been altered so Therefore, conference instructs the incoming that the prescribed second set of Early Medical National Executive Council to engage with Abortion pills can be taken at home, a provision Tusla and the Irish Foster Care Association, as which will positively impact the majority of deemed necessary, to campaign for Foster leave those in need of a termination, the majority of legislation to be introduced in the State. which occur in the first trimester. Communications Workers’ Union Conference further notes that despite this clear trajectory of progress for reproductive 44. Reverse the Waiting Time rights, Northern Ireland has been left behind completely. The United Nations Committee on for Disability Benefit the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination That this Conference calls on the Minister for Against Women (CEDAW) have reiterated once Employment Affairs and Social Protection to again that devolution should never be a barrier reverse the decision in 2015 to increase the to Human Rights. waiting time to qualify for disability benefit from three days to six days. This measure was Conference calls upon ICTU to fully support the implemented during the financial crisis along Alliance for Choice campaign calling upon the with other cuts. It is recognised by all that this UK Government to repeal sections 58 and 59 of financial crisis has ended and, in line with other the Offences Against the Persons Act, to ensure restorative measures announced in 2018, this that abortion is free, safe, legal and local for decision should be reversed immediately. women in Northern Ireland. Bray Council of Trade Unions Conference further calls on ICTU to lobby Dáil Éireann to remove the barriers to the most marginalised, which include:

Congress BDC – Agenda 31 45. Tyred – Old Tyres Kill • Promote awareness of the dangers of old tyres and let people know the steps that This Congress notes with sadness that in they can take to ensure their safety. September 2012, two young people returning from a music festival in England lost their lives The success of this campaign, to ban when the coach they were travelling in crashed. dangerously old tyres will instantly increase The driver was also killed. the levels of safety on our roads. Many coach companies do have strict guidelines around The crash was caused by a tyre that was tyre safety but rouge operators run dangerous nearly 20 years old – this is legal and we must risks. They risk lives to cut costs and only strict campaign to put an end to it. legislation will stop them. There is no legislation in the UK or Ireland to GMB prevent potentially dangerous tyres from being used on coaches, buses or commercial vehicles. Manufacturers recommend tyres should be 46. Building a Better Future disposed of after 10 years. through Educational Justice Congress it’s our members driving these In the campaign to build a better future for vehicles. It’s our comrades, families and friends all, Congress recognises the fundamental using coaches without knowing if the tyres are importance of public services and, in that safe or as road users putting themselves at risk context, the centrality and transformative if a rogue operator causes an accident. This potential of a high-quality public education must end. system informed by principles of justice and equity. Passenger vehicles such as coaches currently operate trust; trust that everything has been This Biennial Delegate Conference therefore done to ensure the safety of their passengers. mandates the ICTU to campaign for: Passengers have no control over these safety checks, which is why a change in legislation • preservation of the education system at all is vital. levels as a public service and public good; • public investment in education that sustains Allowing dangerously old tyres to be used and improves the quality of the service at endangers countless lives. all levels; We call on ICTU to: • specific public investment in higher • Develop a campaign to have legislation education by way of application of a levy implemented that would outlaw the use of on corporate profits to generate a dedicated tyres older than 10 years on commercial and fund; public hire vehicles in all parts of this Island. • deployment of the existing staff and • Develop a campaign to encourage all infrastructure of the Education and employers, coach operators and authorities Training Boards to the provision of new to immediately sign up to an ICTU campaign apprenticeships, traineeships and other stating that they will not use tyres older programmes that meet the economic, than 10 years. social, cultural and developmental needs of learners, communities and other relevant • Encourage affiliates with membership in stakeholders; these areas to ensure that their vehicles are safety checked and ask them to sign up to • targeted, multi-annual investment to a Congress pledge that they will not/are not address and eradicate educational using old tyres. disadvantage, with a particular emphasis on the disadvantage suffered by • Promote amongst affiliates and those learners, primarily children, affected by hiring coaches to ensure that the operator homelessness; they are using adheres to strict guidelines around tyre safety.

32 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 • customised programmes, interventions 47. Primary School Education and provision to address the needs of 1. This Conference recognises the enormous marginalised cohorts of learners, including value of primary education in laying migrants and asylum seekers; the foundations of learning, and the • enhancement of capacity at school, centre internationally-acknowledged high quality and college level to meet the needs of of the Irish primary education system. learners with special needs and to achieve 2. However, Conference notes that the most meaningful inclusion; recent comparative report – the OECD’s • accessible, free-to-learner progression “Education at a Glance 2018” – shows that paths through the various sectors and levels (i) Ireland’s per student expenditure across of the public education system; levels from primary to tertiary education is • curricular provision in compulsory lowest at primary (Table C1.1); (ii) funding education that is informed by principles of per student at primary level is well below justice and equity; the OECD average (Table C1.1); and (iii) average class size in Irish primary schools • meaningful consultation with and is 25, compared with an OECD average of 21 involvement of learners (and their parents/ and an EU average of 20 pupils (Table D2.1). guardians, as appropriate) in framing public education policy; 3. Accordingly, Conference demands: • assessment instruments that enjoy public a. A commitment by the Minister for trust and that are congruent with the Education and Skills and the Government objectives of curriculum and with the public to reducing primary school class sizes good; to the EU average within the coming five years by way of annual revision of the • a prohibition on exclusionary practices by staffing schedules. any institution that is in receipt of public funds; b. Designated disadvantaged (DEIS) schools to have significantly preferential class • the elimination of gender bias in size provisions. appointments and in programme provision; c. That class size reductions and teacher • the elimination of discrimination against supply issues are addressed in st teachers appointed on or after 1 January consultation with unions in the context 2011 and the implementation of the of falling enrolments in primary schools measures needed to secure full pay equality from 2019 onwards. between that cohort and their peers who were appointed prior to that date; d. The immediate restoration of capitation funding to its 2009 level of €200 per • the establishment of an appropriate career pupil. structure for those currently referred to as “tutors” in the Further and Adult sector. e. Provision of required supports for school Principal Teachers and greater investment The ICTU is further instructed to pursue in all categories of school leadership; and these objectives through the Education Sector Committee of Congress, through f. The direct payment by the Department representatives and/or nominees of Congress of Education and Skills of all non-teaching on relevant bodies (such as the NCCA, ETBs, staff, such as school secretaries and governing bodies etc.) and by advocating for an caretakers. increase in public investment in education at Irish National Teachers’ Organisation national and EU level. Teachers’ Union of Ireland

Congress BDC – Agenda 33 48. Health Services Funding Crisis 49. S coping Inquiry into the Health Services in Ireland North and South are CervicalCheck Screening under extreme pressure, facing a funding crisis Programme and significant difficulties in recruiting and The Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck retaining an adequate workforce. Waiting times Screening Programme made fifty in ED departments and waiting lists for first recommendations to be implemented in light of outpatient appointments are at unacceptable the failures highlighted by the scandal. levels with people continuing to suffer with a range of conditions which deteriorate until they A Review in March 2019 by the report’s author require emergency care. Health services are Dr Gabriel Scally noted that the “deeply flawed” creaking under the pressure with heavy reliance open disclosure policy that existed prior to the on the good will of the workforce to ensure that scandal remains in place despite the Scally essential public services are able to function. investigation recommendation that the HSE The urgent requirement to transform is clearly open disclosure policy and guidance be revised recognised but with continuing austerity and in line with the Report recommendations as a lack of political direction this agenda is being matter of urgency. hindered. This Conference calls on the ICTU Executive Calls on Congress to: Council:

a) continue pressure on Governments to • To support the implementation of a full guarantee that appropriate long-term disclosure policy whereby women - as funding is made available to ensure that patients - have the right to full knowledge Health and Social Care Services are able about their health care, as and when they to deliver the high-quality care that the wish and most particularly, the right to be people of Ireland deserve, on a need not informed about any failings in that care ability to pay basis; process as soon as health staff are so aware, as recommended by the Scally Report. b) campaign to ensure that Government and employers take urgent action to ensure • To lobby for the cessation of outsourcing of the recruitment of an appropriately the cervical smear testing to out-of-Ireland skilled workforce which is supported and jurisdictions and support Irish based retained; laboratories – preferably public – to handle the screening tests. c) build on existing co-operation across our Island for secure delivery. • To lobby Government to recommence the offer to have an expedited or early free Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation second test – with results available within Royal College of Midwives a short timescale – for women who may be worried or concerned. • To lobby Government to adequately resource the screening programme with the necessary medical staff and administrative supports to deliver a quality service to Irish women. Galway Council of Trade Unions

34 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 50. Ab use of Education Workers Conference instructs the incoming Executive on Social Media Council to develop an All-Ireland campaign; for an expanded, fully integrated, green, publicly Conference despairs at the extreme rise in owned, fully accessible public transport system the abuse of schools and individual teachers that is ultimately free for all at the point of use, and support staff on social media. Conference to include: further despairs at the apparent refusal of the Employing Authorities to provide clear support • To expand access to free public transport, and guidance to Boards of Governors when for the elderly, young, disabled and members of staff are faced with such damaging unemployed. and harmful situations and to address this issue • Public ownership of the public transport in a serious and robust manner. Conference system. demands that strict measures are put in place as a matter of urgency to protect the mental • Green investment into public transport health and reputations of teachers, principals infrastructure. and support staff subjected to such behaviour. • Expansion of the public transport system, Conference further demands that the ICTU to include new much needed routes to Executive exerts pressure where necessary to connect to and from the North West of ensure that accountability for such behaviour is Ireland. enshrined in legislation. • Provide research of the benefits of free Ulster Teachers’ Union public transport from NERI. • Decent pay and working conditions for 51. Free Public Transport all workers in public transport. Conference notes the many societal Public and Commercial Services Union problems across the Island of Ireland; from unemployment, job insecurity, and 52. The Rise of the Far Right and homelessness, rural isolation to ghettoisation, the Need for a Robust Trade deprivation, poverty and inequality. This conference agrees that urbanisation Union Response and centralisation of public services and Conference notes with some alarm the rise of employment, without consideration of public the far right across the world. The emergence transport infrastructure further compounds of these political forces indicates a growing these problems. The importance of free public disenchantment with the idea of globalisation, transport to alleviate these issues cannot be a democratic deficit and has resulted in underestimated. declining respect for international norms, as is evidenced by the level of external interference Fully funded, free public transport, provided in countries democracies, such as Venezuela by the public sector would remove the in 2019. Self-interest, lack of solidarity, greed, significant barriers to social and economic xenophobia and racism combine to create an inclusion of the Island’s citizens from the elderly environment for the rise of right-wing political to the young, those in rural areas to cities. It parties and populism, as well as a retreat into will provide secure employment. It will connect nationalism. communities. It will help create a greener environment and tackle climate change. In this important year marking the centenary of the ILO, Congress and affiliate trade unions Conference recognises the excellent work need to promote the social justice objective of ICTU and affiliates to tackle these issues of this important international institution, through extensive campaign work; Better Work, including through its tripartite mechanisms, Better Lives, Housing as a Right, Working Time supervisory role and crucial work in respect of Rights etc. other international institutions. We need to join our colleagues worldwide in seeking to improve its functioning in the interests of working

Congress BDC – Agenda 35 people. Priority must be given to the ILO within Member States are also encouraged to develop the global governance system in order to make ambitious national responses and to conduct full use of its potential to address the real regular and inclusive reviews of progress at the concerns of workers and their trade unions. national level. Conference requests Congress and affiliate unions to ensure that such actions Conference calls for reform of the multilateral are taken here. system to ensure human rights, shared prosperity through implementation of the Executive Council sustainable development goals, and an end to the orthodox conditionality of international institutions that have driven austerity with 53. Rise of Far Right attacks on collective bargaining, minimum Congress notes that across the world Far wages, public services and social protection – Right political parties have made major gains something which we are all too familiar with at all political levels. The Far Right Movement on this Island. has cynically fed off the fallout from the worldwide recessions and the refugee crisis The flow of migrants is related to many with thousands fleeing war torn countries in structural causes including climate change, search of a better life. They have sought to demographic trends, urbanisation, lack of mobilise across the UK and Ireland on the back decent jobs, poverty, persecution, war, social of fears surrounding immigration and shaped and political unrest. Many people do not the most toxic elements of the Brexit debate. leave their homelands seeking prosperity, but rather survival. The right to seek asylum It is important that the Trade Union Movement is a fundamental human right that must be unite against the rise of the Far Right ensuring safeguarded. For migrant workers and refugees, that all citizens, irrespective of where they were the xenophobia being amplified by the extremes born are welcomed and have the same right of politics is putting at risk the lives and the (to access jobs, services etc.) and call Ireland livelihoods of 150 million people who just want North and South their home. safe haven and the right to work. Despite the contribution to their new countries, many face Congress calls on all affiliates to ensure that exploitation, discrimination and violence and there is a united opposition to all Far Right lack even the most basic protections. groups. This means not only trade union opposition to the presence of the Far Right on Conference commends the work of affiliates the streets but also a determined challenge organising migrant workers and for supporting to the poison of Far Right propaganda in the campaign to get asylum seekers here the ‘mainstream’ debate. right to work and will continue to campaign against abuse and oppression of migrants. We This Congress also calls for a training programme will continue to take the fight against racism to to be developed and delivered both North and every workplace. South to educate all representatives on the issues which have given rise to the causes and The Migrant Worker Conventions C97 and C143 growth in racism and how to challenge it in the and the UN Convention on the rights of all workplace and wider society. migrant workers and members of their families are key instruments for the organisation and Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance protection of migrant workers, and Conference urges Congress and affiliate trade unions to actively campaign for their ratification. Conference also notes the significant 2018 agreement of the Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees. Their implementation includes commitments to do so in cooperation and partnership with migrants, civil society, trade unions and other relevant stakeholders.

36 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 54 . Labour Rights: Strengthening the ability of the ILO to promote social justice, the ILO with reference to social protection, wages, secure work and gender equality. This BDC notes that 2019 marks the centenary of the foundation of the International Labour Conference calls on the ICTU, in conjunction Organisation (ILO). with the ITUC and affiliates, to: The founding principle of the ILO: that universal, • Campaign for fundamental reforms which lasting peace can be established only if it is would allow the ILO to make determinations based on social justice is as relevant today as it in respect of employers and not only was 100 years ago. Governments. The ILO was born out of a desire for global • Examine how best the ILO may be used to peace in the aftermath of World War Two. further campaigns for the achievement of gender equality and the elimination of In celebrating the centenary, we note with workplace discrimination. alarm the growing threat to social justice from • Support the campaign of the ITUC and the rise of extreme right parties and those who European Trade Union Congress for seek to undermine human rights, including the inclusion of Health and Safety standards in rights of all workers. the list of labour rights. BDC commends the ILO’s seven Centenary • Campaign for ILO action on the outcome of Initiatives, set out under the headings: the ILO Global Dialogue Forum 2014, with • The future of work initiative. special reference to the abuse of unpaid workers and interns in the media industry. • The end of poverty initiative. National Union of Journalists • The women at work initiative. • The green initiative; 55. Solidarity with Venezuela • The stands initiatives. Conference rejects the Trump administration’s • The enterprise initiative. position of ‘regime change’ in Venezuela, which is illegal under international law. Comments • The governance initiative. from Trump himself, VP Pence, and Secretary BDC notes that the four pillars of the UN’s of State Pompeo amongst others have included Decent Work Agenda – employment creation, threats of military action, and invoked the social protection, rights at work, and social possibility of a right-wing military coup. dialogue are recognised as integral elements of There are increasingly harsh US sanctions on 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Venezuela, described by former United Nations rapporteur Alfredo de Zayas as ‘economic Goal 8 of that Agenda calls for the promotion warfare,’ that hit ordinary Venezuelans the of sustained, inclusive and sustainable hardest. economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work. Since 1998, Venezuela has had more democratic elections than any country in the world. While the Organisation has played a significant President Chavez’s and his successor Maduro’s role in seeking to defend workers throughout policies have won each time. Those policies its history, the parameters within which it is have accelerated progress, devolved power to required to operate undermine the ability of the communities and re-distributed wealth. The ILO to hold to account multinational companies economic war imposed by the US and others with vast resources who exercise far greater on the Venezuelan Government and people are economic power than most Governments in aimed at undermining these advances. the world. The future of Venezuela is a matter for Currently the ILO can only make determinations Venezuelans alone to determine. The far-right in respect of Governments. This severely limits Governments of Trump and Brazil’s Bolsonaro

Congress BDC – Agenda 37 offer no hope to Venezuela or to the majority of people in Latin America. Whatever views people hold on Venezuela, there is no justification for backing the US attempt at regime change under way, which, if successful, could go the way of the disastrous interventions in Iraq and Libya. US interventions also have a bloody history in Latin America itself, including with previous US backed coups and military juntas, such as in Chile under Pinochet. The way forward in Venezuela is the call for dialogue from Mexico, Bolivia, Uruguay and others, and a negotiated peaceful settlement endorsed by the people of Venezuela. Therefore conference calls on ICTU to:

• Campaign against US intervention in Venezuela for ‘regime change’ whether through military action or support for a right-wing coup. • Campaign for the lifting of the illegal and inhuman economic sanctions on Venezuela. • Lobby the Irish and British Governments to recognise the legitimacy of the democratically elected President Nicolas Maduro’s Government and to reject the attempted coup by Guaidó and his supporters in the Trump regime. Both Governments should be called upon to reject Guaidó as interim president and to refuse to engage with his diplomatic mission. • Raise awareness of the true situation in Venezuela across the trade union movement through the ICTU Global Solidarity Committee. Belfast & District Trade Union Council

38 Motions & Amendments to BDC 2019 Standing Orders Committee Report Number 1

Tuesday 2nd July, 2019 Opening Session Opening Session of Conference

1. Time of Sessions the following procedure shall apply. The last man to be ‘elected’ amongst the 30 1.1 The time of the various conference should be replaced by the last woman to sessions will be as follows: be 'eliminated'. In the event that this does • Tuesday 2 July 2019 from 09:30 to 17:30hrs; not result in eight women being elected then the second last man to be ‘elected’ • Wednesday 3 July 2019 from 09:30 to should be replaced by the second last 17:00hrs; woman to be ‘eliminated’ and so on until • Thursday 4 July 2019 from 09:30 to 13:30hrs the minimum requirement of eight women unless the business of Conference is members is met. concluded earlier. 2.3 The Standing Orders Committee notes that Conference will adjourn at 13:00 on Congress has received 2 nominations for each day for lunch and will recommence the position on the Congress Executive at 14:30. Council reserved for a person to represent Trades Councils. An election will be held to 2. The Election of Officers and fill this seat. Ordinary Members of the 2.4 The Standing Orders Committee notes that Congress Executive Council and Congress has received 6 nominations for the Congress Standing Orders the Congress Standing Orders Committee. Committee. There are 5 seats to be filled. One of the nominees, Alison Regan, was nominated 2.1 The Standing Orders Committee notes that by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions. Congress has received nominations for the Paragraph 4(ii) of the Standing Orders of Officer positions as follows: Congress provides that only a Trade Union • Congress has received 1 nomination for the entitled to representation at Biennial positon of President and Gerry Murphy is Delegate Conference can nominate therefore deemed elected. persons for election to the Standing Orders Committee, therefore, Alison Regan cannot • Congress has received 2 nominations for contest this election as she has not been the two Vice-President positions. Kevin nominated by a Trade Union entitled to do Callinan and Alison Millar are therefore so. The remaining nominees, Joan Gaffney, deemed elected. Kieran Jack McGinley, Michael Gillespie, • Congress has received 1 nomination for the Billy Hannigan and Denis Keatings are position of Treasurer and Joe Cunningham therefore deemed elected. is therefore deemed elected. The Congress Constitution and Standing 2.2 The Standing Orders Committee notes that Orders provide that two people may be Congress has received 34 nominations elected as substitute members of the for election as ordinary members of the Standing Orders Committee. The filling of Congress Executive Council. There are these substitute positions will be a matter 30 seats to be filled. The election of for the incoming Executive Council. the ordinary members of the Executive Council will be conducted using the single 3. Ballot Papers transferable vote system. The Congress 3.1 T he arrangements for the exchange of Constitution requires that this election credential stubs and the issuing of voting must result in the election of at least eight cards and ballot papers will be as follows: women. In the event that the outcome of the election of the 30 ordinary members • Credential stubs will be exchanged for of the Executive Council results in less voting cards commencing from 14:30 than eight women being elected then on Tuesday 2 July 2019 until 11.00 on

40 Standing Orders Committee Report Number 1 Wednesday 3 July 2019. Each delegate the Waterford Trades Council (Campaign must personally exchange his or her of Industrial Action in Relation to Housing credential stub for a voting card. Policy) is not in order as it not possible for Congress to organise a campaign of • Ballot Papers for the election of Ordinary industrial action as required by the motion. Members of the Executive Council and for the Local Reserved Panel will be issued on 4.4 The Standing Orders Committee rules that Wednesday 3 July 2019 from 11:00 to 15:00. all the remaining motions and amendment in the final agenda are in order. • Each union will be asked to nominate a principal delegate who, in exchange for the 4.5 T he Standing Orders Committee wishes voting cards, will collect the ballot papers to draw to the attention of delegates the from a polling station situated away from rules relating to speaking time as set out the main conference hall. in the Standing Orders of Congress. The proposer of a motion or amendment • On completion, ballot papers should be shall be allowed five minutes maximum returned to the ballot boxes in the polling and each subsequent speaker three station by the individual delegates or by minutes maximum. The Standing Orders the principal delegate in accordance with Committee may seek the agreement of the union practice, before 15:00 hours on Chairperson to further limit speaking time Wednesday 3 July 2019. in order that the business of conference • The results of the election will be can be concluded. announced during the conference proceedings during the morning of 5. Suspension of Standing Orders Thursday 4 July 2019. 5.1 In the interest of orderly and effective 4. Motions and Amendments conduct of business, the Standing Orders Committee draws the attention of 4.1 The Standing Orders Committee has delegates and affiliated organisations to examined the motions and the amendment the provisions of paragraph 12 of Standing submitted by affiliated organisations. Orders, as follows, 4.2 The Standing Orders Committee wishes to • “A motion to suspend Standing Orders must draw attention to motion number 7 Murder be submitted in writing to the Chairperson of Lyra McKee standing in the name of the by the proposer and seconder who are National Union of Journalists. We wish delegates to Conference. It must specify to advise that this motion was received the Standing Orders to be suspended and by Congress following the deadline for the period of suspension. It must state the submission of motions. The motion reasons of urgency and importance, and if was submitted as an emergency motion the suspension is sought for the purpose of as the events referred to in the motion giving consideration to a matter not on the occurred following the closing date for the Agenda, the reason for not submitting such submissions on motions. The motion is in matter by way of a motion in accordance order. The Standing Orders Committee is with Standing Orders. A Motion to suspend of the view that because this motion is a Standing Orders may not be adopted except: motion of consequence, we have taken the a. with the permission of the Chairperson; unusual step of including this emergency and motion in the agenda for conference. It is proposed that this motion be taken as the b. with the consent of two thirds of the last motion on the morning of the 2 July delegates voting on the motion.” 2019 and if any organisation would like to propose an amendment to this motion they 6. Conference Sessions should submit same to Standing Orders 6.1 T ime periods have been allocated in the before 11:45 on 2 July 2019. agenda for BDC for the consideration of 4.3 The Standing Orders Committee rules specific topics as detailed in the Executive that Motion 37 standing in the name of Council Report. Motions related to these

Congress BDC – Agenda 41 topics will be taken during these time 9. Fraternal Guests and Speakers periods. If there is any time left over after 9.1 The following people have been invited to the completion of the specified business, address Conference: Conference will proceed to deal with other business as appropriate. • The Lord Mayor of Dublin. 6.2 Motions have been grouped and votes on • The President of Dublin Trades Council. motions will be taken as indicated in the • An Taoiseach, Mr Leo Varadkar, TD. Timetable of Business. • The General Secretary of the STUC. 6.3 D elegates are asked to especially note that there is a private session scheduled • A speaker on behalf of the Congress Youth during BDC. During this session only Committee. accredited delegates will be admitted to • Mrs Mary Robinson. the conference hall. The Private Session is scheduled to be held on Tuesday 2nd July, • A speaker on behalf of the Congress 2019 from 16.30 to 17.30. Conference will Centres Network. break at 16.15 on Tuesday 2nd July, 2019 • The Deputy General Secretary of the ETUC. for 15 minutes to facilitate participation in • Speakers on behalf of the Congress Retired this session of Conference by accredited Workers Committee. delegates. • A speaker on behalf of the Congress 7. Distribution of Materials at BDC Women’s Committee. 7.1 Affiliates and delegates to BDC are • A speaker on behalf of the Congress reminded of the requirement to seek Disability Committee. the permission of the Standing Orders • Mr. Matt Frei. Committee in advance of the distribution of any material to delegates during the • The Director of Campaigns and course of the BDC. Particular attention is Communications ITUC. drawn to the prohibition in the conference • A speaker on behalf of the Congress venue of the display of banners, posters Global Solidarity Committee. and of other material that may cause offence. 9.2 A ffiliates and delegates to conference are reminded that guest speakers are 8. General Data Protection attending conference at the invitation of Congress and therefore should be afforded Regulations (GDPR) the same respect as any other speaker at 8.1 There will be a photographer present and the BDC. the Biennial Delegate Conference taking photos of guest speakers, delegates and observers. These photographs will be stored by Congress in the cloud and on our servers, and may be uploaded to our website and our Flickr account. We may use these images in publications and to promote the work that Congress is involved in. If you have any objection to having your photograph taken, stored or used in this manner please contact [email protected] and speak to a member Standing Orders Committee, L to R: Dennis of the Congress staff at the Biennial Walshe, (Fórsa), Annette Dolan, (TUI), Kieran Delegate Conference. Jack McGinley, Chair (SIPTU) and Joan Gaffney, (Mandate). Missing from photo is Denis Keatings, (Unison)

42 Standing Orders Committee Report Number 1 Nominations to BDC2019 POSITION NOMINEE MEMBER OF NOMINATED BY

President Gerry Murphy INTO INTO

Vice President Kevin Callinan FÓRSA FÓRSA/INTO/SIPTU (Two Positions) Alison Millar NIPSA NIPSA

Treasurer Joe Cunningham SIPTU SIPTU

Executive Council Ciaran Rohan AHCPS AHCPS Ordinary Panel

Kieran Christie ASTI ASTI

Sean Heading Connect Connect

Paddy Kavanagh Connect Connect

Steve Fitzpatrick CWU CWU

Fionnuala Ní Bhrógáin CWU CWU

David Kennedy CWU UK CWU UK

Gareth Murphy FSU FSU

Bernard Harbor FÓRSA FÓRSA

Angela Kirk FÓRSA FÓRSA

Eoin Ronayne FÓRSA FÓRSA

David Hughes INMO INMO

Phil Ní Sheaghdha INMO INMO

John Boyle INTO INTO

Mary Magner INTO INTO

Deirdre O’Connor INTO INTO

Noel Ward INTO INTO

John Douglas MANDATE MANDATE

Joan Gaffney MANDATE MANDATE

Gerry Light MANDATE MANDATE

Justin McCamphill NASUWT NASUWT

Brian Booth NIPSA NIPSA

Séamus Dooley NUJ NUJ

John Clinton POA POA

Ethel Buckley SIPTU SIPTU

John King SIPTU SIPTU

Gerry McCormack SIPTU SIPTU

Annette Dolan TUI TUI

Patricia McKeown UNISON UNISON

Anne Speed UNISON UNISON

Brendan Ogle UNITE UNITE

Jackie Pollock UNITE UNITE

44 Nominations to BDC2019 POSITION NOMINEE MEMBER OF NOMINATED BY

Michala Lafferty USDAW USDAW

Jacquie White UTU UTU

Executive Council Belfast & District Trades Belfast & District Trades Paddy Mackel Local Reserved Panel Union Council Union Council

Dublin Council of Trade Dublin Council of Trade Betty Tyrrell-Collard Unions Unions

Dublin Council of Trade Dublin Council of Trade Standing Orders Alison Regan Unions Unions

Billy Hannigan FÓRSA FÓRSA

Joan Gaffney MANDATE MANDATE

Kieran Jack McGinley SIPTU SIPTU

Michael Gillespie TUI TUI

Denis Keatings UNISON UNISON

Congress BDC – Agenda 45 Fringe Events at BDC2019 TUESDAY 2nd JULY, 2019

Tuesday – Lunchtime – 1.00pm Tuesday – Lunchtime – 1.00pm

VENUE – SALMON THEATRE , HAMILTON BUILDING, VENUE – SYNGE THEATRE, HAMILTON BUILDING, TRINITY COLLEGE TRINITY COLLEGE Co-Operation within Communities Trade Union Friends of Palestine st in the 21 Century Campaigning in solidarity with the Co-operatives are people-centred Palestinian people enterprises jointly owned and democratically controlled by and for their members to realise What about the Children? their common socio-economic needs and This meeting addresses the multiple ways in aspirations. As enterprises based on values and which Palestinian children are victims of well- principles, similar to those which we espouse designed measures of control and repression within the trade union movement, they put by the Israeli state. This disturbing aspect of fairness and equality first allowing people to the occupation is now being increasingly create sustainable enterprises that generate highlighted by influential NGOs and by inter- long-term jobs and prosperity. Managed by state bodies like UNICEF. In 2013 UNICEF producers, users or workers, cooperatives declared that ‘Ill-treatment of Palestinian are run according to the ‘one member, one children in the Israeli military detention system vote’ rule. The most well-known co-operative appears to be wide-spread, systematic and organisation in Ireland is the credit union. institutionalised’. The aim of this workshop is to raise awareness Presentations will focus on how TUFP facilitates about the importance of co-operatives as an a trade union response to this – by organising alternative to current economic organisation delegations to Palestine, by learning about the and service provision, highlight the work of this barriers to education and healthy development movement in Ireland and outline the impact under military occupation, and by bringing this co-operatives can have on local communities. information back to the trade union movement. As part of our work to reconnect the trade union movement locally, it is hoped that this The meeting will be chaired by Patricia workshop will stimulate ideas about how the McKeown, chairperson of TUFP, and Regional Trades Councils network can engage with both Secretary, UNISON. the co-operative movement and their local community.

Speakers: Panel speakers will include a researcher from the UCC Centre for Co-operative Studies, the Policy and Communications Manager from Co-Operative Housing and a member of a Refreshments will be available and Worker Co-operative. limited to 40 people.

Refreshments will be available and limited to 40 people.

Congress BDC – Agenda 47 WEDNESDAY 3rd JULY, 2019

Wednesday – Lunchtime – 1.00pm Wednesday – Lunchtime – 1.00pm

VENUE – SALMON THEATRE, HAMILTON BUILDING, VENUE – MAXWELL THEATRE, HAMILTON BUILDING, TRINITY COLLEGE TRINITY COLLEGE Speaking Up Safely in the A new Social Contract for the Workplace – Transparency Future of Work – Global Solidarity International Committee The Protected Disclosures Act 2014 introduced The Future of Work is a major topic for the 2019 greater protection for workers who raise Centenary Conference of the ILO 10–21 June. concerns of wrongdoing in the workplace. However, making the decision to speak up is Trade unions will be fighting for a strong and still extremely difficult for many people. Under relevant ILO Declaration to include: the legislation, Trade Union officials may • The renewal of the social contract and receive disclosures from workers. Facilitated endorsement of a Universal Labour by Transparency International Ireland, this Guarantee; practical workshop will outline the key protections afforded to workers under the • Reaffirming that full, sustainable and decent legislation and provide information on support employment must be a central policy available through the Speak Up Helpline objective nationally and internationally; and the Integrity at Work programme, a • Recognition of safety and health at work as multi-stakeholder initiative helping to create a fundamental principle and right at work. supportive working environments for anyone to raise concerns of wrongdoing. Come along and hear the results of the discussions and how the Irish Trade Union Speakers: Stephanie Casey, Integrity at movement can use the outcome to seek a better Work Programme Manager, Transparency “Future of Work” here in Ireland. International Ireland. Speaker: Tim Noonan, ITUC Director and leader of Lauren Kierans (Barrister-at-Law), Transparency programme of work on the Future of Work. International Ireland Associate.

Light lunch will be served on a first come first served basis and limited to 40 people. Light lunch will be served on a first come first served basis and limited to 40 people. Wednesday Lunchtime – 1.00pm

Wednesday – Lunchtime – 1.00pm VENUE – TRINITY CITY HOTEL, PEARSE STREET (5 MINS FROM CONFERENCE CENTRE) VENUE – LIBERTY HALL To a Fairer Future – NERI EU Militarisation, PESCO and Irish Neutrality Following the publication of his book: ‘An Ireland Worth Working For’, Dr Tom Healy will Frank Keoghan, President of Connect Trade offer some thoughts on how economic policy, Union will make a presentation to this Fringe education and training in the movement and event which will take place in Room 207 in awareness might develop in the future. Liberty Hall. He may be assisted by Professor John Maguire. Speaker: Tom Healy Refreshments will be provided.

48 Fringe Events at BDC2019 Gate Trinity Botany City Hotel Tennis COLLEGE STREET Courts Dining Bay WESTMORELAND STREET Hall Áras an PEARSE STREET Phiarsaigh Samuel Beckett Centre

Library Business Front PARLIAMENT School Gate SQUARE New Square Science Gate Square Gallery Sports Centre Old Library Rugby Ground Museum SNIAMS Lloyd Building Institute SUFFOLK STREET Fellows’ Square Berkeley Long Library O’Reilly Room Institute Hub Pearse St Zoology DART Lecky Station Library Hamilton Building Arts Building College Park James Watts Ussher Building Library Chemistry

WESTLAND ROW NAUSSAU STREET The Panoz Pavilion Institute

Smurfit Institute Dublin GRAFTON STREET Moyne Institute Dental DAWSON STREET Hospital

KILDARE STREET Trinity College and and College Trinity Surrounding Area Agenda Irish Congress of Trade Unions Northern Ireland Committee 31/32 Parnell Square Irish Congress of Trade Unions Dublin 1, D01 YR92 45–47 Donegall Street Ireland Belfast BT1 2FG, Northern Ireland Tel: +353 1 8897777 Tel: 02890 247940 Fax: + 353 1 8872012 Fax: 02890 246898 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Web: www.ictu.ie Web: www.ictuni.org

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