ICTU CHIEF CALLS OUT DOUBLE STANDARDS REVEALED BY GOVERNMENT’S HANDLING OF RECENT FUEL BLOCKADES

The General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Owen Reidy, has today called out the double standards in Irish public life revealed by the Government’s handling of the recent fuel blockades. Mr Reidy was speaking at the Mandate Trade Union biennial delegate conference (BDC) — which represents retail, bar and administration workers — which is taking place in the Midlands Park Hotel, Portlaoise.

“The Government’s handling of the recent fuel blockades has sent a very clear signal about what now works in terms of pursuing an issue in Irish public life and we in the trade union movement have taken note. It’s amazing to see how those mounting the blockade were able to squeeze €500 million from the public purse just like the burger barons managed to get the Government to gift them €750 million through a VAT rate cut. The powers that be need to be aware that the trade union movement’s pay bargaining strategy over the coming months will reflect the new ‘rules of engagement’.

“Any talk of the need for ‘fiscal responsibility’ when it comes to the next set of pay negotiations will be seen for what it is — just talk. If the Government can find €1.25 billion that easily for those groups they can definitely afford a ‘bespoke’ cost of living package for workers along with private sector employers.”

Owen Reidy told delegates at the Mandate conference that Ireland needs a new economic model to take Ireland’s economy to the next level.

“A quarter of jobs in Ireland are poor quality jobs with low wages and weak terms and conditions of employment. This is why we need a new economic model to take the economy to the next level. Central to that has to be the right to collective bargaining for all who want it just like applies in most of our European partners,” Mr Reidy concluded. Also speaking at the Mandate BDC, the union’s President, Martin Mahony, said that the union is now embarking on a process to reconnect and recruit thereby restoring itself.

“Recruitment is more than just a numbers exercise, it is fundamentally about building industrial power so that we’re in a much stronger position to bargain effectively for better pay and terms and conditions of employment. In addition, Mandate will then be in a position to support young workers through helping them know and understand their rights and provide real stability for part-time workers who are now the backbone of our trades.

“With greater numbers Mandate will be in a position to restore the proper balance of power between workers and their employers and restore meaningful respect. Retail workers kept our communities going during COVID but got nothing – apart from a few  pats on the back – in return. Restoring respect at work will require legislation so that we – and other unions – can have proper access to workers on the shopfloor and communicate with them and bargain for them without having to put up with union busting tactics.  Such strong legislation will only come about through the force of membership numbers and active lobbying by all of you,” Martin Mahony concluded.