Delegates told of need for clarity on pay deal

THE LEADERSHIP of the union representing lower-paid civil servants has warned that its position of “ambiguity” on the Croke Park agreement is now under threat and the Government is likely to insist on a clear-cut statement on its official stance.

The move followed a decision by the annual conference of the Civil Public and Services Union yesterday to reject an emergency motion put forward by the its executive warning of industrial action if there were further pay cuts and seeking restoration of wage rates in the light of savings made to date.

However, following a heated debate, delegates voted by 111 votes to 91 to oppose the motion – largely as a result of arguments that acceptance would send a signal that they were accepting the Croke Park deal.

Members of the CPSU last year voted to reject the Croke Park agreement.

Union general secretary Blair Horan said the union had so far “gotten away” with a policy of “constructive ambiguity” about the agreement under which issues were considered on a case-by-case basis.

The union’s executive had proposed an emergency motion threatening industrial action in the event of the Government introducing further pay cuts.

It also called for a restoration of pay rates for those earning under €35,000 in the light of savings made to date.

However, a number of delegates contended that by backing such a motion they would be accepting the Croke Park agreement “by the back door”.

Terry Murphy of the Office of Public Works branch said the motion would mean members accepting money in exchange for the destruction of public services (under the agreement) and the loss of 25,000 jobs.

Joe Roe of the Revenue Commissioners said he was fed up sitting on the fence.

He said if the conference voted for the motion it would be telling the Government it accepted the Croke Park deal.

Mr Horan said the Government would seek a clear statement as to whether the union was in or out of the agreement. He suggested that at that point the union could lose the protections on pay and job security under the deal.