EMPLOYERS ARE set to warn staff that the proposed nationwide strikes at the end of the month are “entirely inappropriate and unacceptable” and employees taking part will have pay docked and face possible disciplinary action.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) yesterday began planning for the day of strikes on March 30th, which will affect Government services and private sector companies that have not met the terms of the national pay deal agreed last autumn or put alternative arrangements in place.
It said hundreds of thousands of union members are not covered by any national pay deal, given that the Government and employers’ body Ibec had walked away from the recent agreement while the Construction Industry Federation had not taken part at all. The Ictu has proposed a three-year stabilisation plan to be agreed with the Government for national recovery.
Unions are finalising ballots on the one-day strike and plan to serve notice on employers by the start of next week. However, in a draft letter to members, Ibec urged them to advise unions that action would “only serve to jeopardise current investment and the capacity of the organisation to preserve jobs at a time when we must do everything possible to improve our competitive position”.
It suggests employers advise unions that the threat of industrial action is in breach of in-house company agreements and says companies should also advise unions that any employee who withdraws labour, takes part in a picket during working hours or who absents him or herself as a result of the action on March 30th will have pay for the period deducted.
“Any employee absent without permission will be subject to disciplinary action in line with company procedures,” it states.
Ibec says employers are entitled to take all reasonable steps to minimise disruption. This may include the use of non-union personnel.
Meanwhile, about 13,000 lower-paid civil servants will today stage a protest against the pension levy. The Civil Public and Services Union said pickets are to be placed on all Government offices between 1pm and 2pm.