THE COUNTRY’S largest union has warned of the likelihood of strikes and civil disruption if the Government imposes cuts in public sector pay and social benefits.
In an internal letter to members, Siptu’s three most senior officials: Jack O’Connor, Brendan Hayes and Joe O’Flynn, said the problem in the public finances was “very serious”. They wanted a negotiated agreement on economic recovery involving a “social solidarity pact”, with all sectors contributing.
However, Siptu said it opposed cuts in pay across the public and private sectors. It called for problems in the public finances to be addressed over a five to seven-year time frame, with the better-off contributing through “a proper progressive tax system”.
Meanwhile, in a separate development yesterday, the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO) has said it would not enter into any talks with the Government that had the potential to reduce the pay, in any form, of its members.
It said it would be seeking immediate clarification through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) about the agenda for the talks this week between the Government and the social partners on the economy.
INO general secretary Liam Doran said last night that his union would not be participating in any process “which seeks to comprehend discussions on reducing the pay – including increments, allowances or unsocial hours’ payments – to its members”.
“We remain absolutely committed to take whatever action is necessary to protect our members’ interest in the face of any attack on existing pay levels by Government.”
Ictu has publicly rejected the possibility of any deal with the Government which involved cuts in basic pay for staff in the public service. However, among some senior union leaders there has been consideration about a possible deal on increments or premium payments.
The INO also said that it had received comprehensive legal advice that the Government could not introduce cuts in pay for nurses.
The INO believes the current pay deal contains inability-to-pay provisions which the Government could seek to invoke.
In its letter to its membership, Siptu said “a relentless campaign has been under way to impose savage wage/salary cuts”.
It said the real agenda behind such a campaign was to “establish the principle of cutting pay in the public service so that it could be driven all across the economy”.
The Siptu leaders said there had only been one example of actual cuts in pay agreed among union members – at the aviation company Aviance at Dublin airport.
“Indeed, we are progressing ahead with the implementation of the Transitional Agreement . A number of employers have agreed and applied the first phase. Others are stalling in the hope that the agreement will be suspended – it will not. We are also dealing with a number of others whose business has been severely affected by the economic crisis with a view to protecting the maximum number of jobs without recourse to cutting agreed rates of pay,” Siptu said.
The Government was reluctant to abandon social partnership in dealing with the economy as it saw “a major national initiative had the greatest prospect of success”.
“They also recognise that imposing cuts in pay and social benefits is likely to result in a stiff campaign of resistance, including strikes and civil disruption. Apart from worsening the problem, this would also jeopardise any remaining prospect of they being re-elected.”
The Siptu leaders said while they were confident of mobilising a stiff campaign of resistance against imposed cuts, it would not make the economic problems go away and the best outcome would be a negotiated solution.
Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday, Dublin VEC teachers rejected pay cuts and called for a fair debate on the economy.