Pdforra conference: Members of the Defence Forces have appealed to the Government to allow them to affiliate to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) so they can have a role in negotiating national wage agreements.
Gerry Rooney, general secretary of the Defence Forces' staff representative association, Pdforra, said a proposal on Ictu affiliation had been put to the Department of Defence two years ago. Pdforra was still waiting on a response.
He said affiliation to Ictu had long been a goal for Pdforra. The prevention of this affiliation had hampered his organisation in representing its members in negotiations on pay and conditions of service.
"It is hard from our perspective to see what possible objection there could be to Pdforra membership of Ictu," he told delegates at the final session of Pdforra's annual conference in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
"A central element of Pdforra's submission seeking the lifting of the ban on membership of Ictu is the fact that we have absolutely no input into national pay agreements and that these are presented to us on a take-it-or- leave-it basis."
Last year Ictu changed its rules to provide for associate membership and Pdforra wished to take advantage of the new provisions, Mr Rooney said.
"Given Ireland's commitment to human rights I am surprised at the attitude to Pdforra on the issue," he said.
Mr Rooney told delegates that another pressing issue in need of resolution was rostering arrangements within the Naval Service.
He said members who crew the eight large vessels were being put under serious pressure due to the amount of time they were spending at sea away from their families.
"In 2004, 115 individuals on sea rotation completed over 160 days at sea, of which 34 completed more than 180 days. A further 112 individuals were at sea for between 125 days and 160 days.
"The fact that 115 individuals completed more days at sea than the sea rotation system demonstrates that the Naval Service is fulfilling its mission due to the commitment of men and women who serve in it. This commitment impacts negatively on the family and social life of Naval Service members."
Mr Rooney told the conference that research being conducted into the impact on personnel of sea-shore rotation had identified very high levels of stress among personnel and their spouses.
Some delegates complained that when they return from sea after several weeks they are not given time off, and instead are being asked to work on other on-land duties.