TRADE UNIONS are considering a two-stage strategy in their campaign against pay cuts for public service staff introduced in the Budget.
Although no final decisions have been taken, unions seem likely to introduce a work to rule in January as well as a ban on co-operation with any proposals for public service reform.
The second phase of the action could include a withdrawal from reforms previously agreed with the Government. This could involve, for example, the re-introduction of a ban on the provision of lunchtime cover in offices.
Sources said the unions were looking at staff working only their core hours, not co-operating with reform and in the Civil Service not co-operating with parliamentary questions. There are also proposals that all unions in a particular office or department should take industrial action in the event of someone being suspended in the course of the dispute.
The public services committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which is co-ordinating the planned campaign of industrial action, met on Tuesday, but no final decision was taken. In an online bulletin to members, the general secretary of the Irish Nurses’ Organisation Liam Doran said sustained resistance in response to the pay cuts of 5 – 8 per cent introduced in the Budget would apply in different ways in different public service sectors.
He said details of the campaign, which would seek the reversal of these cuts while also protecting pensions and preventing compulsory redundancies in the public service would be finalised and put into circulation by all unions, on Monday, January 4th, 2010.
“This strike back campaign of resistance and non co-operation, in response to the Government’s decision to impose, through legislation, pay cuts will be strong and sustained in the first weeks of 2010. A successful campaign will require commitment, solidarity and determination and the INO, together with other public service unions, is absolutely committed to ensuring all members understand and appreciate how they must participate in this process,” he said.
