Sir, – In response to Jim Farnsworth, president of Conduit Global, we would like to provide clarity for your readers on a number of issues raised in his letter (January 27th).
First, it's great to hear from Mr Farnsworth; it's just a pity we only heard from him in the letter section of The Irish Times to tell us that the meagre wages we earn for delivering a vital public service are sufficient.
However, since Mr Farnsworth has never met us, he can be forgiven for not knowing that low pay is not our key grievance.
Our dispute is about dignity and respect in the workplace. The threats to discipline us for exceeding our allocated toilet time must be seen in the context of a workplace ruled by a petty-minded management regime that has no reservations about dragging workers through traumatic disciplinary procedures.
We note that Mr Farnsworth accepts that 999 service centres are “non-unionised”. The employees of Conduit are the only part of the entire 999 service who are denied the basic right to collective bargaining. Our colleagues who handle calls for the ambulance service and the fire brigade are represented by Siptu. Our union has written to Conduit on at least five occasions seeking a meeting to address our issues. Conduit has refused to engage with our union either formally or informally.
We would also point out that BT and Conduit have received at least €55 million of public money, so their arrogant belief that they can ignore our calls for collective trade union representation is an affront to the Irish public who ultimately pay for this service.
Our campaign for decency at work, collective bargaining and a living wage has been ongoing for 18 months. At no stage during these 18 months has Conduit or BT even attempted to address these issues. Their disregard for their own staff has left us with no other option but to ballot for industrial action, including all-out strike action. We do so reluctantly but sometimes you just have to take a stand in the interest of your own dignity and respect. – Yours, etc,
IAN McARDLE,
RUAIRÍ CREANEY,
Communications
Workers Union,
North Circular Road,
Dublin 1.