5,000 to take to streets in ICTU day of strikes

Over 5,000 to take to streets in ICTU day of strikes


Anton McNulty

UP to 5,000 Mayo workers are expected to take to the streets next Monday as part of the call by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) for a nationwide day of strikes.
The nationwide day of strikes on March 30 was called by the ICTU and ballots taken by trade unions throughout the country show an overwhelming support for the action. The strikes 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.
Independent councillor and SIPTU branch organiser, Michael Kilcoyne, told The Mayo News that he expects up to 5,000 workers in Mayo to take part in the strike, and he feels it will be the first of many all-out strikes.
“March 30 will just be the first day in a series of strikes if there is no direction shown by the Government. I expect the majority of both public and private sector workers in Mayo will come out because we either lie down or stand up. If we want to stand up now is the time. Our nationwide ballots have shown that over 80 per cent are in favour of the action,” he said.  
However, in a draft letter to members, the employers’ group 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 30 will have pay for the period deducted.
Last Thursday, members of the Civil, Public and Services Union (CPSU) held a one-hour lunchtime protest picket of Government offices throughout the county. Up to 400 members of the CPSU in Mayo took part in the picket which took place before 1pm and 2pm. As well as the picket, workers have been taking part in a one-hour telephone protest by region each day throughout the week in protest against the Government pension levy.
Derek Mullen, spokesman for the CPSU in Mayo, told The Mayo News that another lunchtime protest is due to take place this Thursday and they will continue their telephone protest. He added that they will also take part in the all-out ICTU strike next Monday.
The CPSU, who represent lower-paid civil servants, voted by 83 per cent for industrial action and have already taken part in a national strike on February 26. Mr Mullen said CPSU members were very angry, and determined.
“We will not stop until there is a better outcome for our members. They are on wages where they receive €36,000 gross after 12 years, which is not enormous money, but are paying a contribution similar to those on twice the salary. That is not acceptable. Our workers were not at the party but they have to clean up the mess,” he said.