SIPTU urges workers to accept national pay agreement

Workers should accept proposals for a new national agreement on pay and employment rights, the country’s largest trade union said today.

The National Executive Council of SIPTU said the ’Towards 2016’ social partnership agreement made substantial progress on measures to combat exploitation and the threat of displacement.

The council said: “It is the view of the National Executive Council that the balance of advantage for the members of the union and workers generally, rests with acceptance of the terms as proposed for a 27-month agreement.”

Over 260,000 members are due to be balloted on the deal over the next five weeks, before the Irish Congress of Trade Unions meets to decide on its ratification.

SIPTU’s council met after a large consultative conference was held yesterday among 500 delegates and branch officials to discuss the deal which proposes a 10.4% pay increase for workers in four phases over 27 months.

The proposals, which were negotiated by the Government and social partners, outlines 10-year targets in areas of social provision.

The executive felt substantial progress had been achieved on measures to combat exploitation, which are critical for vulnerable workers and to protect working conditions.

Towards 2016, if ratified, will be the seventh social partnership agreement since the process was initiated in 1987.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil the issues of employment standards were raised among a small number of companies last year causing widespread upset and concern among workers about displacement.

“This demonstrated the need for mechanisms to provide assurance about decent standards and fairness, without compromising flexibility, or adding unreasonably to the burdens of regulation of the labour market,” he said.

“Setting that delicate balance requires the active engagement of all of the parties in our employment system. We are fortunate that the social partnership process provides precisely that opportunity.”

Mr Ahern said the proposed pay and social deal sets out an ambitious agenda aimed at delivering social change.

“It adopts a longer-term perspective recognising that many of these social challenges are particularly complex, requiring coherent and strategic responses,” he said.

The agreement sets out measures for responding to issues including the integration of migrant communities, the acute needs of children in disadvantaged communities and support for the role of the community and voluntary sector in the future.

SIPTU chiefs said the proposed 10% pay increase would exceed all available projections of inflation for the 27 months.

The executive said: “It is clear that major battles remain to be fought on the critically important issue of pensions.”

The agreement also commits the Government to developing a framework for addressing the pensions agenda within 12 months of the ratification of the Agreement.