Union puts conditions on re-entry to partnership talks

SIPTU will not re-enter social partnership negotiations without substantial guarantees from the Government that it will act to significantly improve social and employment standards.

SIPTU boycotted the beginning of last month's phase of social partnership discussions following comments by Tánaiste Mary Harney that her party's inclusion in government depended on the successful break-up Aer Rianta and CIE.

However, speaking at the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology last night, SIPTU president Jack O'Connor indicated the union's participation in the social partnership process depended on much more than the CIE/Aer Rianta issue.

"Proper employment of the process could extend as effectively to distributing the benefits of growth as generating it developing high standards of healthcare, elder care, education, and the rebuilding of a sense of community and social capital," he said.

Mr O'Connor said nothing less than a very strong Government commitment to move on such issues and others such as worker training would make the process worthwhile.