SIPTU to debate merits of Social Partnership
The union’s leadership is expected to win approval from members to seek guarantees from the Government that jobs displacement and exploitation can be protected against before negotiations on the next partnership deal commence. This will allow a breathing space of a few weeks during which the Government will be expected to come forward with an acceptable form of words guaranteeing SIPTU that the issues which lie at the heart of the Irish Ferries dispute can be dealt with through partnership.
SIPTU’s final decision on whether to enter negotiations on a new deal will be postponed until October 24 when a special delegate conference will take a last-minute final vote on whether to proceed with entering talks. If sufficient guarantees from Government are not forthcoming and SIPTU rejects Social Partnership an Irish Congress of Trade Union vote on whether to enter talks, to be taken the next day, may well be lost.
Such a development would effectively spell the end of an 18-year long string of national agreements credited by many as being a crucial part of Ireland’s economic success story. However, speaking in the Dáil yesterday Taoiseach Bertie Ahern appeared far less committed to resolving the Irish Ferries impasse through Government action than he had previously indicated.
“I am uncertain as to what SIPTU want us to do on this issue. It is currently before the Labour Court and will come before the Labour Relations Commission within the next few days. The process by which we had asked it to be dealt with is being followed,” he said.
Responding to SIPTU’s demand for guarantees, Mr Ahern said he was uncertain of the union’s position and appeared to rule out the possibility of domestic or EU legislation.
“I am not clear if Jack O’Connor’s statement yesterday means that, if he does not get a full resolution with Irish Ferries, which may not be in the hands of Government, social partnerships or the Labour Court, he will not continue as a social partner. I am not sure if that is his position,” he said.
Mr Ahern said the Government had not agreed to immediate access to the Irish labour market by citizens of new member states in order to displace Irish workers. He also acknowledged that the protection of employment standards was a public policy goal. However, he asked SIPTU to realise the best hope of resolving issues like Irish Ferries was through the processes of Social Partnership.
“Anyone looking at where we have come from and where we are would see the benefits of social partnership. Of course, there are tensions from time to time but there is less tension and fewer strikes in the private sector.”
