SIPTU executive backs deal

THE National Executive Council of SIPTU, which has more than 200,000 members, has recommended support for the proposed new national agreement — Sustaining Progress.

SIPTU general secretary Des Geraghty said: “Having weighed up the alternatives and the more complex issues facing workers in the public and private sectors, the union is of the view this agreement provides the best available framework within which recent gains can be protected and members’ rights advanced.

“The union is adamant the Government must deliver on its commitment to address the issue of inflation and introduce the necessary measures on housing, redundancy, social inclusion and workplace improvements.

“If these proposals are endorsed by our members in the forthcoming ballot, SIPTU will take steps to ensure that employers do not abuse any of the provisions of the agreement to the detriment of union members.”

Meanwhile, leaders of the country’s largest private sector union have recommended rejection of the deal.

Mandate general secretary Owen Nulty said the proposed agreement offers little to low paid workers and has “dismally failed” to tackle the issue of union recognition.

Around 150 special delegates, who gathered for a conference in Dublin yesterday, voted to recommend rejection to the union’s 40,000 members. Members, many of whom work in the service industry, are to be balloted over the next few weeks.

The union rejected the previous partnership agreement but delegates at yesterday’s conference were even more firmly against the new one, Sustaining Progress.

“This proposed agreement does even less for low paid workers than the previous agreement,” said Mr Nulty.