Trade union leaders clash over treaty vote

TRADE union leaders clashed yesterday over the Lisbon treaty and its implications for workers.

The country’s largest craft union said the treaty would only strengthen big business and erode workers’ rights.

However, a union leader representing clerical and administrative workers argued a yes vote would boost workers’ rights.

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) said that it was advising its 45,000 members to vote no in the referendum.

General secretary Eamon Devoy said key European court rulings proved a no vote was the only vote.

“The TEEU favours a social Europe but, unfortunately, recent key judgments by the European Court of Justice show that the pendulum has swung against workers’ rights and in favour of big business. In the circumstances it would be foolish to provide the institutions of the European Union with more power.”

Rulings had affected unions taking industrial action where their actions interfered with services, it claimed. A recent decision found a subcontractor in Germany could pay workers less than half the minimum wage because the right to provide services took priority over collective wage agreements.

Their no vote call was disputed by Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU) general secretary Blair Horan, whose union represents 13,000 public and private sector workers. He said a yes vote was in the interest of workers. The treaty upheld economic values and helped combat discrimination. “With the treaty and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, it can only improve (workers’ rights).”

The CPSU would not, however, advise its members on how to vote.

Other unions are expected to declare their stances shortly, including the Communications Workers Union and SIPTU.