Second-largest union rejects draft national wage agreement
Unite’s 60,000 members voted by a three-to-one majority against the agreement, thrashed out at the end of September after marathon talks between the Government, trade unions and employers.
Regional secretary Jimmy Kelly said a national agreement was no longer the way to ensure employee rights.
The union, the second largest in the country after SIPTU, represents workers across a wide range of private sector industries.
“The draft agreement on which our members have now voted came up short in too many key areas,” said Mr Kelly.
“The leadership of this union put forward a view that a national agreement is no longer the best basis on which to advance the rights and fair remuneration of workers.
“Our members share that view.”
The wage deal provides for a pay increase of 6% for all workers over 21 months.
The money will be paid in two phases with a 0.5% increase at the end of the agreement for workers earning less than €430.49 a week, or around €22,463 a year.
Umbrella group the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) will hold a special delegates conference on Monday to decide whether to accept or reject the deal.
The results of a ballot of SIPTU, the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU), IMPACT and Mandate members are expected to be known by today.
Union chiefs have urged their members to vote in favour of the agreement.
Explaining Unite’s rejection, Mr Kelly said they had sought improved pension coverage to bring Ireland in line with its European neighbours, but claimed employers rejected it and the Government failed to get involved.
“It was a similar case with our demand for the right of workers to trade union representation,” Mr Kelly said.
“Such a right exists in Northern Ireland, across Europe and the United States, but still not here.”
Mr Kelly said there had been conflicting views on all sides as to whether the deal was the best one to tackle the rapidly changing economic conditions faced by the country.
Mr Kelly said 40 Unite delegates will attend next week’s ICTU conference to express the union’s views.
