Union leaders discuss recovery plan

TRADE union leaders meet in Dublin this morning to discuss what public sector workers can contribute to economic recovery.

However, last night the country’s biggest union SIPTU said there would be no concession from workers without a reciprocal commitment from employers.

The unions agreed last month to present Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Finance Minister Brian Lenihan with their submission on the way forward for the economy.

Over the weekend, Irish Congress of Trade Unions leader David Begg once again called for a national solidarity pact which would look at a range of issues including the pay rise due to workers under the last national wage agreement.

However, while the general purposes committee (GPC) of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will today discuss the union movement’s submission, one of the biggest players on that committee, SIPTU president Jack O’Connor said: “If there is an attempt to impose cuts in rates of pay unilaterally, it will be the responsibility of the trade union movement to mobilise resistance.”

Mr O’Connor said the Government must produce a framework document which encompassed all sections rather than requiring public sector workers to provide the first and only concessions.

He said that if there was a commitment from other players the union would play its part.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions GPC has already indicated it will not even countenance calls from the employers’ group IBEC for a 20% reduction in staffing numbers.