Union leaders vow to fight cuts for low-paid workers

TRADE union leaders have vowed to fight cuts for 240,000 low-paid workers as the Government today reveals the revised EU/IMF bailout agreement.

As a date was signalled to reverse the recent minimum wage reduction, final touches were made on revising the terms of the €85 billion bailout loan. But worker representatives have pledged to fight speculated cuts in overtime and antisocial working hour rates.

SIPTU’s Jack O’Connor said moves to cut long-standing agreements on extra payments in sectors like hospitality, agriculture, hairdressing and cleaning were a “scandalous betrayal” of low-paid workers.

A review of payments under joint labour committee structures is expected before Government next month.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan also confirmed that today’s revised bailout agreement with the IMF, the EU and the European Central Bank would not include any more corrective measures to the economy.

Legislation to restore the minimum wage of €8.63 per hour for 60,000 workers will be introduced by the end of May.

The revised bailout deal comes as the Finance Minister last night indicated that AIB and other banks could ‘burn’ certain bondholders.

A High Court ruling yesterday approved an order by the minister to ensure burden sharing by bondholders.