145,000 union workers urged to vote no

The Government faces having to sell a yes vote on the EU fiscal treaty without trade union support after two more unions representing 100,000 workers recommended members vote no in the May 31 referendum.

Yesterday’s decision by Unite and the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, alongside a similar rejection by Mandate on Sunday, means unions representing 145,000 workers have so far told their members to oppose the treaty.

Siptu, which represents a further 200,000 members, has said it will canvass for a no vote unless the Government introduces a major stimulus programme that would create “tens of thousands of jobs”.