Unions warn of collective action to protect pay

Unions representing 70,000 frontline public service staff have threatened collective industrial action over the Government’s plans to cut the take-home pay of their members under Croke Park II.

The 24/7 Frontline Alliance, which comprises gardaí, nurses, prison officers, and other frontline staff, says the measures proposed by the Government to cut the public service pay bill by €1bn impacts disproportionately on its members. That is because it says premium payments, allowances, and overtime make up a large proportion of existing take-home pay for its members, compared to most of the rest of the public service which is not required to cover a 24/7 roster.

The alliance will hold a press conference next Tuesday, at which it will detail the potential impact of the proposals on the incomes of particular frontline staff.

It will also make a submission to Brendan Howlin, the public expenditure minister, detailing that information. The unions are also mounting a lobbying campaign of all TDs and senators.

“These people are going to carry an unfair burden of the cuts if the Government strategy gets their way and we have reaffirmed the view that cannot happen, will not happen, and we will take whatever action is necessary to protect our members’ incomes,” said INMO general secretary Liam Doran.

Mr Howlin’s department last night issued a statement in which it said the savings had to be found, and no element of the pay savings could be taken off the table. It said the Government was committed to protecting the core pay of low to middle-income workers.

Meanwhile, Siptu firefighters are set to ballot for industrial action if the Department of the Environment tries to implement changes to working practices which, it claims, would endanger firefighters and the communities they serve.

Bryan Murray of the union’s firefighter national committee, said proposals in the Keeping Communities Safe document would lead to a reduction in the number of firefighters manning a fire appliance.

“Siptu has sought specific information regarding the relevant risk assessment and research documentation used by the department’s Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management in reaching its conclusions.

“However, the department has refused to share this critical information with us.”