Frontline workers’ ‘solo run’ leaves union stance fragmented

In the face of mounting threats both to their pay and their numbers, public service unions should be presenting a united front on how they will meet the demand from the Government for a €1bn cut in the exchequer pay bill.

It is no surprise then, that there is rising frustration among non-emergency worker representatives about the “go-it-alone” nature of the 24/7 Frontline Alliance for its 70,000 members. The wider public sector view is that this approach will undermine the bargaining strength of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which represents the vast majority of the country’s 300,000 public servants.

“It is not helpful,” said one public service source.