Sixth union votes to reject Croke Park II

As the membership of yet another union balloted to reject the terms of Croke Park II, the number of unions which have said they will not be bound by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions decision (Ictu) on the deal rose to six.

Last night, the almost 2,000 members of the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association (MLSA) voted 59:41 against accepting the terms. The result was in spite of the fact the union’s executive had recommended acceptance of the Labour Relations Commission proposals.

Next Wednesday, the leaders of the public service unions affiliated to Ictu will vote to decide on an overall public service position on Croke Park II.

MLSA general secretary Terry Casey said its 19 votes in that Ictu ballot will now be in favour of rejecting the proposals.

Meanwhile, the four unions which have formed the “Alliance of Unions for a No Vote” have said they will not be bound by the outcome of the Ictu ballot if that outcome does not reflect that of their individual unions.

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, Irish Medical Organisation, Unite, and the Civil Public and Services Union confirmed their position following a meeting of anti-agreement unions.

The Teachers’ Union of Ireland has already rejected the deal and said it would not be bound by an Ictu vote in favour, while the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland has also said it will not be bound unless its members vote in favour in the union’s own vote.

The alliance said it has written to Ictu general secretary David Begg seeking a special meeting of the Ictu executive as a matter of urgency.

CPSU general secretary Eoin Ronayne said the disquiet among unions about the deal is “raising the spectre of industrial conflict at some point”.

“Our members find themselves in the bizarre situation of voting for wage cuts for nurses. Our members don’t work in the health profession and we have a great difficulty with the fact that we are going to decide that they should take a pay cut. That’s a view shared by all the unions here.”

Meanwhile, Public Expenditure and Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has said it is “simply dishonest” of for anti-agreement union leaders to claim there will be no consequences if the deal is rejected.

“The reality is that the consequences are real and have wider implications for the Irish economy. The no unions are only offering uncertainty to public servants. A yes vote offers certainty and protection for public servants and a backdrop by which the State can continue its path to recovery.”

Mr Howlin reiterated that €300m in savings will have to be found this year, a warning that, in the absence of a ballot in favour, the Government will legislate to make the savings in whatever way it sees fit.