Siptu calls for end to decentralisation plans
Trade union Siptu today called on the Government to end its controversial decentralisation plans for semi-state bodies.
Delegates representing around 1,600 members from 16 agencies met in Dublin's Liberty Hall to hear a report on last week's Labour Court recommendation.
It ruled the state must abandon plans to use promotions as incentives to decentralise reluctant public sector workers outside Dublin.
Meanwhile the new Department of Enterprise offices were today opened in Co Carlow as part of the troubled project, which will see hundreds of civil servants move out of the capital.
SIPTU Regional Secretary Patricia King said: "We believe that the Labour Court recommendation has highlighted the legitimate concerns of staff and has spelt out very clearly that voluntary means voluntary.
"The court accepted people had legitimate expectations and proprietorial rights based on their careers with these agencies and cannot be compelled to relocate," she said
She added the campaign would continue to remove all state agencies from the decentralisation programme.
Representatives from Enterprise Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, the National Standards Authority Ireland, Bus Eireann, Bord Bia, BIM, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Arts Council and FAS attended the briefing.
The controversial decentralisation programme was unveiled by then Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy in 2003.
It pledged to relocate 10,000 public servants by the end of 2006, but received strong opposition from employees.
FÁS staff in Dublin went on strike last year after being told by management that they would only be eligible for promotion if they relocated to Co Offaly, sparking a controversy which culminated in last week's Labour Court ruling.
Minister for Enterprise Micheal Martin said at the department's office opening this afternoon that both Carlow and employees would benefit from the move from Dublin.
"I know that staff will benefit from the very many advantages that Carlow and its surrounding areas have to offer," he said.
"I am also confident that Carlow itself will benefit from this initial relocation of 100 staff and their families, which will contribute to the economic wellbeing of the area.
"The opening of this building today represents the first concrete step in my department delivering its commitment to the decentralisation programme and to the people of Carlow."
The new headquarters will be home to the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) and one business unit of the Companies Registration Office (CRO).
