Welfare workers' strike 'would hit poorest'

The poorest members of society will be forced in to destitution if staff in social welfare offices go on strike, it was claimed today.

As crunch talks over public sector pay cuts continue, anti-poverty groups demanded Government and union officials work to avoid any escalation of industrial action in the coming weeks.

Anne Costello, of The Community Platform, said members stood in solidarity with public sector staff who have been hit by “unequal choices” made by the Government.

“The low paid and those in receipt of social welfare have been disproportionately impacted by the cuts over the past year,” she said.

“But if industrial action is extended to social welfare offices the poorest members of society will be forced into destitution.

“The Government has a responsibility to ensure this situation is avoided at all costs.”

Thousands of lower grade public sector workers have maintained a work-to-rule for several weeks with unions threatening an escalation of action – including work stoppages – unless Budget pay cuts are reversed.

Staff were also angered after payments to senior management were reinstated.

Peter McLoone, chairman of the Public Service Unions Committee (CPSU), said progress had been made on a number of key issues involved with the making of a new public sector pay deal.

However, there were still some fundamental differences to be reconciled, he added.

But CPSU general secretary Blair Horan warned there will be strike action if there is a breakdown in the talks, which are being chaired by Kieran Mulvey of the Labour Relations Commission.

The dispute has already caused chaos in the Passport Office, where there is a backlog of 50,000 applications.

The Community Platform represents 29 national anti-poverty and equality organisations.

It demanded government to do the right thing and work with the Irish Congress if Trade Unions (ICTU) to agree a solution.

Ms Costello continued: “The cuts made over the past year to social welfare, lower paid public servants and vital public services could have been avoided.

“This Government had alternative choices but choose to hit the most vulnerable the hardest.

“The Government now has an opportunity to agree a solution which will protect our public services both from the perspective of those working in the delivery of these services and those in receipt of public services.”