Unions must put country’s best interests first

THE ESB threat to strike from June 21 is a potentially devastating blow to the Irish economy.

As a State monopoly, providing a vital service to the country, it should be illegal for the ESB to strike. However, this is not the case.

It is about time the union movement in Ireland comes to understand that what is best for the country supersedes union interests. Furthermore, only the most uninitiated can claim, as does the union representing the ESB workers, that increased competition will lead to higher prices for the Irish consumers.

Perhaps the Government should take a leaf from the book of Ronald Reagan who, as US president in the 1980s, warned air traffic controllers that if they went on strike, they would all be fired.

PATCO, the air traffic controllers’ union, went ahead with strike action. Reagan was true to his word. Having given PATCO 48 hours to call off the action and return to work, he fired every striking union member.

Contrary to the rantings of PATCO as to the impending doom facing the flying public, due to the lack of ‘professional’ air traffic controllers, air safety in the US was maintained and improved — and with a great many fewer workers.

There has not been a strike of national stature in the US since. I have no doubt a similar outcome can be achieved in Ireland.

John O’Rielly

2577 Idlewood Rd

Cleveland Heights

Ohio, US