SIPTU chief’s public sector pay ‘fantasy’

THE trade union movement, and in particular Jack O’Connor of SIPTU, continue to resist calls for public sector pay cuts by stating – without evidence – that just 10% of employees in the private sector have taken a pay cut.

It is interesting that in quoting this figure, Mr O’Connor continually fails to mention that approximately another 12% of private sector workers have lost their jobs – that is to say, they have taken a mandatory 100% pay cut.

Can Mr O’Connor tell us how many public sector workers have had to endure a similar fate in recent months?

It is staggering that in an economic climate where the private sector has been forced to reduce its payroll by around 20%, Mr O’Connor and other well-paid union officials persist with the fantasy that the state can continue to pay public sector wages at anything like current rates.

Barry Walsh

Brooklawn

Clontarf

Dublin 3