Low-paid should march on trade union offices

LOW-PAID workers – those whose wages for a 40-hour week start and end below €20,000 – should march on the headquarters and regional offices of their unions and demand a refund of their contributions for the past 10 years.

By accepting percentage pay rises with opt-out clauses, unions have impoverished the low paid.

In the absence of employment legislation many union members have no pensions, no sickness benefit, unpaid overtime and minimum holidays.

Weasel employers have for many years used the “inability to pay” clause to circumvent national wage agreements. Union chiefs have never brought this up as an issue in any public debate with employers.

IBEC has regarded this silence as approval of its policies of exploitation of those who work the longest hours for the least pay. The evaporation of the economy has exposed many to ridicule. It is time to tell the union bosses they have no clothes on.

Dan Costello

Castleowen

Blarney

Co Cork