Unions must fight for workers against wage cuts

MY blood is boiling by Minister Richard Bruton’s brutal reform of wage agreements.

These tactics intend to put an end to extra pay for unsociable working hours such as Sundays, etc. These cuts are being justified as a so-called resolution to unemployment, while also feathering employers’ nests.

Don’t forget or be fooled that this is an already agreed stipulation for the EU/IMF bailout. These worker’s pay agreements and conditions were not easily achieved and now, the lowest paid workers in the retail and service sectors, who are already suffering minimum wage and even lower, are being further penalised.

This stems from “social partnership,” which now has become our death knell. We are reaping what has been sown by employer/union agreements, which have tied every trade union member up in knots. I have not heard any of the very highly-paid trade union leaders shout their opposition, so perhaps they are being silenced by their so-called Labour colleagues in government?

This would most certainly not be tolerated in France, a country that knows how to look after their citizens working rights. I call on union leaders to come out of hiding, put their necks on the line for change, and fight for the workers.

Teresa Cotter

Carrigaline

Co Cork