Unions put social partnership talks on hold
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions tonight agreed not to recommend that its members should enter a new round of talks on social partnership.
Following a two hour emergency meeting of the executive council, the 25 delegates voted unanimously in favour of deferring a decision on when they would begin negotiations on pay and employment contracts.
Congress delegates from 57 affiliate unions, including the country’s largest union SIPTU, will meet tomorrow to discuss a way forward.
The move came hours after SIPTU delegates voted overwhelmingly in favour of putting off a decision on entering new talks with the Government and employers.
Union leaders insisted they needed better assurances from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that workers, in particular immigrants, would be given increased protection.
They said steps had to be taken to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers.
Some 450 SIPTU delegates voted unanimously in favour of urging Congress to defer a decision on whether to enter the talks.
Jack O’Connor, SIPTU president, said the Government had to do more to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers.
He said there was real need for improved protection for immigrants following the controversies at GAMA Construction and Irish Ferries which saw foreign staff being paid less than Irish workers.
Mr O’Connor told the conference that new licensing rules were needed in relation to maritime law and the number of labour inspectors had to be increased.
The union chief briefed delegates on a letter from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern outlining his commitment to stopping the so-called race to the bottom in employment standards.
Mr O’Connor welcomed the comments but insisted the union needed further reassurance on how aspirations could be turned into action.
Ahead of the vote he warned delegates not to rush to any decision over social partnership.
“Think long and hard before you vote for this motion because it could mean that we could be out of social partnership,” Mr O’Connor warned the conference.
“There would be plenty of forces that would like to see us out of the talks and it could be a long time before we get our feet under the table again.
“Those powerful forces will be working to ensure that the representatives of the Irish working class do not get their feet under the table again. Think hard delegates before you vote.”
Mr O’Connor also hit out at IBEC, the business federation, for its attitude towards the Irish Ferries dispute.
It also emerged SIPTU has appointed its own legal team to examine maritime law and assess what can be done to stop Irish Ferries using cheap labour on its boats.
