Frontline workers to step up campaign against pay cuts
Emergency services workers have vowed to step up a campaign against public sector pay cuts.
The 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance said it will hold town hall meetings across the country as part of its opposition to the Croke Park II deal.
Gatherings have been organised for Letterkenny, Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Portlaoise, Tralee and Dublin.
The alliance – which includes the CPSU, IMO, INMO and Unite trade unions – said the meetings are being organised to allow frontline emergency staff to vent their anger at the cost-cutting agreement between the Government and other public sector unions.
“The rally at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght last month illustrated the mood of defiance,” said a spokesman.
“The regional meetings will give voice locally to that anger.”
The alliance said the recent publication by financial experts of the real cost of the Croke Park II deal “starkly illustrated” how badly workers will be hit.
Last week it released an analysis which said emergency worker pay could be cut by as much as 11.4% under the terms of the agreement. Longer working hours, the abolition of certain payments and reduced overtime pay would have an impact on gardai, nurses, firefighters, paramedics and care assistants, the review said.
