THE IRISH Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) has outlined a programme of industrial action as part of its campaign against reductions in public service pay.
Talks between Government and public service unions collapsed ahead of the budget. Ictu’s Public Services Committee yesterday said its members did not want to take action that would inconvenience the public. “However, the Government has ensured that there is now no alternative. The consequences of that situation rest firmly at the Government’s door,” secretary Tom Geraghty said.
Mr Geraghty issued a document outlining action in the health service as well as the local government and education sectors.
The industrial action outlined “will first come in the form of total non-co-operation with the management change agenda”. The strategy also includes provision for further strikes “if necessary”. It also outlines the possibility of demonstrations and protests.
Ictu has called on members of all unions to support the campaign, which could involve contacting backbench TDs “with a view to continually reminding them of the consequences of their actions . . . This could involve targeting vulnerable seats.”
In the health service, the document proposes the withdrawal of all co-operation with change and modernisation programmes, including related redeployment. “This will involve a withdrawal of all goodwill services and additional time which is currently given on a non-paid basis. Further consideration will be given to escalating this action to include an overtime ban across all grades in the services,” the document said.
“In the event of management action being initiated against any member adhering to the union instruction, health service unions have agreed to initiate a solidarity pact involving unified action across all grades and unions up to and including work stoppages.”
In the local government sector, the document calls for non-co-operation by members of some unions with all local authorities, VECs and boards of governors, meetings and sub-committees.
It also suggests non-co-operation by members of some unions with work associated with vacant posts. “The massive public service transformation package, which would have been delivered as part of an overall agreement, is now off the table because the Government chose to walk away from the deal,” the document said.
In institutes of technology and other third-level colleges, the document calls for a review of all of the commitments made under Sustaining Progress and Towards 2016, “with a view to ceasing co-operation . . . as appropriate”.
Ictu has accused the Government of deciding to forego the opportunity to reach an agreed settlement with its employees “in favour of an approach based solely on the principle of attack”.
It said it was determined to ensure public servants were treated with fairness and respect and resolved to take “action necessary to protect public servants’ pay, pensions and tenure”.
The Government did not respond last night.
Blair Horan of the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU) said his union would hold a conference on January 26th, after which members would be balloted on strike action. He said “targeted action” which would not involve the entire public service could take place, as well as half-day or one-day strikes.
Mr Horan said his union’s upcoming conference would focus on the impact of cuts on low-paid people. “We are not going on strike to get top earners back all their money,” he added.
Siptu president Jack O’Connor said the potential to conclude an agreement with the Government remained, but the Coalition had to be shown that unions were serious on the issue of strikes. “In order to make peace we have to prepare for war,” he added.
