Workplace News

The public sector work-to-rule is in full swing but behind the scenes, senior trade union officials are engaged in an attempt to start new negotiations with the government.

Joe Higgins, Socialist Party MEP demands Green Isle Foods reinstate three sacked workers as recommended by Labour Relations Commission.

Responding to the news of Bank of Scotland (Ireland)'s decision to close its Halifax outlets with the resulting loss of 750 jobs Socialist Party MEP Joe Higgins commented.

Halifax informed 750 workers over a conference call that they will be joining the dole queues. Profit and self-preservation come at all costs for the senior bankers even at the cost of jobs and services. Halifax came to Ireland to make profits. Now the bubble is burst they are viciously axing jobs and services.

A generalised assault is underway against the pay and conditions of workers in the private health sector. In the likes of the Bon Secours and the Mater Private the employers have sought to impliment paycuts in line with the governement attacks on public service pay.

Ann Orr spoke to Laura who is married to a public sector worker who prior to the recent pay cuts earned €28,000 a year. They are both in their twenties and have a son who is nearly two years old.

Joe Higgins MEP supports public service workers' industrial action to reverse savage wage cuts. However more determined action than "work to rule" will be needed to force goverment reversal of pay cuts.

ICTU’S SO-CALLED "plan of action" to oppose the pay cuts imposed on public sector workers is vague and doesn’t outline a clear strategy as to how the cuts can be reversed.

Having been suspended without pay by their new employers Stobart, 25 ex Tescos truck drivers (members of SIPTU) have placed a picket on the giant Tesco warehouse in Donabate in North County Dublin.