SIPTU letter to members

national | miscellaneous | news report Friday March 19, 2004 17:52 by SIPTU member

Why strike was called off

Simple Jack says!!!

March 18, 2004

Dear Member,

We are writing to explain the reason why we decided to call off the one day strike in the CIE group of companies scheduled for today.

A number of steps are required if we are to secure jobs and quality of employment in face of the privatisation proposals which are being promoted vigorously by Transport Minister, Seamus Brennan. We must endeavour to negotiate an agreement, which preserves the services provided by the CIE group of companies, as well as acceptable terms for any reform. It is critical that any change serves the public interest rather than the private greed and self-interest of would be profiteers.

It is also critical to ensure, that any element of competition is not conducted on the basis of achieving cost advantage through a “race to the bottom” on pay and terms of employment. Otherwise current standards of employment and job security in CIE will be totally undermined. Although Government spokespersons have said that they had no desire to bring this about, until now, they were very careful to avoid entering into any commitment to try to prevent it. On last Monday evening, the Taoiseach entered into a specific and clear written commitment to this end, for the first time, stating as follows: “I note your concern on the need for measures to ensure that standards of employment are protected and that ‘a race to the bottom’ is avoided. I confirm that we will engage with the trade unions on measures to address these concerns.”

We have no illusions on the difficulties in turning this commitment into concrete measures because one of the major consequences of privatisation is enhanced profits through the erosion of pay and conditions and job security, through the process of competition.

However, we believe that we must hold firm on this and put it up to the Taoiseach and the Government to deliver on the commitment. It is critical that we do so, because before we are to embark on industrial action in the future, we must be able to show the public that we have exhausted all other possibilities. The way we treat the public and make our case to them may be critical to the outcome for all our members.

We very much appreciate how frustrated you feel arising from yesterday’s decision. We ask you to bear with us so that we can all concentrate on fighting this critical battle against the very powerful forces marshalled behind Minister Brennan’s proposals.

Yours fraternally
Jack O’Connor Joe O’Flynn Brendan Hayes
General President General Secretary Vice President

Barbara Kelly
Public Relations Official