SIPTU: Solidarity not Social Partnership
national |
worker & community struggles and protests |
opinion/analysis 
Tuesday October 04, 2005 11:47
by seedot
Why SIPTU should say no to another Partnership deal
As the SIPTU biennial delegate conference takes place, Des Derwin analyses the current state of partnership
The current version of Social Partnership has, since it's inception in 1987, been opposed by many in the Trade Union movement. SIPTU has consistently had around 1/3 opposed despite being seen as the majotr proponent of this approach to industrial relations. Before every set of negotiations the trade union movement makes noises about pulling out of partnership and returning to local bargaining - but this year the stances seem stronger and have come earlier driven in part by the Irish Ferries dispute.
In the attached pamphlet, to be distributed at the BDC Des Derwin, a consistent opponent of social partnership, makes the case that the problems lie much deeper than an individual dispute and go to the route of the malaise in trade unionism in Ireland. He covers a number of disputes, trade union density, tax and pay and, of course, rip off Ireland.
Social Partnership will be debated this Thursday and Des will come back and give his report.
Pamphlet from Des Derwin
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Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3Apologies, this is not about main post above, but about siptu.
I spoke to a couple of shop stewards attending the big siptu meeting this week in Cork. Surprising that none of them even consider supporting siptu workers in Shannon who do not want to sevice undercover CIA jets servicing clandestine interrogation centres and regularly transitting SNN. Disgracefully they say that its up to siptu members on the ground in SNN who oppose US military use of that civilian airport must themselves ask the head honchos of siptu for back up.
Surely the leadership of siptu should issue a statement indicating support of such members who do not want active collabotation in assisting illegal war in Iraq?!
Siptu should be barred from all antiwar platforms until they walk the useless talk they come out with.
Disgrace or not, banning the biggest union in the country from peace marches doesn't seem the best way to win people to the cause.
An excellent piece of work. The emphasis on the need to rebuild organisation and to take trade unionism out to the non-union sector distinguishes it from the usual anti-partnership screed. Well done, Des.
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