The TUI and all public service unions are facing unprecedented attacks on our pay and conditions. The Union agreed to support the nationwide strike scheduled for 30 March 2009 and accepted the ICTU position that the strike was aimed at persuading the Government to enter credible negotiations on a social solidarity pact.  The TUI gave its support to the ICTU ten point plan, called “There is a better fairer way”, and we awaited the outcome of that initiative.

The Government responded by repudiating the union position and making further attacks on our conditions.  Teachers and lecturers have now lost the percentages of pay discounted against our pensions by the benchmarking exercise, the awards guaranteed under the National Agreement, the clawbacks imposed by the so-called pension levy and other levies, the direct pay cut imposed in the latest budget, along with having to run a high quality education service with an embargo on promotions and appointments, while the Government demands unpaid productivity increases to repair the damage of cuts in funding and resources.

TUI insisted that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions publicly condemn and oppose the moratorium on promotions and appointments and actively oppose the unjust pension levy.  The leadership of ICTU, however, indicated an intention to seek a national agreement with the Government to trade concessions on pay and conditions by workers in exchange for a promise not to attack pensions, basic pay or permanency of employment.  Not only did ICTU negotiate from a historically weak position but we must recognise that the Government has already broken the last agreement, and nothing indicates that they would be reluctant to do so again.  To negotiate under threat and to aim at damage limitation is dangerous and short sighted.

Jack O’Connor of SIPTU has recently admitted the error of that strategy when he referred to “The Myth of Social Partnership, which has been shown to provide a surplus of access and a deficit of influence.”

The Government is not seeking an accommodation with the trade unions on the basis of goodwill.  They are committed to making a huge reduction in public expenditure at our expense and at the expense of public services.  If we give an inch they will feel duty bound to take a mile.  The Táiniste recently stated that the Government is committed to its transformation agenda, which is simply a plan to reduce public expenditure by asset stripping the public service, and that further cuts in the pay of public servants may be made if necessary.

TUI members want to, and can be effective in the fightback which workers want and will support, and which can resist the attack of a rudderless lame duck Government.  Unions must avoid making solo runs which will allow us to be picked off one at a time.  We must work in solidarity with our colleagues in the teacher and other public service unions to harness and use the strength of the trade union movement to halt and reverse the policy of decimating the public service with out regard for justice or common sense.