Siptu warns of industrial action

Siptu general president Jack O'Connor warned today that the union would engage in a sustained campaign of industrial action if agreement could not be reached on a new plan for economic recovery by May 1st.

Mr O'Connor said unions and Government had “diametrically opposite” perspectives on the economic crisis and he issued the May 1st ultimatum to establish whether an agreement can be reached with the social partners.

Speaking on RTÉ radio, Mr O'Connor said Siptu would engage in industrial action if the parties to the talks could not find the basis for an agreement that would address the key issues facing workers.

Mr O’Connor, who is also vice president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu), said in a speech at the weekend that unions agreed with Government that Ireland faced “the biggest negative adjustment since the foundation of the State”.

“This is the stark reality and to this extent we agree with the analysis offered by the Government and the employers’ organisations,” Mr O’Connor said during a speech delivered in Limerick and released today. Mr O'Connor was speaking in advance of the resumption of talks on a national recovery programme.

“However, after that we part company in a very dramatic way, because we approach the crisis, as is the case in respect of virtually everything else, from a diametrically opposite perspective

“The issue turns on the prioritisation of interests. Which comes first - the interests of shareholders or those of the stakeholders – that is, the citizens of Ireland? We opt for the latter and insist on a ‘social dividend’ in return for co-operation in this time of crisis.”

Mr O’Connor said a “social dividend” would tackle the lack of adequate occupational pension coverage in return for trade union co-operation in tackling the economic crisis.

He said tens of thousands of workers either had no scheme at present or are in schemes threatened with insolvency. The dividend would provide them with a worthwhile reward for sacrifices now to save the economy, Mr O’Connor added.

Commenting on the newly formed National Assets Management Agency (Nama), he said the banks should be nationalised instead.

“Unfortunately, while we in Siptu are vehemently opposed to this socialisation of recklessly accumulated risk, it is now clear the Government will not be dissuaded from proceeding with it.

“Their approach is determined by the same outlook which elected for speculation over sustainable development back at the end of 1990s. It is an outlook which is not necessarily inherently corrupt in itself. It simply sees no alternative economic strategy other than dancing to the tune dictated by high finance.”

He said whatever State entity emerged from the banking crisis would become the “largest single property owner in Ireland”.

“In a country where 10 per cent of our housing lies idle because of unrealistic asking prices and where there are well over 55,000 families on the local authority housing lists, there is an obvious and urgent need to ensure that this housing stock is utilised to eliminate homelessness and not left to rot”.