UNI0N STANCE:TAOISEACH BRIAN Cowen has refused to concede to Siptu's demand for automatic collective bargaining rights for all workers as its price for backing the Lisbon Treaty.
The country's largest union yesterday said it would not support a call for a Yes vote unless the Government brought forward legislation guaranteeing workers the right to be represented in talks with employers.
The treaty's Charter of Fundamental Rights recognises workers' rights to collective bargaining "in accordance with community law and national law and practices".
However, the Government has so far refused to compel employers to deal with unions, arguing that this could damage jobs and investment.
Siptu president Jack O'Connor said the union would not support what it terms a "watered down" version of the Lisbon Treaty that exposed workers to free-market exploitation while denying them its protections. However, the Taoiseach, speaking in Cavan last night, ruled out immediate concessions, insisting that such matters must be dealt with in social partnership talks.
"All I can say about that is that we would seek to get a fair and effective outcome for all parties in respect of that, but it is not an issue that will be resolved before June 12th [polling day], and it is not an issue on which I can give any definitive commitment outside those partnership talks. It would be wrong to do so."
Accepting that the charter reaffirmed the right of workers, employers and representative bodies to negotiate and conclude agreements, Siptu said its application in Ireland was doubtful because of the lack of domestic legislation.
Following a meeting yesterday of its national executive council, the union said the Lisbon Treaty "although free market and competition-focused, nonetheless reflects the original balanced social market approach".
"Siptu would recommend a Yes vote if the Government committed to legislating for collective bargaining rights - including prohibition on discrimination against workers seeking to exercise this right at any time between now and the referendum."
Mr O'Connor said the union's stance was not "some shoddy attempt" to influence the current social partnership talks but an attempt to ensure "ordinary working people can to some extent at least counter the power of global capital in society".
Labour's spokesman on European Affairs, Joe Costello, said the failure of Siptu to " give leadership and guidance to its members" on the vote was disappointing.
"The Labour Party will continue to urge all trade union members to follow the clear advice given by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the European Trade Union Confederation to support the treaty."
Mr Cowen welcomed the generally positive interpretation of the treaty taken by Siptu which, he said, "is a good thing for workers".
Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney said just 500,000 out of 2.1 million workers in Ireland were union members.
"We have to be sensible and pragmatic about this, not ideological. A huge number do not belong to unions.
"Many feel that they do not need to be, and feel that they get their rights and entitlements.
"Modern business and management is about keeping people involved.
"The main issues with unions happen in the public sector, not in the private."
Meanwhile, contacts are being made between the Taoiseach's office and the Irish Farmers' Association before its key national council meeting on Tuesday, at which the IFA will discuss its stance on the referendum.
Mr Cowen, however, continues to rule out offering a commitment that the Government would veto a world trade deal which would adversely affect Irish agriculture.
The IFA has indicated that farmers may not support the treaty in the absence of such a commitment.