Ictu to decide treaty stance next week

The leadership of the trade union movement is to meet next week to consider its position on the referendum on the fiscal compact.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions general secretary David Begg said union leaders would meet on March 9th to consider the referendum, although he added a consensus position may not be reached.

This afternoon over 100 trade unionists staged a protest outside the EU Commission offices in Dublin against austerity policies and unemployment.

Speaking at the protest Mr Begg said: “The jobless rate remains high and shows no sign of falling.”

He said this coupled with the latest fall in retail sales show domestic demand has “collapsed”.

“If we want to boost job creation we will have to boost domestic demand,” he added.

Today’s picket was organised as part of a pan-European trade union day of action calling for policies to create jobs and boost growth in the region.