Trade unions are to launch a “sustained campaign of opposition” to pay cuts, job losses, reduced public services and aggressive tactics being pursued by some employers.
Speaking after a meeting of the Irish Congress of Trade Union (Ictu) executive, President Jack O’Connor said nothing can be ruled out as part of the new campaign including strike action.
The precise nature of the campaign will be determined at the further Ictu meeting at the end of the month.
Mr O’Connor said workers “were being battered into the ground” in a number of current disputes while the Government was focussed on Nama, bond holders and share holders.
He said “a campaign of resistance equal to the aggression being waged against workers” would be needed.
Mr O’Connor said in a number of current disputes, employers were refusing to go to the Labour Court and were pursuing aggressive tactics to bring about pay cuts and job losses.
Ictu general secretary David Begg said lengthy talks with the Government over recent months to deal with the unemployment crisis have not produced anything.
He said only a certain amount of time could be given for engagement with the Government and if this was not going anywhere, they would have to find another way to convey the strength of feelings of their members.