One hundred civil servants at the Office of Public Works went on strike yesterday afternoon over internal methods of promotion, and picketed five Government offices in Dublin and Kilkenny.
The Public Service Executive Union (PSEU), which represents middle-rank civil servants, had decided on a series of half-day work stoppages on January 15th. The union claims the OPW had departed from existing procedures when promoting five staff members to higher executive positions. The OPW has rejected this claim, and says the promotions were in accordance with standard practice.
Management met union representatives last Friday in an attempt to avert the proposed half-day work stoppages. The management said a document codifying promotion procedures was being written and would be supplied to the union by the end of March.
The document is to include a review of promotion policy in other Government Departments.
This offer was not satisfactory, according to the assistant general secretary of the PSEU, Mr Tom Geraghty. He added: "We are anxious to see it resolved in the more immediate future."
A second dispute, concerning the appointment of a private secretary from outside the Department by the Minister of State, Mr Martin Cullen, continues. Union members are refusing to handle letters for the Minister or prepare answers to Oireachtas questions.
