Treaty terms hypocritical union chief

The amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union is calling for a No vote in the Amsterdam Treaty referendum

The amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union is calling for a No vote in the Amsterdam Treaty referendum. Its regional secretary, Mr Michael O'Reilly, said the treaty would draw Ireland closer to NATO.

He also said that the treaty made "hypocritical references" to combating unemployment but there were no new institutions, no binding requirements and no targets, such as the Maastricht Treaty had. "The framers of the treaty believe that by inserting meaningless aspirations they can cover up their lack of initiative and resources in combating unemployment and poverty," he said.