THE CENTRAL executive council of Impact is to meet today to decide the union’s position on the national day of strikes scheduled for next Monday after its members narrowly failed to approve participation in the action.
In a ballot which was counted yesterday, 65 per cent of Impact members voted in favour of taking part in the strike action which is being organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu).
However, under the rules of the union dealing with industrial action ballots, a two-thirds majority is needed.
The central executive committee is expected to examine its rulebook today to see if it has any discretion in relation to the decision on the strike action.
A spokesman for Impact declined to say if the ballot result would mean that Impact would not be taking part in the strike.
A failure on the part of Impact to take part in the day of action would be a significant blow to the campaign organised by Ictu given that the union is the largest in the public sector.
The day of strikes is being organised by Ictu in protest at the Government’s handling of the economy and the refusal of some employers to pay wage increases agreed as part of the national pay deal negotiated last autumn.
In a newsletter to members yesterday, Impact said its ballot result fell “marginally short of the two-thirds majority required under the union’s Rule 25 which deals with industrial action ballots”.
Impact said there was a 53 per cent turnout in its ballot.
There had been 21,518 votes in favour of the strike action, but 11,576 against.
Already large parts of the public sector, including schools and health sector facilities, are likely to be affected by the planned strikes.
All four teaching unions have voted to take part in the action, which is set to lead to the closure of thousands of schools. Health sector unions are also to take part, although they have stated that essential services will be provided.
Transport services are also likely to be hit. Siptu announced on Sunday the three State airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon were likely to be closed on Monday morning as staff had voted to take part in an eight-hour stoppage.
Services at Dublin Bus, affecting nearly 500,000 passengers, could be hit by a separate dispute from this weekend if management proceeds with plans to implement controversial cost-cutting plans without agreement.
Union members at the company last week voted to reject compromise proposals drawn up at the Labour Relations Commission.
Following the workers’ rejection of of the LRC proposals, Dublin Bus said it would move to implement its original cost-effectiveness plan involving about 290 staff layoffs, including 160 probationary drivers, and the removal of 120 buses from its fleet.