One of the country’s largest trade unions is to ballot its public sector members for strike action over proposed pay and spending cuts.
Unite has thousands of members across the education, government and health sectors and is gearing up for Congress’ massive national day of protest on November 6th.
Jimmy Kelly, Irish regional secretary, vowed the campaign was about the right of every person to be paid a fair wage for a fair day’s work.
“This is not just a political campaign which will make noise but get nowhere,” Mr Kelly said.
“It is not about public or private sectors. It is about the right of every working person in Ireland to be treated with respect.
“It is about the right to have the pensions they have paid into protected, and to be governed by leaders who put people first.” Unite represents 60,000 members and is the country’s second largest trade union.
The ballot, seeking a mandate for action up to and including full strike action, was agreed at a meeting of union officials, shop stewards and workplace representatives in Dublin.
It will be held over two weeks as part of the preparation for the Irish Congress of Trade Union’s National Day of Protest.
The umbrella group plans to work with trade unionists nationwide to co-ordinate its biggest ever campaign against what it described as the Government’s lack of action over the jobs crisis, threats to public services and threats to people’s income.
The union is also demanding a pension protection plan be introduced immediately.
Government ministers have warned of the need for further public sector cuts in the upcoming budget.
“Unite and other unions are standing up for these rights of every working person in Ireland, regardless of colour, creed or employer,” Mr Kelly said.
“This union will encourage every one of its members to participate in the protest on November 6th and we will have a strong presence at every one of the regional protest locations.”
PA