A chara, - The scheme workers branch of the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union warmly welcomes Padraig O'Morain's article "Overworked in a Tiger Economy that Yields a Meagre Livelihood" (May 28th). The Irish Times, by publishing this article, has brought the plight of low paid Community Employment workers to its readers' attention.
Mr O'Morain, referring to workers on Community Employment schemes, stated: "And the question of paying them a real working wage seems never to arise. Yet there is little doubt that were the scheme workers to stop what they are doing the social fabric would collapse."
We completely concur in this assessment and believe that this article is a clear exposition of how the rising tide of the economy has failed to lift the pay boats of this country's 40,000 CE workers. It paints a picture of highly trained and dedicated people who carry out valuable work which frequently goes without recognition or proper recompense for extra hours worked.
The recently introduced three year Job Initiative Programme is a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, after the loss of rent, fuel allowance, and other deductions it leaves a single person still on low pay after working a full week.
At present, the scheme workers' branch of the ATGWU, the only Irish trade union branch exclusively devoted to the needs of scheme workers, is campaigning for an immediate £10 pay rise for CE workers. When the FAS schemes were established in 1985, the then Social Employment Scheme workers were paid £70 a week. In April 1987 the rate was cut by £10. We want this cut restored and seek the introduction of a proper mechanism for setting and reviewing the rates of pay of scheme workers.
Scheme workers, the hidden workforce of Irish society, have for too long been ignored. The scheme workers' branch of the ATGWU will continue to campaign for proper rights, conditions and pay for all scheme workers. - Le meas,
Chair,
MARTIN WALSH,
Secretary,
(Scheme Workers' Branch)
ATGWU
Dublin 1.