AT A time when social solidarity and a sense of personal responsibility are needed as never before, employees in the most protected sector of the economy have behaved selfishly. A one-day strike by a quarter of a million State workers – and the threat of more to come – has damaged our international reputation and made the task of economic recovery even more difficult. When all the rhetoric and special pleading by trade union leaders is stripped away, what is left is the unattractive face of mé féinism.
Public sector workers can argue they are not responsible for the recession and that they have already been forced to pay a pension levy. But their anger at the banking sector; at the Government’s mishandling of the situation and the various regulatory failures that contributed to our current difficulties is shared by workers in the private sector and does not exempt them from the tough fiscal actions that are now required to correct the public finances. Just as their colleagues in the flooded regions of the west and south continued to work yesterday in order to help threatened communities, they also have a duty of care to the citizens of this State. The threat posed to the future welfare of Irish society by a €25 billion shortfall in the public finances is as immediate and fundamental as the rising waters of the Shannon.
This is a time of national emergency. There is no point in vested interests demanding that others should carry the burden of financial repairs, while seeking immunity for themselves. Every individual and group should be required to contribute according to their means. Next month’s budget will represent just the first step in an extended recovery programme that will, inevitably, involve reform of the taxation base and a restructuring of the State’s public services.
The Government and the main Opposition parties have acknowledged the need for a €4 billion cut in public spending next year. And while they disagree on how those savings might be achieved, they accept it will be necessary if public debt is not to spiral out of control. The Government plans to save one-third of this amount on the public pay and pensions bill. It has invited public sector unions to discuss the issues today. For their part, union leaders have offered to consider changes in work practices and reductions in numbers. They have urged delay in repairing the public finances. And they have threatened further industrial action if pay cuts are imposed. On the face of it, it would seem impossible for the Government to achieve its proposed savings without confrontation.
Strike action solves nothing. It sows the seeds of division at a time when we need to work together. It is being used here to defend the existing pay and conditions of a privileged group of workers. If the Government backs off, additional cuts in services and welfare benefits will be required. The most vulnerable sections of society will be affected. That would be neither equitable nor fair in current circumstances. If social partnership means anything, it should involve discipline and responsibility. This will be its ultimate test.