Gilmore welcomes resumption of government/union talks
Issued : Friday 12 March, 2010
Statement by Eamon Gilmore TD
Leader of the Labour Party, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade
I welcome the decision of the government to invite the public service unions to resume talks and the positive response to the invitation by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
The decision of the government last December to show the unions the door and to unilaterally impose pay cuts on all public sector workers, including those on the lowest rates, has created a very poor industrial relations climate.
It meant an opportunity to deliver major public reform in the public service was missed, the morale of public servants was greatly undermined and services on which the public depend have been disrupted by the industrial action that was always likely to flow from the government’s action.
The renewed talks now provide, possibly the final opportunity to undo the damage created by the government approach, to deliver real improvements in public services and to repair the relationship between government and unions.
Firm political leadership will be required if the talks are to be successful and it is important that the Taoiseach involves himself directly in the process.
The unilateral pay cuts imposed by the government are now part of the problem and must clearly also be part of any solution.
