Justice for Kilkenny man Jack Kavanagh

national | workers issues | opinion/analysis Monday July 02, 2012 19:31 by Justice Delayed

Jack Kavanagh of Larchfield, Kilkenny is a man who believes himself to have been unfairly treated by SIPTU. He has a long-running grievance concerning payments he believes he is entitled to from his days as a worker with Kilkenny County Council.

Jack Kavanagh picketing the SIPTU office in Kilkenny

But it isn’t the Council Jack is angry with. It’s SIPTU. In his view, the Union has failed to fight for his rights in the matter, despite the fact that he was a longstanding member of the Union and indeed a highly respected and successful Shop Steward for almost twenty years.
Here is Jack’s recollection of where the problems for him began:
“I drove a tractor for two seasons, cutting grass for Kilkenny County Council. Despite performing this task to the best of my ability and in accordance with all due procedures, I received no greasing allowance, which would have covered one and a half hours per week.
“This hurt, because I knew of other KCC workers who DID receive that allowance.

“Over the years I had driven the tractor dutifully and the resulting workmanship was always of a high standard, but never had I received the greasing allowance that I believed, and still believe, I ought to be entitled to as of right.

“I brought this fact to the attention of management on numerous occasions, but to no avail. The County Council appeared insensitive to my plight.

“In addition I wish to state that I was a Shop Steward (with SIPTU) for twenty years with KCC, during the course of which I raised the grievances of union members whenever I was approached to do so.

“Whatever the reason, I lost out badly on overtime benefits.

“In 2006 and 2007, when work had to be done in relation to the homecoming of the Kilkenny hurling teams, other workers DID receive the overtime payment for their work…but I did not.

“In the course of the building of the Kilkenny Ring Road, a substantial amount of overtime was paid out, but I received the benefit of only one evening’s overtime.

“My persistent claims regarding loss of overtime fell on deaf ears.

“To add insult to injury, other men who drove tractors and performed the various other services for KCC have been treated far more favourably than I had been. They fared infinitely better in terms of securing a greater amount of overtime.

“However, my grievance right now is not with Kilkenny County Council; but with SIPTU. I have been at my wits’ end trying to get the Union that I served so loyally for two decades to effectively pursue up my claim for superannuation and moneys owed to me from my work with Kilkenny County Council.

“I have been coldly shrugged off by the Union, and given the “run-around”...promises by SIPTU to pursue the matter on my behalf have come to nothing.

“I herby PUBLICLY call upon SIPTU to please intervene vigorously on my behalf in this matter so that justice is served and my rights are vindicated.

“After all my years of service to the Union, I think I deserve better than this shameful inaction!”

Jack Kavanagh can be contacted at 087-1279113