Campaign urges workers to 'pay the government back' by rejecting pay deal

A press conference held this morning by a panel of leading trade unionists outlined the reasons behind their opposition to the proposed national pay deal.

Dennis Keane, a former president and current executive member of the CPSU which represents thousands of low paid civil servants, called on its members to reject the deal.

Christy Glynn from ASTI spoke on the concerns of many teachers about this deal.

Other speakers included a number of SIPTU shop stewards from the transport and fire services, who spoke in a personal capacity on their opposition to the deal. John Kidd and John McCamley represented workers at the front line of public services.John Kidd reminded journalists and politicians of the death of two firemen last year in Bray, working to save lives in the community.

These trade unionists have come together to outline their concerns on the proposed pay deal and to urge all workers to reject the deal; a deal which many claim is effectively a pay cut.

There is growing concern among trade unionists that accepting this deal means agreeing that workers should shoulder the costs of the recession and economic crisis.

Jimmy Kelly has stated that this deal has failed to address any of the concerns of unions on pay, pensions or workers rights.'

Brendan Ogle described the scenario whereby one company members of his union work made profits of €500 million this year. There was no way he, as a trade unionist could recommend a pay freeze and then a below inflation pay cut. He said that there was no deal on the table as far as he was concerned.

The campaign also welcomed the decision by Siptu's education branch with over 2,500 members to urge its members to reject the deal.
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John McCambley, Dublin Bus, Siptu

Denis Keane, CPSU

John Kidd, Fire Brigade, Siptu

Brendan Ogle, Unite