Time for public sector workers to withdraw from ICTU

by Rational Ecologist Thu Dec 10, 2009 16:15

ICTU, Begg & Co. and the unions in general let the country down over the last decade, not just since the downturn. I'm afraid they contributed to an inflated economy, built on fantasy, by playing ball with Bertie&Co. Now, I hate to say it, cuts are inevitable and probably necessary. It is a pity that the tax base hasn't been widened and high earners hit harder, however, that wouldn't be enough to plug the hole.
How did we arrive at a situation where senior union officials earn such huge salaries? Answer: They too bought the Celtic Tiger Bullshit.
Unions should have had us on the streets in 2001, 2002..........

by Stabillo Boss Fri Dec 11, 2009 11:49

Agree with most of this but the answer is democratisation and not fragmentation of the trade union movement.

The establishment of a public sector only new Congress would cement private-public divisions.

The place to start is in your own union. The TUI full-time leadership was part of the ICTU talks! The same for the general secretaries etc. of the other public sector unions.

Taking the TUI out of Congress as it (the TUI) is now structured would change little in the TUI.

If you have the strength to pull the TUI out of Congress you have the strength to organise a rank and file revolt across the TUI and the public sector that will change the TUI and the public sector unions. You would have the strength too to resist these cuts.

Congrats on meeting last night.

by Rational Ecologist Fri Dec 11, 2009 14:11

It's not a them versus us situation. I would look to protect wages under 30k. Benchmarking was a mistake and was part of the Celtic Tiger madness. I would love to have the salary, conditions and pension of teachers of my acquaintance. I can't afford to have a pension.
The last thing this country needs are strikes, however, if people want to make an issue of the social welfare cuts and young people, then I'm there.

by Stabilo Boss Fri Dec 11, 2009 18:59

The first thing the workers of the country need right now is strikes.

by sligored Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:59

I can't believe what I heard on Ocean FM yesterday Friday 11th December 2009. John Mc Carrick the SIPTU Sligo secetary was calling on public workers to go to Enniskillen, and other Northern Ireland towns to shop,and send the receipts to the Minister of Finance. Is the man mad. Has he lost the run of himself. What about SIPTU and other unions that have members in Dunne's Tesco and all the other stores. Has he forgot who is paying his exorbitant wages. The man should resign immediately . He is betraying workers in Sligo and other towns in the North West. he is turning private workers against public workers far more than the media or the government have. The man is an ass

by Michael Gallaghher Sat Dec 12, 2009 19:50

Agreed Stabillo, but SIPTU are trying to block any dissent and new people breaking through. I only found this out last month from the SWP website. Check it yourself, they have changed the rules regards elections to officer roles.

Meanwhile, already there are moves afoot to mobilise a layer within poltical parties, trade unions and community groups to do something against these cuts. Whatever about pay cuts, the people on the margins who are falling off the boat don't have time to wait until the next general election is due. I believe that the way forward should be focused on ICTU members DEMANDING that the leadership mobilise to bring down this government and reverse the cuts as a first step in trying to get our country back. We are in the pockets of the World Bank, IMF, their gangster politicians and businessmen friends etc. If they refuse, then the rank and file should discuss ways of taking on the task themselves and IGNORE ICTU and demand that they resign!! A good starting point would be to mobilise in the number of trade unions that are not dictated to by ICTU, UNITE and IWU etc

O'Connor and Begg etc are too set in their ways, are they capable of changing? What about the trickle down to the lackies like Eric Fleming etc, are they capable of changing?? If they are, well let them prove it. They talk the Connolly/Larkin talk, well let's see them call for mass mobilisation, but this time walk the Connolly/Larkin walk and march to the top of the hill, and don't move from those gates until this government resigns!! Don't hold your breath.

Try DCTV and You Tube Trade Union TV for videos of last Thursdays meeting in UNITE.

Photos essays etc on workers rights etc @ http://www.myspace.com/libertypix

Thanks for looking.

by Rational Ecologist Mon Dec 14, 2009 11:14

So the Government resigns and then what happens? Fine Gael and Labour coalition? The unions shut up for the last 10 years, because they gained from the neo-liberal system. They should go away and shut up. They have no credibility, no mandate.
We needed a left-wing approach 10 years ago. I'm afraid Shergar is gone and there's no point painting the door red at this stage.