More than 4,000 representatives of 70,000 nurses, Gardai (police), firefighters and prison officers have signaled that emergency personnel are prepared to take industrial action to protect their pay.
An angry rally at the National Basketball Stadium in Tallaght, Dublin on Monday attracting 1,500 more delegates than anticipated laid down a firm warning that front-line workers have had enough of pay cuts in Ireland’s battle to beat the recession.
The government wants them to take another €1 billion in cuts over the next three years, and wants to add to their working hours for no extra pay.
The anger of those present at the rally was not confined to the government. There was strong criticism of the leaders of the trade union movement who are currently engaged with public service management on a proposed new deal.
General Secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organization Liam Doran urged those present to tell their local politicians that if they want to be elected again they must support the campaign against the frontline pay cuts. The meeting also heard warnings of possible industrial action.
General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association John Clinton told the meeting that public representatives must realize “there will be trouble ahead if an equitable solution is not found.”
He warned against punishing those who had already made a massive contribution.
John Parker, president of the Garda Representative Association which represents rank-and-file members of the force, confirmed his organization would commence low-level actions such as not using their personal equipment for official duties. He warned this action could be increased incrementally.
“The options are vast, including the full nuclear option. If you do not want to pay us for Saturday night and cut our allowances, we will not be working on Saturday night,” he said.
John Kidd of the Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association said that if the government wanted to test the resolve of his members, there would be no emergency cover provided by the fire service in any dispute.
The emotive gathering saw hundreds of nurses wearing T-shirts saying they would rather emigrate than take further wage cuts.
Delegates heard rallying calls for those unions that are still engaged in talks to renegotiate the Croke Park Agreement to walk away and join in the protests.
Seamus Murphy, deputy general secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses Association (PNA), said it was “incomprehensible” that other trade unions were “in cahoots” with the government to break the original Croke Park deal, which secured public sector workers’ pay and allowances.
He accused the government of reneging on the original pay deal “with the complicity of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.”
Government sources said that ministers were holding firm in plans to cut premium payments for frontline staff in the public service, despite the major protest.
6 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.SarahinLA | Feb 22, 2013, 11:54 AM EST
Seanmac, from what I have observed of the gardai, it is best that the majority of them remain unarmed. I have read in the Irish press that the gardai are arguing about allowances such as 'danger money', having to work 'unsocial hours' etc. What did these people think they were getting into when they signed up? Law enforcement is a dangerous occupation worldwide and everybody is aware they work unsocial hours, but it is not like the people who seek employment in this field are not aware of this from the outset.
seanmac50 | Feb 21, 2013, 05:42 PM EST
Read your history Paul Hogan, and you will find out what type of man Larkin was. An Garda Siochána is a national police force, which is still able to function mainly without firearms. This is because it is accepted by the people.
joan1954 | Feb 21, 2013, 03:30 PM EST
Irish nurses are welcome in San Antonio, Texas.
Portia_O'Neill | Feb 21, 2013, 02:44 PM EST
It's difficult to judge the protests of public service workers when contract negotiations are kept secret from the public. It's not like they're slaves working in the laundries.
Searlit | Feb 21, 2013, 11:29 AM EST
I don't think it's a good idea. Jobs like firefighters and nurses are crucial to the safety and health of a nation.
Paul Hogan | Feb 21, 2013, 11:23 AM EST
I do not feel a bit sorry for the bitching about paycuts. There were 8 in our family. And when some of us wanted to join the Garda my Father would not have any of it. He grew up in the troubled times and he said there were two corrupt institutions in Ireland, they were the Garda and the clergy. These same Garda when the average worker goes on strike, they will be used to batten them to the ground. The only one who stood up for the working class in Ireland was Jim Larkin. These people who were bitching about having their pay cut will vote for the same clique in the next election. In the last 8 or 9 years the politicians in Ireland and the clergy were the most corrupt.