a declaration of war on public service – TUI
(09 Dec 2009)
Reacting to today’s budget, TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin said:
“The government appears hell-bent on demoralising state workers by way of a thousand cuts while ignoring glaringly obvious alternatives such as progressive taxation models. Teachers and lecturers will have suffered a salary reduction of close to 20% when cuts over the last year are taken into consideration, simply because they are public servants.”
“We are outraged at this additional imposition and will assess the situation at an executive committee meeting this Friday. This is the latest disproportionate blow to all teachers and lecturers. Needless to say, any transformation agenda is dead in the water in the current climate.”
“This government has effectively declared war on the public service by reneging on discussions to find a workable solution as an alternative to cuts in salary and is now unilaterally imposing a second pay cut in less than a year.”
“TUI is a non political organization but our members are carefully watching exactly which parties– both in government and opposition – are supporting this flawed agenda, which is both destructive in nature and anti public sector.”
Third level funding cut ‘retrogressive and savage’
“The 4% cut at third level is a retrogressive and savage blow to the sector at a time when it is under unprecedented strain with rising student numbers and increased demand from the newly unemployed looking to reskill. Meanwhile, the reduction in the student grant will only serve to act as a further disincentive to those seeking access to third level.”
Teachers protected education system
“Teachers and lecturers helped to reverse many of the worst education cutbacks through intense lobbying and demonstrations over the last twelve months. They did so because they care about the education system and the most vulnerable children who use it. However, today represents another vicious attack on their salaries.”
“1,000 teaching job losses at second level over the last year also make a mockery of claims that a teaching job is a job for life with full security of tenure as does the recently published figures indicating that over a quarter of second level teachers are on part time or non permanent contracts.”
Disproportionate suffering
“Teachers are prepared to take their fair share of pain but this cut is disproportionate and selectively applied. The government’s failure to implement a fair and equitable taxation system where those most able to pay can pay will be seen as reckless and retrogressive in years to come.”
Part time/non permanent teachers worst hit
“There is a false assumption that every teacher is permanent, on full hours and relatively insulated from the current recession. This is not the case. Just 73% of second level teachers are in permanent employment compared with the OECD average of 85%. Today’s cut will have a devastating impact on those teachers and lecturers on part time hours, already struggling to make ends meet.
Teachers and lecturers have already taken a unilateral pay cut of 7% and forgone a pay increase of 3.5%. Many part time teachers have also suffered the double blow of having their hours slashed in addition to the pay cut. Today’s additional cuts brings this percentage near to 20%.
Breaking of pay and pensions link not acceptable
“We are also vehemently opposed to the breaking of the link between pay and pension. While this may be presented as a benign measure, it would be introduced in the worst interest of pensioners in the longer term. TUI’s retired members’ association has indicated its total opposition to cutting this link even if it brings a short term gain. Such a move would result in a greatly diminished pension provision for retired teachers and lecturers in coming years.
We are also completely opposed the diminished pension scheme outlined for new public service entrants.”