Initial TUI reaction to publication of Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009

Comments from TUI General Secretary Peter MacMenamin

“This pay cut for public service workers does not address the economic crisis in a logical, fair or balanced way.

It is absolutely ludicrous that developers and the country’s banking executives have still not been made accountable for their leading roles in engineering the situation the nation now finds itself in while ordinary workers, many of them already struggling financially before this imposition, are targeted for further savage treatment.

We are particularly abhorred that those on lower salaries are actually penalised more heavily when the percentages losses are calculated.

We implore the government to engage with ICTU in seeking a better, fairer way for all citizens of this country. The 10-point plan set out by Congress plots a fair and equitable trail out of these troubled waters. It will irreparably damage the country if the government refuses to re-engage with ICTU on these issues.

TUI members will join tens of thousands of members of public and private sector unions on Saturday in ICTU’s demonstration.”