National Demonstration Update -
12/2/09 3.15pm
Link to ICTU Plan for National Recovery
The ICTU decided today that there will be a national mass public demonstration in Dublin on Saturday 21st of February, leaving from Parnell Square, Dublin 1, at 2pm and proceeding to Merrion Square.
It is of vital importance that there be a large turnout out of TUI members and their families in Dublin on the 21st in order to demonstrate our total opposition to the pay levy and the manner in which it was imposed. In this regard, Branches are asked to encourage a large attendance of TUI members at this demonstration.
TUI is aware from the large volume of letters, emails and calls into the office that TUI members are completely opposed to the imposition of the levy. However, it is of utmost importance that the government is also made aware of the level and depth of feeling of TUI members to the imposition of the levy.TUI members can do this by participating in the national day of demonstration in Dublin on Saturday 21st of February.
Please advise members that additional information, concerning the demonstration, will be posted on the TUI web site on a daily basis over the next week. Furthermore, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will place advertisements in the national newspapers, radio etc in the lead up to the demonstration on Saturday 21st February.
We look forward to seeing a large turnout of TUI members from north, south, east and west and of course the midlands, in Parnell Square on Saturday 21st February, before 2pm.
Letter from the General Secretary to Branches 12/2/09
TUI is encouraging all members to lobby their local TDs, emphasising their outrage at the imposition of the so-called pension levy, the scapegoating of the public service and the devastating effect education cutbacks will have on schools and colleges in their community.
E-mail addresses of Dáil members
Update on Campaign Against Pay Levy
Updated 3.30pm 11/2/09
Last week TUI sought a meeting of the ICTU Public Services Committee as the TUI Executive Committee decided that the campaign against the pay levy was best conducted in conjunction with the other public service unions.
A meeting of that group took place yesterday, Tuesday 10th February. At that meeting TUI supported proposals that would be made to the ICTU Executive Council.
These proposals include a mass public demonstration to be held on a date as decided by the ICTU Executive Council – now decided as being 21st February. Further co-ordination meetings on this will take place tomorrow and information will be issued to branches immediately.
In addition to information issuing to branches and to schools, members are asked to pay attention to radio announcements, to newspapers and to the TUI website www.tui.ie which will have daily updates about arrangements for the demonstration on Saturday 21st February, particularly during schools’ mid-term break.
In addition to this demonstration consideration of additional further action remains. TUI has said that no action is ruled out, including industrial action. Branches are advised that this campaign is being coordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the decisions in regard to further action will be taken by the ICTU over the coming days.
The position of the TUI, in common with that of ICTU, is that of total opposition to the pay levy in the manner in which it was imposed. In particular the Union has condemned the absence of an overall social solidarity pact to protect workers against the worst impacts of the current financial situation and also to share the pain of the cutbacks to all sectors of society, in particular those most in a position to afford it.
The unions are also strongly opposed to the manner in which this was imposed by government following rejection by the unions and very strong concern at the departure from the partnership process has been expressed.
The Union is greatly heartened by the enormous indication of members’ opposition to the imposition of this levy which has been received in this office in absolutely unprecedented numbers. We are seeking to respond individually to every member who has contacted this office.
Please Note
Further information will be issued to branches as soon as possible and branches are requested to advise members in whatever way possible. In this regard, we would request that where branches have the facility to forward email messages of this nature to members that they would do so as a matter of urgency.