The decision by the ICTU to go back into talks with the Government has
the potential to place the trade union movement in a position where it
will become tied to Government policies, in particular to the
consequences of the forthcoming budget and all future budgets. Leaving
themselves hostage to fortune.
It is clear from the letter sent by Brian Cowen to David Begg that these
talks go well beyond rescuing the current agreement but are geared more
towards locking the trade union movement into a position of supporting
future Government policy.
Using such terms in his letter to the ICTU as “societal ownership” of
the crisis, Cowen in effect is stating—and the ICTU is clearly buying
into this—that society as a whole must accept the responsibility and the
cost of a crisis created by a few who, in creating it, made billions off
our labour.
The previous “social partnership” agreements did nothing to end the
gross inequality that exists in Irish society. If the trade union
movement concludes a new agreement with this bankrupt Government the
likelihood of achieving a more socially just Ireland is even more
extreme, given present conditions.
The present crisis is both global and has specific Irish features,
resulting from the policies of the present Government and its cronies in
the banks and among property speculators. If the trade union movement
does a deal it will be letting this Government, the bankers and
speculators away with the pensions, social welfare payments and health
and educational services of its members, whether they are now employed
or have lost their jobs recently.
This approach is the road to nowhere. It is time for a new departure. If
workers are to be called on to make sacrifices, we need to start
thinking and acting independently of this Government and crisis-ridden
system. A socially just society is clearly not on the agenda of this
Government, or any other potential coalition Government, no matter what
combination of parties makes it up.
Eugene McCartan
General secretary
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
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