Strikes ‘inevitable’ if government does not listen to trade unions – Ictu leader

Strikes are inevitable if the Government does not listen to organised labour during the current fuel crisis, a trade union leader has said.

The Taoiseach, Tanaiste and ministers met with trade union and employer representatives at the Labour Employer Economic Forum (Leef) at Government Buildings on Friday.

Following the meeting, Owen Reidy, the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Union (Ictu), told reporters there would more meetings to secure measures to support workers in the next four to six weeks.

He said: “What we want to see is a process where Government engages with us over the coming weeks on fundamental issues that will protect workers in this cost-of-living crisis, some permanent, some temporary, and they need to be reviewed, because we think it’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

However, he warned: “If Government don’t listen to organised labor at this time, with this crisis, particularly after what happened last week, our point has been strike action is probably inevitable as a result of that.”

Protests last week, largely led by hauliers and farmers, disrupted fuel supplies in Ireland and brought parts of the motorway network to a standstill.

On Sunday, the Government announced a 505 million euro package of supports which included cuts to fuel duties, a delay to a carbon tax increase and a scheme to assist farmers, agricultural contractors and fishers.

Mr Reidy said: ”Workers are saying, ‘What about us? We’ve seen what others have got. What about us’”

And that “the Government have been reminded that they should not take industrial peace for granted.”

Asked about his comments Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said “We value the workers the length and breath of the country”.

He said the Government wants to “work with the trade union movement in the weeks and months ahead” and said part of their response was “to provide universal measures for workers”.

He said reductions in excise “benefited every worker in the economy” and said the extension of the fuel allowance “benefits low income households in particular, and many workers as well”.

Mr Chambers said a Labour and Economic Resilience forum would be set up to manage future economic uncertainty, to hear wider concerns from workers and to strengthen resilience within the state.

He said: “A lot of that was compromised last week in the context of the blockades of critical infrastructure.

“I think having a strengthened collective effort would be really important in how we manage the turbulence within the economy.

Asked about the mood of Friday’s meeting Mr Reidy said the Government were in a “reflective, listening mode” adding: “I think they quite clearly heard that last week was a rupture, it was a significant issue, and that things have changed.”

Mr Reidy said trade unions will be having discussions with Government officials “pretty much immediately” to work on issues faced by workers due to price rises caused by the war in Iran.

“I think we can only judge the outcome of today in about four to six weeks time” following those discussions, he said.

Mr Reidy added “It’s important that we take our time and do it properly, and make sure that it’s durable” and that what is agreed upon “delivers for workers”.