02/11/09

CORK EAST Labour TD Seán Sherlock this week reiterated his belief that the impending industrial action by trade unions would be difficult to comprehend to those recently made unemployed.

 

"As a member of a trade union myself I understand the importance of workers' rights to protest. Equally I would be strongly against low income workers in the Public Sector bearing any further reduction in their wages in the upcoming budget.

 

"When pressed by Cathal MacCoille during my recent appearance on Morning Ireland I suggested that those on €50,000 and above should be subject to a pay review. I now accept that this figure is too low. Having given this some consideration I now believe that this threshold should be revised upwards.

 

 

"My primary goal was to start a much needed debate and to acknowledge that the Labour Party will need to grapple with public sector reform and my leader Eamon Gilmore has already recognised this.

 

 

"We should not cut clerical officers or outdoor staff pay any further. There should be a limit of €65,000 under which pay or conditions should not be reduced.

 

 

"People on rates of pay above this amount should have their allowances and bonuses reviewed.

 

 

"However, at a time when tens of thousands of people have been made redundant, when pensioners will face December without their Christmas bonus, the thought of those in secure employment striking does not sit well with many in the public.

 

 

"I respect a low paid worker's right to defend their modest wage, but I cannot condone those in the upper wage brackets of the Public Sector taking industrial action to shield their generous income.

 

 

"The country is not cutting our cloth to meet our measure, and the current heavy government borrowing does not bode well for our economic future.

 

 

"To my mind the upcoming protests do little to further negotiations with Government towards a realistic budget that protects those in the public sector who are most vulnerable in the current economic climate.

Print