Demonstration against Anti-Trade Union Legislation outside Dail Eireann at 5pm Wednesday 29th May
Bill appended at bottom
Colleagues,

We are holding a demonstration tomorrow, Wednesday 29th May, at 5pm outside Dail Eireann to protest against the draconian Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013.

There is a Press Conference beforehand in Buswell’s Hotel at 4pm.

I know it’s short notice, but if you can please circulate this notice, and of course, turn up tomorrow, it would be very helpful.

The following text gives some background. See also a copy of the legislation attached. There is a link at the very top of the PDF document to the Explanatory Memorandum on page 16 of the document.

This proposed legislation poses a serious threat to trade union and democratic rights in this country. The bill, if passed, will cut wages and pensions. It also contains a coercive clause which threatens to freeze the increments due to workers in the public sector unless, as outlined in the explanation to the bill, they are covered by a collective agreement that modifies the terms of the incremental suspension and which has been registered with the Labour Relations Commission.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 is a serious threat to trade union and democratic rights in this country. The bill, if passed, will cut wages and pensions. It also contains a coercive clause which threatens to freeze the increments due to workers in the public sector unless, as outlined in the explanation to the bill, they are covered by a collective agreement that modifies the terms of the incremental suspension and which has been registered with the Labour Relations Commission.

The fundamental right of workers to vote on any proposal on the basis of its merits is being undermined completely. The right of a trade union to defend its members is being obliterated. At present, the government is attempting to intimidate workers into accepting the Haddington Road proposals. The proposed legislation changes the landscape in Ireland. It is an anti-worker, anti-trade union and anti-democratic legislation.

We believe it must be opposed by all trade unions and by everyone that cares for democratic principles. We are, therefore, issuing an open call to all trade union leaders and to all TDs to immediately condemn the proposed legislation. To not do so is to stand against democracy and workers.

Regards,
Kevin Farrell
on behalf of
Martin Marjoram (TUI Branch Chair IT Tallaght)
Michael Carr (TUI Branch Chair Dublin Colleges)
Gregor Kerr (INTO District 14)
Maria Parsons (TUI Branch Chair IADT Dun Laoghaire)
Claus Derenda (TUI Branch Chair IT Carlow)
Gerald Mills (IFUT UCD)
Richard Crowley (TUI Branch Chair Dundalk IT)

Thomas Dooley (TUI Acting Branch Secretary Dundalk IT)
Andrew Phelan (ASTI)

Paddy Healy (TUI Dublin Retired Members Association)
Kevin Farrell (TUI Executive Committee Member, Area 15)
Eddie Conlon (TUI Dublin Colleges)
Niall Smyth (INTO)
Paul Farrell (TUI IT Tallaght)
Ronan Callanan (TUI Dublin City PP)
Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 as initiated and Explanatory Memorandum.pdf Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 as initiated and