11/05/2016

Call For Govt To Make Workers' Rights A Priority

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane has said that it is imperative that the new Government makes workers' rights a key priority, saying that the recent spate of industrial disputes has been down to weak ministers implementing weak government policy.

Deputy Cullinane applauded the Communications Workers' Union as they meet for their annual conference where they are expected to call for contractual conditions to be included in all state- awarded contracts.

The Waterford TD said: "In the past number of years, we have seen thousands of workers engage in strike action or threaten to withdraw their labour. These workers range from retail staff to teachers to transport workers to emergency service providers. The root cause has been clear, weak ministers implementing weak government policy.

"The new Government must take a stand and, primarily, ensure that all companies awarded state contracts have a robust industrial relations pedigree. It is simply disgraceful that a company in receipt of public moneys would be allowed to diminish the rights of workers in modern Ireland, making us all complicit in the process.

"If we want a fair, equal, and just society, then workers’ rights must be foremost in our minds. Workers cannot be exploited in our society any longer and to deny workers union representation is the thin end of the wedge of that exploitation. It is expected the CWU will adopt the policy that all state-awarded contracts include contractual conditions. Such a policy would send a powerful message that this Government took the rights of workers seriously."

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