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Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge

SIPTU has launched a proposal for “A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge” (USC). It recommends that a new Social Solidarity Contribution, which would retain all the progressive elements of the existing USC charge as a highly effective and efficient mechanism for raising much-needed revenue from the wealthy and those on top incomes in Irish society, should be introduced.



Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge


SIPTU has launched a proposal for “A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge” (USC). It recommends that a new Social Solidarity Contribution, which would retain all the progressive elements of the existing USC charge as a highly effective and efficient mechanism for raising much-needed revenue from the wealthy and those on top incomes in Irish society, should be introduced.

The revenue generated from this Social Solidarity Contribution, which should at least equal the approximately current €4 billion USC yield, would no longer go into central exchequer funds. Instead, it would be dedicated exclusively to social investment purposes, such as improving healthcare, education and training, childcare and eldercare as well as providing for housing needs.

The Government would also be required, on an annual basis, to produce a report clearly documenting how the revenues are being used and the progress made in respect of each intervention as a result of the revenue committed.

The Social Solidarity Contribution would be accompanied by a new credit along the lines of the existing PAYE tax credit. This credit should be introduced in Budget 2016 at €775 per person for all incomes up to €100,000 per annum.

Setting out the proposals at a press conference in Buswells Hotel on Wednesday (1st July), SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, said: “Almost two thirds of the resources available for tax relief in Budget 2015 were deployed on a small proportion of earners in the middle to upper income brackets. We believe that all of it should be dedicated to the Social Solidarity Contribution credit of €775 per person – giving everyone on incomes of up to €100,000 the same in cash terms.”


SIPTU Vice President, Gene Mealy, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor and SIPTU Researcher, Ger Gibbons at the launch of 'A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge' in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, on Wednesday (1st July)


Click here to read “A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge” (USC)
NEWS
ETUC says the EU should think long and hard before pushing Greece out

The EU should think long and hard before pushing Greece out of the Eurozone, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) General Secretary Bernadette Ségol has warned.  


The EU should think long and hard before pushing Greece out of the Eurozone, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) General Secretary Bernadette Ségol has warned.

“Decisions by the ECB and Eurogroup Finance Ministers are pushing Greece towards the exit” said Bernadette Ségol.

 “Grexit would undermine the credibility of the Euro, could derail Europe’s modest economic recovery and create tensions in South East Europe. All for the sake of imposing yet more austerity on a country already on its knees.  

SIPTU members rally outside Clerys

SIPTU members rally outside Clerys


Clerys workers support Dublin City Council decision to extend store’s protection

Clerys workers have voiced their support for the decision of Dublin City Council to endorse a number of motions condemning their treatment and extend the protection of the specific use of the store on O’Connell Street, Dublin.


Clerys workers and Dublin City councillors pictured on the steps of City Hall, Dublin, on Monday (29th June)


Clerys workers have voiced their support for the decision of Dublin City Council to endorse a number of motions condemning their treatment and extend the protection of the specific use of the store on O’Connell Street, Dublin.

SIPTU shop steward, Gerry Markey, was among a number of Clerys staff who sat in the public gallery of Dublin City Council on Monday (29th June), to observe a special meeting of councillors to discuss the closure of Clerys called by the Labour Group.

He said: “The Council fully endorsed motions calling on the new owners of Clerys, Natrium, to meet with the workers. The councillors also made clear that they will be pursuing this issue in the coming weeks.”

SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “We are particularly pleased that the Council voted to extend the period of the Special Planning Control Scheme for the O’Connell Street Architectural Conservation Area beyond this September.

“This Scheme states that Clerys has a ‘special significance’ through its long association with the O’Connell Street area. The Scheme also states that it is established Dublin City Council policy that Clerys ‘particular use’ as a department store must be protected in order to maintain the 'social, cultural, economic and architectural character of the street'.”

A SIPTU petition calling on the new owners of Clerys to meet with the former staff of the department store has received over 20,000 signatures.  Click here to sign the petition.

Statement by the National Executive Council of SIPTU on the proposed 'Lansdowne Road Agreement' on pay in the public service

The National Executive Council of SIPTU met on 5th June to consider the proposals for an agreement on pay in the public service. Having considered the details it was decided to recommend them for acceptance by the union’s membership.  


Click here to read the Lansdowne Road Proposals


The National Executive Council of SIPTU met on 5th June to consider the proposals for an agreement on pay in the public service. Having considered the details it was decided to recommend them for acceptance by the union’s membership.

It was concluded that they represent reasonable progress towards the objective of recovering pay lost following the economic collapse of 2008. The union’s target of reducing the effect of the pension levy has also been addressed. The pay improvements would apply from a date six months earlier than that envisaged in the Haddington Road Agreement. These together with the significant measures, outlined in the proposal, to strengthen the protections against outsourcing would be important steps towards rebuilding decent standards of employment in the public service. 

The proposal is structured in a manner that is consistent with the commitment in the Croke Park and Haddington Road Agreements which emphasises the position of the lower paid. Meanwhile, the reinstatement of lost pay for those on salaries in excess of €65,000 per annum is also reiterated.

Progress has also been made otherwise on the non-pay agenda. In this regard other commitments such as those relating to regularising the position of low paid interns in the Health Service are also welcome. Provisions envisaging engagement on anomalies affecting particular categories and groups such as General Operatives and related grades in the Dublin Local Authority area offer a way forward after a long impasse.

It may well be that State revenue returns for this year could exceed expectations. Equally, we cannot predict the rate of inflation over the later half of the tenure of the proposed agreement. However, it would be unwise to reject this proposal as the prospect of any additional benefit from re-negotiation would be outweighed by the danger of forfeiture of some of the key elements envisaged in it. In any event if the proposal is accepted it is expected that negotiations on a successor would take place during 2017.

Accordingly all things being considered the National Executive Council of the union recommends acceptance in a secret ballot vote to be completed by Thursday, 23rd July, following a period of extensive membership consultation and information.

SIPTU National Executive Council

Read the full text of the 'Lansdowne Road Agreement' 

Vote on the Lansdowne Road proposals

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, calls on members to use their vote on Lansdowne Road proposals.

SIPTU calls on members to use their vote on Lansdowne Road proposals


 

Shop stewards in the SIPTU Health Division discuss the Lansdowne Road proposals

SIPTU shop stewards discuss Lansdowne Road proposals


Mother Jones Festival 2015

SIPTU meets with Danish Trade Union

SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor, met a delegation from the HK/Privat union on Tuesday (30th June)

Ryanair must respect workers’ rights following Danish Labour Court ruling

SIPTU has called on Ryanair to respect workers’ rights following a ruling by the Labour Court in Denmark, on Wednesday (1st July), that trade union members in that country can take industrial action against the company in order to secure their right to collective bargaining.  


SIPTU has called on Ryanair to respect workers’ rights following a ruling by the Labour Court in Denmark, on Wednesday (1st July), that trade union members in that country can take industrial action against the company in order to secure their right to collective bargaining.

In response to the ruling HK/Privat President, Simon Tøgern, said: “The Danish Labour Court has once again confirmed that when you work in Denmark you are subject to Danish labour laws. The ruling of the court means our members at Copenhagen airports can now legally undertake industrial action in order to, hopefully, make Ryanair enter into a collective agreement with workers.”


SIPTU Construction and Utilities Division Organiser, Owen Reidy said: “There are many airlines the world over which respect the right to collectively bargain with trade unions and yet are successful businesses. We fully support the demands and the work of the Danish trade union movement in insisting that companies such as Ryanair respect the industrial norms of the host countries in which they they operate.”

 

Migrant workers conference

Migrant and international workers attended a conference organised by the SIPTU Manufacturing Division in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on 29th – 30th June.


Migrant and international workers attended a conference organsied by the SIPTU Manufacturing Division in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on 29th – 30th June.

Among those who addressed the conference were SIPTU Manufacturing Division Vice President, Jemma Mackey, SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack and SIPTU shop steward Anna Wianowska.

The topics discussed included the new SIPTU Workers Rights Centre and the training and educational opportunities available to union activists. 

 
Second World Live Performance Conference held in Liberty Hall
The International Federation of Actors (FIA) held a very successful four-day international conference on live performance in Liberty Hall, Dublin, from 4th to 6th June.


Hosted by FIA member unions Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland, the event gathered together some 200 performers, union and industry representatives from around the world with the aim of discussing challenges, trends and best practices in the live performance sector.  


SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O'Flynn addressing the World Live Performance Conference in Liberty Hall, Dublin on Thursday, (4th June)


The International Federation of Actors (FIA) held a very successful four-day international conference on live performance in Liberty Hall, Dublin, from 4th to 6th June.

Hosted by FIA member unions Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland, the event gathered together some 200 performers, union and industry representatives from around the world with the aim of discussing challenges, trends and best practices in the live performance sector.

FIA President, Ferne Downey, said: “The live performance sector remains at the heart of the entertainment industry. Despite the constant growth of the audiovisual sector, live performance continues to be the main source of employment for performers. Discussing current trends and new challenges for artists working in live performance is definitely a priority.”
 
President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, addressed those attending the conference on Wednesday 4th June.

 

SIPTU members had warned of deficiencies in Kilkenny care unit

SIPTU members working in the Our Lady's Unit in the Saint Patrick's Centre, County Kilkenny, had highlighted deficiencies in its operation to the management of the facility prior to it being de-registered and taken under the control of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on Monday (29th June).  


SIPTU members working in the Our Lady's Unit in the Saint Patrick's Centre, County Kilkenny, had highlighted deficiencies in its operation to the management of the facility prior to it being de-registered and taken under the control of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on Monday (29th June).

SIPTU Organiser, Dave Morris, said: “Our members who work in the unit, which provides high intensity care to persons with intellectual disabilities, had previously highlighted to management their concerns over staffing levels and other issues.

He added: “SIPTU members who work in the unit have greeted the take-over of its management by HIQA with an acceptance that action had to be taken to improve aspects of its operation.

“SIPTU members of staff look forward to working with HIQA in resolving all the outstanding issues in a speedy and effective manner.”

PALFEST Ireland



PalFest Ireland is an arts festival organised by Irish artists in solidarity with the people of Palestine. It will mark the first anniversary of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza that left over 2100 Palestinians dead, including more than 500 children. PalFest Ireland is a lively, diverse, positive and culturally rich arts festival involving artists across a broad range of artforms. The festival includes music, theatre, film, dance, poetry, spoken word and visual arts events in many venues in Dublin and nationwide to promote a cultural connection between Ireland and Palestine.

Irish artists create arts festival 8-11 July in Dublin and nationwide to mark first anniversary of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

PalFest Ireland is an arts festival organised by Irish artists in solidarity with the people of Palestine. It will mark the first anniversary of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza that left over 2100 Palestinians dead, including more than 500 children. PalFest Ireland is a lively, diverse, positive and culturally rich arts festival involving artists across a broad range of artforms. The festival includes music, theatre, film, dance, poetry, spoken word and visual arts events in many venues in Dublin and nationwide to promote a cultural connection between Ireland and Palestine.
 
PalFest Ireland will open on the morning of Wednesday, 8th July with an art installation on Sandymount Strand comprising 556 infant vests on uprights, representing the number of children killed by the Israeli bombardment of Gaza a year ago. On the morning of Saturday 11th July, the last day of PalFest Ireland, there will be a fun family football match in the same place with well-known Irish sport stars, changing the beach from a place of death and lament to what it should be - a place of life and play.

MORE INFORMATION HERE



Supreme Court overturns High Court judgment in Mohammed Younis case

Former chef Mohammed Younis was vindicated in a unanimous Supreme Court judgment on Thursday (25th June), which upheld a 2011 Rights Commissioner decision – endorsed by the Labour Court – to award him €92,634.42 in unpaid wages and compensation for seven years work in a Clondalkin restaurant.  


Former chef Mohammed Younis was vindicated in a unanimous Supreme Court judgment on Thursday (25th June), which upheld a 2011 Rights Commissioner decision – endorsed by the Labour Court – to award him €92,634.42 in unpaid wages and compensation for seven years work in a Clondalkin restaurant.

A 2012 High Court judgment overturned the award on the grounds that an undocumented worker cannot have a valid contract. The Supreme Court has reversed this decision.

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) spokesperson Gráinne O’Toole said: “Mr Younis has spent the last six years fighting for his rights, and we are overjoyed that the Supreme Court has ruled in his favour at last. He should never have had to endure such exploitation and the theft of his earnings by his employer. In the course of his fight for justice, he has changed the law and made Ireland a better place for all workers.”

Public demonstration in support of Dunnes workers, Dublin, 6th June 2015

Public demonstration in support of Dunnes workers, Dublin, 6th June 2015


Public demonstration in support of Dunnes workers, Dublin, 6th June 2015

SIPTU members in Beckman Coulter agree new three-year pay deal

A local bargaining pay agreement has been reached for over 50 workers at the Beckman Coulter plant in Tulla, Co. Clare, covering a three-year period up to March 2018.  


A local bargaining pay agreement has been reached for over 50 workers at the Beckman Coulter plant in Tulla, Co. Clare, covering a three-year period up to March 2018.

The deal, agreed at company level with SIPTU, provides for 7.5% in pay increases over a three-year period, or 2.5% per annum, as follows:

  • 2.5% from April 1, 2015;
  • 2.5% from April 1, 2016;
  • 2.5% from April 1, 2017;
  • Deal expires March 31, 2018.

Discussions on any follow-on agreement are to start in the first quarter of 2018. The deal is in return for co-operation with normal ongoing change and no cost-increasing claims over the three-year period, as well as ongoing co-operation with lean manufacturing.

The deal at the US-owned medical devices manufacturer, which produces diagnostic reagents, provides pay certainty for a three-year period and was agreed after a number of local meetings. The plant was formerly known as Olympus Diagnostics, before becoming part of the Beckman group in 2009.

The company’s Galway plant, which is due to close later this year, had already agreed an increase of 2.5% with effect from April 1, 2015. This increase will be reflected in the severance calculations for the 150 workers affected by that closure. There will be opportunities for some of those workers to redeploy to the Clare plant, which is just over an hour’s drive from Galway.  

Call on Maynooth University to reverse decision to close swimming pool

A community campaign has called on Maynooth University to reverse the decision to close its swimming pool and save the jobs of the SIPTU members who work at the facility.


The call was made at an organising meeting of the local campaign, held in McMahon's Pub, Maynooth, on Monday (22nd June), to get the pool re-opened.  


A community campaign has called on Maynooth University to reverse the decision to close its swimming pool and save the jobs of the SIPTU members who work at the facility.

The call was made at an organising meeting of the local campaign, held in McMahon's Pub, Maynooth, on Monday (22nd June), to get the pool re-opened.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, said: “The workers are devastated by the pool’s closure, not only for themselves and the loss of their jobs but for the community that used the pool on a regular basis. As well as the 800 children who regularly use the pool, the facility is also used by the Sting Rays, the local Special Olympics Club, as well as numerous clubs and societies from Maynooth University." 

She added: “We are calling on the University to keep this facility open and save the jobs of our members. The President of Maynooth University has been contacted several times by the union and local elected representatives with requests that he meet with the workers’ representatives to discuss this issue. To date he has refused to agree to any meeting.”

 

Strike action at FDYS crèche and youth services in Wexford

SIPTU members employed by Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS), Wexford Town, conducted strike action on Wednesday (17th June), in a dispute concerning a unilateral change by management to sick leave benefit and its refusal to engage with their union.


International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security Officers
The 25th anniversary of International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security Officers was marked by the SIPTU ‘Fair Deal for Cleaners’ campaign on Monday (15th June), with publicity events in workplaces across the country.


Shop Steward, Sean Mc Namara (green overalls) with colleagues from Momentum Cleaning and other workers from the Household Department in St. James Hospital, Dublin

The 25th anniversary of International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security Officers was marked by the SIPTU ‘Fair Deal for Cleaners’ campaign on Monday (15th June), with publicity events in workplaces across the country.

SIPTU activist and a contract cleaner at Cavan General Hospital, Teresa Thompson, said: “Cleaners and security officers contribute to our society in so many ways. However, much of our work remains invisible and undervalued but together we can change that. Contract cleaners and security officers must organise in their unions, working together and supporting each other to win respect, justice and better conditions in their workplaces and beyond.”

To mark the day, SIPTU contract cleaning and security officer activists held publicity events in numerous workplaces across the country and distributing special commemorative bookmarks. Among the workplaces were University College Dublin, Cavan General Hospital, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway. 

Storytelling for Palestine

To mark the anniversary of  last summer's bombardment of Gaza, Irish Artists in Support of Palestine are organising Palfest (July 8 -11) at various venues around Ireland, including Trinity College and The Abbey Theatre. Details on www.palfestireland.net

There will be a special Storytelling For Palestine night on Thursday 9th July at The Teacher's Club in Dublin. Line-up to be announced.

Anyone with tales from the Irish and Arabic traditions is welcome to participate  and donations go to a children’s charity.

535 Palestinian children lost their lives in this latest assault.

Summer School on the Arts and Human Rights 2015

Workers Rights Centre

LIBERTY VIEW
Europe must accommodate the will of the people
 
LibertyHall
Failing any last minute dramatic developments the people of Greece will vote this Sunday in a referendum that could re-define the EU response to the economic crisis.
 
The ballot paper will present Greek voters with the choice of accepting specific proposals from its IMF-EU-ECB creditors or rejecting them. However, German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has stated this deal is no longer on the table and warned that a No vote will mark the beginning of the process of Greece leaving the Eurozone.
 
This means in reality the Greek people will be voting on whether to endorse their majority Syriza government’s approach, of ending crippling austerity, or to accept the logic that the economic policy of Eurozone member states is largely out of the control of  individual states.

SIPTU welcomed the decisive victory of Syriza in the Greek general election in January. It was hoped then it would mark the beginning of the end of the nightmare austerity experiment across Europe.

Failing any last minute dramatic developments the people of Greece will vote this Sunday in a referendum that could re-define the EU response to the economic crisis.
 
The ballot paper will present Greek voters with the choice of accepting specific proposals from its IMF-EU-ECB creditors or rejecting them. However, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated this deal is no longer on the table and warned that a No vote will mark the beginning of the process of Greece leaving the Eurozone.
 
This means in reality the Greek people will be voting on whether to endorse their majority Syriza government’s approach, of ending crippling austerity, or to accept the logic that the economic policy of Eurozone member states is largely out of the control of  individual states.

SIPTU welcomed the decisive victory of Syriza in the Greek general election in January. It was hoped then it would mark the beginning of the end of the nightmare austerity experiment across Europe.

Whether this election will in future be seen as merely a temporary deviation or the significant change of course many had hoped for is likely to be decided this weekend. Views may be divided on what is currently the best course of action for a Greek people faced with the reality that their Government is now largely isolated from its Eurozone partners.

However, what all progressive opinion should be able to agree is that a EU worth fighting to maintain must be one that can accommodate the outcomes of democratic expressions such as this Sunday’s vote and the general election in Greece which brought the Syriza-led  government to power earlier this year.
ECONOMY
GLC - Fiscal Space for Social Protection: Options to Expand Social Investments in 187 Countries
 
Isabel Ortiz
Isabel Ortiz
By Isabel Ortiz

It is often argued that social protection is not affordable or that government expenditure cuts are inevitable during adjustment periods. But there are alternatives, even in the poorest countries. 

It is often argued that social protection is not affordable or that government expenditure cuts are inevitable during adjustment periods. But there are alternatives, even in the poorest countries.

The paper "Fiscal Space for Social Protection: Options to Expand Social Investments in 187 Countries", by Isabel Ortiz, published by the ILO Social Protection Department, offers an array of options that can be explored to expand fiscal space and generate resources for social investments. These include: (i) re-allocating public expenditures; (ii) increasing tax revenues; (iii) expanding social security coverage and contributory revenues; (iv) lobbying for aid and transfers; (v) eliminating illicit financial flows; (vi) using fiscal and foreign exchange reserves; (vii) borrowing or restructuring existing debt and; (viii) adopting a more accommodative macroeconomic framework. To serve as a general advocacy resource, Annex 1 of the paper provides a summary of the latest fiscal space indicators for 187 countries.

Click here to read the full article.
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Both citizens and governments benefit from clear information, written in plain English. Citizens are more likely to understand their rights and governments are more likely to make better use of their resources.


That’s why we recommend that all public information produced by Government and its agencies is written in plain English.  

 


Both citizens and governments benefit from clear information, written in plain English. Citizens are more likely to understand their rights and governments are more likely to make better use of their resources.

That’s why we recommend that all public information produced by Government and its agencies is written in plain English.

This petition calls for public information such as letters, forms and documents to be written in plain English. This means: 

 - using everyday words where possible, and where specialised words must be used they are clearly explained;
 - keeping sentences to about 15 to 20 words; and
 - using a readable font type and size (such as arial or calibri point size 12).

Please sign the petition asking the Taoiseach to ensure that all public information produced by Government and its agencies is written in plain English.

 

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