SIPTU Community workers have launched a new campaign to defend vital services from government plans to cut, outsource and close key parts of the sector.

SIPTU Sector Organiser Darragh O’Connor explained: “Plans announced by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan will dismantle existing structures for key community services. 'Our Communities First' campaign has been established in response to these proposals to defend thousands of workers who now face an uncertain future.”

The local Government Reform document, Putting People First, proposes an ‘alignment’ between Local Authorities and Local Development Companies that will have major implications for local services and workers. According to O’Connor, the Minister’s plans put the future of over 50 Local Development Companies in jeopardy and also put millions of euros of European funding at risk.

Key threats to the sector from the Minister’s proposals include:

• The likely closure through “amalgamation” of local development companies
• Job losses
• The contracting out of services
• The loss of funding streams from the EU
• A ‘race to the bottom’ in wages and conditions.

Detailing the main components of the new campaign Darragh O’Connor said: “Initial plans include intensive lobbying of politicians across the 26 counties. We will making clear to politicians the damage these plans will inflict on already disadvantaged communities who are suffering the worst effects of the recession. We will also engage with local communities to explain the impact of the Minister’s plans on vital programmes providing community development, education and employment supports.”

SIPTU Shop Steward, Manus Bree, said: “On Tuesday (26th February) Minister Hogan indicated in the Dáil his intention to ‘rationalise structures’ as part of this so called ‘alignment’ process. We know that this means job losses and reduced services for local communities. If his department is intent on making such big decisions about our jobs and our local services he needs to talk to the people at the coal face”.

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins, said: “The bottom up approach of independent Local Development Companies has been internationally recognised as a best practice model. The independent nature of these companies is also a stipulation for the continued receipt of millions of euros in European Rural Development funding.  Any change must consider the interests of communities and workers.  That’s why SIPTU is launching a campaign to defend these vital local services and jobs”.