Dublin Central TDs Joe Costello, Maureen O’Sullivan and Mary Lou McDonald have signed a SIPTU petition calling on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, to “respect community sector workers and meet their union”.
Over 1000 people have signed the petition in response to Minister Hogan’s refusal to meet with SIPTU members to discuss their concerns over plans to align Local Development Companies with Local Authorities. This alignment process will have major implications for jobs and services as well as removing control of services from local communities.
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Joe Costello, said: “When fundamental changes are being made there must be consultation with all stakeholders, particularly workers, and structures established that ensure ongoing engagement”.
Maureen O’Sullivan said: “I support the petition because there has to be meaningful consultation with the workers. Staff and services for communities have to be prioritised. The community workers are the people who know the issues and the problems, and can certainly contribute to the solutions”.
Mary Lou McDonald said “Phil Hogan should have the sense to know that you can’t bring about major change in any organisation without talking to the workers. He needs to engage directly with workers and their union”.
SIPTU LDC Committee chairman, Manus Bree, said: “We welcome Minister Costello’s support for our campaign. Phil Hogan needs to recognise that without talking to workers his plans for the community sector will fail. These vital programmes and services that people in disadvantaged communities depend upon should not be put in jeopardy by a Minister’s refusal to talk.”
A spokesman for Minister Hogan told the Irish Times on Wednesday, (21st August), that he had “no plans at the minute” to meet with SIPTU representatives.
To sign the petition visit: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/minister-phil-hogan-respect-community-sector-workers-and-meet-their-union
