Strike action
Leo in union fight with plan to halt ‘essential services’ stoppages
LEO Varadkar plans to ban strikes in the public sector involving “essential” services if he becomes Taoiseach, he revealed yesterday.
The odds-on favourite to be the next Fine Gael leader said he will bring in new laws to outlaw work stoppages in areas which could include transport and emergency services. Even before he takes over as party leader the Social Protection Minister appears to be on a collision course with public sector unions which have pledged to oppose any legislation which prohibits their right to strike. Launching his policy document Taking Ireland Forward, Mr Varadkar pledged to combine the hated Universal Social Charge and PRSI into a single social insurance payment. But it is his proposal to ban strikes in some public sectors which could cause difficulties as talks on a new pay deal for up to 300,000 Government workers get under way. In his manifesto Mr Varadkar states the public must “no longer be inconvenienced by strike action in essential services”. He also said Labour Court recommendations should be binding on employers and unions. But Mr Varadkar refused to define what exactly he meant by “essential services” adding this would be decided by the Dail. The National Bus and Rail Union, which was recently involved in a bitter dispute, described the proposals as a “Tory-style mantra”. General secretary Dermot O’leary said: “The entitlement to protest is fundamental in any democratic society, restricting trade unions’ ability to engage in a dispute with employers will inevitably lead to counter-measures being adopted by workers, who may take it upon themselves to protest in a manner similar to the type we see in France” Mr Varadkar also promised to abolish Simon Coveney’s Help-to-buy scheme if it is seen to be pushing up house prices. He said: “It’s already agreed by Government there will be a review to see if it’s been inflationary, I want to bring forward that review. “If that review finds it hasn’t been inflationary then it will continue, if the review finds – as some people believe – it has driven up house prices for first-time buyers, I think it should be phased out.”
Restricting the ability to engage.. will lead to countermeasures DERMOT O’LEARY NRBU YESTERDAY