All workers should be encouraged to take up trade union membership before busy Christmas period - Labour rep
LABOUR’S Local Area Representative in SligoStrandhill has urged all workers and particularly young workers to know their rights and join a union in the run up to the busy Christmas period. Nessa Cosgrove said: “Christmas is the busiest time of the year for many retailers and hospitality businesses, but it can never be an excuse to treat workers badly. “Employers have clear obligations to protect their workers, irrespective of the time of year. I urge all workers, particularly those in the retail and service industry, to remind themselves of their rights. Workers must stand up against unreasonable requests like skipping breaks and they must ensure they are paid adequate overtime. And I strongly encourage all workers to join a union, to ensure their rights are protected."
The Local Election candidate added: "Membership of a Trade Union is the single most effective step which any individual can undertake to improve their working terms and conditions and, subsequently, their lives. locally, nationally and Internationally Trade Unions campaign for fairness, equality and justice for members and non-members.
"In recent years we have seen School Secretaries, Early Years Educators and workers in the Voluntary and Community sector amongst others receiving significant improvements in their pay and conditions thanks to effective Trade Union campaigns. Some of the poorest paid members of our economy have been lifted out of poverty, not thanks to the good will of their employers, nor through the actions of Government. Rather they have been lifted out of poverty through their membership of a Trade Union. “Many of the workers who are busiest during the holiday season are some of the lowest paid across the economy. And we know that young workers aged 19 and under are only entitled to discriminatory sub-minimum wages set below the National
Minimum Wage. “Labour have been calling for an end to the sub-minimum rates, we need equal pay for equal work. Young workers are too often used and abused in low paid jobs. The very minimum that this Government could do for them is end the two-tier rates of pay for people doing the exact same work.
“The ESRI told us last month that one-quarter of young workers (15-19 year olds) are paid this subminimum rate.
“These workers still have financial obligations and are certainly not immune from the cost of living.
“It’s a matter of fairness and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to address it.”