Union ban hits councillors
A public service union's decision to impose a blanket ban in dealing with the representations from Fianna Fail representatives is affecting local councillors and TDs.
Impact union officials have instructed their members not to deal with representations from members of the Government parties as anger over Government cutbacks escalates. In expressing his "disapointment" at the measure, Cllr Martin Mulleady said he had no axe to grind with staff at local authority level, but still questioned the merits behind the change in strike action by union leaders.
"They (staff) have got their instructions from the unions and that's fair enough. It's disappointing for us (Fianna Fail councillors) because we didn't vote for the pay cuts. That was done in the Dail, not at local level."
As one of eight locally elected Fianna Fail representatives, Cllr Mulleady said the industrial actions handed down by Impact to its members could nonetheless pose difficulties in the long term. "It hasn't impacted that much yet, but it will become a problem going forward. It's not going to affect me personally but it might for the people that I represent," he said.
It is understood that Fianna Fail members of the local authorities are deeply concerned about the move by Impact and there is concern about how long the protest will last.
Local Fianna Fail TD, Peter Kelly was slightly more cautious and said the route taken by the likes of Impact and other public service unions was logical given the circumstances confronting civil service workers.
"There is a dispute and we (Fianna Fail) were expecting some type of action," he explained. " I would hope that Impact and the Government can get together soon and find common ground for an agenda for talks to take place," he said.
Impact hit back, saying the action, which also included Green Party representatives, was already having the desired reaction.
"To say it's not affecting them (Fianna Fail members) is spin. We know from the people we have been speaking to that it is working. Those represenatives wouldn't be making so much noise if it wasn't working," a spokesman said.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Longford, Ireland
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 5 mph
Wind direction: North west
