SIPTU 'Croke Park best deal' claim is on very shaky ground - Mythen

Cllr Johnny Mythen has described SIPTUs claim that accepting the Croke Park 2 deal is the best strategy available as putting them on very shaking ground.  The Sinn Féin rep has called on SIPTU and similar unions to break off their relationship with the Labour party and recapture their original mandate of defending the rights of workers.

Cllr Mythen said;

"The statements that were made today on behalf of the executive of SIPTU recommending acceptance of the Croke Park 2 proposals do not stack up.  Their claims along with Jack O Connor's that it was the best deal available and best strategy while leaving workers facing wage cuts without agreements are standing on very shaky ground.  How come if it is the best deal available the Prison officers association could secure for their members all existing premium payments for weekend and evening work?"

"The strategy to stick with the agreement in the hope that what you lose will be regained further down the road is a poor strategy indeed.  Every worker knows once any condition is lost, in order to gain it back something else will have to be sacrificed in its place.  On the last point of wage cuts without agreement, a wage cut to workers is a wage cut whether it comes in an agreement or is forced upon them."

"The alliance campaign had an actuarial consultant Joseph O Byrne & Comp. carry out a detailed analysis which stated that pay cuts up to 11. 4% will apply under the new proposals.  Whether the language is coming from Mr O' Connor or Mr Howlin, it is the language of agreed austerity resulting in the downgrading of workers conditions and wages."

"It's about time that some unions in this country begin to realise their true power and begin to defend the people that pay their executives very generous salaries, and stop this cosy relationship with the Labour Party whom have bought in (lock stock and barrel) to austerity policies that are crippling our domestic economy."