Union warns of return to sectoral bargaining in absence of early re-negotiation

November 15th: Speaking before tomorrow’s meeting of the Congress Public Services Committee, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Richie Browne called on the Government to commit to early re-negotiation of the Lansdowne Road Agreement and, in advance of such negotiations, to give commitments in respect of equal pay for equal work and restoration of the so-called Croke Park hours.   Mr Browne, who represents Unite on the Committee, warned that – in the absence of early renegotiation – Unite would need to consider whether its members’ best interests might not be served by a return to sectoral bargaining.

“It is clear that the Lansdowne Road Agreement is not delivering for workers and must be replaced as soon as possible.  To that end, we are calling on the Government to commit to early re-negotiation and, as a token of good faith, to commit now to the principle of equal pay for equal work, and to restoration of the Croke Park hours.

“I would remind the Government that Unite rejected the Lansdowne Road Agreement.  Although our members agreed to be bound by the result of the aggregate ICTU ballot, our continuing agreement cannot be taken for granted.  If the Government does not commit to an early re-negotiation of the Lansdowne Road agreement, Unite will need to consider whether our members best interests might not be served by a return to sectoral bargaining”, Mr Browne warned.