Sole purpose of controversial legislation is to coerce workers

February 1st: Unite, which represents workers throughout the public sector, today (Monday) said that it has written to Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath seeking a commitment that FEMPI legislation will be repealed when it comes up for review this year.

Commenting, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Richie Browne said:

“FEMPI was and remains an unprecedented assault on the rights of a specific group of workers.  It undermines the principle of collective bargaining in the public sector, and gives the employer a coercive instrument with which to threaten workers.

“The only rationale for keeping this legislation on the statute books is to threaten workers. 

“The financial emergency which supposedly justified it no longer exists. Most FEMPI provisions have been unwound, and if the legislation were repealed tomorrow, all other industrial relations agreements would still stand.

“At a time when Covid-19 has highlighted the commitment and contribution of workers throughout the public sector, it is unacceptable that the Government should continue threatening these same workers with coercive legislation.

“Unite has written to Minister Michael McGrath asking him for a firm commitment that FEMPI will be repealed when it comes up for review this year”, Mr Browne concluded.