Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Deputy Fleming on putting down this very timely motion. We should acknowledge and recognise the significant sacrifices that have been made by public sector employees in recent years because sacrifices have been made and ongoing savings have been delivered by the current Croke Park agreement, which should not be forgotten. Sometimes we take it for granted that we have industrial peace in the public sector but it is something of which we should be very proud. There is potential for reform by all stakeholders in the delivery of public services.

In case people think only trade union members could address this issue and debate, I wish to put on record that I was a member of a trade union during my teaching life for many years and I can contribute on teaching and educational matters in this House. I will say a few words on the teaching issue because teachers were particularly affected by some of the proposals I have heard discussed. I saw a press statement from the three teaching unions - the ASTI, the INTO and the TUI - which was headed "Teachers' unions to ballot for industrial action following rejection of LRC proposals". This was on 19 April. The executives of the three unions have decided to conduct a ballot of members for industrial action up to and including strike action. Certainly, industrial action by the three teaching unions will be triggered in the event of the Government proceeding unilaterally to impose salary cuts or to worsen working conditions. We addressed that in our motion. According to Pat King, the general secretary of the ASTI, "teachers have already taken a 14 per cent reduction in pay and have delivered additional work and substantial savings under the Croke Park Agreement". He went on to say that "young teachers, many of whom find themselves in precarious employment situations, have had inferior terms and conditions imposed on them in a most inequitable manner." I have often made the point that young teachers face many difficulties in getting employment. I certainly could not accept the proposals relating to smaller salaries for them and for gardaí and nurses. The general secretary of the INTO, of which I was a member, said:

Following the very strong rejection by teachers of the LRC proposals the ball is now in the government's court. Any move to unilaterally cut teachers' salaries or worsen working conditions will be strongly resisted up to and including strike action.

The general secretary of the TUI, John McGabhann, said:

Teachers and lecturers objectively considered the LRC proposals and found them to be unbalanced and unfair. They hit those in part-time, lowly paid work hardest, are regressive and are now, deservedly, dead in the water. We have an existing agreement and will continue to honour it. We expect the Government to do the same. If they choose not to we will take whatever industrial action is necessary.

I welcome the fact that LRC has been invited to become involved again and get the front line back at these talks. People outside the talks need to get back into them. We all agree that the Minister must make the savings of €300 million and must get the arithmetic right but as well as looking at all these situations, we must also talk about restoring the country to economic well-being. The Government can take a step back, as has been suggested, but not for too long. We must get the talks going again. I welcome the involvement of Kieran Mulvey of the LRC who will contact the parties to see if there is a basis for further engagement that might lead to an agreement.

Time is of the essence and from listening to the Minister, he knows that time for discussions is running out. It is very important, as was stated in our motion, that the Government does not legislate for an across-the-board 7% cut in public sector pay. There is dismay in the public sector, with 66% of public sector workers voting to reject the Croke Park II deal. The unions that opposed the Croke Park II agreement produced an equality audit of the proposal that was very clear that there were issues relating to family and what they saw as an attack on women. The front-line and shift workers were the people who were most definitely hit. I hope that, as the 24/7 Front Line Services Alliance said, the Government realises the detailed analysis of the loss that would be suffered by different categories of workers, particularly staff nurses and paramedics. It is a massive additional hit to workers. Engagement by the Government with public sector employees is very important and could and should lead to a balanced agreement that can secure support among public sector employees.

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