Group urges members to support regional meetings
Monday, 18th March:
The 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance today said it was stepping up its campaign of opposition to the Croke Park 11 proposals as it urged its members to support the series of “town hall” meetings for public sector employees across the country.
The meetings – nine in total – are being organised by the alliance of CPSU, IMO, INMO and UNITE. The first of the regional meetings took place in Cork last Thursday and the next “town hall” gathering will be in Letterkenny tomorrow night (Tuesday, 19th March) at 8pm.
Last week the 24/7 Alliance released detailed analysis of the impact on public sector pay and conditions of the proposed deal. Independent financial experts outlined how cuts in pay by as much as 11.4% will apply if the Croke Park 11 is introduced as proposed on July 1st next.
The breakdown revealed that cuts across the board for Gardai, Nurses Firefighters, Paramedics, Care Assistants and Public Sector Officials would range from 3% up to 11.4%. The pay cuts will hit employees across the public sector, with longer working hours, elimination of certain payments and reduced overtime pay, following an Independent review carried out by Joseph G Byrne and Sons, Consultancy Actuaries Ltd.
A spokesperson for 24/7 Alliance said: “The publication by respected financial experts of the real cost of Croke Park 11 has starkly illustrated how the public sector workforce working at the frontline will be hit severely in their pay packets and conditions of employment. There has been unprecedented demand among workers for copies of the independent report.”
“The rolling out of regional meetings across the country will provide opportunities for all those affected by Croke Park II to be briefed on issues impacting on them and allow them voice their anger. These meetings are open to everybody particularly members of Unions promoting a yes vote. The rally at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght last month illustrated the mood of defiance. The regional meetings will give voice locally to that anger.”
The schedule of meetings is: (8pm start, unless stated):
Tuesday, 19th March: Letterkenny, Co Donegal (Mount Errigal Hotel)
Wednesday, 20th March: University of Limerick (Kemmy Building)
Thursday, 21st March: NUI Galway (IT building)
Monday, 25th March: Sligo IT (Knocknarea Arena)
Monday, 25th March: Waterford IT (7-9pm)
Tuesday, 26th March: Portlaoise (Heritage Hotel)
Wednesday, 27th March: UCD Dublin (Theatre Q, Newman Building, 7-9pm)
Wednesday, 3rd April: Tralee, Co Kerry (Brandon Hotel)
Thursday, 4th April: Dublin (CWU Conference Centre, NCR).
ends