Fianna Fáil have called it a ‘fair outcome’. If FF thinks it’s a fair outcome for public sector workers, you know it’s anything but!
Union leaders have come out of the talks with the government claiming that a 6.5% pay rise over two years is ‘the best they could get.’
But they never tried to mobilise members. They have let the government stall for months and then settled an offer that amounts to a pay cut.
There was no Mick Lynch among them. They did not have the bottle to call even a minute’s stoppage. They just don’t have the will to fight.
Inflation is running at 9% this year. It is set to increase further as companies Electric Ireland and SSE announce huge increases in the price of gas and electricity. The average family will lose up to €3,000 extra in bills.
According to Oxfam, world food prices have risen by 20% and will continue to increase.
At no point does this pay offer match the rate of inflation. Yet it locks workers into an uncertain future for years to come.
Instead of balloting for action, the union leaders want us to accept a miserly offer.We should vote NO to this deal. We should get ready for action to defend our living standards. We need real unions that fight for their members.