The Executive Committee , of the 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance, met this morning, Wednesday, 6th February 2013, to continue its ongoing review with regard to the talks on a possible extension to the Croke Park agreement.

 

The Committee unanimously reaffirmed its outright opposition to any measures, emerging from those talks, which would seek to reduce the income of its members.

 

The Committee also decided, in the context of initiating a campaign, against the current approach of government to these talks, to the following measures:

 

1. On next Tuesday, 12th February 2012, at 11.00 a.m., the Alliance will hold a press conference at which it will detail the potential impact, of the government’s current proposals, on the income of frontline staff.

 

2. A national meeting, of all Alliance activists, will take place on Monday, 18th February 2013, in Croke Park, to allow for more detailed consultation with these key activists on the measures currently arising from the government’s agenda.

 

3. The 24/7 Alliance is making a submission, to Mr. Brendan Howlin TD, Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform in which it will detail the impact of the measures, tabled by his department, on the income of frontline staff who must work on a 24/7, 365 day basis.

 

4. A nationwide lobbying campaign, of all TDs and Senators, will commence, starting this weekend, again to present them with this document presented to the Minister, and to ascertain their views on same.

 

Further steps in the campaign will be determined following feedback from members during this initial nationwide consultation phase.

 

The 24/7 Alliance also renewed its call, upon the government, through its officials, to radically alter their current approach to these very difficult discussions.  Their current strategy will, without doubt, disproportionally hit the income of 24/7 workers as they are overtly seeking to reduce pay on Saturday, Sunday, night duty and evening shifts, as well as saying they want to further review allowances.  Frontline staff, already under pressure to pay their bills, cannot afford any further attack upon their income.

 

The Alliance Executive Committee also restated their view that there can be no agreement, capable of being accepted by members, based upon the current approach of the management side which concentrates, in a disproportionate way, on the pay of frontline staff.

 

END