PUBLIC SERVICE PAY CUTS - STRIKE BACK CAMPAIGN

Phase One - Campaign of Resistance & Non Co-Operation

Attn: All INMO Members

Dear Colleague

May I begin this first news update, for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in 2010, by wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year and, notwithstanding all of the difficulties, may it bring you good health and peace of mind.  I sincerely hope that you had a very enjoyable Christmas holiday.

Strike Back Campaign - Phase One - Public Service Pay Cuts

As previously indicated the details of phase one of the campaign, being initiated by all unions in the health and wider public service, of resistance and non co-operation as a result the government’s decision to pass legislation providing for pay cuts for all grades in the public service, can be found here:

Key Points

1. The campaign will involve, in phase one, all ICTU public service unions advising their members to adopt an approach of resistance and non co-operation to any new workplace changes in all sectors of the public service.

2. The first steps of the campaign will therefore involve, in the health sector, the following:

(i) Regional/local meetings, beginning next Monday, 11th January 2010, of all local branch officers/representatives/shop stewards, of all health service unions, in order to discuss and agree a uniform approach to rolling out the campaign in each workplace.

You will be notified locally of the details of these meetings, for your area, in the coming days.

(ii) In the week beginning Monday, 18th January 2010, there will be meetings, at hospital/health centre level of members of all unions to inform all members of the details of this phase of the campaign and what is involved in that particular workplace.

Once again the details of these meetings will be agreed and finalised at the local rep/shop steward meetings mentioned above.

3. The key objective of this phase of the campaign will be to ensure that all members, of all unions, fully participate in a campaign which involves resistance/non co-operation with any new arrangements being sought by the HSE or your direct health service employer.

This will mean, for example, that members should not:

• accept any new roles, reporting arrangements or responsibilities;
• undertake any new/additional expanded roles in their current grade; and
• all other such actions that are agreed locally via the meetings specified above.

4. During the regional and workplace meetings, in the weeks beginning 11th and 18th January 2010 referred to above, we shall also be asking for feedback from members as to the possible nature of phase two of the action which public service unions will be seeking to commence in early February 2010.  Have your say by attending these meetings.

5. The INMO Executive Council meets on next Monday and Tuesday, 11th and 12th January 2010 and will be giving consideration to the following:

• how the INMO will ensure its full participation in the solidarity pact necessary in the event of any union member being disciplined for adherence to this campaign of resistance and non co-operation; and
• what format of actions should the INMO suggest, to all other public service unions, for consideration as part of phase two of this public service wide campaign.

Summary

The most immediate issue is that you would familiarise yourself with the health sector section of this document and put this document into wide circulation in your workplace.

In addition we would urge you to start talking to your colleague representatives/shop stewards, from other health service unions, for the purposes of ensuring a uniform/ consistent approach to rolling out this initial phase of the campaign.

Thirdly please make every effort to attend the regional meetings, for local representatives/shop stewards, convened in your area to discuss all aspects of this campaign which will continue until we secure a review of the government’s current approach to public service pay.

This is undoubtedly the most challenging of times and we must be prepared for a protracted campaign which is directed at maximising inconvenience and disruption to your employer while minimising any inconvenience to individual members either in terms of their income or their attendance at work.  This will require strong lines of communication, co-ordination and co-operation between unions.  This is why we are devoting the coming weeks to intensive discussions involving local representatives, in the first instance, and thereafter members of all unions. 

Thank you for your attention to this very important circular and for your commitment and solidarity at this time.

Yours sincerely

LIAM DORAN
General Secretary

   ICTU Public Service Unions - Strike Back Campaign Strategy - Briefing Document