Civil Public and Services Union, CPSU, Croke Park agreement

Civil Public and Services Union, CPSU, Croke Park agreement

The union representing lower-paid civil servants has warned the Government it will take industrial action unless it “bins the unfair cuts” proposed under the new Croke Park II agreement.

In her address to the annual conference of the Civil Public and Services Union (CPSU), union president Joan Byrne said she wanted to send a clear message to the Government that members had had enough and were prepared to fight.

“We have shown bef ore that we can and will take action. We won’t lie down quietly while they walk all over us. We have the strength, the mettle and the means to fight,” she said. “We do not want to have to take industrial action, but be under no illusion, Minister (Brendan) Howlin, we will fight if you do not bin these unfair charges.”

Ms Byrne said the huge response in the CPSU’s ballot on the Croke Park II deal - which overwhelmingly rejected the proposal - fully showed members backed the decision of the union to walk out of the talks with the Government which led to the proposed agreement.

“By our actions we have set down our marker, we have endured enough, we are strong and we are united along with other unions who have the same message for the Government.”

Ms Byrne said changes to flexible working arrangements proposed under the new Croke Park deal would have made it more difficult for staff to combine work and family life. “The truth is this puts carers who are predominantly female at a disadvantage.”

She said there would also be longer working hours that reduced the hourly rate of pay. She said there were also proposed changes to redeployment arrangements that could force staff out of the workforce and changes to increments that would take more money out of members’ pockets.

“Well, enough is enough. So I say to (Taoiseach ) Enda Kenny, it’s time for you to get real , stop trying to kid us, go take the money from those who can afford it such as the top earners, the bankers who bust the economy and the wealthy elite who are still sitting pretty.”

“We have played our part. We have worked harder and smarter with less resources to serve the public. We have taken the cuts, made the changes, met the targets and helped this country to recover but be warned Enda there is only so much we can do or be expected to do.”