Trade Union Left Forum
Statement on Croke Park II
The Trade Union Left Forum commends the unions that fought for a No vote on the proposed new agreement and the members in SIPTU who passionately campaigned and delivered a No vote against both their leadership’s and the Labour Party’s instructions. The proposed agreement, which in its current form is dead, does not protect workers but would have facilitated a further undermining of terms and conditions of employment, hours of work and the incomes of working families throughout this country. This agreement was clearly designed to further sacrifice workers to pay off the billions in corporate and private debt that was socialised by the previous government and is being honoured by this one.
But this agreement is not over yet and it is likely that the Government will seek to impose broadly its content if not worse via legislation. And so, the No campaign must continue to resist and organise its members to fight any potential imposition of the rejected Croke Park II terms.
The content of the proposals is not just about the public sector: it is also designed to give the green light to private-sector employers to continue to cut benefits and pay, attack pensions, impose redundancies, and increase working hours. In essence it is for continuing the flexibilisation of labour in Ireland, particularly to benefit transnational exporters.
Whether the trade union leadership supporting the proposals is aware of this or not, they are in fact participating in a restructuring of the Irish economy to the benefit of global capital and the detriment of labour. These effects will be seen in the long run, but the fight must be fought now if it is to be prevented.
Be sure to come along to the TULF’s forthcoming discussion on “The Political Economy of Croke Park,” being introduced by Colin Whitston, in the TEEU offices (6 Gardiner Row) on Thursday 9 May at 6 p.m.
And for regular updates on the campaign against Croke Park see Unite’s blog at http://crokeparkreport.wordpress.com.
