The timing of the next General Election is the focus of much media and public discussion. The actual date is largely unimportant to our Union. What is of paramount importance is that we ensure that the issue of workers’ rights is central to the debate surrounding it.
Our Union will provide financial support to some candidates but in return, they will have to fully adhere to the ten points contained in the SIPTU Political Fund Pledge.
Central to these is robust support for the strongest possible transposition of the EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages. This Directive establishes that in EU States where collective bargaining coverage in the economy is under 80% a government must promote what should be a fundamental right. The next Government will have to act on this.
In Ireland, significantly less than 40% of the workforce can collectively bargain on their wages and conditions and unions must have maximum input to any government plan on how this is to be increased in line with the Directive.
The Respect At Work campaign calls for measures that will help expand collective bargaining in workplaces across the country. It demands extra protections against victimisation for Shop Stewards. As well as, the right of workers to access trade union information and discuss their conditions and pay with work colleagues.
The Pledge also includes a commitment to support low-paid workers, increasing tax-raising measures, affordable access to public services provided by directly employed staff, an increase in the contributory state pension to the target level of 34% of average earnings and the raising of social assistance payments to a minimum adequate income.
Climate protection policies and work for peace in Palestine, Ukraine and elsewhere also remain SIPTU priorities.
We must ensure that our agenda is central to the next election campaign, acting together on these issues can achieve this.