Earlier this week, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) called on Government to convene the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF), a stakeholder engagement group that brings together trade unions, employer groups and Government representatives. 

Emphasising the need for consultation and engagement, ICTU president Phil Ní Sheaghdha said it was imperative that Government brings the group together to discuss the spiralling cost-of-living crisis and the cost of fuel, in particular.  

The meeting is now scheduled to take place next week. The ICTU president will attend along with ICTU vice president, and Fórsa deputy general secretary, Katie Morgan, and ICTU general secretary Owen Reidy.  

Welcoming the meeting, Katie said: “In times of crisis, consultation with trade unions is an absolute necessity. We will represent our members in the meeting and outline the actions we are calling for to ease the pressure on workers.” 

She continued: “Workers have not benefitted from any of the measures put in place to alleviate rising costs, that has to change. Short term and long-term measures are sorely needed.” 

ICTU general secretary Owen Reidy said: "Workers were already struggling with the cost of housing, fuel, food and childcare, and now they are facing an energy crisis that experts say is worse than anything we have seen in living memory. Government must work with trade unions and employers in formulating a cost-of-living response that supports families and workers.” 

Owen went on to outline measures ICTU is advocating for, which include reductions in the cost of public services, such as public transport, and greater flexibility from employers on remote and hybrid working arrangements to reduce commuting costs for workers. 

“The Government is clearly not responsible for this crisis, but it will be responsible for the policy choices it makes in response. We must see short and longer-term policy responses that prioritise the wellbeing and security of workers and citizens and not just business. If we do not see such policy responses, workers and unions will have to resort to reviewing and increasing the parameters of pay bargaining across the economy,” he concluded. 

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