IMPACT News Digest - Thursday 22nd September 2016
Morning all.

Here's a look at some of today's front pages.

It has emerged on the eve of another day of strike action in Dublin Bus that staff at Bus Eireann will ballot for industrial action after management hinted that they might separate the Expressway service from the rest of the company's operations. The move comes amidst financial difficulties for the company and would see Expressway drivers receive less favourable terms and conditions than other drivers.

Meanwhile, talks at Iaranrod Eireann ended without agreement and will now move to the Labour Court.

As the 'doddle' portfolio continues to produce new challenges, Minister for transport Shane Ross remains adamant that he will not "ride in on a white horse in shining armour" and directly intervene in disputes.

There has been violence on the streets of Charlotte, North Carolina after local man Keith Scott (43) was fatally shot by police. Scott's was the third high-profile police shooting of black men in the U.S. this week. 

The funding crisis in Irish Higher Education continues to take its toll on the country's performance in University rankings. Trinity has claimed that its dramatic fall through the rankings (to a position below UCD) was due to an administrative error on the part of the college (which can't be a good sign).  

IMPACT News

We have published an explainer on our website regarding changes to the 2016 pension levy under the Lansdowne Road Agreement. Initially there were to be 2 changes to the levy's threshold (January 2016 to €24,750 and September to €28,750). Due to technical problems, however, it proved impossible to make changes in the payroll systems in September so the schedule was altered to January 2016 - rise in threshold to €26,083; January 2017 - rise in threshold to €28,750.  

Also on our website, you can read (and watch) our report on yesterday's Community and Voluntary Sector pre-budget briefing. The briefing demonstrated that Community and Voluntary workers have been left behind as pay restoration begins to take hold in the economy.

There will be an IMPACT delegation at the March for Choice (Rise and Repeal) this Saturday (24th of Sept.). The delegation will meet at the Old Music Shop, Parnell Square at 1.30pm. If you'd like to attend with the IMPACT delegation, contact Joe O'Connor on 01 817 1582.

Your zen this morning consists of the street photography of Charalampos Kydonakis. I'm not sure myself, but Time Magazine has said "he uses his camera to crack open time and space. He shows you what was there, and then he shows you a bit more than what was there". 

Also - a bonus (anti-) zen - watch author of the seminal 'The New Jim Crow' Michelle Alexander give a lecture on race in modern America at the University of Chicago. In the age of black lives matter, this is required watching. It's a full lecture, and an hour long, so this is one for later. 

Stay healthy.


Lughan Deane
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