IMPACT will not rest until a Labour Court recommendation on community employment (CE) supervisor pensions is implemented. Speaking to delegates at IMPACT’s Services and Enterprises conference last month, outgoing divisional cathaoirleach Tony Dawson said the union had fought to establish a high level forum on the community and voluntary sector, but said there was little sing that the urged of Government action on the 2008 Labour Court rec.

“Nine years on from that recommendation the union has had to fight to convene the high level forum on the community and voluntary sector. We continue to seek improvements for all community and voluntary sector workers, to build the strength of the union in this sector and win recognition for the valuable services they provide,” he said.

Tony urged other branches in the division to support the union’s efforts, saying the community and voluntary pillar is composed of members “who’ve continued to deliver invaluable work in communities up and down the country, in the teeth of savage cuts and constant uncertainty. These are members for whom there is no Lansdowne Road, and little in the way of deals on pay like those we’ve seen in the private sector.”

Tony welcomed the “positive and progressive pay deals” that have been achieved by the union for private sector workers in the division. “Many of these agreements have demonstrated a creativity and innovation in moving toward performance-related pay measures that bring real and tangible rewards to our members.

“There have been disagreements and very serious challenges along the way. Ultimately we have demonstrated our collective skill for problem solving, something we have always taken justifiable pride in as a union,” he said.

Tony also paid tribute to communities in Mayo for supporting the families of the crew of Rescue 116 after it crashed near Blackrock Island in March. The crew were members of IMPACT’s IALPA and IAESA branches, which are part of the union’s Services and Enterprise division.

“The people of Belmullet and Blacksod and in all of the neighbouring communities inspired a nationwide response in the face of unspeakable loss. They turned toward each other to help. They embraced the families of the colleagues we lost to give them comfort. Their response was inspirational, and I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to them for reminding us of the strength of people working together,” he said.