Staff employed in local authority libraries will now be able to offer their experienced views on the library management system (LMS) pilot project. The new system has been a source of concern for IMPACT members, in terms of both operational and industrial relations issues associated with the project. Due to these concerns, the union issued a request asking members not to cooperate with the LMS.

In light of recent commitments from management, that request has now been suspended by the union, and the union’s Local Government executive has agreed to engage with the pilot project. IMPACT national secretary Peter Nolan wrote to branches at the end of February to say that management has recognised the deficits in staff involvement with the operational side of LMS.

Peter said that management “Has committed to substantially improved mechanisms for staff to input their concerns relating to the operational side of LMS at county and inter-county level” and that the union would now refer issues in relation to increased workload and the transportation of stock to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The union has received assurances in relation to the existing arrangement for stock transportation between Dublin local authorities.

He said that the union has always been supportive of the principle behind LMS, but has had concerns on the manner, methodology and functionality of the systems used to operate the project.

Peter added, “Arising from support of members for the union’s position, the Divisional Executive Committee is satisfied that there is now, for the first time, an opportunity for staff at all levels to voice their concerns about the LMS project. The union remains concerned in relation to the adequacy and functionality of the system but believes that, for the first time, there can now be input from those experienced in operating libraries throughout the country.”

Management has proposed the formation of a series of staff user groups as part of the consultation process for the project. Peter said the union’s cooperation with the project is strictly on the basis that all members would have the right to be self-nominated to these groups, in order that the user groups are fully representative of the entire workforce.

Peter thanked branches, vocational groups and members for their support on behalf of the executive, and added that the DEC was “deeply aware that a number of members were placed in very difficult circumstances during the dispute.”

IMPACT assistant general secretary Johnny Fox has written to staff employed at Irish Water urging them to join IMPACT. Johnny contacted staff last week as uncertainty, regarding the utility's future, continues to grow following the general election.

Johnny said that the result of the general election has been to encourage further speculation on the future of Irish Water, with political parties using the utility as a bargaining chip in negotiations on the formation of a new government.

“Irish Water and its creation has too often been used as a political football, exploited by a wide range of political interests, with the concerns of workers providing the service far too often ignored.

“None of the politicians, or parties, arguing about the future of Irish Water seems to have thought about how their posturing could affect the people working hard to make Irish Water a trusted and successful utility. They're too busy trying to make deals and, potentially, trying to bargain away these workers' future.

“The situation, right now, is uncertain and will remain uncertain as the various parties try to hammer out a deal for Government and on Irish Water’s future. It is vital that Irish Water workers can speak with one voice, to be organised and represented so that they are prepared for whatever comes next,” he said.

Johnny added that IMPACT has always been proud to challenge the range of interests who’ve attacked Irish Water for political advantage, and that the union wants to work with staff to build their collective strength “for whatever challenges lie ahead.”

Redundancy warning

The group of unions representing staff at the utility wrote to the leaders of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats, seeking a discussion with the parties about the concerns of Irish Water staff and the future of the utility, and outlining their opposition to potential redundancies at the utility.

The group of unions includes IMPACT, UNITE, the TEEU and SIPTU.

The letter warns that there is no prospect of abolishing Irish Water without widespread redundancies, because only a minority of staff, less than 30%, are seconded from local authorities or the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

The secretary of the group, Adrian Kane, said that staff had continued to pursue their duties in a diligent and efficient manner despite being subject to “negative comment, scrutiny and derision over the past two and a half years.”

He added, “The workers in Irish Water have also been subject to persistent misrepresentation of their work. The significant improvement in water services and infrastructure, delivered by our members to date, has been dismissed.

“Their conditions of employment, most notably a pay model that was introduced into Bord Gáis Eireann to deliver payroll savings of €34m, was cynically portrayed as a pay model designed to establish a ‘bonus culture’. In response to political pressure, the company resiled from this cost-saving pay model, a move which subsequently drew the criticism of the Labour Relations Commission.”

Mr Kane said that the water metering programme had been ‘completely misrepresented’, ignoring the value of metering in terms of leak detection, water conservation, replacement of expired infrastructure and significant employment.

A team from the Patrician High School, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan scooped the top prize at last week’s ICTU Youth for Decent Work Awards with their video “Oops”.

The award ceremony took place last week at Dublin’s Savoy Cinema. The competition is run by ICTU Youth Connect Programme for second level students, and takes the form of a short movie video production. 

Almost 100 entries are shortlisted with 20 nominated for the awards. The winners are chosen by four independent judges from four separate categories, including best acting, most original/creative, best interpretation and best overall video.

Host Aonghus Óg McAnally said he “felt like he was presenting the Oscars” to a packed Screen One in the Savoy, such was the air of excitement. “With Ireland’s recent success at the Oscars, I am sure we will be seeing some of today’s talent emerging on a bigger future stage”.

The winning entry combined humour and great acting to deliver a serious message under the theme of Health and Safety in the workplace. Other entries covered a range of issues including mental health, workplace stress, hazardous substances and farmyard safety. The importance of trade union membership for healthy and safe workplaces was emphasised in the videos.  It was refreshing to see how the second level students interpreted the topic and produced such informed videos.

Kevin Callinan, ICTU vice president and IMPACT’s deputy general secretary, presented the award to the overall winning team. He said the awards were “a wonderful showcase of the amazing talent of our students who are presenting a complex and challenging topic to us in a way which is engaging and educational but ultimately entertaining.”

Youth Connect’s programme coordinator Fiona Dunne said “through your involvement and participation in this competition we hope that you understand the concept and importance of the many elements which make up DECENT WORK and we can see some of that learning through the very fine interpretation and creativity evidenced in these pieces or work. DECENT WORK is important for all workers everywhere, but particularly for those new to the workplace, such as students and young workers.”

The winning students and their teachers will be rewarded for their efforts with sponsorship prizes including an all-expenses paid trip to New York, and workshops with the visual effects academy Image Ireland, the Gaeity School of Acting, and ANU productions. 

You can watch all the winning videos HERE and find out more at the Youth Connect website. 

IMPACT’s Education Division has backed the Irish Development Education Association’s (IDEA) Challenging the Crisis project, a three year project for young people which aims to get the Social & Solidarity Economy on the EU’s political and economic agenda. The project also aims to have a dedicated European Year for Social and Solidarity Economy by 2018.

Aoife McNamara of the IDEA explained that Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) is an alternative way of understanding the economy. “It puts people and the environment in the centre. It values people and their needs, abilities, and work above capital accumulation.  It demands a more redistributive and equitable socio-economic model. Challenging the Crisis aims to contribute to a more just and sustainable world by raising awareness and empowering EU citizens as global development advocates,” she said.

Gina O’Brien, chair of IMPACT’s Education division, explained “Challenging the Crisis is a three year development education project led by IDEA with partners in Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. The group is made up of young global advocates aged 16 to 30.

“Young advocates from each country will be engaged and enabled to understand the interdependency of local and global inequality and become active advocates on global justice issues, enabling them to support development policies despite austerity measures at home,” she said.

In addition, the project aims to influence policy at national and European levels, and bring about change in the public engagement approach of development NGOs and CSOs. Aoife added “By bringing together young people, it’s envisaged that a focus on global justice will show the value of responding jointly to the current financial crisis and re-engage us with the idea of a European community acting in solidarity to overcome global challenges.”

Find out more and subscribe to Challenging the Crisis HERE.

IMPACT’s Cabin Crew branch committee has circulated details to members about the publication of the final report which analysed different roster pattern options for cabin crew at Aer Lingus. A dispute over roster patterns led to a one day stoppage by cabin crew members on the June Bank Holiday weekend in 2014.

In a covering letter  to Cabin Crew branch members, branch chair Niall Mullally said the branch was 'surprised and saddened’ that management appeared to portray the report in a ‘misleading manner.’

He said the report shows that the preferred roster pattern (known as ‘ 5/3’) costs in the region of €1.2 million per year for Cork and Dublin, while Aer Lingus claims the cost is €4m. Niall added that the company claims administrative costs upwards of €2m for the ‘5/3’ roster pattern while the final report, by Mazars, say the figure is €275,000.

Niall added “We want to make it very clear that we are more determined than ever to secure the implementation of 5/3, which we are confident will deliver a long awaited and well deserved work/life balance for the majority of our crew.”

A series of frequently asked questions about the final report is available HERE

IMPACT members working at St. James’s Hospital in Dublin have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute with management over proposals to impose an annual charge of up to €500 for staff car parking.

The ballot result, issued at the end of February, found 91% in favour of industrial action. IMPACT has 470 members working at the hospital.

Management at St James’s told staff late last year that the planned introduction of car parking charges was linked to the construction of the new National Children’s Hospital on its campus. It said the development would result in a significant reduction in staff parking capacity. Siptu members at the hospital have also balloted in favour of industrial action.

IMPACT assistant general secretary Catherine Keogh explained that the key issue for staff was that management failed to consult with them about the proposed charge. “This is effectively a pay cut by another name, as staff would have to earn 800-1000 euro in wages to cover this cost.”

Catherine said that no charges have been imposed so far and that discussions are continuing with management about the proposed charges.

IMPACT’s central executive approved a change of name in February for the branch formerly known as ‘Dublin North HSE’.

Branch secretary Colum Geraghty explained that the branch had passed a motion at its AGM in February to change the name. “This is because the branch now has members working in the child and family agency, Tusla, as well as in the HSE. The branch members felt that our name should reflect this change,” he said.

The branch’s official name is now the 'Dublin North Health and Welfare' branch.

Esmail Abdi is a teacher and the leader of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association’s Tehran branch. He was arrested last June while en route to Canada, where he was set to attend an Education International conference.

He had been held in custody awaiting trial for eight months since his arrest. Last week he was sentenced to six years in prison. He was convicted, entirely on the basis of his legitimate trade union involvement, of “gathering and colluding with intent to harm public order.”

Education International is calling for Abdi’s immediate and unconditional release. Abdi’s is in a difficult situation, but, with the right level of support, there is hope for him. Just last month, the Government in Djibouti dropped charges against teacher and trade unionist, Omar Ali Ewado, after coming under serious pressure from a LabourStart petition.

LabourStart is hoping to repeat this success in Abdi’s case. Sign the petition to free Esmail Abdi HERE