Irish Lisbon Vote - ‘solemn declaration’ worthless

UNITE is calling on its 60,000 members in the Republic of Ireland to vote No in the re-run of the Lisbon Treaty referendum to be held on October 2nd.

Unite opposed the treaty in 2008 and says its opposition second time around is based on the "lack of any progress in the critical area of workers rights," said Irish Regional Secretary Jimmy Kelly.

"We were told that workers rights would be protected under Lisbon and that we were scare-mongering. When the Irish government went seeking legal guarantees they got them in areas of taxation, of morality, and in numbers of commissioners but not in relation to workers rights.

"Instead we got a ‘solemn declaration’ that is worthless given the way in which the European Courts have interpreted workers rights as being subservient to those of business. Unite sought the inclusion of a social progress clause in the Lisbon Treaty which would make it clear that the fundamental right to organise and the right to strike are in no way subordinate to the economic freedoms pursued by the EU member states," he said.

"This was rejected and instead we are told to have faith in national governments willingness to treat workers fairly and with respect and for Europe to act in the common good for all its citizens. The Irish government is the last we should trust to stand for workers rights. Irish workers are alone in Europe as having no legal right to representation by a union.

"Irish workers are alone in Europe as having no provision for pension protection. Irish workers are alone in Europe as the only ones whose right to fair pay and employment security are considered by their government as obstacles to economic recovery.

"Lisbon is not about Ireland’s place in the EU. Unite fully supports the vital role which Europe plays in the everyday lives of Irish citizens," he added.

"Voting yes to Lisbon would enshrine Irish workers lack of fair treatment as being alright in the eyes of Irish politicians and of the Irish people. EU institutions would continue to follow a business over labour ideology which is too loaded against workers all across Europe.