Irish Unions To Stand Together

Irish union leaders plan to get private sector workers on board for a disruptive campaign of industrial action after public servants suffered a €1bn pay cut. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will propose that they escalate their campaign by including members from all sectors.

Unions are expected to announce their strategy in the wake of what they described as a "callous and uncaring" Budget at a meeting of the ICTU executive council last week.

Although they have not ruled out all-out strikes, union leaders are expected to unveil a campaign based on non co-operation, including work-to-rule actions, and are looking into the possibility of taking legal action over the pay cuts.

Sources said unions with a large private sector membership, including SIPTU and Unite will propose members are also included to widen the campaign and add to the Government's difficulties.

A spokesperson for SIPTU said the campaign was "not just a public sector issue" but would protest against other demands that have not been met, including a substantial jobs protection programme and protections for mortgage-holders in difficulty.

The campaign is not expected to begin until the New Year as some unions have to give up to two weeks' notice of industrial action under agreements with employers.

A senior union source admitted that what was happening was "reactive" and that a strategy would have to be worked out to decide exactly what unions wanted to achieve.