Government must follow through on Collective Bargaining Action Plan
Government must follow through on Collective Bargaining Action Plan - The Labour Party
Labour’s worker’s rights Spokesperson Senator Nessa Cosgrove has cautiously welcomed the publication of the Government’s Action Plan on collective bargaining. Labour is calling on the Government to turn this plan into real progress for workers and to ensure that collective bargaining becomes the standard for workplaces in Ireland.
Senator Cosgrove said:
“We know when workers have a voice at the table, wages rise, job quality improves and the whole workplace benefits. Collective bargaining means better jobs, higher pay and increased productivity. Today’s Action Plan represents a step forward. It signals recognition that collective bargaining is good for workers, good for business and good for the wider economy.
“The Action Plan contains some important steps for example the commitments on access to workplaces, public procurement, and the wider promotion of collective bargaining
“This plan matters too because working families are struggling with the cost of living. The best protection against low pay is a union and collective bargaining. Ireland has some of the highest levels of low pay in Europe and a stubborn gender pay gap. Collective bargaining has been proven across the world to lift wages across sectors, particularly for women, young workers and those in precarious jobs.
“Too many workers in Ireland still struggle to join a union in their workplace. That is not acceptable in a modern democracy. Every worker should have the freedom to organise, without fear or pressure. Government must implement this Action Plan properly – we need change now – and take on suggestions to make it stronger.
“Last November, Labour published a comprehensive plan for a new deal for working people that would transform the landscape for workers rights, and give workers and trade unions the freedom to organise and bargain collectively. The real test for this new plan will be whether in a few years time there is an increase in union membership and increased levels of collective wage agreements.”