Chaos in the classroom if Chambers fails to engage in public pay talks
Chaos in the classroom if Chambers fails to engage in public pay talks - The Labour Party
Labour education spokesperson Eoghan Kenny TD has urged Government to meet with unions in good faith and address public pay proposals before the Budget.
Speaking following the results of an ASTI ballot for industrial action Deputy Kenny said:
“It beggars belief that this Government and Minister Chambers has failed to come forward with proposals around public sector pay. This issue is not going away and the ASTI are the latest union to ballot for industrial action.
“I raised this directly with the Taoiseach last June in the Dáil, so there can be no excuses in the inaction we’ve seen over the summer months. It was deeply disingenuous of Minister Chambers to claim this week a lack of engagement by unions who have been working hard on behalf of members.
“It is more than reasonable that the trade unions representing teachers, healthcare workers, Council staff and every other public sector worker in the State would have a clear line of sight from government on a broad landing zone on pay, in advance of detailed, meaningful talks. This has not been forthcoming to date and is central to the problem.
“It extraordinary that Minister Chambers has allowed the situation to reach this point. The previous public service agreement expired at the end of June. Government knew that a deadline was coming into view, yet almost three months later, public servants still have no new agreement and formal negotiations have not even begun. This is squarely on the government.
“This dispute did not come out of nowhere. Government had ample time to engage with the unions representing its own employees and establish a credible basis for negotiations.
“Instead, it delayed, prevaricated and dismissed, and allowed frustration to build across our public services.
“The impact of industrial action in our actions for students and families will be real with significant consequences. Government cannot and must not allow this ambiguity to continue.”