Conference Hears Gilmore Pledge on Union Rights
8 Jul 2009
Eamon Gilmore with David Begg - Credit: Kevin Cooper, PhotolineOver 800 delegates and observers at BDC 09 heard Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore pledge to introduce a legal right to collective bargaining for Irish workers, when his party is in government.
Mr Gilmore said that these selfsame rights were contained in the Charter of Fundamental Rights - which forms part of the Lisbon Treaty - and that they should form part of domestic law. This would strengthen union rights in the workplace and ensure companies could not ignore or refuse to negotiate with unions.
Mr Gilmore voiced support for Congress attempts to agree a job protection and creation plan with government as it made absolute sense to prioritise the retention of jobs and not to "throw in the towel" on this crucial issue. He also supported the Congress advocacy for the adoption of a 'Flexicurity' type model for the Irish labour market, over the longer-term.
In a wide-ranging address (see section on Speeches) Mr Gilmore said he was in favour of public sector reform, as a means of delivering high quality public services to the population at large. But he spoke out against the running down of public services and condemned what he termed the "campaign of vulgar abuse of public servants" which was led by some commentators and senior politicians.
Mr Gilmore said that the 'Bord Snip' report must be made public in the interests of starting a proper and full debate on the nature of public service provision in Ireland and how it might be funded.
