6 October 2005 Edition

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Nuacht na nOibrithe

Bill McCamley

Bill McCamley

BY JUSTIN MORAN

Dublin Bus row ahead of CIE Worker-Director elections

The claim by a Dublin Bus manager that SIPTU and the NBRU asked him to take disciplinary action against a trade union activist in the company is fast becoming an issue in the forthcoming CIE Worker-Director elections.

On 22 July 2004, a Dublin Bus employee and SIPTU member distributing information on legislation dealing with trade union victimisation was approached by two Dublin Bus managers and ordered to stop. The leaflets were produced by the Independent Workers' Union.

Threatened with suspension he claims he appealed to his SIPTU representative Bill McCamley, who refused to represent him in any way but instead demanded his resignation from the union. Following this Dublin Bus management suspended him for five weeks without pay.

McCamley, a CIE Worker-Director since 1997 has campaigned against the break-up of CIE and the privatisation of Dublin Bus. In March 2004 he threatened legal action against SIPTU President Jack O'Connor after the latter overturned the democratic decision of the CIE Strike Committee to hold a one-day national strike in opposition to privatisation.

He is currently seeking re-election to the Board of Directors and claims the allegations are linked to a smear campaign against him aimed at preventing his election.

"The reality of this is that the individual in question had dual membership of SIPTU and the Independent Workers Union," McCamley told An Phoblacht. "He was asked which union he wanted to be represented by and he chose the IWU. We made it clear at all times and formally in writing that we would be happy to represent the worker in question but he wouldn't accept our representation and he has that choice."

"Another worker, also holding dual membership, who was present at the time and involved in the dispute chose to be represented by SIPTU," McCamley went on, "...and we were able to resolve the issue satisfactorily."

Mr McCamley also denies the allegations made by Dublin Bus Operations Manager Mick Matthews in a High Court hearing on a different case that the reason the worker in question was approached and asked to leave the premises was on foot of 'several complaints' made by SIPTU and the NBRU.

"This is absolutely false and I am currently examining a transcript of the trial," Mr McCamley said. "I am not aware of any complaint that was made and there is no way I would try and use management officials against workers."

An opponent of Bill McCamley in next week's CIE Worker Director election, John O'Hanlon, stands over the allegations.

Ferries dispute puts Partnership at risk

The decision of SIPTU's National Executive to withdraw a motion mandating negotiations on a successor to the Sustaining Progress Partnership deal may signal a shift within the union, or a shot across the bows of the government.

Speaking to delegates at SIPTU's National Delegate Conference in Cork, Union President Jack O'Connor told members: "There is no point in SIPTU remaining in so-called 'Social Partnership' if it cannot prevent displacement of workers who are covered by employment agreements, with vulnerable people on inferior pay and conditions."

Acknowledging the point made by opponents of Partnership, including Sinn Féin, that "the greater share of the gains have undoubtedly accrued to business and capital", O'Connor went on to put responsibility for the future of Partnership on the Taoiseach:

"We have made it very clear that we will not acquiesce with a 'race to the bottom' in employment standards, whatever the consequences.

"The key question is the attitude of the government. Apart from the Taoiseach's condemnation of Irish Ferries, he is on record more than once over the past two years declaring he does not wish to see a 'race to the bottom'. But is the government prepared to act?

"Right now, I cannot assure you, with any degree of confidence, that talks on a new national agreement can result in tangible measures to prevent displacement, curb exploitation or protect employment standards."

A decision by SIPTU, the country's largest union, to refuse to enter into talks, though still highly unlikely, would sound the death knell for the Social Partnership process in Ireland.

Postal workers ballot on industrial action

Balloting is underway by the Communications Workers' Union following the unanimous vote of a special delegate conference in Dublin earlier this week. Eight thousand members will vote on proposals for industrial action, including strike action over An Post's failure to pay wage increases promised under Sustaining Progress.

CWU General Secretary Steve Fitzpatrick said, "It is extremely regrettable that we now find ourselves in a situation where we have no option but to move directly to ballot our members for industrial action. Our members and pensioners demand full payment of the terms of the Sustaining Progress Social Partnership Agreement due since November 2003.


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