Graves calls on government to end “nonsense” treatment of unions

Sinn Féin TD Ann Graves has called on the government to end the “nonsense” treatment of unions.

The Dublin Fingal East TD has criticised the government for having 20 years to implement the Part Time Workers Directive, but has failed to do so.

“The European Union Directive for Adequate Minimum Wages is a step in the right direction. It will require action from this government to make it a reality for workers in Ireland,” she said.

“We must have the full transposition of the EU Directive into Irish law. This must include strong incentives for collective bargaining and the publishing of a road map on how to achieve the 80% trade union coverage outline in the Directive. To date, the Irish government have failed to show how this will be achieved. Instead relying on current legislation which has led to only 30% coverage. This clearly shows that the government is treating the EU Directive as some sort of add on. It is not an add on and we won’t accept this nonsense.”

The Sinn Féin TD said “trade unions play a hugely important and progressive role in Irish society; they are to the fore in defending the interests of working people and their communities.”

“Unions played a central role in many political campaigns including the campaign for divorce, marriage equality and a woman’s right to choose. They took the lead on the Right to Water and the Raise the Roof housing campaigns.  I would urge the unions to work with political parties and reorganise the Raise the Roof campaign. We urgently need an active, vibrant housing campaign demanding an end to the housing emergency and homeless crisis.

“I carry two very important membership cards. My union card and my Sinn Féin membership cards; both have represented me well,” she said.

“The needs of working people continue to change. From the Dublin Lock Out of 1913, the Irish Glass Bottle workers strike of 2002, to the Debenhams lockout of 2020 we are still in a battle with the powers that be, both inside and outside the Dáil.”

Graves said it is “key” that workers have access to trade union representation in their workplace, and said “a trade union organiser or official must be allowed enter the workplace and meet with their membership, without threat or intimidation.”

She criticised the government for breaking a 2018 promise to implement the Part Time Workers Directive, but has failed to do so. The government announced at that time they would review it’s own decision of not allowing workers to access extra hours at work, and have since put it on the backburner.

“This issue has led to severe hardship and poverty for low-income workers. It is also being used by some unscrupulous employers as a union busting mechanism,” she noted.

“Workers have waited 20 years for this to happen. This would enable part-time workers to access full-time hours when they become available.

“20 years is too long. On this, International Workers Day,  I urge workers to ensure they are member of a union and I urge the Minsiter to transpose this directive into Irish law as soon as possible.”