As advised previously, the National Executive Council took a decision at its June meeting to conduct a ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action in pursuit of the payments which are due under the National Agreement.

Eircom has refused to pay the 2% due to our members and pensioners under the National Agreement “Towards 2016” unless the Union signs up to a range of preconditions which we believe are outside of the terms of the National Agreement.   I have attached a copy of the draft Memorandum of Understanding, the company required your Union to sign, prior to the payment of the 2%. This memo deserves careful reading as it requires us to surrender all of the hard won conditions achieved by your Union over many years including the personal protections granted to members by our Government in the 1983 P+T Act.

Given the inflationary pressures in this country at present we would argue that the terms of Towards 2016 will not even maintain the value of the euro in your pocket. Therefore, the Company’s decision to withhold that payment is the equivalent of the Company imposing pay and pension cuts.  It is particularly galling to have to seek a ballot for industrial action in these circumstances particularly when the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Rex Comb, recently told the nation through the Morning Ireland radio programme and National Press that the increase in prices for line rental were due to the fact that the Company would have to honour the terms of the National Agreement.  In circumstances where he is willing to publicly deceive the Irish public, I suppose it should not be too much of a shock to us to see him and his senior management team behave in the way they have done in relation to this important national agreement.  It is also worth remembering that Babcock & Brown on taking over Eircom gave a written commitment to the Unions that they would not change our members pay and the conditions without agreement with the members and the Union.  It now seems that their word then, carries as much value as the excuses given by the Chief Executive on national radio. 

Obviously, your Union cannot allow and will not allow the company to get away with such dishonest and dishonourable actions.  It is therefore imperative that you fully support your Union’s call for industrial action in order to have this matter resolved.  Any perceived weakness in the ballot whatsoever will be used by your new Australian masters to devastate your existing pay and conditions. 

Therefore, I urge you to support the NEC’s position and to encourage all of your comrades to do the same.

Branches are requested to make the necessary arrangements at local level to conduct the ballot in accordance with the normal practice in their area.  The closing date for the receipt of ballot papers is 12:00 hrs on Monday 9th July 2007.

Click Here to view eircom's proposed Memorandum of Understanding

Enquiries from members relating to the above should be referred to Jerome Barrett or Jimmy O'Conner