You will be aware from my previous GS Circular that the ICTU has organised a National Demonstration which takes place this Saturday 21st February 2009 at 2 pm. As an affiliate to the ICTU, the Communication Workers Union is wholeheartedly supportive of the initiative of Congress to bring about a better, fairer way.

Our own Union membership is 50% private and 50% public sector and we must stand shoulder to shoulder as trade unionists against the unjust attacks on workers.  Ruthless employers, most of whom are affiliated to IBEC, are supportive of the IBEC line that the National Partnership Wage Agreement can be arbitrarily set aside and cost of living increases withheld.  Furthermore, it is clear that employers are not satisfied to stop at this and are now evidently seeking to dismantle hard fought rights, concessions and agreements the Unions have secured for workers.

In such circumstances it is imperative that we maximise the CWU’s attendances at this march to show solidarity with our fellow trade unionists and also to display very publicly to the employers that we negotiate with, that the CWU will not accept or tolerate such an approach.  To this end we have decided that all AGMs and any other meetings scheduled for this Saturday are postponed to enable all of our members attend.   

This Saturday the CWU’s priority is to maximise our members’ attendance at this march and I earnestly request your wholehearted support in bringing this about. I regret the short notice and any inconvenience this may cause but trust you will appreciate this pales into insignificance when compared with people losing their jobs, livelihood or home. We will reconvene meetings at a future date and we can address this early next week.

Irish Congress of Trade Unions has produced many articles and documents in relation to the Economic Crisis which can be viewed here