400 Galway council workers begin strike...

[MsAnneThrope]

Galway council workers on strike

Up to 400 staff employed by Galway County Council have begun strike action. Their action follows the removal of 15 workers from the payroll as part of a cost-cutting exercise. The workers have placed pickets on council offices across the county and are demanding the immediate re-instatement of their colleagues.

SIPTU, which represents 90% of the workers, says they will remain on strike indefinitely. The striking workers are employed in water, sewage and roads services.

The council says it has been forced to make the cuts following a reduction of almost €9m in its annual roads grant.

A taste of things to come? Have the recommendations of An Bord Snip Nua any chance of success without grinding the country to a halt?

[drbob1972]

of course the option of the 400 taking a 3.75% cut in pay so that there are no need to cut anyone would never dawn on them....

thats happening in several places i know of

[Sailor]

of course the option of the 400 taking a 3.75% cut in pay so that there are no need to cut anyone would never dawn on them....

thats happening in several places i know of

Or if all council employees shared the cut, then the individual reduction would be insignificant.

[drbob1972]

Or if all council employees shared the cut, then the individual reduction would be insignificant.

yep but the concept of same is probably an anathema to the union rep's if nothing else, as they believe they have a god given right to be exempt from cuts and reduced standards, thats for other people

[MsAnneThrope]

of course the option of the 400 taking a 3.75% cut in pay so that there are no need to cut anyone would never dawn on them....

thats happening in several places i know of

Public or private DrBob?

[drbob1972]

Public or private DrBob?

do i really need to answer that ?

private obliviously....

[MsAnneThrope]

do i really need to answer that ?

private obliviously....

Tough crowd

[MsAnneThrope]

Galway News says a "special meeting" is underway...

[red-365]

A few weeks' of a strike will save the council a packet, which means we probably should not expect an early resolution!

[MsAnneThrope]

Or if all council employees shared the cut, then the individual reduction would be insignificant.

Can individual councils do this legally do you know? Tailor across the board reductions to preserve existing jobs?