Labour come out against ICTU public union strike on March 30th

nesf

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0322/gilmoree.html

It's a very interesting development. What have Labour seen in the pre-Budget revenue figures to cause them to publicly come out against the unions on this? I find this slightly worrying when the opposition aren't trying to make political hay out of public unions strikes..

ateam

nesf wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0322/gilmoree.html

It's a very interesting development. What have Labour seen in the pre-Budget revenue figures to cause them to publicly come out against the unions on this? I find this slightly worrying when the opposition aren't trying to make political hay out of public unions strikes..

I had to read the thread title twice to make sure of what I was reading! Surprisingly responsible from Labour. Cynically, they could see the anger that a national strike would cause on the rest of the country (the private sector parents etc) and are trying to cash in on that. I just don't know anymore with Labour, this has put the cat among the pigeons.

is_that_so

Well he states it in the piece. It's not good for the country. By using that well used "call upon" phrase he's bouncing it back at FF and giving the impression that Labour are both sensitive to our difficulties while attempting to throw a lifeline to the unions, a lifeline Cowen will and should ignore IMO. At this stage there are far more important issues to work out than whether we help public sector unions save face.

nesf

ateam wrote: »

I had to read the thread title twice to make sure of what I was reading! Surprisingly responsible from Labour. Cynically, they could see the anger that a national strike would cause on the rest of the country (the private sector parents etc) and are trying to cash in on that. I just don't know anymore with Labour, this has put the cat among the pigeons.

It's surprising but upon reflection, Labour are the most public sector union friendly of the big 3, so perhaps this is just them trying to play both sides on this as the poster above said.

It took me off guard though. I would not have predicted this, silence was about as close as I expected Gilmore to come to speaking out against tomorrow's protest.

The Raven.

The Labour leader has called on the Taoiseach to contact trade union leaders to ask them to call off strike action due to be held on 30 March.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0322/gilmoree.html

Now I'm getting really confused. What's happing 'tomorrow' 23 March ??

ixoy

The Raven. wrote: »

Now I'm getting really confused. What's happing 'tomorrow' 23 March ??

I'm guessing it was a mistake!

There's still no word from many unions as to whether they'll vote for strike or not (although I bet the CPSU will) and I know of at least one PS union which rejected it (Mandate I think).

nesf

The Raven. wrote: »

http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0322/gilmoree.html

Now I'm getting really confused. What's happing 'tomorrow' 23 March ??

Completely correct. Someone set my computer clock ahead by a week and I've been mixed up for the last two days. :pac:

*looks accusingly at his two year old kid*


Thread title fixed.

brianthebard

Probably doesn't want to alienate any potential new voters that have come over to the Labour side in the last while.

nesf

brianthebard wrote: »

Probably doesn't want to alienate any potential new voters that have come over to the Labour side in the last while.

Trying to break the old image of "the Labour of the unions" while bringing the party more to the left? I can see the logic of that.

brianthebard

Well if they are to seriously challenge to be a majority party in a future government at some stage they'll have to break the image of being the unions party and become more 'mainstream'. How have they been moving the party more to the left lately? I must admit I don't follow Labour party developments closely but I hadn't heard of anything very different coming out recently?

Lockstep

nesf wrote: »

It's surprising but upon reflection, Labour are the most public sector union friendly of the big 3, so perhaps this is just them trying to play both sides on this as the poster above said.
.

Yeah I was surprised as well, given how close Labour is to the unions.

Cronus333

kickoutthejams wrote: »

Yeah I was surprised as well, given how close Labour is to the unions.

Don't you have a labour youth logo in your signature?

nesf

Cronus333 wrote: »

Don't you have a labour youth logo in your signature?

The Youth Wings of parties aren't privy to the leadership strategising that is behind leader statements on issues.

Lockstep

Cronus333 wrote: »

Don't you have a labour youth logo in your signature?

Yeah, so?