To AHCPS Members - 15 October 2008
TOWARDS 2016 REVIEW AND TRANSITIONAL AGREEMENT 2008-2009 BALLOT OF MEMBERS
Introduction
The Executive Committee has decided to hold a ballot of members to determine the position which the Association will take on the TOWARDS 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009, the acceptance or rejection of which will be the subject of a Special Delegate Conference of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Monday 17th November, 2008.
For additional information in this regard please see:
Pay Element
The Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009 will come into force on expiry of the Pay Agreement under Part I of Towards 2016 and will last for twenty one months, i.e. from 1 October 2008 to 1 July 2010.
Pay increases are proposed as follows:
- A pay pause of 11 months from the expiry of the last phase of the first module under Towards 2016 (1 October 2008);
- 3.5% from 1 September 2009; and
- 2.5% from 1 June 2010; except for those earning up to and including €430.49 per week [€22,463 per annum] on commencement of the second phase when a 3% increase will apply.
In addition an increase of 1.1% for Principal Officers (recommended by the Benchmarking Body) from 1 September 2008.
The customary provisions are included in the Agreement in relation to the exclusion of other cost increasing claims, the promotion of industrial harmony and the preclusion of strikes and other forms of industrial action in respect of any matters covered by the Agreement where the employer and trade union concerned are acting in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.
Where the parties cannot reach agreement through negotiation on any matters covered by the Agreement after local discussion, or if a dispute arises as to what constitutes a breach of Agreement or on what constitutes normal ongoing change there are provisions [Section 17.9, 17.9 and 17.10] for the involvement of third party mechanisms, i.e. the Arbitration Board or the Labour Relations Commission/Labour Court as appropriate.
Payment of the increases is dependent, in the case of each sector, organisation and grade, on verification of cooperation with flexibility and ongoing change, including co-operation with the satisfactory implementation of the agenda for modernisation set out in the Agreement, maintenance of stable industrial relation and the absence of industrial action in respect of any matters covered by the Agreement [Section 17.2].
Ballot of Members
The Executive Committee has decided to hold a ballot of members to determine the approach which the Association should take at the Special Delegate Conference of ICTU which will be held on Monday 17th November, 2008 on the acceptance or rejection of the agreement.
The Executive Committee believes that the principal considerations for and against acceptance of the agreement are as follows:
In Favour of Acceptance:
1. The cumulative pay increases of 6.09% over a 21 month period (7.25% for Principal Officers to include the 1.1% increase recommended by the Benchmarking Body) should match inflation;
2. The impact of modernisation and change provisions [including open recruitment] on the members of the Association, while significant, has been limited to the greatest extent possible;
3. The continuation of social partnership is highly desirable and the Agreement gives the trade union movement an important voice in the development and achievement of social and economic goals;
4. The position of workers is better protected by virtue of the provisions in the Agreement in relation to the workplace, employment rights and compliance issues; and
5. The Agreement is the best that can be achieved by negotiation in the present economic climate.
Against Acceptance:
1. Pay increases are inadequate given that the increases in Phase 1 were behind inflation;
2. The recent budget, and in particular the 1% income levy on gross incomes up to €100,100 and a 2% levy on amounts in excess of that;
3. The modernisation and change provisions are too extensive for the pay increases proposed;
4. Social and economic change will in any event be delivered by Government;
5. The workplace, employment rights and compliance provisions are inadequate;
Executive Committee Recommendation
The Executive Committee has very carefully considered all aspects of the proposed agreement particularly in the light of the current economic climate.
The Executive Committee believes that social partnership over the years has been beneficial, not least for the members of a small association like the AHCPS, and that, in principle, its continuation is highly desirable both in relation to developing economic and social policies and in relation to workplace, employment rights, compliance issues and general industrial relations policies going forward.
While in no sense trying to diminish the importance of these aspects, the Executive Committee recognises that a crucial issue in the minds of the membership is whether the cumulative increase of 6.09% over twenty one months (7.25% for Principal Officers to include the 1.1% increase recommended by the Benchmarking Body from 1 September 2008) is sufficient having regard to the modernisation and change provisions.
The Executive Committee considers, insofar as the modernisation and change provisions are concerned, that these can be dealt with in the ordinary ongoing course of industrial relations, bearing in mind the general potential to resolve matters through the use of third party mechanisms, i.e. the Arbitration Board or the LRC/Labour Court. The Executive Committee, finally, believes that this Agreement is the best that can be achieved by negotiation.
The Executive Committee, in all the circumstances, recommends that members vote in favour of acceptance of the TOWARDS 2016 Review and Transitional Agreement 2008-2009, by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Return of Ballot
Ballot Papers should be returned in the prepaid envelope supplied so as to reach Association Headquarters not later than 5pm Thursday 13th November, 2008. If you have not received a ballot please contact us on (01) 668 6077.
Yours sincerely
Dave Thomas
General Secretary