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The Chairman of the 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance, Des Kavanagh, has told a protest march to Leinster House today that fairness requires “a universal contribution by all who can afford it” to tackle the economic crisis. Bankers, speculators and other wealthy elements in society could not be exempted at the expense of ordinary workers dependent on frontline services. He warned the Government not to test the resolve of Frontline workers, who were committed public servants but not fools.
The protest march was led by a vintage fire engine, ambulance and garda car from the 1950s and 1960s. It included the Dublin Fire Brigade Band and contingents from the six unions affiliated to the Alliance in uniform or wearing distinctive insignia.
Mr Kavanagh, who is General Secretary of the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association, told the marchers that, “The Taoiseach says the cuts in public services must be fair, while the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, says he wants a 6.4% cut in the pay budget. Mr Lenihan’s mandarins want to target Frontline Alliance workers for a cut of 15% plus. We say fairness requires a universal contribution by all who can afford to pay. Fairness demands that the bankers, the speculators, the investors and those with wealth are not exempted.
“Front Line workers will not be scapegoated because managers see them as an easy touch or because some of them are legally prohibited from striking, while others are inhibited by their commitment to maximise care to patients. We do not want to be in dispute. We do not want to strike. We do not want our Front Line Services undermined. However we must caution the Government: Do not test our resolve! We will not be found wanting. We are loyal servants of this state, we are committed servants of the public, but we are not fools and we will not be treated as such.
“Those who recommend cuts in allowances are attacking the very fabric of the pay and conditions of Front Line workers. Those who champion the stalling of increments are attacking the young staff on whom our future services depend. Those who want allowances cut are merely demonstrating their ignorance of the nature of Front Line services, as well as the commitment of Front Line workers to specialisation and having to operate in the most challenging of environments.
“Our position is clear. No cuts in allowances, no cuts in unsocial hours’ payments, no freezing of increments!”
The 24/7 Frontline Services Alliance represents workers who deliver vital services to the public including gardai, nurses, ambulance personnel and fire fighters. The affiliates members are: The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors, Garda Representative Association, the Irish Nurses Organisation, Prison Officers’ Association, Psychiatric Nurses’ Association and SIPTU.
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