ICTU General Secretary Demands Bespoke Cost of Living Package for Workers

The General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), Owen Reidy, has called for a tailored cost of living package specifically for workers. Speaking at the Mandate Trade Union biennial delegate conference in Portlaoise, Mr. Reidy criticized the Government, accusing it of «double standards» in its handling of recent fuel protests.

Mr. Reidy informed delegates that the trade union movement's pay bargaining strategy in the coming months would reflect new «rules of engagement.» He asserted that any discussions regarding the need for «fiscal responsibility» during upcoming pay negotiations would be perceived as mere rhetoric.

The Government has consistently maintained that its fuel support packages, which include reduced excise duties on petrol and diesel, alongside measures to address food costs, are beneficial to workers. Mandate, a union representing retail, bar, and administration workers, is now initiating efforts to reconnect with existing members and recruit new ones.

Mandate President Martin Mahony emphasized that recruitment extends beyond a simple numbers exercise; it is fundamentally about building industrial power. This, he stated, would place the union in a stronger position to effectively bargain for improved pay, terms, and conditions of employment. Mr. Mahony also noted that Mandate would then be better equipped to support young workers by educating them about their rights and providing stability for part-time workers, who form the backbone of their represented trades.