Connect april 2016 by Communications Workers' Union

SPRING 2016 VOL: 18

NO. 1

CWU 999 Call Centre Workers on Picket Line

Editorial

Dear Colleague, Contents Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2-3

Telecoms Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4-5

CWU Partnership with the PPSWU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6-7

Organising Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

8-12

Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Orphans’ Pensions Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DMC 1916 Commemorative Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Postal Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16-19

CWU Ireland Humanitarian Aid Fund Standing Order . . . . . . .

An Post Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

UPS - Printpost - DPD Athlone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Education Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

23-25

How Unequal is Ireland? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

26-28

ESCCU Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Equality Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30-31

Back on Track: Are YOU insolvent? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FM Downes Health Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Charitable Funds Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Halligan Insurances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ComReg pay staff bonuses, despite row over resources . . . . .

Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CWU People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

38-44

Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

45-46

CWU Membership Application Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

47-48

Editor: Steve Fitzpatrick Sub-Editor: Imelda Wall Issued by: Communications Workers’ Union, 575 North Circular Road, Dublin 1. Telephone: 8663000 and Fax: 8663099 E-mail: info@cwu.ie Incorporating the PTWU Journal, THE RELAY and THE COMMUNICATIONS WORKER The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the CWU.

Photographs: John Chaney Printed by Mahons Printing Works, Dublin.

As one gets older, it seems that the Biennial Conference comes around that bit quicker every two years. It is, as always, a landmark occasion for the Communications Workers’ Union and its members, as the Conference with almost four hundred delegates is, in real terms, the parliament of the Union. Once again, members from every corner of the country will come together to debate our Union’s work over rgw past two years and to decide policy for the next two years. We do so against the background where, at the time of writing, we have no government almost five weeks after the General Election. It seems that the politicians are unhappy with the result and in many cases are refusing to deal with that result. It has often been said that democracy is a dreadful system, but it is only dreadful until it is compared with other possible systems. Therefore, it is not unreasonable to expect the politicians to do their job, forget their own political ideologies and get together to form a government that this country so desperately needs. It has also emerged in recent times that billions of Euros are being sheltered away through tax havens, particularly in Panama. It never ceases to amaze me that, no matter how much money and resources individuals have, they never feel they have enough and billionaires and millionaires will always find ways to hide their money in order to avoid paying the taxes that keep the country’s public services running. Indeed, the shortfall in tax and the unfair taxation system in this country have resulted in a collapse of many public services, particularly in critical areas like health, housing, education, security and transport. It is now an accepted fact that each year approximately three hundred people will die because they cannot access the type of health care necessary for them to survive. Indirectly, the tax dodgers are guilty of depriving those poor unfortunate people of those services. We will continue, however, to be lectured by the JP McManus’ and the U2s of this world, as they stash away their millions in order to ensure that they can be seen as some godlike creatures who bestow their generosity on the Irish public from time to time. I am sure we would all rather have the choice to buy the local GAA team a set

of jerseys or a pair of goalposts, rather than have to pay our taxes??. The new buzzword in politics is “stability”. If one were to be silly enough to believe what they read in the paper and hear on RTÉ, you would assume that the only type of government that can make any decisions would be a stable government. You would also assume that a stable government could only be given to you by tweedledum or tweedledee (Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael). This of course is a grave insult to every other elected politician in the State; stability over the last ten years in this country has been massive emigration, collapse in public services, increasing debt and privatisation of our natural resources. It seems to me that that type of stability only works if you are part of the stable group. Therefore, it will be no surprise if we do not get the “stable” government we are being told we need and it will be even less of a surprise if that results in another general election. In those circumstances, whenever it happens, you can be absolutely sure that the media, at this stage largely owned by Denis O’Brien, will plague us with the stability line in order to ensure continuity of power for tweedledum or tweedledee. It will be against that background that we will debate the key issues, which concern our members at the upcoming Conference. At that stage, we expect to have seen a modest pay movement throughout all the sectors where we have members. While the pay movement across the country at this stage has been in the range of 2-3%, there are signs of growing unrest in the industrial relations arena, which is possibly fuelled to some degree by the lack of certainty around the government. Of course, the level of pay rises being agreed are not of a sufficient level to make a real dayto-day difference to members, in circumstances where they continue to face bigger and bigger tax bills, whether as a result of property charges, universal social charge or for those of you who have paid, water charges. However, I think it is fair to say that we have made a start and having made that start, we have to ensure that we continue to try to progress the pay further over the coming months/years. Another key issue for the Conference will be pensions. The collapse of many Defined Benefit pension funds was another result of the world financial collapse and the associated austerity measures. It is almost now the case that Defined Benefit pension schemes are becoming a thing of the past. Decisions by government in relation to pension reserves and pension levies have put even the most robust of those pension funds into deficit and one could be forgiven for thinking that this is the purpose of the Pension Board and the pensions industry, as they would much prefer Defined Contri-

bution pension funds, which leave all the risk with the employee. When you consider the two issues above – pay and pensions – which have always been to the fore of any Conference debate, it begins to dawn on you that, the manSteve Fitzpatrick, ner in which we General Secretary, CWU dealt with those key issues over the years has been drastically changed. The world of work has gradually changed to one where the employers hold the whip hand and manage workers through the application of zero hour and short hour contracts. We see, with Tesco as the latest example, moves by massive and profitable employers to cut the pay and the premium pay of working people in the drive for more and more profits. We see labour legislation, which was long and hard fought for by trade unions, being by-passed by employers particularly in the building and courier industry, through forcing workers to sign-on as sub-contractors in a move that is internationally known as “bogus selfemployment”. Employing people in this manner results in no holiday pay, sick pay and workers are required, as sub-contractors, to supply all their own equipment etc. All this is against a background where the gap between rich and poor continues to grow alarmingly and there is clear evidence that Ireland helps lead the trail in that regard. Never before has there been a greater need for organised labour in trade unions, as is further evidenced by the secret negotiations around TTIP and CETA, and I would urge every member to do some investigation into those trade discussions which if agreed as proposed will ultimately overrule national borders and national laws. Therefore, as we head to Galway for our Conference, we will do so in a world which is becoming increasingly anti-worker/anti-union. We do so following a horrendously difficult time for the island of Ireland and in circumstances where the so-called recovery is confined to the people who did not suffer through austerity in the first instance. I look forward to meeting many old and new comrades and activists in the Union and it is my hope that we will leave this Conference with a clear direction and rededicate ourselves to the principles of our great Union. 3

Telecoms Update

eir investment plans for broadband questioned additional 300,000 homes will benefit from a technological upheaval within eir that will see it ditch cabinets and instead opt to provide fibre-to-the-home services direct to the exchange. “While FTTC has been cost-effective in built-up areas, it is not economically viable to place thousands of cabinets in rural areas because of the low density of housing stock. Ireland is the second least densely populated country in Europe after Finland.” As regards the tendering process for the NBP, the State is to be broken into two regional lots - north and south, with private operators able to bid for one or both of the regions. The contract is also to be extended from 20 to 25 years. This decision was taken to allow the winning bidder or bidders more time to recoup their investments. The Department had looked at a range of ownership models but at this stage has narrowed its focus to just two and will either chose the full concession model, with the network reverting to the State at the end of the contract, or the gap-funded model, involving a once-off stimulus with the operator maintaining ownership of the grid. The Department said it was on schedule to award contracts to winning bidders at the end of 2016, with the first homes likely to be connected from the start of 2017.

In December when eir announced its intention to provide fibre broadband to 300,000 houses which were included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) the proposal was called into question by the Department of Communications. At the launch of the tender process the Minister for Communications, Alex White, made it clear that he did not plan to revise the so called ‘NBP map’ to reflect the investment plans announced by eir. The Minister indicated eir’s plan failed to meet the Department’s evaluation criteria, which assess proposals on technical, financial and deployment grounds. “After a detailed assessment of the plan, we have drawn the conclusion that it is not appropriate for us to alter the mapping that we currently have,” Mr White said. “An assertion of a plan cannot be taken entirely at face value. We have a responsibility to assess and to scrutinise what we’re being told in terms of its credibility,” he said. Under EU state-aid rules, the Government cannot subsidise an intervention if existing private operators say they will supply services to the same areas and eir remains committed to providing broadband to these 300,000 homes. According to eir CEO, Richard Moat, those

PhoneWatch Pay Deal Members at PhoneWatch have voted in favour of a pay deal negotiated between the Union and PhoneWatch. Under the terms of the deal, members will receive pay increases as follows:

• •

2% increase in basic pay, effective from 1st January 2016 A further 1.5% increase in basic pay, to be effective from 1st January 2017

The deal also provides for a review of the pay model that has been operational for Field Engineers employed since 2014. Furthermore, it provides for changes to the company bonus payments scheme, which will increase the value of payments.

Telecoms Update

Colleagues, As you are all aware the company yesterday hosted general meetings with members in IT regarding Project Bloom. There has been considerable unease generated by the reported suggestion of “one to one meetings” being scheduled next week. Reliable information suggests that at, at least, one of these briefings a slide indicated that there would be engagement with the Union and “thereafter” with individuals. We have considered the matter carefully this morning and in the absence of a proposal from the company can only speculate that either they don’t want early and honest engagement or they don’t have a clear implementation plan. In either circumstance and in response to queries from concerned members the CWU is advising members not to attend any such meeting or engage in the scheduling of any such meeting in the present circumstances. Furthermore any person issuing such an invitation should be advised that this matter is being dealt with through CWU Head Office only. As always, any significant developments will be communicated through the usual Branch channels, please circulate to all members

Le meas Jim ___________________________ Jim Browne National Officer, Communications Workers Union

Project Bloom On Thursday March 24th the CWU was formally advised that as part of Project Bloom, the Company had selected Tech Mahindra as managed service partner for IT support. Despite referring to “trade union partners” in their invite to town hall briefings and indicating at those briefings that one-to-cdone meetings and the scheduling of same were imminent, the CWU has, at the time of going to print, no proposal from the Company. The CWU, following a meeting in Head Office, issued the note below on April 1st 2016.

CWU Partnership with the PPSWU In February, the National Executive Council agreed to the establishment of a partnership between the Communications Workers’ Union and the Palestinian Postal Service Workers’ Union

As reported in the December issue of Connect, the PPSWU’s application to affiliate to UNI Global Union was successful. Following on from this affiliation, the PPSWU wrote to the CWU requesting the establishment of a partnership in our joint struggles. For clarity, the CWU’s support does not constitute, in any way, support for any Palestinian political or military faction, nor does it prescribe to a one or two state solution. We support the Palestinian right to self-determination in this regard. Established in 2010, the PPSWU represents postal workers across the West Bank and is headquartered in Ramallah. It is affiliated to the General Federation of Independent Trade Unions (the Palestinian Congress of Trade Unions) and as already stated, it is now affiliated to UNI Global Union. Despite low numbers of women employed in the postal sector currently, the PPSWU has a female representative on its Executive Committee and is actively involved in progressing an equality agenda. The union deals with many issues that will be familiar to our own postal members; negotiating permanent appointments, dealing with uniform issues, protecting the terms and conditions of members, and of course, issues relating to pay. However, the PPSWU has additional problems which stem from the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine. Members may be aware from our 2014 publication “The Case for Palestine”, as well as various articles in the journal and posted on Facebook, of the situation on the ground in Palestine. To summarise, the West Bank is divided into three categories, as follows: 1.

Area A is under full control of the Palestinian Authority and consists primarily of urban Palestinian areas. Area B is under Palestinian civil control with shared Palestinian and Israeli security control, and includes the vast majority of the Palestinian rural areas. Area C is under full Israeli control. Palestinian agencies are responsible for education and healthcare.

Philip Jennings, UNI Global Union with Imad Temiza, PPSWU A considerable problem for postal deliveries, as you can imagine, is the limitation that the illegal Israeli occupation imposes on freedom of movement for Palestinians. There are over 130 Israeli settlements and 99 outposts (settlements which are not recognised by Israel) in the West Bank, all of which are considered illegal under international law and no state – including the US – diverges on this view. These settlements are linked by “Jewish only” roads and often segregated from Palestinian areas by the separation barrier (the “Apartheid Wall” as it is better known).

alone cause is a serious infringement of Palestinians’ human rights; and this is only one element of the occupation. In the year that Ireland has celebrated its uprising against British colonial rule, we should look to our brothers and sisters suffering under a similar regime of tyranny. While it may be simpler for us to identify with the workplace issues which are common between the CWU and PPSWU, 100 years is not so great a time span that we cannot relate to the plight of Palestinians and extend our solidarity to the PPSWU and all the people of Palestine in their struggle against occupation. The best way that we can do this is through the BDS movement, which is a Palestinian civil society movement (supported by trade unions around the world) calling for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against companies and individuals which profit from and help maintain the illegal occupation. This non-violent tactic brought an end to apartheid in South Africa and it can bring an end to the brutal occupation of Palestine. For more information on BDS you can visit the website www.bdsmovement.net Finally, we would like to extend a warm welcome to our brothers and sisters in the PPSWU and hopefully, with the support of CWU members and all trade union members throughout the world, our solidarity can assist Palestinians in their struggle for freedom, while also building a vibrant international labour movement.

Furthermore, there are 96 fixed checkpoints in the West Bank, including 57 internal checkpoints, located well within the West Bank. The figure for internal checkpoints includes 17 in Hebron, a city of 150,000 Palestinians and 700 illegal Israeli settlers. Of the fixed checkpoints, 39 are the last inspection point before entering Israel, although most are located several kilometres east of the Green Line (well inside Palestinian territory), or just outside the entrance to Jerusalem. In addition, the military erects hundreds of surprise flying checkpoints along West Bank roads. In April 2015, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs counted 361 flying checkpoints. These checkpoints cause massive delays and are often arbitrarily closed. The restriction on freedom of movement that the checkpoints 7

999 Workers Strike for Dignity and Respect

Conduit several times requesting a meeting to discuss the issues, but the Company either turned down our offers or ignored us completely. As has been stated by the Union in the media, for the 999 workers pay is not the number one issue; they want to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace. One particular occasion displays the casual contempt managers had for these workers. In September 2015, 999 operators suffered from headaches and nosebleeds as a result of an apparent gas leak in the Navan ECAS centre. Without carrying out any form of safety check, management unilaterally declared the site safe to work in. Our members were even told not to phone the emergency services because it would cost too much. Three members of the day staff ended up being treated in hospital that day. Incredibly, after this happened, the night staff were allowed to go to work as normal and one of them also ended up in hospital. The Company’s punitive disciplinary procedures have also caused anxiety among our members. Conduit/BT use their disciplinary policy as a tool of control, which sees workers being dragged through traumatic disciplinary investigations over the most trivial of issues. 999 workers are regularly suspended from work and issued with harsh disciplinary sanctions for minor mistakes, creating a culture of fear. One young woman was suspended from work for five months and during this time the Company refused to provide allegations against her and would not arrange for a meeting at which she could defend herself. In light of all of this, as well as the Company’s refusal to engage with the CWU, union members then undertook a political lobbying campaign, which involved meeting with local TDs and asking for their support. In the course

WU MEMBERS working in the 999 service are (at the time of writing) preparing for a second day of strike action. The action follows a historic 12-hour strike in February for dignity and respect at work. The workers’ actions, which marked the first strike to take place in any Irish call centre, are aimed at achieving:

✆ ✆ ✆ ✆

A Living Wage of €11.50 per hour An end to unnecessary and punitive disciplinary procedures and sanctions A fair on-call policy Collective bargaining

The #999Respect campaign began in late 2014 when 999 operators, employed by Conduit Global/BT, contacted the CWU to get help unionising their workplace. When the campaign began, 999 operators were paid only €10 per hour and were subjected to a harsh and petty regime of management. They also had difficulty in getting their entitled annual leave and were paid a pittance for extra duties such as being on-call or lead operators. The contract for delivering the ECAS was awarded to BT Ireland in 2009 by the Department of Communications and was valued at €55 million. BT then outsourced the work to Conduit Global. There are three ECAS centres across Ireland; they are in Ballyshannon, Clontarf and Navan. The result of the privatisation of this vital public service was predictable: workers’ pay plummeted and management treated staff with little or no respect. When the CWU’s membership began to grow in the ECAS, we conducted a survey of the staff to capture the issues that were important to them. The Union wrote to 8

management before and after using the toilet and were limited to seven minutes in the bathroom at any one time. Members were obviously disgusted at such an invasive policy. When they were balloted on potential strike action, 84% of members voted in favour. The strike was held in Navan on 25th February 2016 – the day before the general election. In order to protect this vital public service, members decided to only strike in Navan and allow the other two centres to operate as normal. In the run-up to the strike, CWU activists handed out leaflets in Navan town centre explaining the reasons for the action and collected signatures for a petition in support of the 999 workers. At the time of writing, the Union has collected over 1,200 signatures which we will be presenting to Conduit/BT. On the day of the strike, the members received enormous public support and displays of solidarity from other unions. Activists in SIPTU, Mandate and Unite paid a visit to the strikers, while CWU members in An Post and eir also came along. At the time of writing, the CWU is planning further industrial action in the ECAS.

of this campaign, members have met with and spoken to the following TDs:

      

Maureen O’Sullivan (Independent) Peadar Toibín (Sinn Fein) Dominic Hannigan (Labour) Helen McEntee (Fine Gael) Damien English (Fine Gael) Pearse Doherty (Sinn Féin) Shane Cassells (Fianna Fáil)

Deputy O’Sullivan raised a parliamentary question to Communications Minister Alex White, raising the issues of low pay, non-recognition of the CWU and staff shortages. Peadar Toibín, Pearse Doherty and Dominic Hannigan also raised the workers’ issues with the Minister. Unfortunately, the Minister refused to deal with the issues when they were raised with him, claiming that they were a matter for BT and Conduit. In November 2015, CWU members in the ECAS won a 10% pay rise after putting their bosses under intense pressure as a result of their organising campaign. This gave the workers confidence that they have the power to affect change in the workplace even under the auspices of a viciously anti-union employer. However, although the pay rise was welcomed, the 999 workers were still paid less than the Living Wage and were constantly seeing their workmates marched off the call centre floor and unnecessarily suspended. Their call for dignity and respect at work continued to be ignored. In January 2016, members decided that they had no option left but to ballot for industrial action up to and including strike action. On the day that this was announced, Conduit/BT also implemented their infamous ‘toilet break policy’ which threatened workers with disciplinary action if they spent too long in the bathroom. 999 operators were told that they had to report to 9

The CWU has started a campaign to organise retail workers in Carphone Warehouse. The first step of the campaign was to conduct a survey so the union could better understand the issues and concerns of the staff.

Survey Responses (contd) Do you ever perform extra work that you are not being paid for?

Since the merger with Dixons Retail Group in 2014, Carphone Warehouse have opened outlets in Currys, Dixons and PC World, as well as introducing their own branded I.D mobile network. There are now 86 Carphone Warehouse stores throughout Ireland with an estimated 350 workers. At the time of writing, they are the only mobile retail outlet without either collective bargaining or significant union representation. Organisers have completed visits to 31 shops in the Dublin area, engaging with staff and giving them a card with a link to the online survey. Our colleages in Mandate have also helped by handing the cards out in stores around the country. There has been a fantastic level of responses to the survey and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to give us their feedback. As you will see below there are a number of serious issues facing CPW staff and the CWU looks forward to advising and supporting our members in dealing with these issues.

40%

Yes

41%

Yes

59%

Within the last year

26%

Never

13%

Within the last two years

Within the last five years

53%

34%

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what other mobile retail workers earn

13%

Yes

Did you know that the CWU have recently won pay rises in Vodafone and Meteor? 92%

Yes

Happy with their rate of pay

Has your employer ever made changes to your job duties without your consent?

Are your targets clear and fair? 59%

27%

Do you feel you are fairly paid compared to other mobile retail workers?

Do you receive anything extra for working over-time? No

Yes

When did you last receive a pay rise?

Survey Responses

60%

73%

63%

Yes

37%

Do you receive adequate training for your job?

Do you have a fair commission structure?

52%

Yes

61%

39%

Only received training when they started

39%

Yes

Have never received training

Survey Responses (contd)

Are there fair opportunities for promotion?

What 3 things would you change about your employment? (contd)

48% 40% 12%

No Yes There are opportunities for promotion but with no extra pay or benefits

17% 11%

Do you feel that your employer treats you with dignity and respect? 48% 29% 23%

15% 13%

Yes No Feel they are treated well but some of their colleagues are not

We will be consulting with the members on developing a campaign to help everyone improve their working terms and conditions. Some of these workers have already made the decision to join and be represented by the CWU. Thanks to all who filled out the survey. Over the next year, we will continue to campaign in Carphone Warehouse and help these workers build their union for better treatment in the workplace.

What 3 things would you change about your employment? 76% 78% 31% 24%

Fair progression and promotional opportunities Better working conditions in the stores (Chairs, Heating etc.) Recognition by the company of work already being done Better communication & support from management Work life balance

Better Pay Fairer transparent targets and better commission pay More hours Regular training

Get into print!

Cornmarket

Anyone wishing to submit articles or photos to appear in the Connect journal, please, either:

As reported in our last issue of Connect, the Union recently signed a neutrality agreement with Cornmarket Group. Soon after the signing of the agreement, Organisers carried out site visits to give staff the opportunity to learn more about the CWU. These visits went extremely well and staff have continued to join the Union in the last few months. Organisers have since begun meeting new members in small groups and one-to-one meetings. Overall, the feedback has been consistent on the topics that are being raised. These include flexi-working, career progression and other individual concerns. We will continue to engage positively with Cornmarket management on behalf of our new members.

email to imelda@cwu.ie or post to Imelda Wall, Communications Workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, 575 North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

CWU backs Intrum Justitia Workers Since then, Intrum Justitia managers have made a series of decisions whose sole purpose, it appears, is to divide the workforce and destroy staff morale. Last Christmas, staff who signed the new contracts with the extended hours were given a €150 bonus. Long serving staff who chose to protect their existing terms and conditions were denied the bonus. This was seen by staff as provocative and dispiriting and many members complained to the Union that this amounted to a form of victimisation. The CWU did put it to the Company that this decision was having a very adverse impact on staff morale, but the Company refused to extend the payment to the rest of the staff. The actions of Intum Justitia’s Irish management is particularly concerning, given that the Company is Swedish and its Board of Directors has a policy of respecting the right to collective bargaining. At the time of writing, the CWU is preparing to lodge a case with the Workplace Relations Commission under the new collective bargaining legislation.

Bosses at Intrum Justitia have refused to recognise the CWU for collective bargaining purposes despite the majority of staff being members of the Union. After months of discussions between the CWU Committee and management about proposed cost savings in the Company, bosses have, for the time being, withdrawn contact with the Union. Management are also denying their staff the basic right to be represented by a trade union during disciplinary hearings in direct contravention of SI 146. Attending a disciplinary meeting without appropriate representation is an intimidating experience, and the Union has made it clear to the Company that it is unacceptable. Despite this the Company appears quite prepared to ignore the principle of natural justice which ensures that workers get a fair hearing in grievance and disciplinary meetings. The CWU began organising Intrum Justitia workers after management tried to get them to sign new contracts that would extend their working week with no extra pay.

Workplace Leader Training those new members recruited in these vulnerable workplaces. In the last two years, this training has been delivered to members in BT, eBay, Covidien, 3 Retail and 3 Limerick, Conduit Global, Intrum Justitia, KNN and PhoneWatch, amongst others. A new Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures module has been designed for this group of members and is currently being trialled.

CWU training is highly regarded and extremely successful for members in established companies with Recognition Agreements. However, new members in ‘non-union’ Organising targets require a different level of support to reflect their lack of experience in union activity. Training for this group has to take into account their complete lack of local Branch structure and the support that goes with it. Many new members in these companies do not have a good grasp of employment rights. This group are also mainly working in companies that are very hostile to union activity and recruitment and, as such, the new members are operating from a position of fear. In order to create confident activists who are, in turn, prepared to recruit in their own organisations, training courses are tailored to this particular group’s needs. With the support of the Education Officer and Education Committee, the Organising Department continues to design and deliver tailored training to

For everyone with an interest in the safety, health and welfare of people at work, Thursday April 28th is an important date nationally and worldwide when we remember people killed or injured in work-related accidents. In remembering, we also look forward collectively to a safe and healthy future for all workers. Authority and by the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and will take place in the Royal Hibernian Academy, Ely Place, Dublin 2 and will feature a brief address from Patrica King, General Secretary, Congress, Danny McCoy, Chief Executive IBEC, Tom Parlon, Director General, CIF and Brian Higgisson, Assistant Chief Executive, HSA. Worker safety is everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s business â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for all organisations, employers and workers themselves. In Ireland in the ten year period between 2006 and 2015, 526 people were killed in work-related accidents and many thousands more severely injured. Last year alone, 56 people were killed. These are unacceptable figures which can be reduced through a combined and intensified effort by all concerned. By working together and promoting the practice of safety and health in workplaces throughout Ireland we will achieve a significant drop in these dreadful numbers. We all have a responsibility to make sure that happens. In addition to supporting this event the Union will be asking members around the country to get involved in creating awareness. We will send out more details closer to the day.

Trade Unions around the world for many years celebrate Workers Memorial Day on the 28th April. It is an international day of remembrance and action for workers killed, disabled or injured while working. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) each year, more than two million women and men die as a result of work-related accidents and diseases around the world. The CWU has also supported this International Day of Remembrance and in 2014 we hosted the event in CWU Head Office and a plaque dedicated to the memory of those killed, injured or made ill as a result of their work, was unveiled by ICTU General Secretary, David Begg. Following a campaign organised by the ICTU this day is now officially recognised by government and is now the national and annual commemorative event to remember people killed, injured, made ill and bereaved through work related activity. This year on the 28th April 2016 colleagues from Congress, Ibec, the Construction Industry Federation and the Health and Safety Authority will join together to mark the occasion with a national commemorative event in Dublin. This event is supported by the

DMC 1916 Commemorative Project

The DMC 1916 Commemorative Committee held an open day in the Dublin Mails Centre on Saturday April 2nd 2016. This event was open to all colleagues and their families to attend, and up to 150 people came along. Anthony Larkin, Postal Sorter, was the Master of Ceremonies. Special guests of honour in attendance on the day were Mrs Catherine Leon, daughter of Vol. Joseph Dunne, who fought in the GPO in 1916 and Ms Sylvia White, grand-niece of the 1916 hero nurse, Elizabeth O’Farrell. Both Catherine’s son John Leon and Sylvia’s daughter, Celine McKeever, work in the DMC as a Postal Sorter and an Auxiliary Postal Sorter respectively. After formally getting proceedings off the ground the MC invited Brian Almack, Plant Manager, to say a few words. Both Brian and Paul Carey, Floor Operations Manager, were thanked for their unstinting support for the ongoing DMC 1916 Commemoration project this year. A minute’s silence of quiet prayer or reflection was then called for the MC and scrupulously observed by all attending. Don Whelan, Process Area Manager, then took to the floor to give a fine rendition of Pádraig Pearse’s oration at the graveside of Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa. This oration, first given in Glasnevin Cemetery on August 1st 1915 would prove to be fateful portent of the coming rebellion almost nine months later. After this, Peggy Smith, Auxiliary Postal Sorter, was invited to read the Proclamation. Everyone agreed that Peggy did a superb job. After Peggy delivered the Proclamation, Kevin Burke, Systems Executive, was then called to recite one of W.B. Yeats’ best known poems “Easter 1916”. Kevin’s passionate recital of this poem concluded the first part of the day. Michael Kenny was the guest speaker especially invited to speak on the day. Michael is a Historian and former Curator of the National Museum, Collin’s Barracks. He gave a fascinating, enjoyable and very insightful overview of the 1916 Rising and its immediate aftermath, which was very much appreciated by the audience, both old and young. All agreed that Michael spoke very eloquently on this subject matter and this Committee would like to thank him very much for accepting the invitation to be our guest speaker on the day. After Michael spoke, the assembled crowd all stood to attention for “Amhrán na bhFiann”. There then followed a tour of the Dublin Mails Centre, which was very well received by all our visitors. People expressed amazement at the sheer size

of the plant and the scale of the letter and flat sorting machines. Some colleagues even ran a letter sorting machine so that our visitors could fully appreciate the machinery in operation! All in all, it was a very successful day, with everybody expressing their satisfaction with just how good a day it was from start to finish. I would like to thank my fellow Committee members: Joe Carrick, Helen Peelo, Paddy Lennon, Frank Burke and Deborah O’Loughlin for all their hard work and dedication. Our thanks also to Noel Fitzgerald and his son Kurt for the photography and music on the day, and to our contributors: Peggy Smith, Don Whelan and Kevin Burke. We also very much appreciate the support shown to us by the DPAB and the Dublin Mails Managers’ branch, both of the CWU. Thanks to those who manned the machines and gave a great tour of the plant. I must also pay a special word of thanks to our guest speaker, Michael Kenny, who drove from Mullingar to be with us on the day. Thanks also to our guests of honour, Catherine Leon and Sylvia White; we were especially delighted to see Catherine’s father’s medals proudly on display. Finally, we would like to again thank the DMC management, Brian Almack and Paul Carey in particular, for being so very accommodating. Is mise le meas, Anthony Larkin Postal Sorter, Member of the DMC 1916 Commemorative Committee

Postal Update

PAY-AN POST Labour Court to issue Definitive Recommendation on Union’s 6% Pay increase claim. The CWU and An Post recently returned to the Labour Court in an effort to bring to conclusion a pay claim for a 6% pay increase. The claim was previously the subject of a Labour Court Hearing on the 22nd September 2015 following which LCR Recommendation 21053 was issued on the 6th October 2015. In summary the Court Recommendation, which the Union and Company accepted, set out the following:

implemented and savings independently verified before payment of any increase.

• The Court noted a pay freeze has applied since 2008 and in such circumstances it is understandable the Union’s are seeking a pay increase.

Increase in pay by way of a lump sum / minimal increase at a future date dependent on the savings achieved, requiring 50:50 contribution was explored.

The Company tabled a wide range of major changes.

CWU 1.

• An Post, the Shareholder and Regulator need to engage to ensure the future financial stability of the core business.

The Union’s claim is for 6% increase from January 2014. However, based on the Labour Court Recommendation issued last November, it would reluctantly accept the current pay freeze, would cease at the end of December 2015.

• Three months engagement of the Parties on efficiency measures to part fund in part the increase.

The Union is now seeking the Pay increase to take effect from January 1st 2016.

An Post, the Shareholder and Group of Unions to contribute equally towards pay adjustments and to the future financial stability of the core business.

In respect of efficiency measures there was agreement in principle to amend the existing Sick Pay and VS/VER Schemes, but no agreement in respect of the proposed revised terms offered by the Company. The Union is also prepared to progress the Company’s proposals in respect of Recruitment/Appointment of temporary staff and the Home Garaging of CMVs both of which are already at an advanced stage in the Work Place Relations.

The Union requires a process to be agreed to provide for future increases.

In a review by the Monitoring Group of the events associated with the IO Systems dispute the Union proposed a protocol to ensure the Company could not again act in such a cavalier fashion.

• There is no dispute concerning the Company’s difficult financial and commercial circumstances.

Discussions Process At the time the Labour Court issued its Recommendation there was a serious industrial relations difficulty associated with An Post Management’s decision to shut down the entire Mails Operation because of a dispute involving its Contractor, IO Systems. This initially delayed the commencement of the process; however, intensive discussions commenced in November and have progressed in a professional and meaningful manner. Although some progress was achieved it was not possible for the Parties to conclude agreement and in March 2016 the CWU referred the matter back to the Labour Court for a definitive recommendation. The position of both parties at the Court is summarised below

An Post 1.

The Company sought the continuation of the current pay freeze which was, in part, in place by the Pension agreement.

The additional efficiency measures to be agreed,

The CWU outlined to the Labour Court the urgent nature of this claim and requested that they would uphold the 16

Postal Update having its pay claim progressed. The Union has its Biennial Conference in May 2016 and requires agreement in place for a pay increase for 2016 in advance of this. While the AHCPS and PSEU agreed to be comprehended by the referral and attended the Labour Court the CPSU refused to do so. At the time of writing and in anticipation of the Labour Court issuing its recommendation, arrangements are in place to conduct a ballot of all members in An Post comprehended by the claim.

claim and issue an early recommendation. Members have demonstrated enormous patience and made major sacrifices to ensure the long term viability of the Company. This has not been matched by the Management’s efforts in its discussions with the Shareholder and or Regulator on pricing or funding of the Universal Service Obligation. At this point the political uncertainty has obviously made it impossible for An Post management to progress any meaningful engagement with the shareholder. In such circumstances the Union cannot be expected to accept a further delay in

but in the meantime it was agreed that both sides would re-double their efforts to try and reach agreement locally to avoid the need for a ballot. Early in March the Labour Court made its recommendation and the ballot process quickly followed. The strong endorsement of the deal by way of a resounding ‘Yes’ vote is a credit to the Committee and the members in Post Insurance who showed great patience and determination to secure a positive outcome. The tireless work of the Committee is to be commended and the result is clear evidence of the benefits of being a member of the CWU.

Post Insurance Members Accept 4% Pay Deal In March, CWU members in Post Insurance voted to accept a 4% pay increase. By a significant majority, the members have agreed to the terms of a deal, as per a Labour Court recommendation, that will see their pay increase by 4% from January 1st 2015 to March 31st 2017. This deal follows on from an earlier recommendation from the Labour Court which saw the introduction of a new starting salary of €21,000 for all staff, which had a positive impact for a large group of our members. The pay increase has been secured just in time for it to positively impact on the annual performance related payment. This has been a long, hard struggle for the members, most of whom work in the main office in Athlone, though there are a number of members in the retail branches in post offices around the country. Having failed to reach agreement in the Labour Relations Commission in early 2014, the Union referred the pay claim to the Labour Court which heard the case in October. The recommendation issued by the Court suggested that both sides re-enter negotiations with a view to reaching agreement while taking into consideration the pay deals reached in similar unionised workplaces. Local negotiations on pay were re-established late in 2015. Around this time the Company announced its intention to re-brand itself as Post Insurance. No agreement was reached locally on the issue of pay as the year drew to a close and early in 2016 the members decided that, in the absence of any agreement being reached, a ballot for industrial action would have to take place as the continuing delay in the discussions was causing considerable frustration among the members. A circular to this effect was issued to staff

CWU member Eamonn Walsh dressed as a Posts & Telegraphs postman during RTE’s Reflecting the Rising on Easter Monday. He is using a vintage High Nelly Postmans bike from the 1920s to deliver “Certificates of Attendance” to young children who attended the event. Eamonn wishes to thank Jim McGee Rural Postman in Dundalk for donating an old P&T uniform for the event.

Postal Update

Labour Court Supports Part Consolidation of Change Allowance 2.

Last December the Labour Court issued its Recommendation LCR no 20697 in respect of CWU’s claim to have the Change Allowance consolidated into basic pay. The CWU and, the Board of An Post, accepted this. Although the Court previously had found against our claim on 14th February 2014, it did leave a window open for further referral to the Monitoring Group. Following a subsequent report by the Monitoring Group, a further Recommendation was issued by the Labour Court.

This allowance is reduced to 10% with effect from 1st January 2016, for allowance holders who have reached the maximum of the Postal Operative pay scale. As per clause 15.1.2 of the above Agreement, 83.67% of this allowance will remain pensionable. This change in Productivity Allowance applies to Postal Operatives who hold the C&D Productivity Allowance, and who have reached the new maximum point of the pay scale.

“The Postal Operative non-consolidated productivity allowance of 12.5% should be reduced by 2.5% and an extra increment should be added to the top of the pay scale equal to the value of the 2.5% reduction in the productivity allowance with effect from the 1st January 2016.”

The new Postal Operative rates were paid on Friday 18th March 2016 with any arrears paid on the 15th April 2016.

This is a significant breakthrough for the Union in that, for the first time we have managed to have an element of the Change Allowance consolidated into basic pay, albeit for only one group of workers (Postal Operatives). This is a very welcome development for this grade as it provides an increase for a large number of people on low pay. The Union is attempting to progress a claim for all our other members to ensure they receive similar payments as well as seeking to consolidate further amounts in separate future pay discussions. The revised pay arrangements for Postal Operatives which are set out below, apply from 1st January 2016.

12.5% Productivity Allowance payable to Postal Operatives under the Collection and Delivery Work Practice Change Agreement 2006

Postal Operative

Postal Operative (former Postperson) New entrant Postal Operatives This pay scale has a new, additional increment at the maximum point, with effect 1st January 2016. Postal Operatives who are currently on the old maximum point (€550.78), and who received their last increment prior to the 1st January 2015, will progress to the new maximum of €564.55 on the 1st January 2016. All other Postal Operatives will progress up the pay scale in due course subject to normal rules and regulations.

Auxiliary Postal Operative

Scale at 1.08.08 per week

Revised 1.01.16 per week

€499.90 €512.76 €525.37 €538.16 €550.78

€499.90 €512.76 €525.37 €538.16 €550.78 €564.55

Scale at 1.08.08 per week

Revised 1.01.16 per week

€13.3307 €13.6736 €14.0099 €14.3509 €14.6875

€13.3307 €13.6736 €14.0099 €14.3509 €14.6875 €15.0547

Postal Update

Visitors’ Centre Officially Opened in the GPO on Good Friday On Good Friday An Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny, officially opened the GPO Witness History Visitors’ Centre. This is a new and permanent visitor attraction sited in the bowels of the GPO Building on O’Connell Street, Dublin, which is today one of the worlds oldest working Post Offices. The An Post Project Team, headed up by Barney Whelan, Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs at An Post and ably supported by Head of Communications Anna McHugh , ensured timely conclusion of the extensive exercise to transform the centre court yard of the GPO Building. The end project is a highly impressive and engaging exhibition which allows people to place themselves inside the GPO and absorb events during Easter Week in 1916. These events have shaped Ireland’s history at which the GPO was the centre of and the main communications hub. On Easter Monday 1916 a band of rebels stormed the GPO, they ordered staff and customers to leave and ceased control of the building making it their Headquarters during the fierce fighting of Easter Week. On Easter Monday Padraig Pearse read the proclamation of independence which declared an independent sovereign republic. Extensive renovations were made possible by a Government grant of €7 million. The building project, a

massive undertaking, was designed by Architect Ciaran Shields who hails from Tyrone and constructed by PJ Hegarty & Sons. Shannon Heritage are contracted to manage the Centre, already a success with many bookings and extensive queues. An Post has issued two admission tickets to each member of staff and a visit is highly recommended. Among the main attractions of the self guided tour is the centre piece semi-circular cinema screen which shows a 25 minute film capturing in a real way events of the time ,allowing customers eyewitness views of fighting inside the GPO. An experience witnessed by GPO staff on a regular basis in the management suite. The permanent art installation memorial is fitting recognition of the 40 children who died in the rising, consists of black limestone taken from Jacobs biscuit factory. A wall of remembrance lists all of the volunteers at the GPO rising. Completion of the tour is a coffee in the courtyard providing tranquillity from the exhibition and hustle and bustle of O Connell Street, a mere 20 meters away and a new angle to view the Spire. The centre is a credit to all concerned which is the product of imagination, innovation and hard work. It is the flagship of the Commemorations. It’s high time the same enthusiasm and energy is demonstrated by senior management at the GPO to develop the mails business. 19

CREDIT UNION MEMBERSHIP EXTENDED!

an post employeesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; credit union ltd.

Spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, brothers & sisters

Includes: An Post employees Former employees Pensioners Postmasters and their post office assistants Companies where An Post has a shareholding

www.anpostcu.ie 21

UPS

UPDATE: As a result of the appointment of a new country manager there has been a delay in a meeting to finalise discussions. We hope to have progress on a collective bargaining agreement for all our members. The agenda will also include: Pay rise. The Union is anxious to end the pay merit system and return to an across the board pay deal. OSP: The Union have been seeking a written commitment from the Company on the percentage of work they intend to outsource. The Company have assured the Union that outsourcing will not impact on the number of drivers employed directly by the Company. An allowance to be paid to members who operate the X Ray machines.

Photos taken at UPS AGM in CWU HQ. Guests included Matt Draper and Albert Graham from Unite in the UK.

Printpost

both centres. We have also held a number of meetings with the management of Printpost. CWU have lodged a claim for a pay rise with the Company and we are also attempting to deal with the main issue in Printpost which is the pay discrepancy that exists between staff who perform the same work. It is highly likely that this issue will have to be referred to a third party.

Printpost have two operations in Ireland, one in Tallaght and the other in Portlaoise. They are a whollyowned subsidiary of An Post. In recent months the CWU and Printpost have signed off on a full recognition agreement. The CWU have held meetings with our members in

DPD Athlone The main issue in Athlone at the moment is the discussions between the Company and the CWU concerning the Company’s proposal to introduce a Sunday attendance. The Company’s initial proposal was to pay the normal hourly rate of pay for this attendance, they have upped their offer but we are still well away from reaching a figure which the Union can agree to. Negotiations are ongoing and we would hope to be able to reach a satisfactory conclusion in the near future. The CWU are also delighted the DPD have decided to invest €13 million in to its operations in Ireland. 22

Education Update

CWU Training Calendar 2016 The Union is pleased to announce our training calendar for 2016 as follows:

Branch Secretary Stage 1 Course

Equality Representatives

April 12th, 13th, 14th, 19th & 20th (5 days)

September 27th & 28th (2 days)

Venue: Union Head Office, Dublin

All newly elected Branch Secretaries are required to attend the Stage 1 course, as well as any currently elected Branch Secretary who may not have had the opportunity to attend in the past. This is a five-day course spread over two weeks and will cover the duties of the Branch Secretary, Negotiation Skills and other modules relevant to the role.

The Equality Representative is a support role to the Branch Secretary who can assist with equality related matters. This course is based primarily on the nine grounds of discrimination under employment equality legislation and also deals with such matters as work life balance, statutory and non-statutory leave, disability in the workplace etc. Equality Representatives make reports to their committee as required. This course is open to all Branches, however, please note due to the high demand for this training we can only accept one nomination per Branch.

Chairpersonsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Course May 24th, 25th & 26th (3 days) Venue: Union Head Office, Dublin.

Branch Secretary Stage 2

All newly elected Chairpersons are required to attend this course, as well as any currently elected Chairperson who may not have had the opportunity to attend in the past. The purpose of the course is to explain the role of the Chairperson within their Branch Structure and to cover other relevant modules.

October 18th, 19th 20th, 25th & 26th (5 days) Venue: Union Head Office, Dublin This course should be attended by Branch Secretaries who have completed Stage 1 and are in their second or consecutive term as Branch Secretary. This course is offered subject to numbers requiring the training. Further details on the course requirements will be issued to participants closer to the date of training.

Branch Officersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Course September 13th & 14th (2 days) Venue: Union Head Office, Dublin

Committee Courses

The course is open to Assistant Secretaries, Vice Chairpersons and newly elected Treasurers. The aim of this course is to provide Branch Officers with the necessary skills to carry out the role of a Branch Officer given that they will be required, from time to time, to stand in for either the Branch Secretary or Branch Chairperson. Newly elected Branch Treasurers are also requested to attend the training, as Treasurers in addition to their own role, are also Branch Officers and will be required to represent members on occasion and will need the skills to do this.

This course is normally 2 half-days in duration, namely a half day on a Friday afternoon and a half day on a Saturday morning, the dates of which will be set with Branches as required. Venue: To be agreed with the local committees. Please note that it is MANDATORY for all those who are elected onto their Branch roles to be trained by the Education Committee. It is requested that those who have not attended in previous years make themselves available to attend the relevant course. Nomination forms have been received from many Branches to union head office and those with any further queries or requests should contact Carol directly.

Those who have been previously trained as a Branch Secretary, Chairperson or Branch Officer are not required to attend.

Education Update The Education committee will make committee courses available at regional venues so as to facilitate Branches who have their own individual requirements for committee training. Courses offered will be subject to numbers requiring the training and workplace release. The Branch Secretary will be responsible for attendance and for organising release, as required, with local management. All newly elected Committee members are required to attend training as well as any Committee members who may not have had the opportunity to attend in the past. Branch Secretaries are asked to contact Carol Scheffer directly to discuss Branch training requirements. Please note that it is mandatory for all those who are elected onto their Branch roles to be trained by the Education Committee. It is requested that those who have not attended in previous years make themselves available to attend the relevant course. I would ask that participants fill in the relevant nomination form for the courses they wish to attend so

that we have the details recorded. Please also note that all of the forms can be downloaded from our website www.cwu.ie (under Union Training & Education). It is essential that members who applied for training in previous years and did not have the opportunity to attend to send in a new nomination form, as participants for all the above courses will be placed only on receipt of the current nomination forms. Further joining instructions will be issued to participants closer to the date of the relevant course. Forms must also be signed by the Branch Secretary as relevant. Please return the completed forms to Union Head Office. The return date for the forms is Friday 11th March 2016. While we try to accommodate as many as possible on our training, please note that due to high demand for our courses, any nomination forms received after the closing date will be initially placed on a cancellation list.

CWU Education Grant Scheme 2016 For those successful in the draw, it will be necessary to get the Union’s confirmation form signed and stamped by the secondary school confirming the grant winner is a student for the upcoming September 2016 term. The form will be provided by the Union to the grant winners.

We are pleased to announce the Education Grant scheme for 2016. The CWU Education Grant Scheme which is now in its sixth year seeks to support further education on behalf of our members and their dependents in approved courses through recognised third level institutions, second level education and Gaeltacht grants.

3. Third Level Education Awards Grants are awarded by means of a draw which takes place at a date decided by the National Executive Council. The following is a summary of the scheme and how it operates in each of the three areas:

The third level category will offer up to four awards annually. The award will be worth €2,000 for each year of study up to a maximum of four years. These awards will be made to Union members or members’ dependents involved in study or research at Diploma, Degree, Post-Graduate Diploma or Post-Graduate Degree level. In line with the aforementioned levels of study, if members are not sure which course they or their dependant will be doing they may indicate this on the enclosed application form as “to be decided”.

1. Gaeltacht Awards Up to 20 awards will be made each year for Gaeltacht students to help cover the cost of their participation in a Gaeltacht course. The grant will help cover course materials, tuition fees and accommodation for up to 22 days to a maximum value of €350. This payment will be made to those successful in the draw retrospectively on production of the course receipt.

Members who have already commenced approved courses can also apply. Awards will be made on an annual basis for each year of study. Awards will not be given for a repeat year.

2. Second Level Awards Up to 30 awards will be made annually to second level students. Each award will be worth €400 to help with the purchase of schoolbooks and class materials. Members studying for the Junior and/or Leaving Certificate as mature students can also apply for this award.

For those successful in the draw for the third level award, it will be necessary to provide documentation indicating acceptance onto the course by the college which confirms that the grant winner is a student for the upcoming academic year.

Education Update

CWU Education Grant Scheme 2016 N.B.

It will be the responsibility of each member to ensure that their forms are returned on time to Union Head Office as late applications will not be accepted. In that regard we would ask members to post their forms directly to Union HQ. All forms must be returned to Union Head Office by Friday, May 27th 2016.

Please refer to the general circular or contact your Branch Secretary for copies of the forms. They can also be downloaded from the union website cwu.ie under publications/general circulars. Finally, for full details on the scheme and application criteria, members should refer to general circular 10/16.

Committee Training, Mullingar Postal

The Union was pleased to deliver committee training for the Mullingar postal committee which took place November last. We thank the committee for their attendance and active participation. Pictured above from left to right: Christy Martin, Margaret Brennan, Barry Carr, Sean Geraghty, Martin Little, Gordon Ward and Kyle Gavin.

How Unequal is Ireland?

go to prison and the worst thing that can happen to them is that they will be fined and have their names published in the newspapers. The scale of tax avoidance is staggering and in the last quarter of 2015 alone, more than 100 tax payers paid settlements totalling 16.67 million euro. Other means can be used such as Government schemes to avoid paying capital gains tax as in the case of billionaire business man, Denis O’Brien.

HIS UNION has consistently campaigned for a fair and equitable taxation system under which citizens pay taxes according to their means. The payment of taxation is central to the requirement to improve our public services and while workers have taxes deducted at source, for others the tax avoidance is a national past time in which they participate in the full knowledge that if they are caught under declaring PAYE/PRSI, Corporation Tax, and VAT, they will never

O’Brien uses government vehicle to avoid €10m tax on LXV sale Mark Tighe – Irish Times. Published: 3 April 2016

(Ramin Talaie/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

ENIS O’BRIEN took advantage of a new taxefficient legal entity established by the government last year when he sold a landmark building on St Stephen’s Green in Dublin for a reported €30m profit. O’Brien reportedly sold the LXV building, on the site of Canada House, for €85m last month. A Sunday Times investigation has revealed that on May 25 O’Brien transferred the ownership of the LXV building into an Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicle (ICAV), a legal structure established by the government two months earlier to attract corporate investment funds to Ireland. The Real Estate Development and Investment Fund ICAV was set up by William Fry solicitors, which acts for both O’Brien and Fieldsville, the company owned by Catherine O’Brien, the billionaire’s wife. Fieldsville was responsible for developing the six-storey high LXV block on the corner of Earlsfort Terrace, which is almost complete. Land registry documents show that Fieldsville conveyed the property to O’Brien back in 2011. O’Brien then conveyed it to the Real Estate Development and

Denis O’Brien sold the LXV building last month for a reported €85m Investment Fund ICAV on May 25 last year. On the same date the ICAV granted O’Brien a deed of debenture secured on the LXV building and “all other property and assets” of the ICAV. The ICAV, incorporated on April 29 last year, has three listed directors, Tom Berrigan, David Goddard and 26

Ian Conlon, an investment funds partner at Maples and Calders which has helped set up a number of ICAVs over the past year, said they were similar to public limited companies (PLCs) but had greater flexibility as they were designed for the funds industry. “The ICAV Act essentially drew upon the best and most successful aspects of Irish company law, improving it in several material respects,” said Conlon. “For example, unlike the investment company the ICAV is not subject to the principle of risk spreading, making them extremely useful for single asset real estate funds or real estate funds with very concentrated property portfolios. “In addition, the ICAV, like the investment company, is an investment undertaking for Irish tax purposes and will be subject to the same gross roll-up regime, ie typically any profits and gains of the ICAV are exempt from tax in Ireland subject to certain conditions.” The tax exemption conditions require that an entity or person benefitting from an ICAV cannot be resident in Ireland. Conlon said ICAVs had proven popular with real estate investors “largely due to these structuring flexibilities and tax efficiencies”. Speaking on the Dail debate on the ICAV legislation, Richard Boyd Barrett, a People Before Profit TD, claimed the ICAVs “look like a means through which big investors can avoid tax and regulation”. O’Brien’s spokesman did not respond to queries about the LXV sale or the use of an ICAV.

Michael Humphreys, all of whom are managers with Davy Stockbrokers. Its shareholders are Lower Mount Ltd and Wilton Secretarial, two William Fry trust companies. Although ICAVs are not specifically designed to facilitate investment in property, Maples and Calders solicitors estimate that 17% of the 146 ICAVs established in the first year of operation relate to property. The fund has registered two charges in O’Brien’s favour with the Central Bank of Ireland, the regulator for ICAVs. One is a charge over the LXV property and the other is a charge over a deed of debenture with O’Brien listed as a lender to the ICAV. O’Brien’s address is listed as Sliema in Malta, where he is resident for tax purposes. Last month the Irish Times reported that O’Brien had sold LXV to CNP Assurances, a French fund, for over €85m, which made him an estimated profit of over €30m based on the site’s €25m purchase price and €30m building costs. With capital gains tax at 33%, O’Brien could have faced a tax bill of €10m on a direct sale, based on those figures. In 2014, Enda Kenny promised that ICAVs would “revolutionise the Irish funds industry”. Kenny said the ICAVs would “open up the Irish investment fund market to new participants, providing new solutions for managers who use Ireland”. The ICAV is a corporate structure but not subject to normal company law.

Connemara hotelier makes €2.3m settlement with Revenue Co Laois-based building contractor makes second biggest settlement, paying €1.7m Charlie Taylor – Irish Times. Published: 15 March 2016

Connemara-based hotelier has made a settlement of €2.3 million for the under declaration of income tax and VAT, the latest defaulters list reveals. Colm Redmond, a company director of the Zetland Hotel, Cashel Bay, Connemara, is among 107 defaulters to be fined for failing to meet their tax obligations during the fourth quarter. Co Laois-based building contractor Michael Holland, with an address at Mill Road, Durrow, made the second biggest settlement, paying €1.7 million, also for under declaration of income tax and VAT. Others to appear on the latest defaulters list include a former private members club operator, a costume and

In the three-month period under review, 107 taxpayers paid settlements totalling €16.67 million

Continued overleaf 27

Continued ... Mr Bolger was one of three disco operators to appear on the latest list along with Ross Bolger and Warren Bolger, both of Clontarf, who made settlements totalling €50,928 and €35,612 respectively for under declaration of income tax. Separately, Mary Sheehan, an airline steward with an address in Middleton, Co Cork, made a settlement of €189,096, linked to Revenue’s investigation into offshore accounts. Elsewhere, Mr Kevin Daly, an accountant from Rathfarnham, made a settlement of €500,551, while Dundrum-based equestrian centre operator Gerry Gorman settled for €158,183. Wexford’s famous Macken’s Bar made a settlement of €85,987 for under declaration of PAYE/PRSI, corporation tax and VAT. Dr Pauline Whyte, a consultant and anaesthetist based at University Hospital Galway, and with an address in Barna, made a settlement of €69,726 for under declaration of tax. Another medical professional to appear on the list is osteoporosis specialist Prof Moira O’Brien. The first female medical professor in the Trinity Medical School, she also worked with Ireland’s Olympic athletes at the games in Moscow, LA and Seoul games and was the founder of the Irish Osteoporosis Society. Prof O’Brien has agreed a settlement of €279,581 in relation to income tax, PAYE and PRSI. Among those to be fined for failing to lodge income tax returns was mind coach Paul Campbell of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, and adult shop owner Marianne Philips who both received fine of €1,500. Oliver Welsh, a surfing instructor from Miltown Malbray, Co Clare, was fined 1,250 for the same offence.

theatre designer, a takeaway owner, a medical consultant in her 80s, an airline steward and a number of farmers. In the three-month period under review, 107 taxpayers paid settlements totalling €16.67 million. Of the 107 published cases, 46 were for amounts exceeding €100,000, while three exceeded €500,000. Three of the 107 settlements published, yielding €540,000, relate to Revenue’s ongoing investigation into offshore accounts. Among those agreeing settlements were novelist, playwright and screenwriter Declan Hughes, a cofounder of Rough Magic Theatre Company, whose novels include The Wrong Kind of Blood and The Dying Breed. He appears on the list for a settlement of €88,979 for under declaration of income tax and VAT. Mr Hughes, with an address at Martello Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, is listed as having an occupation as a costume and theatre designer. Former private members club operator Gillian Singleton of Clarehall, Dublin 13, settled for €292,268 for under declaration of VAT and PAYE/PRSI. Ms Singleton previously owned the Temple Bar Emporium lapdancing club in Dublin. Little Harvard, a Glasthule-registered childcare provider, which has centres in Blanchardstown, Bray, Rathfarnham, Rathnew and Leixlip, made a settlement of €70,285 for under declaration of income tax. Wan Ping Ngai, a Mullingar-based takeaway owner who previously appeared on the defaulters list in 2010, made a settlement of €771,764 for under declaration of tax and VAT. Another individual to appear on the list was Donal Bolger, of 16 Seacourt, Clontarf, whose occupation is listed as a ‘disco operator’. He made a settlement of €408,532. 28

Equality Update

ICTU Women’s Conference, Mullingar The CWU attended the ICTU Women’s Conference held in Mullingar on March 3rd and 4th. The conference is held to coincide with International Women’s day and approximately two hundred delegates from various unions north and south of the border were in attendance. The theme of the conference this year was 100 years of struggle, with delegates debating a variety of motions with contributions from guest speakers on the history of women's struggles. ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King opened the conference relaying on how far we have come on gender equality and the remaining challenges facing us as a society, within our workplaces and as a trade union movement. It was noted that “gender inequality remains a persistent feature of life on this island. Women are disadvantaged in work and still carry a disproportionate responsibility for unpaid care work. Women are also severely underrepresented in the political, economic and administrative systems.” Please

refer to the ICTU website (www.ictu.ie) for further details. Mary Muldowney gave an excellent presentation on the role of women in 1916, we recommend members to take a look at the ICTU equality webpage for a copy of the presentation. Also Margaret Ward of Queen’s University gave a speech on Women’s suffrage. The Union was also delighted to meet with ETUC Confederal Secretary, Montserrat Mir. Montserrat spoke about the gender equality agenda at EU level and the ETUC response. She stated that it was good to “pay tribute to all the Irish women who have dedicated their lives to fighting for equal opportunities, and for better lives for future generations. We need to continue this work”. As always fringe events were organised. This year the fringe events were based on Palestine and the Right to Choose which also formed part of the conference.

Women trade unionists vowed to be at the heart of change in Europa at the 5th UNI Europa Women’s Conference The UNI Europa Women’s Conference took place in Rome with numerous UNI affiliates from across the continent meeting to debate issues such as the gender pay gap, gender discrimination, violence against women, and women in the sporting sector. There was a high attendance with approximately 250 delegates from 81 unions and 28 countries participated in the Conference. Head of UNI Equal Opportunities Veronica Fernandez-Mendes stated, “We are going to have women at the heart of change – by growing unions, bargaining power and quality jobs for a better society!” Carol Scheffer of CWU also gave a presentation on the Union’s Mentoring Programme and the work it conducted in this area. Please see the UNI website www.uniglobalunion.org for further details.

Equality Update

Living Wage and Increased Investment needed for Irish Childcare Congress has recently published its report on childcare costs and practices in Ireland. The report entitled “Who Cares?” highlights the critical issue of childcare in Ireland and the obstacles that families face when trying to access that care. pivotal to the development of a high-quality model of care. It also recommends “subsidising schemes to allow staff achieve qualifications beyond the current minimum requirements and proposes possible mechanisms to fund training and increase public investment in childcare”. At this stage the Union would like to thank Congress for the comprehensive report. A copy of the report can be downloaded from the Congress website www.ictu.ie. We would also like to thanks all the members who participated in the survey and for the Branch Representatives who promoted its completion locally.

The problems within the Irish childcare sector are vast with Ireland having some of the highest childcare costs in the European Union which in turn is staffed by workers on very low pay. Accordingly, Congress has called “for the introduction of new entry-level pay for childcare professionals at the Living Wage rate of €11.50 per hour and for investment in the sector to be brought in line with the 1% of GDP benchmark recommended by UNICEF, from its current level of 0.2%”. Overall the report was commissioned to examine how families working in the Republic of Ireland balance paid employment with childcare costs. Congress surveyed 3,703 members in seven affiliated unions and needless to say the CWU played its part. Some of the findings of the survey are as follows: •

Family members, especially grandparents, continue to represent one of the most common forms of childcare, with close to a third (29%) of respondents saying they rely on relatives to mind their children.

•

While private crèches account for the greatest use overall, they are distinctly less popular with households on lower incomes, which largely rely on cheaper and more flexible forms of childcare.

•

Among those using private crèches, the largest proportion of households (18%) pay monthly fees of between €1,000 and €1,499.

•

Only a very small number (1%) of parents avail of workplace crèches, the vast majority of which (91%) are public sector employees.

Recommendations In the report, Congress listed several recommendations which range from stricter legislation on pay for domestic workers to adequate resources being allocated for investment in early years’ childcare and education. Furthermore Congress also recognised in the report “that the pay and conditions of childcare professionals are 31

Are YOU insolvent?

person’s wellbeing and mental health can be severe and can prevent them coming forward for help. People get so used to making personal sacrifices and struggling to make-do, that they don’t realise they are insolvent. The reality is that thousands of people in Ireland are insolvent and in deep mortgage arrears. It is important for people in fear of losing their home to be aware that even if they have received letters threatening repossession, or a Court appearance date it is still not too late to sort out their finances and, hopefully, keep their home. The majority of personal insolvency proposals put to creditors are being accepted and recent amendments to legislation mean that where creditors have rejected a proposed Personal Insolvency Arrangement, the borrower can seek a review by the Court. The so called “bank veto” is gone. All of the debt solutions overseen by the ISI are designed to get a person back on track financially and at the end of the process the person will be solvent again and can start planning their future. Visit www.backontrack.ie, freetext ISI to 50015 or call the ISI’s information line at 076 106 4200.

The word insolvency is often associated with companies, but when a person is unable to pay bills in full when they are due; is paying a little off each bill to keep creditors at bay and receiving letters and calls about missed payments – these are all signs of personal insolvency. The Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) is an independent government body offering 4 debt solutions for all levels of debt. It has a regulated network of professionals that can arrange for debts to be restructured and/or written off. Thousands of people in Ireland have availed of the ISI’s solutions; however, many people are still unaware of the ISI and are living with problem debt. According to the ISI, the effects of problem debt on a

The ISI offers 4 debt solutions: •

Debt Relief Notice - a solution for people with low income, no mortgage and very few assets. This solution allows for complete write off of debts up to €35,000 and can be applied for, at no cost, through an Approved Intermediary, many of whom are based in MABS.

•

Debt Settlement Arrangement – a solution to problem debts that have built up outside of a mortgage, such as credit cards, personal loans, overdrafts. This solution features write-down and write-off of debts that cannot be repaid. It can be applied for through a Personal Insolvency Practitioner, professionals based around the country that are regulated by the ISI.

•

Personal Insolvency Arrangement – is a similar solution to the Debt Settlement Arrangement but it also includes mortgage debt and, where possible, allows a person to keep their home. Again, this solution is available through a Personal Insolvency Practitioner.

•

Bankruptcy – the solution for people for which the alternatives above are not suitable. The bankruptcy term is now reduced to 1 year.

Health Insurance

Group Scheme for CWU Members Special Rates Payroll Deduction Expert Advice Did you take out Health Insurance this time last year to beat the LCR loading? If so and it is was not through your CWU Health Insurance Scheme make sure you call Libby or Cathal before you renew this year; 01 855 6666 Francis M Downes t/a FM Downes & Co is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

DPDB Presentation to Focus Ireland Gerry Sexton and Frank Donohoe (Dublin Postal Delivery Branch) presented a donation to Ashley Balbirnie, CEO, Focus Ireland. Gerry and Frank were delighted to attend an event to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Focus Ireland and the great work that they do to help the homeless throughout the country.

CWUHA Cheque Presentation made by St James’ Secondary School, Dublin 8 Students and staff of CBS James’s Street Dublin 8, did a 24-hour Readathon on Thursday 3rd December and raised over €800 for the Communications Workers’ Union Humanitarian Aid (CWUHA) It was a great team effort by the students, led Kylie-Anne Hill (Home School Community Liaison Teacher) and Siobhain Boyce (JCSP Librarian). This year the CWUHA convoy travelled with aid to orphanages in Moldova and the great efforts by the students of St James’ Secondary School will help support the 2016 aid program, so well done to all involved!

Dublin Clerical Presentation

Branch members Ian McDonagh, JP Watters, Jay Asolo & Liam O’Laighin with some of the gifts donated

JP Watters donating cheque for €500 on behalf of Branch members

Dublin Clerical & Admin Committee member, John Paul Watters, organised a Christmas collection in Telephone House in aid of St. Vincent de Paul’s ‘Giving Tree’ campaign. The collection received a large number of presents and gifts for disadvantaged families & children. 34

NI CA T

Invitation to Join the... CWU Family Personal Accident Scheme

W NO

EN P O

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Pre

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If this happens, you could receive

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€ 12,000*

€

6,000

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3,000

Fracture To Leg (including ankle,

€

3,000*

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1,500

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Fracture To Arm (including wrist,

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humerus, radius and ulna) Temporary Total Disablement

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Main Conditions and Exclusions Children shall mean the unmarried dependant children under 18 years of age or under 23 years of age if in full time education. diagnosed and made known to an insured person before they suffered bodily injury. T&C’s apply. E&OE. This notice is a summary of cover and for information purposes only. Full terms and conditions are available on www.halligan.ie

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€ 2.48

ComReg pays staff bonuses, despite row over resources Last year, staff at the communications regulator were paid

€675,000 in bonuses Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR). DCENR did not respond to emails and phone calls asking if it authorised the bonus payments at ComReg, and the circumstances they are made in. The regulator has been the subject of a stream of complaints by telcos to DCENR in recent weeks. Several of Eir’s rivals complained to officials about the length of time it will take ComReg to make a determinsation on contentious issues surrounding the incumbent’s wholesale network. Some have also alleged to the Government that ComReg, which is funded by a levy on the industry that is ultimately passed on to consumers, does not maximise its resources, doesn’t engage with industry properly and is often slow to deal with important issues. “The department is sympathetic, but it doesn’t want to interfere,” said one source. ComReg has brought in consultants to complete the major investigation into issues surrounding the possible separation of Eir’s retail and wholesale units, which won’t be finished until the end of 2016, despite the issue arising as far back as last summer. Eir’s rivals allege that it has a dominant position while Eir itself completed a report last year identifying more than 20 instances in which its wholesale division failed to provide equal access to its rivals. Despite Eir’s apparent admission that it has sometimes not given equal access to rivals, ComReg has angered the rest of the industry by so far failing to act quicker. ComReg has said the issues involved are complex and it is working to carry out a review “as expeditiously as possible”.

ComReg, the communications regulator under fire from the telco industry over the time it is taking to deal with complaints regarding Eir, paid its staff bonuses averaging 8 per cent last year. This is despite the ongoing clampdown on bonuses across the public sector. ComReg gave bonuses among its staff of about 120 throughout the recession, despite Government attempts to cut out such extra payments through public sector rules, known as Fempi. The regulator says it is contractually bound to pay the bonuses to its staff, which amounted to €675,000 last year. It has paid about €3.5 million in bonuses in the last five years. “Staff in ComReg are employed on individual contracts. An element of the remuneration of those contracts includes a variable element of pay based on performance,” it said. “All staff were eligible for performance-related pay but not all staff received” it. The regulator argued its commissioners do not receive bonuses. It also said all of its staff were subject to the public-sector pay cuts and the pension levy, along with the rest of the public sector. Unlike most the public sector, however, it has continued to pay bonuses, despite indicating recently it may require extra resources. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) confirmed that ComReg is subject to the Fempi pay rules and its staff are considered public servants. When asked how it was still allowed to pay bonuses despite the general clampdown on such payments to public servants, DPER referred all queries to the 36

The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland Rowland Hill, a great administrator and reformer of Post Office affairs, was born in 1792. He is best known as the initiator of the Penny Post. In tribute to his work, The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund was established in Britain in 1882. An independent organisation was founded in Ireland in 1928, under a Deed of Trust approved by the High Court of Justice.

staff of An Post and eir, and their dependants. It also provides financial assistance for retired staff of the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs, Telecom Éireann and eircom, and their dependants. Assistance may be given to those who find themselves in need due to age, poverty or infirmity. The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland is managed by a voluntary committee of Trustees.

Today, the Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland provides financial assistance for serving or retired

The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland is worthy of your support because: 1.

It is your staff charity, administered by an independent and voluntary committee of Trustees.

Thousands of staff, former staff and their dependants have been helped financially over the years when in urgent need of assistance.

If you are not subscribing and wish to do so then please fill out the form below and send it to: The Secretary, Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland, c/o An Post, G.P.O., O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. Those seeking assistance from the Fund should contact The Secretary, Liam Kirwan, either in writing to the address above, by email rhillfund@eircom.net or on 085 1744130.

Subscriptions may be deducted from your pay. The suggested subscription is 50c per week.

✃

The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland

To Payroll An Post / eir (Please delete as appropriate) I hereby authorise the deduction of __________ per week / fortnight / month from my wages / salary for payment to The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland. Name (Block Letters) ___________________________________________________________________________ Staff / Pension No. __________________ ( An Post / eir ) (Please delete as appropriate)

(Please delete as appropriate)

Signature _____________________________________________ 37

Date_______________________________

CWU People

DUBLIN POSTAL DELIVERY It has been a very busy time for retirements in Dublin and the Dublin Postal Delivery Branch would like to wish all their recent retirees the very best of luck for the future

Frank Donohoe presenting Joseph Whelan, based in Churchtown, Dublin 14 sorting office with his Union Scroll. Joe marked his 50th anniversary of working for An Post (having started as a telegraph boy with Post & Telegraphs) in November 1966. Joe retired on the 8th January 2016 and we wish him and his family every happiness for a long and healthy retirement.

Brian Kane, Foxrock DSU, retires after 50 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service. Brian was a long standing member of the Branch Committee and attended many Conferences as a delegate of the DPDB

John Lacey, Cardiff Lane DSU

Joe Dolan, Foxrock DSU, Richie Murphy, Churchtown DSU and Graham Hayes, Lucan DSU

Enda Naughton, Rutland Place DSU 38

John Collins, Rutland Place DSU

CWU People

BRANCH RETIREMENTS

Seamus O’Maoileoin, Cardiff Lane DSU

Richie Murphy, Churchtown DSU

Jimmy Byrne, Finglas DSU

Kevin Lynch, Tallaght DSU

John O’Reilly, Clondalkin DSU

Gerry Ryan, Cardiff Lane DSU

Graham Hayes, Lucan DSU 39

Sam Finn, Cardiff Lane DSU

CWU People

Waterford Postal Branch Retirements

Pictured from l to r: Anthony Horan (Branch Chairman), Shem Dooley (Postman, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny), John Molloy (Postman, Fethard, Co. Wexford) and Jason Caulfield (Branch Secretary). Shem and John both retired at different times during 2015 but celebrated their retirement night together, where they were both presented with their Union Scrolls.

John Norris, who retired in January as a Postal Operative in our Dungarvan Office of the Waterford Postal Branch, was presented with his Union Scroll by Jason Caulfield, Branch Secretary.

Outgoing CWU President

Tim Phelan Retires

Pascal Connolly

Tim Phelan’s retirement after 42 years’ service marked a milestone in Waterford, as the last Clerk retiree of the famed 1979 POWU Nineteen Week Strike. Tim, regarded locally as “Entitlements Guru & Eolaí an Phoist Scholar”, is pictured on his last day of service with Branch Treasurer Peter O’Dwyer and Bill Colfer, holding his CWU Scroll.

A presentation was made to Pascal Connolly, outgoing President of the Communications Workers’ Union, at the Sligo District Branch Annual General Meeting, held on 26th February 2016, in the Southern Hotel, Sligo. The photo shows the Chairperson of the Sligo District Branch, Derek Byrne, presenting an inscribed Inishfree Crystal clock to Pascal, in recognition of his tenure as President. 40

CWU People

Carrick-on-Shannon Retirements

Retail Clerk, Ann Gormley, presented with the Union Scroll by Pascal

Pascal Connolly President CWU presenting the Union Scroll to Seamus McNabola

Dublin No 2 AGM

Steve Fitzpatrick and Fintan King

Members from Dublin No 2 Branch with Chair John Dunleavy and Fintan King Secretary

CWU People

Seamus Beere Retires

James Galligan Retires

Seamus Beere, who retired as Auxiliary Postal Sorter in Portlaoise Mails Centre, is presented with his Union Scroll and Badge by Chairman, David Kelly, Portlaoise Postal Branch.

Matt Finnegan, Branch Secretary, presenting the Union Scroll to James Galligan on his recent retirement.

Frank Cassidy Retires

Eddie Harris Retires

Eddie Harris and his wife Marie, as Eddie celebrated his retirement from An Post after 34 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; service. Eddie served for many years as Branch Secretary in Clonmel Post Office and also served on the National Executive Council of the CWU. A gifted singer, it was rumoured that Eddieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role within the NEC was Chairperson of the Entertainment Committee!

Frank Cassidy being presented with his Union scroll by Jim Browne, National Officer who started work the same day in Sept 1974 with Jim.

CWU People

Members Recognised for over Forty Years’ Service!

Pictured l to r: Pat Prendergast makes a Presentation to Kevin McGing (Galway Section) on his Retirement. Pat Prendergast, FLM Plan Design Team North West Region, made Presentations to two members who have achieved over forty years of service in the P&T, Telecom Eireann, eircom & openeir. The members concerned are Sean McBrearty, Letterkenny Section, and Kevin McGing of the Galway Section. Both men commenced work on the same day in Sligo Training Section in Finisklin Road, 1st September 1975, under the tutelage of Tommy Rodgers and Paddy Henry(deceased)

Pictured l to r: Sean McBrearty (Letterkenny Section) receives his Presentation from Pat Prendergast.

Mullingar post men have to be the best around! Friday, 29th January, 2016 Who need’s Eircode when you have the stellar workers at An Post in Mullingar? Michael Cronin of the band Cronin arrived home to find this package waiting for him. “Arrived back to this package today. Not sure what to make out of it getting here with just the town and county address. Fair play to An Post!”, he said. The package was simply addressed to “The Cronin Brothers, Mullingar, Westmeath”, but another crucial piece of information attached below.

It reads: “THE BAND THAT PLAYS WITH SHANE MACGOWAN”, which is highlighted with a circle. Round of applause to all at the Mullingar sorting office! 43

CWU People

Tom Cummins Retires

Tom Cummins retired from Enfield DSU after 21 years’ service. Twenty of those years were spent in Carbury Post Office, until they moved to Enfield DSU in 2015. Tom will be greatly missed by his Carbury colleagues and his new Enfield colleagues. We all wish him the best in his retirement. In the photo above, Tom is presented with his Union Scroll by Branch Secretary, Barry Carr (Mullingar/Enfield Postal), while some of Tom’s colleagues look on in the background.

~ A Trip Down Memory Lane ~ Margaret Byrne, POWU, Retired 1959 by Noreen Byrne I recently came across a Certificate which was given to my grandmother, Margaret Byrne, by the POWU, when she retired way back in 1959. She had worked as a cleaner in the GPO for almost 30 years. Sadly, she passed away in 1963. My grandfather (her husband) was in the No 1 Branch of the ITGWU, in the Irish Citizen Army and he was in the Stephen’s Green Garrison in 1916. As a result of that, he is a bit of a celeb in the family, so it was really nice for me to find out that my grandmother was a union member all her life too! Your colleague, Adrienne Power, told me that you have continued to give members a Union Scroll upon retirement. Recognition is always very important to people and I would like to pass on my sincere thanks for giving my grandmother the Certificate, which her family will always cherish.

Book Reviews Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout completely different person and you have to re-evaluate who you think she is. I have never come across a character as deeply faceted or brought to life to such a degree. A character that becomes so human on the page. For someone who comes across mean, bitter and so bluntly forthright, you realise she still has such a positive impact on others. Olive is complicated, flawed and noble, level-headed and aloof. To create someone who is so unbelievably enigmatic is amazing. There is a force and perfection to the writing. It is so rich, spare and honest. No wonder this book won the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2009.

A book of thirteen short stories that all have in common the character Olive Kitteridge. A retired school teacher living in the small town of Crosby, Maine. She comes across as a more patient and perceptive person to the people outside of her family. To her husband and son she is a hard and cold individual. With each story we get to see a different side to this woman through the eyes of her family, friends and the people of her community. It is a unique and fascinating way of showing the character from all angles. My favourite is the chapter/story headed “Starving”, which highlights that horrible disease Anorexia. If ever a story pulls at the heart strings, this one does. There is also a very moving story of a person contemplating suicide. Another dramatic story deals with Olive’s hospital visit in a mix of tragedy and comedy. Hard to forget is the humorous story about Olive and her daughter in law. After each story you think you know exactly who Olive is and then you get to the next one and she is a

Quotes from the book: “She didn't like to be alone. Even more, she didn’t like being with people.” “Traits don't change, states of mind do.” “She knows that loneliness can kill people in different ways can actually make you die.” A very evocative read. It makes you think about people and the effect an individual can have on others, together with all of life’s ups and downs.

It is simply a world in a book. A book I will never forget! The Monogram Murders, Sophie Hannah Sophie Hannah’s second Poirot mystery is due out later this year. She has done an amazing job emulating Christie. There is her own little tweak of Poirot’s twinkling green eyes to forecast the little grey cells in operation. All the clues are deftly tied up in the end, including the mystery of the suitcase, which I thought very clever. A locked room mystery with majestic hotel, Lords and Ladies, ornate gardens and a village of dark secrets and a lot of old world charm. A definite tonic for the soul.

The famous Detective, Mr Hercule Poirot (Retired), is relaxing in his favourite London coffeehouse when a terrified woman bursts in through the door. He invites her to sit down and tell him what is the matter and she explains that she is about to be murdered. She also makes the assertion that for justice to be done it is right that she dies! So the story starts with a bang! Later that night, he is called to the scene of three murdered guests in the fashionable Bloxham Hotel. A monogrammed cufflink has been placed in the mouths of each if the victims. The crime is preposterous and sometimes the questioning of suspects and witnesses can be excruciatingly ponderous. But it is still a puzzle and you want to turn the pages to see what happens. Hercule Poirot was killed off by his creator, Dame Agatha Christie, in the book Curtain published in 1975. She started writing her amazing legacy of 33 novels back in 1920 as well as collections of short stories and plays. He is such a magnificent creation that I am glad to see him brought back to life.

Quotes from the book: “One cannot do such harm to another and not wound one’s own soul in the process.” “we cannot help how we feel, but we can choose whether or not to act upon those feelings.”

Book Reviews Inside the GPO, by Joe Good. O Brien Press, 320 pages Introduction by Robert Ballagh and edited by son Maurice Good the same night as Michael Collins. English born he travelled here to fight for control of Ireland, to be our own country with its own destiny. To bring about the vision they had for a new Ireland, “the New Republic”. We get to see the bravery and self-sacrifice on a firsthand basis of those that took part in the Rising. Robert Ballagh, Dublin artist, well known for speaking out against oppression, asks in his introduction – Who does Ireland belong to now with a Government so willing to sell off its resources after the sacrifice those men and women made one hundred years ago.

Gripping and fascinating personal account. A memoir that reads like a novel. I had to keep telling myself it was a real account. It is written as such a vivid portrayal of the 1916 Rebellion. Michael “Mick “Collins and Tom Clarke and the women of Cumann na mBan not larger than life but ordinary people brought together to fight for a cause. I was fascinated by all the insights into who these people were. To hear about the unabating energy that Mick Collins always had. That the secretary of James Connolly, Miss Kearney, who was always by his side, shielded his body with her own when they were carrying him on the stretcher after he was wounded. The comic situations surrounding Mick Collins like the time his trousers went up in flames while he was putting out fires in the GPO. On another occasion he went to a lot of trouble to clean a very dirty frying pan to fry some bacon to end up with a pan of soot when a sniper hit the chimney. The author tells us he was rough tonged and respected by most but not necessarily loved. Joe Good actually enrolled in the Irish Volunteers on

Quotes from the book: From chapter The Surrender, “But if Pearse was the soul of the Rising, James Connolly was its heart. And though he too had just been taken from us, the heart of this revolution was still beating.” Page 79: “Perhaps song is contagious. It sounded later as if 200 voices were raised from the GPO in some rousing choruses of “Soldier’s Song”. Mick Collins told me later that it was James Connolly’s lusty bellow that got them started. Mick later complained that it spoiled his last chance of any sleep that week.”

Definitely something to read during this momentous occasion of the centenary of 1916!

‘Let’s be reasonable and add an eighth day to the week that is devoted exclusively to reading.’ Lena Dunham

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Part-time Temporary Agency Worker Contractor

SEPA Direct Debit Mandate

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL THE FIELDS BELOW MARKED ✱ Your Name:

Line 1 ................................................................................

City/Postcode:

Your Address:

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Account number (IBAN):

✱

Country:

Line 2 ................................................................................

✱

Swift BIC:

Communications Workers’ Union William Norton House 575 North Circular Road Dublin 1 Ireland

PLEASE RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: Name: Address line 1: Address line 2: Address line 3:

✱

Date of Signing: .............................................................................................

Signature(s): ...................................................................................................

✓ ✱

TYPE OF PAYMENT: RECURRENT

Creditors Creditors Creditors Creditors Country:

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Any personal information provided by you to this Union will be used for purposes consistent with your membership of this Union. Other than the Company listed by you on the form, your details will not be revealed by the Union to any external body, unless the Union has your permission, or is under a legal obligation to do so.

As part of your rights, you are entitled to a refund from your bank under the terms and conditions of your agreement with your bank. A refund must be claimed within 8 weeks, starting from the date on which your account was debited. Your rights are explained in a statement that you can obtain from your bank.

LEGAL TEXT: By signing this mandate form, you authorise (A) COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS’ UNION to send instructions to your bank to debit your account and (B) your bank to debit your account in accordance with the instruction from COMMUNICATIONS WORKERS’ UNION.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM IN BLACK CAPITALS

Creditor Identifier: IE82ZZZ304979

Unique Mandate Reference

PLEASE COMPLETE FORMS IN BLOCK CAPITALS

OFFICE USE ONLY CWU NO. .........................

Date of Birth .................................................................................................... Staff No. .........................................................................................................

Contact Details Home Address ................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................ .......................................................... Home Tel .............................................

Work Tel ............................................ Mobile ................................................ Email ...............................................................................................................

Employment Details Name of Company ......................................................................................... and Agency (if applicable) ............................................................................. Employer’s Address ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................................................

Your work location (if different) ....................................................................... Branch Name ................................................................................................. Date of commencement with current employer .............../............... /.............. Managerial Non-Managerial Call Centre/Customer Care Retail

   

Current Grade/Job Title ................................................................................... Current Status:  (tick all that apply)   

Signature .............................................. Date .............................................. Branch Branch Secretary .............................................. Name ............................................ (where applicable)

Negotiate with your employer on your behalf on all matters

Provide you with a personal service ranging from confidential, work-related information advice, to legal advice

Assist you in your training and development needs and offer you a number of training courses free-ofcharge

Advise you on all issues related to Health and Safety

Give you access to information on all aspects of your employment

Keep you up-to-date and informed on developments in your sector via Union magazines, bulletins, your own section on the CWU website and a local presence in your workplace

Include you in the bigger picture, as the CWU works on a national level with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions

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What can We Do for You?

Send completed Application Form, together with completed Direct Debit Instruction, to:

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Please ensure you fill out all the information required

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I recognise that these deductions, being made solely as a measure of convenience to me, may be terminated at any time. I also recognise that the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the deductions have, in fact, been made from my pay rest with myself, and that beyond making remittances on foot of sums deducted for credit to the account of my Union, the Company accepts no responsibility of any kind in this matter.

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––––––––––––––––––––––––––– from my basic pay in respect of my contribution under the Scheme of Deductions and Subscriptions to Staff Associations and pay that amount to the Communications Workers’ Union, William Norton House, 575 North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

Until further notice and commencing on ____________________________, please deduct

INSTRUCTIONS TO PAYROLL

The Membership Department Communications Workers’ Union William Norton House 575 North Circular Road Dublin 1

Please ensure you complete both the Application Form and the Direct Debit Instruction

Please complete both forms in BLOCK CAPITALS

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Guide for completing Application Form