Connect june 2015

SUMMER 2015 VOL: 17

NO. 2

ORGANISE! ORGANISE! ORGANISE!

Editorial

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

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

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8th Annual George Brown Commemoration Weekend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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Postal Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-17 Youth Committee Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Siteserv and the Bank that liked to say YES . . . . . . . . . 20-21 Spring Seminar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22-25 CWU 25th Anniversary Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26-29 Is there a SPONGE in your workplace? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30-31 Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33 ESCCU Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Uni Global Union Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Education Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-37 CWU People . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37-47 FM Downes Mortgage Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

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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.

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As I write this editorial, unions across Ireland are preparing for a national demonstration on the 6th June in support of Dunnes Stores workers. Many of our own members and Branches will travel to Dublin to take part in that demonstration in solidarity with the Dunnes Stores workers. The solidarity and support shown to those workers will, I believe, eventually lead to further legal protection for workers in precarious employment who are being ruthlessly exploited by a number of employers across the country. Of course, whenever the CWU becomes involved in national issues, it is very common for the relatively small number of members to complain to Union Head Office about our involvement in such issues. These people generally believe that our only job as a trade union is to look after the day-to-day problems of our members which occur with their direct employers. While adopting such a position would make life much easier for Officials in Head Office and completely narrow the focus of the Union, it would also go against the stated aims of the CWU since its formation; aims that realised, as workers in the communications industry, we are at the whim of government and employers’ organisations if we don’t support other workers and other union members across all industries in the country. It makes no sense for any union to concentrate solely on members’ pay and conditions in circumstances where that pay and those conditions are impacted by legislation drafted by the political parties in power at any particular time.

For example, we have the thorny subject of taxation. It is a thing that is particular to Irish politics that, if you want to be elected, you must be against any form of taxation. Indeed, there have been a number of occasions in the past where the only policy in the run-up to an election has been based on which party would cut taxes the most. Of course, the problem with such policies, quite simply, is that they lead to an insufficient tax base, with the corresponding decline in critical public services for the vast majority of the population, and indeed, the vast majority of our members. The manner in which those public services are then provided is on a private basis, where one is expected to pay for what, in the past, would have been a public service. There are many examples of the result of those policies in the country. One example was the privatisation of refuse collection. What was once a right for every citizen in the country is now a private service for which you must pay. What was once a difficult job, but which paid a living wage, is now a job run by a private sector, almost exclusively paying the minimum wage.

starts spouting about tax cuts, you might ask him or her where will the money come from to pay for the services working-class people and their communities so desperately need.

Where will the money come from to build the types of structures in health, education, transport, etc that we need as a people on a daily basis? Of course, Steve Fitzpatrick, they will tell you by General Secretary, CWU reducing taxation it will give you the money to provide this for yourself and that all they are trying to do is put more money in your pocket. You might then remind him or her that every time tax has been cut in his country, it has been a greater benefit to the middle and higher income earners, as they are the only ones who really earn sufficient salaries to pay any major levels of tax and therefore they will benefit more from tax cuts. Those of us lucky enough to make some money from those tax cuts then have the choice of using that money to provide for our children’s education on the basis that free education no longer exists, or to join private health insurance to provide the health cover that no longer exists from the public service, or to provide for a monitored burglar alarm in the hope that in the event you are burgled there are sufficient police left around to answer that alarm call. The taxation argument in this country for many has been an elaborate con bought into by people on the basis that everybody needs an extra few bob in take-home pay, but without the public services that form part of your social wage, what you take home is only a part of the story.

Obviously the idea that extra taxation is needed to fund those public services is a debate that is shied away from in political circles in Ireland. It would be a brave politician who would say we need more taxation in order to provide those services, but of course that is the absolute truth. But the secret is progressive taxation based on people; businesses and land owners paying based on their income and accumulated wealth.

So when, as a Union, we look to support workers in various industries, we do so because a defeat for them will see the conditions they oppose spread into our industries if they haven’t done so already. We also know of course, that in our struggles many of those people have in the past come to our aid and will do so again in the future. So the next time we ask you to support a cause, you can be sure that there is good reason for it and that it would be in your long-term best interests to consider how you might help your Union in that support.

We have all seen recently through the marriage equality referendum that it is possible to mobilise people with a successful outcome and maybe it is time for you to consider if you want to contribute to our ongoing struggles to defend and improve the conditions faced by Irish workers their communities

To a lesser extent the lack of taxation (and as a result, the means to finance public services) has led to deterioration and almost a breakdown in services that are critical to our families and communities, i.e. Health and Education. Because of the unequal society we live in, there is probably now a three tier health service: (1)

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The public service, which the vast majority of us use. A service which is blighted by massive waiting lists , huge queues in Accident & Emergency Departments and constant cutbacks in support services for those who are unfortunate enough to be very ill on an ongoing basis. We have also seen constant increases in charges for people attending their local doctor and indeed their local hospitals.

Then we have those fortunate enough to be able to access better healthcare through private insurance, which we all know can be quite expensive. Many people, including many of our members, pay private health insurance in order to give further protection to their families despite that expense.

It provides the elite with a “Rolls Royce” medical service, where they can go to the Blackrock and Beacon Clinics and only use the public health service for the type of operations which private medicine will not provide.

So in essence, this country, which constitutionally is supposed to cherish all of its children equally, blatantly, treats some children more equal than others in the health arena, depending on the amount of money which is available through the family to that child.

Unfortunately, the other key public service that most of our members need to access is treated in the same manner and that, of course, is education. All parents are now acutely aware that there really is no such thing as free education. From first level, through second level and into third level, there are ongoing upfront and hidden costs. While most parents somehow manage the costs in first and second level, once again they do so at the expense of other necessities within the household.

Nobody wants to see their children go to school in any way disadvantaged and where this disadvantage be paraded for all to see. Of course, education has always been the key to breaking out of the cycle and the statistics show that a lack of education leads to a downward spiral into poverty. In this day and age, education is generally not deemed to be complete if one has not gone to college or at least concluded an apprenticeship. Given that college now has a minimum entry fee of 3,000 (so-called registration fee) before you buy the necessary supplies for the course and in circumstances where apprenticeships seem to be a thing of the past, it is not surprising that more and more children find themselves deprived of third level education or apprenticeships. They are then dumped on the scrapheap, or if they are lucky, find themselves in a minimum wage job. Once again, the very wealthy don’t worry about these issues as they send their children to private schools, buy them grinds and ensure that they attend the elite colleges in the country, which they hope will turn their children into the elite, who will continue the present merry-go-round that suits them so well.

So the next time a politician knocks on your door and 33

How Unequal is Ireland?

produced an after-tax loss. The company paid out €148 million in interest on loans from group undertakings. The accounts do not identify the companies to which this money was paid.

However, the accounts say that the money it owes to group undertakings includes €1.12 billion on which the Dublin company is paying interest of 7.5 per cent, and €525 million on which a rate of 8.75 per cent is being paid.

In the run up to the next General Election, there will be much debate on taxation policies and the provision of public services. As a result of the austerity measures introduced by the current and previous governments, public services have been cut with devastating effects on communities. Public services are paid for through taxation and the quality of public services is determined by the levels of taxation applicable in countries. In the forthcoming political debates, there will be much discussion on the appropriate levels of personal taxation required to fund public services and no doubt, there will be some politicians who will be unable to resist the temptation of promising low personal levels of taxation, while at the same time restoring and improving our public services. An area the electorate must force politicians to examine is tax avoidance schemes used by the rich to avoid paying their fair share of taxation, which could go towards funding public services.

Below we reproduce two articles by Colm Keena of The Irish Times, which highlights the activities of two companies using schemes, which are legal to avoid paying their fair share of tax.

Hybrid financial instruments The Luxleaks controversy last year showed how many multinationals were using so-called hybrid financial instruments that allow companies reduce their tax bills using Luxembourg entities.

The structures included companies in Ireland making payments to their Luxembourg parent that were treated as tax- deductible interest payments in Ireland, but as taxfree dividend income in Luxembourg.

The use of such hybrid instruments in this way is one of the issues being examined by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as part of its so-called base erosion and profit shifting (Beps) project, which the G20 initiated to examine ways of resisting aggressive tax planning by multinationals.

Luxembourg-based firm’s 2013 accounts show €40m income from €560m assets

Goodman company owner paid little tax on €52m profit

The Luxembourg parent of Dublin-based Kellogg Europe Trading Ltd paid just €5,000 in tax on profits of €39.5 million in 2013, according to accounts filed in the tiny European Union member state.

Kellogg Lux I Sarl is one of six subsidiaries the giant breakfast cereal group has in Luxembourg. The company had no employees during 2013 but had “financial fixed assets” of €560 million. Income received from these assets totalled €40 million.

In 2012 the Luxembourg company paid €2,000 in tax on profits of €151 million.

The accounts of the Dublin company show that although it had a turnover of €1.4 billion in 2013 it

The Luxembourg company that part-owns Larry Goodman’s ABP Group as well as other investments associated with the Co Louth businessman, paid almost no tax on a profit of €52.6 million in the year to the end of March 2013, according to accounts filed in the tiny EU member state.

The result for the year brought the accumulated profits for the company, Parlesse Investments Sarl, to €278.6 million. The Luxembourg filings for the company, along with those of other key Goodman companies based in the 4

three companies at the end of 2012 was €457.6 million.

The two Dutch companies made profits of slightly more than €35 million each, while the Irish company booked a loss of €1 million.

The Luxembourg company was established in December 2009 and the shares of Parma Investments BV were later transferred to it. The Parlesse accounts for its first year of operations, ending on March 31st, 2010, show it made a profit of €129 million. It had no employees and paid tax of €69,607.

The creditors of Parlesse Investments at the end of the 2010 financial year included: an interest-free loan from Tubriz for €155.6 million; an interest-free loan from Kanev Ltd of €27.9 million; an interest-free loan from Irish Agricultural Development Company for €229.8 million, and a number of other small advances. Irish Agricultural Development Company is an unlimited company with an address in Castlebellingham, Co Louth. Its directors are Larry and Catherine Goodman.

In 2011, Parlesse Investments booked a profit of €17.8 million and paid tax of €350,797. Accounts for that year show Parma Investments BV made a profit in 2010 of €24.3 million, while Kanev made a profit of €32.9 million.

Castlebellingham company Tubriz made neither a profit or a loss. In the 2011 accounts Parlesse notes it has a loan from the Rabena Foundation for €660,000. The foundation is based in Liechtenstein and owned Parma Investments for a number of months in 2002, according to filings in the Netherlands.

Parlesse was incorporated in 2009 and its capital was augmented in February 2010 by way of Galway Ltd taking out additional shares, and Parlesse being paid with all of the issued shares in Parma Investments BV. The Parma Investments BV accounts for the year to the end of March 2013 show that it had investments in subsidiary companies worth €191 million, produced a profit of €28.4 million, and paid no tax.

On tax, a note to the accounts says: “In relation to the year under review, the company anticipates no corporate income taxes payable since the result on associated companies is exempt of tax and therefore the fiscal result will be negative.”

The company’s income came from its share of the results of subsidiaries and associated companies, according to the accounts. The previous year the company made a profit of €35.5 million and also paid no tax.

Notes to the accounts say it bought 45 per cent of the shares in Irish Food Processors, the former name of the Ardee, Co Louth-based ABP Foods, for €125 million in 2002. In 2007 these shares were redeemed and the

Netherlands, give an unprecedented insight into the scale of the 77-year-old’s business empire.

In the year to March 2012, Parlesse made a profit of €80.15 million but paid only €165,700 in tax. In the 2013 year, it paid tax of €218,101, a rate of 0.4 per cent. The company has no employees.

The Parlesse accounts reflect the type of tax structures which were highlighted last year by the so-called Luxleaks revelations. There is nothing illegal about these structures. The Luxleaks revelations prompted the former prime minister of Luxembourg, Jean Claude Juncker, to say that, while his country’s tax practices were legal, they were “not always in line with fiscal fairness” and the Luxembourg regime may have breached “ethical and moral standards”.

The accounts for Parlesse show the company had financial assets of €809 million at the end of the 2013 period, mostly being shares in and loans to affiliated undertakings. The company’s income comes from the dividend s and interest it receives on these shares and loans.

Mr Goodman was a managing director of Parlesse up to August 2012. A spokesman for Mr Goodman said he did not wish to comment.

The Luxleaks controversy showed how companies based in Luxembourg used investments in affiliated companies outside the duchy to channel profits to Luxembourg in a way that would make them all but exempt from tax in the tiny EU state.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is examining how new rules might stop multinationals shifting profits across borders using interest and dividend payments. According to its website, the ABP group (formerly Anglo Beef Processors) processes approximately one million cattle annually and is the largest processor of beef in Ireland and Britain, and one of the top three in Europe. It has major operations in Ireland, Britain and Poland and supplies many of the continent’s top supermarket chains.

Earlier this year it won a breakthrough export deal in the United States.

The Parlesse accounts for the 2013 year show that a dividend of €24.8 million, €8.9 million of which was in cash and the rest by way of the assignment of loans, was paid to the company’s sole shareholder, Galway Ltd, a company with a registered address in Malta. The accounts state that certain of the assigned loans carry an interest rate of 7 per cent.

The accounts show Parlesse owns 100 per cent of Dutch companies Parma Investments BV and Kanev BV, and Irish unlimited company Tubriz. The net equity of the

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proceeds used to subscribe for 45 per cent of the shares in Jersey company Glydee Ltd, the 100 per cent shareholder in Irish Food Processors (now ABP Food Group Unlimited, Jersey).

Parma has interests in companies associated with the Hermitage private hospital, the Blackrock Clinic and the Setanta Centre, all in Dublin.

that the massive amounts of credit he had granted to the country looked set to destroy him.

Such was the perceived importance to the Irish economy of Goodman, that the Dáil was recalled from its holidays and special legislation passed providing protection to the business.

Through the 1990s, Goodman fought to regain control of his empire and, by the end of the decade, he had reassumed full control.

However, controversy about alleged fraud in the beef industry led to the establishment of the beef tribunal, the report from which led to the collapsed of the government of Albert Reynolds in 1994.

The tribunal’s sittings were focused mainly on the Goodman group.

While the tribunal’s 1994 report made damaging findings about the Goodman business, it did not find that it had been proven that Goodman knew about them.

The group’s sales to Iraq cost the State dearly under the export credit insurance scheme, and the group’s collapse cost banks dearly as they had to write off substantial debts.

Since regaining full control of his business, Goodman has gone on to build it into a multibillion euro turnover enterprise, supplying product to major retailers here and in the UK, as well as across Europe.

Goodman’s ABP Group has its headquarters in Ardee, Co Louth, and major operations in Ireland, Britain and Poland. Over recent times Goodman has also been noted for his investments in private hospital and property here, including the former Bank of Ireland headquarters.

In 2013, the ABP Silvercrest plant in Ballybay, Co Monaghan, was at the centre of the horsemeat scandal that hit the European meat industry. Horsemeat was found in burgers that were produced at the plant using meat reportedly supplied from Poland. Tesco announced it would not longer be buying burgers for Silvercrest, while ABP said it had never knowingly used horsemeat. Later that year, ABP sold the plant to the Keepak Group.

Goodman is executive chairman of ABP, it has a turnover of approximately €2.5 billion a year, and employs 8,000 people, 2,500 of them in the Republic. His sons, Laurence and Mark, work alongside him.

Luxembourg: the Goodman link Silverbirch Investments, a Luxembourg company that forms part of the international Goodman corporate group, made a €2.48 million profit in the year to March 2012, and paid tax of €16,382.

The company was formerly called Parma Investments SA and was the owner of the major Goodman entity, Dutch company Parma Investments BV, from 2002 to 2010.

In its 2011 year, Parma Investments SA reported a profit of €7 million and paid tax of just €40,879.

According to its 2010 accounts, the Luxembourg company had creditors totalling €120.8 million which, notes to the accounts said, “consist mainly of loans granted by Rabena Foundation and the related accrued interest.” Rabena Foundation is based in Liechtenstein.

Silverbirch Investments SA and Parlisse Investments Sarl have addresses at the offices of the Intertrust financial service company in Luxembourg. Parma Investments BV has its address at the Intertrust offices in Amsterdam.

Profile: Beef tribunal’s sittings focused mainly on Goodman group Larry Goodman is one of Ireland’s wealthiest businessmen who built up a beef-processing empire only to see it collapse, before building it up again.

The 77-year-old Louth man left school early to go into the family meat business. By 1990, the business he had built up was of such a scale that it was responsible for a few per cent of Ireland’s gross national product.

Goodman was selling huge amounts of beef to Saddam Hussein’s Iraq when the former dictator launched an invasion of Kuwait and the Co Louth businessman found

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Telecoms Update

Retail staff in Vodafone demand fair treatment

Vodafone retail members in Waterford, with petition. to treat their retail staff less favourably than their colleagues and feel that this reflects badly on our members, who strive constantly to ensure the continued success of Vodafone.

Understandably, retail workers feel let down by their employer.

Another outcome of the visits has been that members in many stores have called for a general meeting where retail staff can openly discuss other issues affecting them. So far, these issues include the unfair application of Maternity leave and commission structures. Meetings are currently being organised to facilitate this as it is vital that members have the opportunity to openly talk about the things that are affecting them in their day-to-day lives.

We will keep you updated on this campaign in future issues of Connect.

Organisers and Branch Officials are currently visiting every Vodafone store in the country, giving staff the opportunity to sign a petition demanding that Vodafone management treat them fairly in a dispute over pay. The visits are going extremely well with a great appetite among staff to have their voice heard on this issue.

In 2014, the Vodafone Branch won a further 1.5% pay increase for Vodafone staff. Previously, pay increases would apply to both Mountainview and Retail staff. However, the company is steadfastly refusing to include retail staff in this latest agreement. Despite all the Branch’s best efforts, the company has so far shown no signs of being moved from its position.

We believe that it is unacceptable for the company

If you are working in Vodafone retail and have any questions or would like to get involved in the campaign, please contact Fionnuala at

fnib@cwu.ie 8

Telecoms Update

UNION WINS PAY BATTLE AT NETSHARE - Staff who have not transferred under TUPE to Netshare will receive a 1.5% pay increase effective from their first year anniversary; - For any member of staff who has received a salary increase as a result of either promotion or a change in their role, the 1.5% increase will only apply from June 2013 to the date of their promotion or change of role.

Following the unanimous decision in a ballot of members at Netshare to take industrial action in pursuance of a pay increase, the matter was referred to the Labour Relations Commission. The Commission issued a recommendation, which is summarised below and the recommendation was accepted by members at Netshare.

Pay Increase

• The 1.5% will still apply to the staff on the incremental scale.

• The 1.5% pay increase covers the period from the 1st January 2013 for CB staff and from the 1st June 2013 for PC staff, up to the date of acceptance of this Agreement.

• Retrospection will be paid in the next possible payroll following the date of this Agreement.

• Effective from 1st January 2013, a pay increase of 1.5% will be paid to staff who have collectively bargained terms and conditions.

• Staff who have personal contracts will be paid an increase of 1.5% effective from 1st June 2013 subject to the following:

KNN Union Members Form Committee The CWU organising campaign in KN Networks and KNIS continues to gather momentum and took a very important step forward recently when five of the union members came together to form the first CWU/KN Union Committee with a view to being trained to represent their colleagues.

The members of the committee are; Aidan McWeeney, Robert Mangan, Kevin Barry,

Thomas Williams and Gary Dorrian.

The group attended a three day training course in union head office and since then have helped arrange further meetings around the country to recruit their colleagues and gather information on the issues that are being raised by our growing membership in KNIS. Since the group attended for training a number of other members have volunteered to become activists also and these include Damien Byrne and John Furlong.

Their contributions are critical to the success of our organising efforts in KNIS and KN Networks.

With the help of the committee the membership has continued to grow and with a broad range of issues being raised there is plenty of work to be done.

Covidien-Medtronic elect their first Committee Covidien-Medtronic.

In less than a year, members in the Cherrywood site, with the support of organisers, have made huge progress in their campaign to unionise their workplace. These committee members have already encouraged a good number of their colleagues to join. At the AGM the Committee agreed a number of action points to achieve over the next twelve months, aiming to have their employer recognise the right of their colleagues to collectively bargain through their union.

The CWU wish to congratulate members in CovidienMedtronic on the election of their first Branch Committe.

Last month, members decided to hold their first Annual General Meeting in Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey St and five members were elected to the Committee.

Members of the now established Branch Committee have already completed some training with the CWU and have committed to further training taking place in September. This training is open to all members in 9

Telecoms Update

GPS Collective Agreement system. As part of this deployment a privacy button will be fitted in all vehicles where the driver has been approved for personal use. This has been of concern to many members who have the personal use facility.

The company will deliver a full communication programme during the installation phase for the privacy buttons and an updated “Code of Practice” will be circulated to coincide with the briefings.

Queries or clarifications arising at or from these briefings should be referred to Branch Secretaries in the first instance.

Members will be aware that for some time now there has been considerable engagement between the CWU and Eircom regarding the deployment of GPS in the company fleet. GPS was originally introduced following referral to the Labour Relations Commission and was also an element of Joint Concilliation Council AR 615.

At the May meeting, the Sectoral Executive Committee agreed the full system deployment of GPS in the fleet. This will give line managers access to real time, web-based data on the “Masternaut”

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Telecoms Update

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Telecoms Update

Eircom rejects €3.3bn buyout bid as too low

by John Mulligan, Irish Independent, May 2015.

eircom Group Headquarters

eircom has rejected a €3.3bn buyout approach for the company, insisting the price didn’t reflect its true value.

Eircom’s biggest owner is now private equity group Anchorage Capital. The other top owners include Blackstone/GSO, York and Davidson Kempner. Last year, Eircom also approached private equity giants Apax, CVC Capital Partners, and KKR, to see if they were interested in forming a consortium to buy Eircom.

It’s not known if the potential buyer that approached the telecoms operator early this year was a trade buyer or a private equity group.

While there was speculation that billionaire Denis O’Brien, who owns the Digicel mobile telecoms group, might have been interested in acquiring Eircom, it’s thought that he was not the potential suitor this time around.

Just prior to Eircom’s examinership, Mr O’Brien had considered a takeover approach for the firm.

This week, Eircom announced that its revenues dipped 1pc to €311m in its third quarter, with the rate of revenue decline having improved. Its earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the period rose 8pc to €120m, helped by easier comparables in 2014 when the company was hit by storm damage.

Mr Moat said the company’s financial performance has been “highly encouraging”. While Eircom has suffered from years of revenue decline at its fixed-line business, Mr Moat said he believed that the group was now reaching an “inflection point”.

Last month, ratings agency Fitch upgraded Eircom’s debt and said that the telco “has delivered the planned transformation of its operations”.

Eircom recently initiated a process to extend the maturity of its debt and amend some conditions “to allow greater strategic and operational flexibility”. Apart from managing its debt profile, Eircom has also cut its overheads by shedding thousands of jobs over the past few years.

The telco, controlled by a suite of global private equity groups, confirmed last night that it had received a nonbinding approach for the business that gave it an enterprise value - which includes debt and equity - of between €3.2bn and €3.3bn. Eircom had just over €2.2bn of net debt at the end of 2014.

“While the bidder was very credible, the board believed that, with the business reaching an inflection point, the indicated price range undervalued the group.

The matter is therefore not being progressed,” said Eircom in a statement.

A spokesman for Eircom declined to comment beyond that statement.

In 2012, Eircom was the subject of what was Ireland’s biggest ever examinership. It emerged from that process under the control of lenders and with its debt slashed from about €4bn to €2.4bn.

Last year, Eircom was readying a stock market flotation that would have placed an enterprise value of €3bn on the business. That would also have marked the third time its shares would have been listed on the stock market. Eircom had planned to use €1bn of the flotation proceeds to cut its debt. At the time, that would have knocked about €40m from its annual interest bill.

But the flotation plan was shelved after Eircom was unable to convince potential shareholders that the business was worth as much as its existing owners thought it was.

The decision not to hit the stock market also prompted then chief executive Herb Hribar to announce his departure from the company just over a week later. He has been succeeded by Richard Moat, who was then the chief financial officer.

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Telecoms Update

Eircom’s owners likely to seek an exit “Comment” by John Mulligan, Irish Independent Online, May 2015.

Eircom is set to raise its prices

There’s one thing that you can be sure of: Eircom will eventually be either sold or finally make its reappearance on the stock exchange.

where topline declines and margin pressure remain a risk.” The risk from the public’s point of view is that Eircom is sold and becomes a basket case again.

A string of owners had piled on debt and underinvested in its network, bringing it to the brink of collapse. The high debt crippled Eircom’s ability to invest and also meant that it lost critical competitive ground. The telecoms landscape has changed significantly since Eircom was first sold to an unsuspecting public in 1999. The intervening years have seen competitors invest heavily in telecoms networks, and the way in which many consumers avail of services has also undergone a seismic shift. For many homes, landlines are a mere afterthought.

Still, telecoms watchdog Comreg continues to designate Eircom as the country’s so-called universal service provider.

That means it believes Eircom should be responsible for the national provision of phone services, something Eircom has railed against. It’s hard to imagine that designation lasting too many more years. In the meantime, the telecoms landscape will continue to shift, as too will Eircom’s ownership

Its private equity owners were keen last year to make an exit in a deal that would have valued the company at around €3bn. That an offer of up to €3.3bn was rejected suggests the owners believe more value can be extracted from the telco as it benefits from increased capital spending on its network and an improving economy.

Ratings agency Fitch seems to think the same thing. Last month, it upgraded Eircom’s debt, citing the turnaround at the company for the boost. It said revenues “look increasingly likely to stabilise” and that cost initiatives will improve operating cash flows.

It added: “While Eircom’s leveraged balance sheet is unusual for an incumbent telecom, the business transformation and stabilising revenue outlook is a significant achievement in a sector

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Postal Update

Collection & Delivery Update INSPECTION OF CMVS

Home Garaging of CMVs An Post Management referred to the LRC a disagreement with the Union on proposed changes to the agreed Home Garaging arrangements in respect of Company Motorised Vehicles. At the first meeting in the LRC in December 2014, the Union requested the Company furnish any documentation that supports the Company’s plans. Effectively they are attempting to reverse out of the long standing agreed arrangements. Recently An Post advanced some information, which is incomplete and we have requested the rest of it before we give any consideration to examining it. On receipt of the full details, the Union will then establish a sub-group to inspect the documentation and will respond in due course.

In the interim, members are directed to ensure that there is no deviation from the agreed existing arrangements. The only exception to this is the expansion of the existing agreed Home Garaging arrangements as provided for in the Office Consolidation Programme. The Union is aware of approaches by a number of Operational Managers in an attempt to overtake or bypass the LRC process with a view to withdrawing the facility from staff primarily operating in rural areas. Members are directed not to engage with any such unofficial manoeuvres and report such approaches to the Union.

The Union has accepted management’s entitlement on occasion to conduct inspection of CMVs and that members will cooperate with reasonable and appropriate requests to do so. However, such cooperation does not extend to a search of CMVs by any manager in a public place. It must be conducted discreetly, with courtesy and respect for the driver, and having due regard for the contents, most particularly personal items. Should any operational manager seek to do so during the course of delivery or in an inappropriate fashion, then they should be refused access and the matter immediately reported.

AN POST Medical/Drug Refund Scheme The Union is seeking to extend the Medical and Drug Refund Scheme to all staff in An Post and to provide for a choice of Doctor. While the Company has rejected the claim for the extension of both Schemes to all An Post staff, they have indicated they are prepared to discuss possible changes to the Drug Refund Scheme including choice of doctor. A sub group of the JCC is progressing these discussions which are ongoing and in the event agreement is not possible the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission (formerly LRC) will be requested. Separately the Union has submitted a claim for the increase from January 2015 of the Drug Refund threshold linked to CPI in accordance with our agreement and a response from An Post is awaited.

GPS Vehicle Tracking In February 2013 An Post indicated its intention to introduce GPS Vehicle Tracking on all of the Company’s fleet. Following discussions it was agreed that all new Company vans would be fitted with the tracking device. In January 2015, the Company sought engagement at Headquarters level with a view to finalising agreement around the use of these devices.

While the Union has confirmed it is prepared to commence discussions, the CWU has made it abundantly clear that, at this point, there is no agreement to utilise or cooperate with vehicle tracking or its use. Any approach by management in relation to this matter is entirely inappropriate and contrary to procedures. Members are directed not to cooperate with, or be side tracked regarding the use of GPS.

Access for Temporary Staff The Union concluded agreement with the Company in 2009 extending these schemes to all new employees, once they have completed six months probation. This is in respect of grades currently encompassed by the scheme and is regardless of status. In other words members on casual or fixed term or specific purpose contracts whom have completed six months employment with the Company are encompassed by the schemes.

14

Postal Update

Recycled Scrappage Deal for An Post’s Bikes

Term Time Review

CWU circulated all members in March 2015 seeking their views in relation to the operation of Term Time. We also included an article in the previous edition of Connect. The following is a summary of the main points received: • Following ongoing representations by the CWU and discussions, An Post has confirmed the arrangements set out below are in place to ensure a suitable and safe bicycle fleet are in place.

• • •

•

•

• •

The bicycle fleet is now managed as part of the National Fleet by Mails Operations - Transport Each bicycle has been allocated an individual fleet number It is planned to appoint a single contractor for the greater Dublin area and a number of separate contractors for smaller geographical areas to provide maintenance for the bicycle fleet.

The implementation of the maintenance plans will provide for an annual visit to each DSU by the designated contractor who will conduct an on site review of each Company bicycle. Any bicycles which are beyond repair will be identified for removal under a separate scrappage arrangement.

Electronic maintenance records for bicycles will be retained.

• • • • • •

Vacancies arising from term time not covered.

In small offices this puts undue pressure on staff not availing of term time and they are in effect covering term time for nothing – needs fairl allocation of work 2 weeks term time should be introduced September should be included when children are returning to school Criteria should be extended Application for term time and annual leave should be coordinated Increase in the number allowed to avail of term time Divide proportionally across all grades Timing of term time – April, May, September or October Extend to Grandparents

It is clear that the overwhelming view is that members are satisfied to avail of the CWU/AnPost Term Time agreement and the manner in which it is administered. However it is our intention to take on board the suggestions, discuss with the company with a view to securing improvements

While the above is being implemented, Wolfe Cycles continue to maintain the fleet nationally. The Company has advised us that 28 offices were visited last year with 600 cycles inspected and 330 repairs carried out. A large number of bicycles were scrapped. Between replacements of scrapped bicycles and some new requirements over 180 new bicycles were put into service.

It is important that if members have concerns about the safety of their bicycle they should under no circumstances take the bicycle out on delivery. They should inform their DSM of their concerns and if no reserve bicycle is available then it is the Company’s responsibility to ensure that alternative arrangements are put in place to ensure the mail is delivered.

Let’s hear your point of view

@cwu.ie 15

Postal Update

IO Systems-Dispute Averted Regrettably at the Labour Court the Company decided to repeat the content of its previous submission. The Company also took issue with the Union’s and the member’s right to appeal this case to the Labour Court.

While the Labour Court did not support the Union’s position on the substantive issues it did address some of the other issues as follows: The employer took issue with the Union’s right to appeal the Rights Commissioner’s recommendation claiming that it was precluded from doing so by virtue of the terms of the collective agreement in place between the parties. This appeal is before the Court pursuant to section 13(9) of the Industrial Relations Act 1969. The Court does not accept that the provision of the collective agreement relied upon can he construed as ousting the right of the Union to bring this appeal nor does it offset the jurisdiction of the Court to hear and decide on the appeal. Accordingly the appeal is properly before the Court.

In light of the manner in which this case proceeded, the Court wishes to state that in its opinion the Claimant was perfectly entitled to raise that grievance giving rise to this appeal through the agreed internal procedures and to pursue the matter externally. Moreover, the Union were perfectly entitled to process the claim and to have it adjudicated upon on its merits. The Court is satisfied that at all times both the Claimant and his Union dealt with this matter in good faith and in accordance with agreed and well established procedures.

A very serious dispute was averted at the last minute when management at IO Systems postponed implementation of changes to pay and attendances which were not agreed with CWU. The background to this dispute emanates in IO Systems retaining its contract with An Post to service the Automation machinery, which they secured by promising significant savings off the backs of their employees. They did a behind closed doors deal to introduce revised Shift Patterns and significant pay cuts targeted for the 1st April 2014, without so much as a thought to consult with the CWU. Furthermore, they did so in the full knowledge of a binding Labour Court recommendation issued in December 2010, set revised pay levels which included basic pay and shift premium reductions. IO Systems are attempting to retain its profits and management levels by pick pocketing from its workforce which the Union will not tolerate.

Following a Labour Court Recommendation (both parties accepted the outcome is non-binding) issued in February 2015, the CWU sought clarification in respect of a number of issues. Notwithstanding this, IO Systems issued revised shift patterns to staff and they advised them that they would be implementing them on the 4th May 2015. While the shift changes did not take place on that date IO Systems have made it clear that they will implement them without agreement if necessary.

If this goes ahead it will amount to a unilateral variation and fundamental breach of contract, statute and agreed procedures. The Union wrote to the Company setting out its requirements that IO Systems withdraw the threat to implement changes without agreement. In the event the Company attempts to force implementation of any change without agreement, the Union will take whatever legal or industrial action as is deemed necessary to protect members’ interests and contractual entitlements.

Any imputation to the contrary which may have arisen from the content or tenor of the Company’s submission to the Court is unhelpful. For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of good industrial relation practice, the Company should acknowledge the bona fides of the Union and its member is processing this matter. It goes without saying that neither the bringing of the claim nor the outcome of this appeal should result in any adverse consequences for the Claimant.

The above highlights the difficulties the Union encounters when dealing with IO Systems. It is unusual for the Labour Court to make such comments and the Union was happy that the Court established the right of individuals and indeed the Union to represent such cases. “the content or tenor of the Company’s submission to the Court is unhelpful”.

Labour Court Finding On a separate issue the Union had reason to represent an individual member of IO Systems to the Rights Commissioner Service. The Rights Commissioner did not support our position but the Union was extremely concerned with the content of the Company’s submission as it sought to demonise our member.

As a result the Union referred the case to the Labour Court who issued its finding on the 27th April 2015.

16

Postal Update

Quality of Service (Mis-sorts) “We have seen our Quality of Service improve significantly during 2014, once more exceeding our targets for both Domestic and International outbound delivery. This outcome reflects our continued focus on process improvement and technical innovation.

We achieved not only progressive technical improvements but we have also managed to maintain the required quality standards.”

A Joint Working Group established some time ago to improve the quality of service has significantly contributed to Management’s claims of 98% next day delivery. While this is welcome, currently there is no independent measurement system in place, as the discussions between ComReg and An Post on how the new measurement system will operate and be audited remain to be finalised.

While the Union has demonstrated it will afford all reasonable cooperation to ensure full clearance of mails, such cooperation does not give Managers a licence to drive the introduction of changes which are not agreed.

The fact is delivery staff are not paid an on-call allowance and their route design is optimised on the basis of once

over the ground. Therefore, there is no provision for managers to request staff to return to the office to cover up their operational failures.

The Company should, if it is confident of the claims of 98% next day delivery, terminate the procession of senior managers trailing the highways and the byways, clocking up expensive travel and subsistence, in pursuit of a solitary letter on a remote bench. These managers, with an obvious margin on their duty, should be redirected to address the cages of mail misrouted to DSUs and the thousands of items of Asian mail parked in the DMC. It beggars belief the same enthusiasm is not displayed by managers in operations to raise these failures as matters of concern or the so called ‘all clear reports’.

Get into print!

Anyone wishing to submit articles or photos to appear in the Connect journal, please, either: email to imelda@cwu.ie or post to Imelda Wall,

Communications Workers’ Union, 575 North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

Find us under:

CWU Ireland 17

Youth Committee Update

WHY I VOTED YES

by Barry Gorman Chair of CWU Youth Committee As I’m writing this, Ireland is in the middle of one of the most important referendums in its short history, the Marriage Equality Referendum. As part of the build up to this referendum, there has been a huge amount of debate centred on what same sex marriage would mean to the definition of family. This part of the debate in particular, is what has me writing this article.

Firstly, it is important to note that Ireland will have been the first country in the world to hold a referendum on whether or not to allow same sex marriages. 17 other countries, as well as some states in the US, have previously agreed to allow gay and lesbian couples marry, but this was agreed in their respective parliaments, unlike here, where any changes to the constitution have to be put to a referendum and public vote. Unfortunately, this reliance on having to hold a referendum has allowed for a vociferous No campaign to draw attention away from what the referendum is about, in the hopes that they can sway people who are unsure how to vote.

This change to the referendum simply boils down to a matter of equality and civil rights. Trade unions have fought for workers’ rights for the past century and, as part of that fight, we forced the creation of the Employment Equality Act. Within this act are the nine grounds for discrimination: Gender, race, age, disability, religion, family status, civil status, membership of the travelling community and sexual orientation. We fight every day, not just as trade unionists but as a society, to ensure that every person in the work place is treated equally. That we are given the same rights, the same working conditions, and the same level of respect regardless of our differences. So how can we call for this equality within the workplace, but not outside of it? The short answer, and the obvious one is we can’t. It’s for this reason that the No campaign has drawn the debate away from equality and towards topics like ‘traditional’ marriage and redefining family.

The argument that changing the traditional definition of marriage, “the formally recognised union of a man and a woman in a relationship”, is really a non-argument. For decades, movements have redefined and changed social traditions for the better. For every social movement like the Suffragettes in the early 20th century who fought for a woman’s right to vote, people like Larkin or Connolly who gave birth to the trade union movement in Ireland today, or the civil rights movement in America during the 50s and 60s that fought to end racial discrimination, there

have been counter arguments against these, all mired in ‘tradition’. We as a nation cannot stand by and wallow in tradition, when that tradition causes our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ movement to suffer as second class citizens. A person should have the right to marry whoever they love, regardless of gender, and we should not allow tradition to dictate that.

The No movement also argue that same sex couples already have the right to civil partnership, which is “basically the same” as marriage, so why do we need a referendum? Well, the answer to that is simple. There are actually over 160 statutory differences between civil partnership and marriage in Ireland and these are hugely important differences. For example, civil partnership does not recognise same sex couples’ rights to many social supports that may be needed in hardship situations and may literally leave a loved one out in the cold.

The most important difference between civil partnership and marriage, in my opinion, is that civil partnership does not permit children to have a legally recognised relationship with their parents - only the biological one. This causes all sorts of practical problems for hundreds of families with schools and hospitals as well as around guardianship, access and custody. In the worst case, it could mean that a child is taken away from a parent and put into care on the death of the biological parent. The argument from the No side is that a Yes vote would redefine family and yes, it would, but for the better. Rather than just the ‘traditional’ family being protected, as it is at the moment, married couples of the opposite sex or of the same sex will be recognised as a family and be entitled to the Constitutional protection for families. This, once again, boils down to equality and basic human rights.

The No campaign have probably been their most vocal in calling for the protection of the traditional family, claiming that a child deserves the right to a mother and father. They lament that adoptive children, or children born through surrogacy, will have no legal right to know their birth mother or father. As an adoptee myself, I find this argument extremely insulting. Surrogacy, and in particular adoption, have been an alternative means to family creation for heterosexual couples or single parents for decades now. Yet, tellingly, the No campaign never seemed to worry about adoptees or surrogate children before this referendum was announced. In fact, a lot of the most high profile members of the No campaign are 18

Youth Committee Update only by allowing same sex marriage, can we offer all children equal rights and protection in Ireland.

At the end of the day, and as I stated above, this referendum is about two things: equality and civil rights.

That same sex couples and members of the LGBTQ community be treated equally to heterosexual couples, and that the children of same sex partnerships be afforded the same civil rights as you or I. This can only be achieved if people vote Yes on the 22nd of May. I hope you were one of those people.

also prominent members of the Irish pro-life movement, and as part of the pro-life movement, call for women to refuse abortion in favour of putting the child up for adoption after it is born! The hypocrisy is staggering.

Also, in regards to adoption and surrogacy, these are already options for same-sex couples who are willing to start a family. Voting No will not change that fact, but what it will do is restrict the rights, not only of the parents, but of the child. In all their worrying about the children, the No side seem to have missed the fact that

youth

Between the 22nd - 24th June, UNI Europa Youth Steering Group will hold their Biennial Youth Conference in CWU Head Office.

by Eric Partridge CWU Youth Committee

Over one hundred young Trade Union activists from across Europe will attend this conference. The passion and goals of these young trade unionists are to fight for the future of Europe’s forgotten youth.

They will try to find ways to integrate young people back in to the workforce and highlight the inequality that has been visited on the youth of Europe since the collapse of the banking system which has destroyed so many families, communities, and nations.

At this UNI Europa Youth conference a new steering group will be elected, motions will be passed and a new Youth Action Plan for the next two years will be adopted.

The CWU Youth Committee has decided to contest two seats at this year’s event.

Barry Gorman: Rep. for Area 1. Ireland/UK Eric Partridge: Vice President SG. One aim of the steering group is to establish communication and exchanges between young people throughout Europe with a view to promoting international trade union solidarity and to encourage more young people to participate actively in trade unions.

The fundamental aim of UNI Youth is to unite young people globally to assess common issues and concerns, to develop focused plans of action and to address them within the democratic framework of their trade unions.

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CWU

SPRING SEMINAR CWU Headquarters, 16th - 17th April, 2015 1990 - 2015

Delegates attend the Telecoms Seminar

Steve Fitspatrick, General Secretary

Terry Delany, Deputy Gen. Secretary

Fiona Dunkin

Mick O’Donovan

Managers’ Branch Delegates attend a Seminar with Owen Fitzpatrick 22

Laim O’Laighin

SPRING SEMINAR ~ SPRING SEMINAR ~ SPRING SEMINAR

John Clarke, Terry Moorhouse and Paddy McMahon

Cormac & Ruth

,& lly, President Pascal Conno dent si re P eonnell, Vic ’C O na ti ar M

Thomas Deegan, Martin Condron and Anthony Brennan

Delegates attend the General Seminar 23

Delegates enjoying the good weather in the CWU Headquarters’ garden during a break in the Seminar

Pascal Connolly & Gerry Cuirc

Martina O’Connell & Joe Guinan

Mick Farrell, Vodafone

Vinny Cronin & “the two Maureens”

Paddy Cassidy, Karl Gudyanga, Phil O’Rourke and Fiona Dunkin

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SPRING SEMINAR ~ SPRING SEMINAR ~ SPRING SEMINAR

Recipients of fetac Awards, with Pascal Connolly & Carol Scheffer

Colin Moore, nch Managers’ Bra

Paul Kennedy & Tom Geraghty, Galway

Pascal presents Joe with a gift

Brian & Dave, Clerks’ Branch

D.P.A.B. Delegates

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25th Anniversary Celebration held at the Westbury Hotel Lorraine & Imelda toast the CWU

The CWU proudly celebrated our 25th Anniversary and the launch of the CWU History Book in the Westbury Hotel, with ex-members, friends and delegates.

Francis Devine (author) talks the history of the CWU.

Mick Nagle, Monical Hempenstall & Dermot O’Malley.

Sarah Vaughan, Ruth Dungan, Lorraine Newman, Imelda Wall & Marie Deens.

Monica accepts an Award on behalf of Adrienne Power.

Ray Lawlor & Steve

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Francis presents Steve with the CWU History Book.

Paul Torsney & Steve

South-East Delegates enjoying the night.

Charlie Kelly, Mick Nagle, Mick Halligan, Damien Touhy, Liam Conroy & Pauric McManus

Dave Moran & Joe Guinan

George Ellis & Willie Day

Steve congratulates Martin Condron

John Chaney & Steve

Steve & Terry

Gerry O’Rourke & Simone Enright-Ryan

27

n

Adrian Scanlo

Derek Byrne and Breege Mulroe

Gerry Ruane & Ger Lavelle

Seán & Dolores McDonagh with Jarlath Heneghan & Tom Geraghty

Joe O’Flynn, Jack O’Connor & Frank Downes

John Minihane, Mick O’Connor, Eugene Keenan, Dan Keneally & Tom Stapleton

Charlie O’Neill, Tony Harmon, Des Kennedy & J.B. Dowling 28

Robbie O’Connor, Lorraine, Imelda, & Colin Moore

Some of the Presidents men and women, who served the CWU

Elaine Bermingham, Steve, & Pat Knight

Peter Quinn, Martina O’Connell, Donal Connell & Tom Pomphrett

Frank Joyce, Ger Nolan & P.J. McNicbolls

Rory Duggan, Willie Meegan & Pat Broderick

Pauri Redmond, Eileen Sweeney & Dan Keneally

Guests enjoying the night.

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IS THERE A IN YOUR WORKPLACE? example of the trade union movement working to improve the pay, terms and conditions of employment for workers. CWU have agreements in place with a number of employers, which provides for collective bargaining and the Union has secured increases in pay and improvements in terms and conditions of employment through the efforts of its members. Sadly, there are a small number of people at different employments who refuse to join the Union, but are willing to avail of the benefits that are hard-won by the efforts of members. The issue of people not joining the Union has been the subject of much comment over many years as evidenced by the articles from Union Journals reproduced below.

Following a lengthy campaign by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Government has agreed the publication of legislation, which provides for significant reforms to Ireland’s industrial relations laws. The legislation will provide an improved framework for workers to seek to better their terms and conditions of employment where their employer does not recognise collective bargaining, as well as to provide a replacement for Registered Employment Agreements and separately another Bill to establish the Low Pay Commission on a statutory basis.

While we must await the precise details of the legislation, there is no doubt this is a further

30

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Minister Gerard Nash launches Workers’ Memorial Day and injuries requires everyone engaged in working life to place their personal safety, health and welfare, and that of their fellow workers, actively at the centre of their thinking and organisational culture. This must also be supported by their employers in compliance with best practice. Poor practice and standards must be challenged through the combined and mutual effort of all workers and employers to build a culture of prevention – this is the forward-looking theme for this world-wide day of commemoration in 2015.”

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 workrelated accidents and diseases around the world.

Patricia King, General Secretary of Congress said, “This commemoration remembers dead workers and their bereaved families, injured workers and workers made ill whose lives have been destroyed by work related activities. It also provides a message of hope and solidarity for the living where we are committed to preventing such occurrences. Congress is very pleased to see this important commemorative event elevated to a national level of importance on an annual basis together with Ibec and the Health and Safety Authority.”

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.

The Health & Safety Committee of Congress has, in recent years, called for official government recognition of this important memorial. It is therefore significant that the marking of the day in 2015 saw for the first time official backing of this day. On the 28th April this year the Government, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Congress), Ibec and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), collectively marked Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland – the newly established national and annual commemorative event to remember people killed, injured, made ill and bereaved through work related activity.

Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD, together with the representatives from Congress, Ibec and the HSA formally placed a wreath with the Workers’ Memorial Day emblem onto a ceremonial stand.

Speeches took place and a solemn silence was then observed which was followed with a rendition by tenor Michael Kenny-Vaughan of Oft in the Stilly Night, composed by Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779 – 1852).

Martin O’Halloran, Chief Executive of the Health & Safety Authority said, “Workers’ Memorial Day Ireland is also designed to create a conversation about safety, health and wellbeing at work across the country. The issue is not just about accidents and physical injuries; illnesses related to work are becoming increasingly common in Irish workplaces. These include musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), mental health issues and health issues in relation to noise and vibration, dermatitis, asthma and cancers.”

The General Secretary of the CWU, Steve Fitzpatrick, speaking on Workers’ Memorial Day 2015 welcomed the decision of the Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash, to recognise the 28th April as Workers’ Memorial Day and supported his call to make this day a truly national event. He added, “it was a great honour last year for the CWU to have a plaque unveiled in our new Headquarters remembering all those who have been killed or injured at work. As a union which represents workers in call centres, exchanges, depots and offices, as well as workers who drive, climb poles and masts and work outdoors in all weather conditions, the CWU is very conscious of health and safety and it is always to the forefront when representing workers interests. This day presents an important opportunity to remember those who have lost their lives or injured at work. Health and Safety should be a given not an afterthought.”

Minister Ged Nash said, “We have seen a very welcome decline in the number of workplace fatalities over the last 25 years and this downward trend is continuing. In 1989, there were almost five deaths per 100,000 and this is now down to just over two. But, no workplace fatality is acceptable. One death is one too many.”

“Preventing and reducing the incidence of fatalities 32

CWU representatives with Minister Ged Nash.

Eamon Devoy addresses the meeting.

Minister Ged Nash.

Martin O’Halloran, HSA.

Minister Nash & Pat Kenny.

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34

UNI Global Union Update

Civil society groups form ‘Better Regulation’ Watchdog to protect citizen, worker and consumer rights

Monique Goyens of BEUC – the European Consumer Organisation said: “We observe a lack of willingness from the new European Commission to take the measures necessary to protect consumers from unhealthy food, dangerous chemicals in consumer products or to provide for better labelling. Several initiatives have been delayed or are not being pursued anymore. The Better Regulation Watchdog network which unites civil society interest groups from various sectors is a clear signal to the European Commission not to jeopardise legislation protecting public interests.”

More than 50 civil society organisations, including UNI Europa to which the CWU is an affiliate, have joined forces to create the ‘Better Regulation Watchdog’ – a network to protect citizens’, workers’ and consumers’ rights. The network was launched recently in Brussels, ahead of the expected announcement of the European Commission’s so-called ‘Better Regulation’ reforms.

The network of organisations from around Europe is concerned that the ‘Better Regulation’ agenda aims to weaken or undermine essential regulations and subordinate the public good to corporate interests.

The creation of the network is a response to the European Commission’s attempts to remove what it deems regulatory burdens under the ‘Better Regulation’ initiative.

The network comprises a wide range of public interest groups including consumer, environmental, development, financial, social, and public health organisations and trade unions, and represents tens of millions of European citizens. The members are united by a desire to build an inclusive and competitive Europe founded on economic, social and environmental sustainability.

The network will examine actions taken under the Better Regulation initiative to identify possible risks to existing and future social, labour, environmental, consumer, financial regulation and public health standards. It will then inform civil society, media and decision makers of these risks by organising public debates, promoting research, and through joint campaigning and advocacy work.

Christophe Nijdam, Secretary General of Finance Watch said: “Growth and jobs need financial stability.

The completion of a solid regulatory framework for the financial sector is one of the “big things” that Europe should focus on. As a member of this network we will watch the outputs of the Better Regulation initiative closely.”

Oliver Roethig, Regional Secretary of UNI Europa said: “The idea to create the Better Regulation Watchdog was formed in a conversation between a small group of people. Now we are over 50 organisations! Together we will share intel, watch the Commission, and united react to safeguard the interests of workers, civil society and consumers.”

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Education Update

Branch Secretary Stage 1 May 2015

The Union held the five day course in Union Head Office and it was very well attended by various Branches from An Post. DPD, eircom and PhoneWatch.

In attendance were: Finian Boyle eircom Mullingar, Christopher Coyne DPD, Martena Cregg Ballinasloe Postal, Imelda Devaney Dublin No 3, Ruth Dungan Union HQ, John McEvoy PhoneWatch, Darren Flynn Castlebar Postal, Eileen Jennings Skibbereen Postal, Derek Kavannagh Dublin Postal Drivers, Mark Moloney Clonmel Postal, Sean Murtagh Carrickon-Shannon Postal, Catherine Needham Tralee Tels, Kathleen O’Reilly Galway Postal, George Reilly Westport Postal, Michael Wall North Kerry Postal and Gerry Whelan Bray Postal.

Kilkenny Postal Branch Committee Training - May 2015 The education committee delivered a committee training course to the Kilkenny Postal Branch on May 8th & 9th.

The training covered a variety of union related topics on behalf of the branch.

In attendance were: Robert Ayton, John Beale, Thomas Collins, Thomas Deegan, PJ Farrell, Joe Fitzpatrick and Dean Smith.

36

Education Update

KNN Committee Training March 2015 The union was pleased to welcome the KNN committee to union head office for training.

In attendance were: Kevin Barry, Gary Dorrian, Robert Mangan, Aidan McWeeney & Thomas Williams.

CWU People

Hugh McDevitt. R.I.P. It’s with great sadness that we have to report the death of Hugh McDevitt on 1st February last. Hugh was a member of the Lifford/Inishowen Retired Members Branch. Hugh was from Largnalarkin, Cloghan, Lifford, Co Donegal and was born on the 10/10/1930. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Bridget and survived by his children Seamus and Teresa.

Hugh started his career as a postman in Ballinamore P.O. on the 23/06/1957 where he carried out his deliveries on a four hour postal route by push bicycle. Due to the closure of Ballinamore P.O. in 1971, he was transferred to Cloghan P.O. where he received a post van to carry out his deliveries. He delivered the post on that route until his retirement in 1995.

Hugh was a fluent Irish speaker and was heavily

37

involved with the local community in the Fintown and Ballinamore areas where he was involved in numerous committees. He was a founding member of Coláiste Chú Uladh, the Irish speaking summer school attended by pupils from all over the country and is where the current Coláiste Chú Uladh secondary school now stands.

On behalf of the Lifford/Inishowen Branch and Retired Members Branch we would like to extend our sympathies to the McDevitt family on their loss. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.

Ar Dhéis Dé go Raibh an Anam.

Submitted by the McDevitt family and the Lifford/Inishowen Branch.

CWU People

CWU makes a Presentation to St. Saviour’s GAA Club Report taken from Waterford Mail, April 2015

Photo by Noel Browne

GAA Club, along with Tony Higgins and Noel Reidy from the club, accepting the cheque for €5,000 from Steve. Also included in the picture were Bill Colfer, John Bonner, Regional Secretary, CWU, Anthony Horan, Peter O’Dwyer, Jason Caulfield, Secretary, CWU, Pat Sheridan and Fintan King.

The Communications Workers’ Union of Ireland made a contribution of €5,000 towards the cost of the rebuilding after the arson attack at St Saviour’s GAA club recently. Steve Fitzpatrick, General Secretary of the CWU, travelled down Dublin to make the presentation.

Pictured were Mark Corcoran, Chairman St. Saviour’s

Happy Birthday to Two Legends!

Two legends and great friends celebrate their milestone birthdays with the young fella Christy turning 70 and Paurí turning 80.

Congratulations to both and Happy Birthday from all in CWU!

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CWU People

Cardiff Lane Retirements Tommy Dunne (pictured left) and Joe Cooper (pictured right), both received their Union Scrolls from Frank Donohoe, Branch Secretary, Dublin Postal Delivery Branch, to mark their retirement from Cardiff Lane DSU. Both Tommy and Joe retired in April with over 70 years’ service between them.

The Branch would like to wish them both the very best of luck for the future.

Paddy Cluxton Retires

Johnny Brennan Retires Pictured l to r: Johnny Brennan is presented with his Union Scroll by Vincent Kilroy, following his retirement from DSM Carlow after 40 years’ service.

Paddy Power Retires

Paddy Cluxton (Finglas DSU) receives his Union scroll from Frank Donohoe (Branch Secretary DPDB).

Paddy Power, who retired from Borris DSO on May 1st, 2015, receives his Union Scroll from Tommy Deegan.

A great night was had in the Goblet, Artane, to celebrate Paddy’s welldeserved retirement. Colleagues past and present turned up in vast numbers to say a fond farewell to Paddy.

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CWU People

Galway Reunion

Pictured from l to r: Walter McDonagh, Pat McDonagh, Jimmy McEvilly, Gerry Guihen, Nicholal Lyons, Myra Lyons, Donal Lyons (Mayor of Galway City), Susan McDonagh, Imelda Tierney, Eva Feenei, George Guest, Padraic O Flaherty, Aine Brennan and Nora Flaherty

Galway reunion of Telecoms & Postal members, which was held in Salthill Hotel.

Pictured from l to r: Damien Tuohy, Donal Lyons, Seรกn McDonagh and Walter McDonagh

Dublin Clerical & Admininstrative Members who organised an Easter Egg Appeal in aid of St. Vincent de Paul

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CWU People

22 Rathluirc Section, eircom Retirees’ Presentation by Jimmy O’Connor, 14th May, 2015

(Front Row l to r): Jimmy Ryan, Eddie Farrell, Con Daly, Joe Fox, Donie Burke, Michael O’Brien, John Naughton amd Gerard Sexton.

(Centre Row l to r): Pat Collins, Dave Guiney, Pat O’Regan, Michael Culhane, Cyril O’Brien, Pat O’Keeffe, Philly Flynn and Tommy O’Callaghan.

(Back Row l to r): Pat Delaney, C.W.U. S.O., Tom Hayes, N.E.C., Jimmy Crowley, Branch Chairman, Eddie Glenny, Branch Secretary, Francie Goggin, D.J. Hourigan, Padraig Cronin, Jimmy O’Connor, National Officer, Michael O’Rourke, Ger Falvey and James Madigan.

22 Retirees from Rathluirc Section, eircom, were presented with their CWU Scrolls and CWU Gold & Silver Badges by Jimmy O’Connor, National Officer, in the Charleville Park Hotel on Thursday 14th May. Eddie Glenny, Tom Hayes, N.E.C., and Pat Delaney, CWU Standing Orders Committee, also attended the Presentation and a great night was had by all.

TIPS FOR TAKING A BETTER PHOTO FOR THE JOURNAL Sometimes photographs you have taken can end up being disappointing in the printed journal because they look too dark and it’s hard to make out people’s faces. To help solve this problem, try and make sure that the person or people you are photographing are standing with AS MUCH LIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM (NOT BEHIND) as possible. Also, the higher resolution photo you take (300dpi is best), the better quality your photo will print.

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CWU People

Tony Harmon Retires from the CWU

the members of An Post as a Trustee of the An Post Superannuation Scheme and also on the board of the An Post Credit Union.

Tony’s retirement function took place in Union Headquarters and was attended by his family, his friends and colleagues in Union Headquarters, members of his own Branch and many of his friends from around the country. The attendance was testament to the esteem in which Tony is held by all. We would like to wish Tony many happy years of retirement and the best of luck when it comes to following his teams, Dublin Hurling and Football, St Marys Rugby, Leinster Rugby, Ireland at any sport and finally to prove that he is a martyr to the cause Leeds United.

The Union recently celebrated the retirement of Tony Harmon from Union Headquarters. Tony took up the position of Executive Support Officer, following the retirement of John Lennon.

Tony has been involved in the Union since he commenced working in An Post and has held many positions including Branch Secretary of the Dublin Postal Clerks Branch, Branch Secretary of the Dublin Postal Managers, member of the National Executive Council and Standing Orders Committee.

Tony brought a vast wealth of knowledge to the Union particularly in the Clerical and Management Area and his dedication to the Union and its members is second to none. Despite his retirement Tony continues to represent

Joe Crowley (a.k.a. Santa) gives Tony a gift.

Tony with Charlie O’Neill, Paula Mc, and Paul Dolan, Pension Team for An Post.

Colin Moore presents Tony with his Union Scroll 43

CWU People

Drivers’ Branch Retirement Function The 6 who retired, pictured l to r: Derek Lowndes. Owen Penny. Brian Hopkins, Seán Burke, Mick Whelan, Denis Mc Loughlin.

Terry Delany, Derek Lowndes, Derek Kavanagh, Secretary, & Paul O’Neill.

Terry, Mick Whelan and his wife, Irene, & Derek.

Tony Grogan, Richie Lane & Terry.

Terry, Seán Burke and his wife, Marion, & Derek.

Terry, Owen Penny and wife, Jean, & Derek.

Terry, Denis McLoughlin, his wife, Ann, & Derek.

Terry, Brian Hopkins, his wife, Colette, & Derek.

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CWU People

Terry Quinlan R.I.P. was often said of us before 1979, often by our own members, that we were toy soldiers in a toy union playing at trade unionism and that we would never get nearer to industrial action than talking about it. Well colleagues, 1979 nailed that theory for the myth that it was. To us at least and indeed to many others outside when the War was finally over and our just demands had been satisfactorily met, to us at least and to a lot of people outside, it was Quinlan the quiet man from Waterford, who as the Corkonian would say, was the real Taoiseach and not the gentleman from Cork, the chap with the 20 seat majority in Dáil Éireann at the time.

The second high point in Terry Quinlan’s career was a more recent occurrence. It did not make national headlines like the 1979 Strike, but it was arguably even more vital to the welfare of our entire membership. This was a piece of legislation in 1983 called the Postal and Telecommunications Services Bill, the successful amending of this piece of legislation was to many of us the pinnacle of this man’s magnificent career as our General Secretary. Make no mistake about it colleagues, without him we would be in a far less secure position today in both Telecom and An Post than we are at the moment. In the original draft of this legislation we had no security of tenure, we had no built-in guarantees in relation to our wages and our working conditions. That we have them now is due entirely to his great foresight, negotiating skills, and utter dedication.

We say thank you Terry, thank you for a lifetime of selfless dedicated service in our cause, in the course of which, despite all our trials and tribulations, the sometimes harsh things we said to you, you have never been known to say a harsh word or an unkind word to anybody, you did yourself proud as our General Secretary.

You did us proud.”

In typical modest fashion in concluding his response, Terry stated: “My abiding memory is that we gave each other dignity.

You gave dignity to yourselves and in the process you gave dignity to me. You hold to that and hold on to your unity and nobody will beat you. I did nothing. Your Executive and yourselves did it. Terry Quinlan going into the GPO is nobody, but the General Secretary of the PTWU he is somebody, and my advice to you is keep it that way and you won’t be beaten”.

It is with great sadness that we report on the death of former General Secretary, Terry Quinlan. It is very difficult to summarise the extent of Terry Quinlan’s contribution to the Union and the welfare of its members.

Terry Quinlan was first and foremost a true gentleman and a great General Secretary, who was modest about his achievements on behalf of the Union.

His modesty led some to believe that he was a conservative and nothing could be further from the truth. Terry Quinlan cared deeply about the less well off in society and was a man ahead of his time on social issues both in Ireland and abroad and in his last speech to the 25th World PTTI Congress, Terry received a standing ovation for his speech in which he highlighted the horrors of apartheid in South Africa. Terry knew the costs of fighting against oppression, his brother, Maurice, died fighting on the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War and it was an indication of Terry’s modesty that he never spoke publically about this.

Proposing a vote of thanks on behalf of the National Executive Council to Terry Quinlan at his final conference, Eamon Waters delivered an outstanding speech, which is summarised below.

“Nothing we could say here today could adequately express our thanks and appreciation for the lifetime of magnificent service this man has given to us and the benefits which have flowed to us as a result. Truly it can be said that never had so many owed so much to one man.

He has been active in Union affairs since he entered the Post Office service here in his native city of Waterford in 1938. He was first elected to the National Executive in 1952, where he served this Union with distinction until he became our Deputy General Secretary in 1966. For six years he was a truly magnificent Deputy General Secretary, as those of us who had the privilege of working closely with him in this period will readily testify. He became our General Secretary in 1972 and in all has been a dedicated sixty hours per week, full-time Officer with this Union for almost 20 years.

To list all his achievements since he became our General Secretary would take up the three days of this conference, so we will dwell for a few moments on just two of the high spots. The first was the 19 week long War of 1979 when he led this Union brilliantly and fearlessly through the most traumatic period of its entire history. It

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CWU People

J.J. (Sean) Scanlon R.I.P. National Recovery”, the “Networking”Agreement in Operator Services and the commencement of discussions, which in time resulted in the merger of the PTWU and CUI to form the CWU. Sean was a very committed trade unionist and a firm believer in natural justice for working people.

He was never afraid to articulate the views of members. Nowhere was this more evident than at local level within his own Branch. He gave freely of his time, attending meetings and making representations on their behalf, in many instances during his time off duty, sometimes at very short notice and at considerable inconvenience to himself.

In the later period, foreseeing it to be in their best interests, he was also instrumental in the formation of the Telephonists Section of the Portlaoise District Branch and the transfer of the remaining Telephonists members to that Branch. Following the closure of Portlaoise Telephone Exchange and his transfer to the Resource Business Unit, Sean engaged in a programme of upskilling and was subsequently promoted to Tex 8 in eircom. Up until his retirement in early 2010, he remained deeply interested and actively involved in the Union. A testament to his level of dedication in this regard was evidenced by the large attendance of his former colleagues at his Requiem Mass and internment on Sunday, 26 April last in Portlaoise.

On the social front, Sean, after a long lapse of time, got involved again in the music business in recent years, playing with other musicians at various events locally. He was also a member of the Ballyroan Brass Band, who formed a guard of Honour and played at his graveside.

To his wife, Anne, his children, Claire, Paul & John and his sister, Rita, we extend our sincere condolences. We thank them for their support to Sean over the years in his work for the Union and the many days and long hours he was away from them on the Union’s business.

It was with great sadness that the Union learned of the recent death after a short illness of our former colleague, J.J. (Sean) Scanlon, who was a member of the National Executive Council and President of the former Postal & Telecommunications Workers Union.

Sean was an excellent trumpet player and he enjoyed many years in the music business, during which time he toured with various Bands all over Ireland and the UK. He joined the Department of Posts & Telegraphs (Central Telephone Exchange) as a Night Telephonist in late 1974. Within a short period, he was elected on to the Committee of the Dublin Night Telephonists Branch and was very active in Branch affairs, particularly during the long 1979 Strike.

Subsequently, Sean applied for and obtained a transfer to Portlaoise Telephone Exchange in 1980 and in doing so, became a member of the Portlaoise Branch. Again, he quickly got involved in Branch affairs serving firstly as a committee member and then as Chairman of the Branch for many years.

Because the Branch represented both Postal and Telephone Grades, Sean developed a deep understanding and appreciation of the issues affecting not alone his own Telephonist Grades but that of the Postal Grades also. As a result, he had the ability to articulate and argue issues on all their behalves.

It should have come as no surprise therefore that Sean, having been nominated by the Branch, was elected to the National Executive Council of the PTWU in 1984. Indeed, an examination of the election results of that time would reveal that Sean, because of his wide knowledge of issues effecting all members, attracted support from right across the Union. He remained a member of the National Executive Council up to 1990.

He was elected President of the PTWU in 1987. In that capacity he oversaw the signing of the “Partnership for Progress Agreement” in An Post, the resolution of a dispute over the consolidation of the “Company Wide Bonus Scheme” in Telecom Eireann, the agreement on “The Programme for

May he rest in peace.

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Book Reviews by Adrienne Power CHILD 44

by Tom Rob Smith

It is 1953 in Russia and life is extremely harsh. Leo Demidov never questioned the society he lived in. He believed in it and thrived in it until during the questioning of a traitor to the Communist principles his wife, Raisa, is named as a known associate to this individual. The simple solution is to give up his wife to the authorities and therefore save himself and his parents. If he does not, he condemns the four of them. But

Leo loves his wife.

From that point on his life changes and all he has achieved has now been taken from him. But Leo does not give up. He fights like he has never had to fight. He is a survivor. His wife is a survivor. Having a belief in something has always kept him going.

Children are being murdered but every case has been covered up to look like an accident. A murderer cannot exist in “paradise” (Communist society). Leo sets out to uncover the unthinkable and to reclaim order from disorder.

After reading this book I see why it won so many awards and was deemed one of the top 100 thrillers of all time!

A superb thriller, voted one of the top 100 thrillers of all time!

THE SILENCE OF THE SEA

by Yrsa Sigurdardottir

A luxury yacht arrives on a cold wet night at Reykjavik Harbour with nobody on board. Lawyer, Thora Gudmundsdottir, is asked to investigate an insurance claim by an elderly couple after their son, daughter-in-law and twin grandchildren have disappeared from the boat.

The setting and the different (Icelandic) names, for me, added to the suspense of the story and, of course, the fascinating subject of an empty ship like the famous Marie Celeste, where everyone on board mysteriously vanishes without a trace leaving all their belongings behind.

There is a nice alternating layout to the chapters with the family on the yacht in the past and Thora in present day looking into their fate.

So what did happen to the family and the crew on the Lady K?

Will little two year old Sigga Dögg (pronounced Sick-a-duck) see her parents and twin sisters again? (Pronunciation Name Guide given at the beginning of the book).

A novel full of chills and surprises that will keep you awake into the early hours and looking over your shoulder until you finish.

Full of chills and surprises!

THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN Rachel Watson gets the 8.04 train each weekday morning to London.

The train always lingers at a certain section of worn tracks which happens to be not too far from where she used to live on Blenheim Street. On this street Rachel notices a good looking young couple which she names Jess and Jason and fantasises what their life is like. Rachel’s own life has spiralled downward and she looks on them as the perfect couple.

After her divorce she started drinking. The situation got so bad she lost her job and now suffers from blackouts and ends up doing things she does not remember, like angry calls and emails to her ex-husband Tom and his new wife Anna.

by Paula Hawkins

Jess and Jason are actually Megan and Scott Hipwell. Even though to Rachel’s eyes they seem like the perfect couple this is not the reality. One day Megan vanishes. Rachel remembers being in the vicinity that day and thinks she can help find Megan or can she. With her alcoholic temper and blackouts who is going to believe her.

This is a thriller very skilfully told from three female viewpoints, Rachel, Megan and Anna.

It is almost impossible to put down.

The story does remind you of a Hitchcock whodunit and is very visual so it is probably only a matter of time before a film version is out.

It is a lot of fun to read. The different issues raised in the story are also captivating like how easily psychopaths blend into modern society, the pressure on women to have children, loneliness, isolation, alcoholism, and how you can have all you need but just as easily lose it all.

The hype about this book is well and truly justified!

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