Connect September 2012

AUTUMN 2012 VOL: 14

NO. 3

Communication Workers’ Union moves back to refurbished offices on the NCR

Editorial

Dear Colleague,

Contents Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

Youth Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

ICTU Global Solidarity Summer School . . . .

Award to Migrant Worker quashed over illegal job status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CWU Humanitarian Aid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

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

Reasons to join the CWU - Join Today! . . .

CWU Headquarters - photos from the new HQ refurbishment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

Bank Closures a Boon for Post Offices . . . .

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

UNI Global Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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

FM Downes Insurance Scheme . . . . . . . . . .

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

An Post Employees’ Credit Union . . . . . . . .

Support for shameless Quinn is misplaced .

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

The Migraine Association of Ireland . . . . . .

Pat Kelly Healing Hands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Book Rewiew . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CWU Membership Application Forms . . . . .

2-3 4 5 6-12 13

You will see on the front cover, a picture of the outside of Union Head Office, following the recently concluded refurbishment/re-build of the premises. With the chronic state of the old building, the Union faced the prospect of having the building closed down due to structural problems, particularly with on-going maintenance problems in relation to the sewage systems. At that time, we sought expert advice on the options available to the Union. Those options were the purchase of a new premises, rent/lease of a different premises or a re-build/refurbishment of the existing building. The advice from the experts was to take the third option. Following a full debate on this issue at Biennial Conference 2010, it was decided to proceed with that option.

We have now moved back into our Head Office and we have a Union Headquarters that will facilitate our Officials in delivering the key services required. We will also be in a position to develop newer forms of communications through the use of video and telephone conferencing. Head Office, is of course, also available for the use of all of our Branches and Social Clubs and those of you interested in taking advantage of those facilities, should contact Union Head Office directly.

It is my sincere hope that William Norton House will provide a home for this Union in whatever way it develops long into the future.

With the summer break now behind us, there is little sign of any improvement in the country’s economy. Despite overwhelming historical evidence, it seems that our government refuses to learn the lessons of history and continues to follow policies that do little else but take money out of the pockets of ordinary working people and thus directly out of circulation.

With the horrendous unemployment situation continuing to deteriorate, even those figures are masked by the export of our children in search of work to foreign shores. Further concern is caused by the continuous refusal of the Government to take up any suggestions that might result in investment in infrastructural investment, which would lead to direct employment and encourage foreign direct investment.

Most people understand that the Government inherited an economic mess from its predecessors, and indeed one can even understand the situation we have been left in following the lunacy of the previous government in entering the bank guarantee. However, it is increasingly difficult to understand against that background how the Government continues to initiate policies and attack the weakest in our society, while protecting the very rich from any increases in the real taxation.

Of course those government policies have a broader impact on businesses and industries within the country. The

14 14 15 16-22 23 24-25 26-27 28 29 30-31 32-34 35 36-37 38 39 40-44 45 45 46 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.

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constant contractions within the economy lead one into a never-ending downward spiral, a spiral which we have all been experiencing in the communications industry.

Mail volumes continue to tumble, and volumes of calls and exchange of data in the communications business continue to fall. Given that most of these areas are now competitive businesses, we can also see the result of an overcapacity within those businesses as competitors attempt to undercut each other in the race for diminishing business.

Given the above, it is entirely understandable that our members grow increasingly nervous as our businesses attempt to cut costs and downsize. In eircom, we once again greet a new Chief Executive Officer. The new CEO, Mr Herb Hribar, worked with eircom in the past during the Valentia years and it goes without saying that we wish him the very best in his new role, as the success of eircom is critical to the protection of our members’ jobs in that Company. However, the continuous chopping and changing of senior personnel in eircom, allied to the ongoing changes of ownership, has played no small part in the situation the Company now finds itself in. In my eight years as General Secretary, Mr Hribar, will be the fourth CEO I have had to deal with. Against that background, it is extremely difficult Steve Fitzpatrick, to have any real long-term strategic plans for the business and in relation to future investment. In those circumstances, Mr Hribar will have to weather a storm of General Secretary, CWU cynicism from the general workforce in eircom as they once again listen to the plans of a new CEO in the certain knowledge that he will be there for a relatively short period of time, if the average term of his predecessors is anything to go by.

Over the coming weeks in An Post, we will face into a Worker Director Election. I wish take this opportunity to sincerely wish the CWU candidates the very best of luck. I would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the three outgoing members who will not be standing for election on this occasion, Jerry Condon, Paddy Davoren and Paddy Costello for their service to the Union as Worker Directors on the An Post Board. Their successors have big boots to fill! The Directors in An Post are an extremely important part of the CWU team. Over the years, they have fulfilled their role without any real controversy, while ensuring the other Board members were fully aware of the views of the staff and its representatives. I would urge every one of you eligible to vote, to vote as requested by the Union in order to ensure we maintain a strong team at Board level.

Developments in An Post are far too serious to allow this opportunity to pass us by.

The continuing decline in the workforce in eircom and An Post means a corresponding decline in CWU membership in those two big companies. In order to for us to deal with those losses, we have invested heavily over the past number of years in our Organising Department. As a result, we now have members in over twenty companies including UPS and Vodafone, but basically the bigger numbers of new recruits are in the agencies which provide call centre services to the major telecommunications companies. We have also recruited in the various subsidiaries of the main companies e.g. One Direct and Meteor. Our activity in this area will ultimately decide whether or not CWU can remain a stand-alone Union into the future.

Notwithstanding our own internal problems, the trade union movement in Ireland is carefully considering its own future, with all the Unions coming to terms with the declining membership and constant attacks on member’s jobs, pay and conditions. In the coming months we will attempt to conclude discussions on smarter uses of the overall trade union resources, while at the same time look at our structures to see how we can best prepare for the future. I look forward to outlining the outcome of those deliberations to you in the coming months.

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.

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Youth Update

ICTU Delegates visit Áras an Uachtaráin

Photo (l-r): Natalie Fox, Ciara Melinn, Sabina Higgins, President Michael D. Higgins, David O’Driscoll (missing from photo Fiona Elward)

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions sent four young representatives to a garden party on 3rd July in Áras an Uachtaráin as part of the Being Young & Irish Project established by President Michael D. Higgins.

Taking part in the delegation were Natalie Fox, Fiona Elward and David O’Driscoll of ICTU and Ciara Melinn of CWU. The delegation met President Higgins and his wife Sabina before retiring to the garden for some light refreshments and music, in the form of David Mangan (bass soloist), David Burke (pianist), and indie rock bands Storyfold and Key West.

The President made a speech about the project, wherein he discussed the reasons why he initiated it and what the aims are. Essentially the Being Young & Irish project is a platform where young people in Ireland can submit to the President their thoughts,

ideas and hopes on what they wish to see as the future for Ireland. Submissions can be made in any way an individual or group wish, such as a written report, story, poem, song, video etc.

This is an important opportunity for young CWU members to have their say in what the future of Ireland should be. With one of the highest rates of youth unemployment and increasing attacks on low-paid and vulnerable workers, this project is an ideal platform to raise issues around creating a fairer employment environment for young people and a more equitable society overall. Therefore, we would encourage our young members to make a submission on this, or any other areas of importance, and to add your voices to the debate on what the future of Ireland should be.

For more information on the project or to make a submission, please visit:

http://www.president.ie/makeasubmission/ 5

Telecoms Update compensation, was to take up a role which attracts a rota allowance the “on call” allowance would cease forthwith provided the rota allowance was greater or equal to the “on call” allowance.

Where the rota allowance was less than the “on call” allowance the “on call” allowance would be reduced by the rota allowance amount.

Agreement reached on compensation for loss of “on-call” allowance The eircom Rescue Plan (ERP) committed the Communications Workers’ Union to engage with the company with a view to concluding a “Loss of Earnings Framework” to compensate members for loss of “On-Call Allowance” and loss of “Long-term Acting”.

Scope These arrangements relates to grades comprehended by the Joint Conciliation (JCC) only.

Review The following is accepted by the parties:

In the case of “On Call Allowance” an agreement has been concluded and endorsed at the September SEC meeting. Loss of “On Call Allowance” had been the subject of an LRC adjudication in 2009, which has previously been circulated, and provided for a one-off 1.5 times compensation payment and made no provision for the pensionable value of the allowance. The full text of the new Compensation Framework for loss of “On Call Allowance” is copied below and provides for a two year continuation of the allowance for members and this mechanism also provides protection for the pensionable value of the allowance during that period.

Agreement on compensation for loss of long-term acting is expected to be concluded in the coming weeks and will be circulated in due course.

• •

These arrangement will apply for 18 months; and There will be periodic reviews of the implementation of these arrangements.

CWU Signs Recognition Agreement with ESCCU Having organised all of the staff in the e-Services and Communications Credit Union (ESCCU) the CWU set about engaging with the board of management to negotiate a collective agreement. At the outset the board rejected the idea of a collective agreement and advised the Union that they would engage with staff directly. At a subsequent meeting with the members it was clear that this approach was not acceptable to the staff who undertook to hold a petition which everyone supported.

The petition clearly stated the members’ preference for collective representation and called on the board to engage with the CWU with a view to concluding a collective agreement. After some initial resistance the board of the credit union did enter discussions and eventually an agreement was reached. This paves the way for what will hopefully be a lasting and productive relationship between both organisations which will ensure that the staffs’ collective voice is listened to and respected.

In the meantime the members themselves have nominated Emma Lusk as their shop steward and at a recent members meeting the group have put together a comprehensive agenda for negotiations with the local manager. The members are to be congratulated for their perseverance, determination and their support for each other which the Union’s job in helping them achieve this success much easier.

“Loss of earnings” compensation frameworks - Loss of “on call” allowance.

Introduction Under the eircom Recovery Plan there was a commitment to introduce a “Loss of earnings” framework for the loss of “on call “allowance. The purpose of this paper is to set out the new arrangements under this framework:

Compensation for loss of ‘on call’ allowance (pensionable) The new arrangements are as follows: Where “on call’ allowance, which is pensionable in respect of the Defined Benefit (DB) pension fund, cease due to restructuring programme, employees who have been in receipt of “on call’ allowance for more than two years will continue to receive the allowance on a personal basis for two years by way of compensation.

The application these arrangements will mean there would be no requirement for a notice period once an agreement on implementation has been reached.

In the event that an employee, who is in receipt of the allowance on a personal basis for two years by way of 6

Telecoms Update

National Broadband Plan Launched

have access to minimum speeds of 30Mbs. The National Broadband Plan will achieve its targets by investing a total of €175 million: ‘The total funding involved for any State intervention is indicatively estimated at ⇔ 350 million, ⇔ 175 million of which will 175 come from public funding sources with the other ⇔ million from the successful commercial bidder(s) emerging from a public procurement process.’

This is a very significant development for the Irish telecoms marketplace though the full value of this intervention will on be realised when it is clear where and how the money will be spent. As outlined in the Plan, ‘Government will intervene where – but only where – it is evident that the market will not deliver. Ireland’s population is more broadly dispersed than that of many other countries so reaching the target will require State investment to encourage the private sector to offer services which would not otherwise make commercial sense.’

The CWU is not convinced that the 30% of the population who it has been suggested will require State intervention will have their needs met for the modest sum of €350 million but further details are required before a clearer picture emerges. That being said the Union has called for the government to ear-mark the windfall from the 4G Spectrum auction, which is expected to be €400 million, for broadband development. It would be a missed opportunity if this money was not invested in this way given that the importance of high-speed broadband is clearly noted in the National Broadband Plan: ‘High speed broadband is core to competitiveness. As a knowledge services oriented economy trading worldwide our workforce needs to be better connected than most in the world. However, ensuring fast connectivity is not only about jobs. It is also increasingly a key conduit of modern society – entertainment, learning, health and citizenship.’

The CWU fully endorses this view and our position on this matter has been clear for many years now and that is that high-speed broadband should be treated like a utility.

All citizens should enjoy equal access to equal speeds on an equal basis. The National Broadband Plan, while it’s an important step in the right direction, falls short of making high-speed broadband universally available across the country. It could be argued in fact that it further consolidates a digital divide where rural areas have access to 30Mbps but urban centres enjoys speeds three times higher at 100Mbps.

The next steps, according to the Plan, will be a mapping exercise which will analyse the existing and planned broadband services which will inform where state intervention might be required. It is unclear how long this process will take. In addition to this there will be a National Digital Plan launched before the end of the year which look at demand stimulation among other things.

On August 30th the Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte TD, launched “Delivering a Connected Society – A National Broadband Plan for Ireland” which it is claimed will facilitate the provision of high speed broadband to every home and business in the State over the lifetime of the Government.

This plan follows the recent completion and launch of a report from the Next Generation Broadband Taskforce (NGBT) which prompted the Department of Communications to launch a public consultation.

The CWU contribution to this consultation observed that the (NGBT) report was suggesting that around 30% of the country would see no improvement in their broadband provision as these parts of the country were not commercially viable. This is an alarming increase in the digital divide. The National Broadband Scheme that was developed to ensure that all citizens had access to broadband only had to focus on 10% of the country that could not get broadband. That this figure has now risen to 30% represents a very serious challenge for the government.

Their response to the problem comes in the form of this latest plan which contains the following targets: • •

•

70Mbps – 100Mbps to more than half of the population by 2015; At least 40Mbps, and in many cases much faster speeds, to at least a further 20% of the population and potentially as much as 35% around smaller towns and villages; and A minimum of 30Mbps for every remaining home and business in the country – no matter how rural or remote

It is envisaged that this will be completed before 2020 to ensure that Ireland meets its targets as set out in the Digital Agenda for Europe which the European Commission has put in place to ensure Europe catches up with its economic partners across the world who continue to invest in broadband. These targets impose an obligation on the government to ensure that all citizens have broadband by 2013 and that by 2020 all citizens 7

Telecoms Update

GSE 06-12 Health Net Project 8th June 2012 Re: Health Net Project

Dear Colleague, Below are the details of a Health Net Project being undertaken in eircom in conjunction with the Ulster University, both the Health & Safety Authority and Health Service Executive support the project. The Communications Workers’ Union has always encouraged participation by our members in initiatives that promote health and wellbeing and this initiative is no different. As you can see from the information provided, the survey is confidential and Branch Secretaries are asked to encourage participation by all members. Below is the information provided by the Company on the project.

“The Health Net Project is an eircom led project supported by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), the Health Services Executive (HSE) and Ulster University (UUJ). A questionnaire has been designed in conjunction with the Ulster University (UUJ) who will analyse the data gathered. It was launched so we could ensure that we were: • • • •

Developing proactive health management strategies including educational programmes and health screening initiatives Initiating a number of programmes aimed at improving employee health and wellbeing (e.g. Health screening, educational awareness etc.)

Heightening awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment Producing recommendations and guidance on how to address health risks identified by employees.

The Health Net project team are carrying out a survey on employee health and wellbeing across the eircom Group. They want to gather information about the factors that support and/or hinder the health of employees at a particular workplace and identify potential opportunities to improve or address.

The survey is completely anonymous and should take no more than 20 minutes to complete. It’s important to answer all questions carefully and honestly, as it is only with your help that the Health Net Project can work towards creating a happier and healthier workplace for all staff.

All individual responses will be treated in the strictest confidence. The eircom Group will not see any individual results - they will be presented back to Ulster University where the results will be collated and incorporated into a final confidential report for the Health Net project team.

On completion of the survey you will see a confidential personal report, which is committed to positively supporting your health and well-being in the workplace. Please note this will not be available online once you exit the questionnaire. If you would like to receive an email copy of your results, just enter your email address in the box provided at the end of the survey.

Whilst completion of the employee wellbeing survey is not compulsory, we do encourage all of you to participate. Please complete the questionnaire by C.O.B. Friday 6th July.

If you have any further queries or should you require any assistance with this survey on its launch Mon 11th June, please contact HealthNetInfo@eircom.ie or visit the Health Net site on Comet.”

All queries regarding this survey should be addressed to the Health Net project group at the email address provided above.

Yours fraternally, Steve Fitzpatrick General Secretary

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Telecoms Update CEO GSE 07-12 New 3 August 2012 EO New eircom C inted as the r has been appo ba ri H b er H r today that M formed earlier in as w irector on ni U The as Managing D ed rv se . he m n co he ir Mr Hribar w new CEO of e usly dealt with io ev pr s ha on 2002-2004. e position of The Uni hard Moat to th at eircom from ic k R or r w M et of /N t le en sa irector of of Whole of the appointm as Managing D ed ed rm oy fo pl in em so ly al us CWU was oat was previo Officer. Mr M al ci n the an in F up Gro new roles withi r ei th up ke ta r Moat will lenges facing T-Mobile UK. r Hribar and M discuss the chal M to at th em th ed ct ng pe ti It is ex rward to mee and we look fo ks ee w g in m co eircom.

s Dear Colleague

Yours sincerely ck Steve Fitzpatri ry ta General Secre

GSE 08-12 9-Day Fortnight and 10% Pay Cut 5th September 2012 Re: 9-Day Fortnight and 10% Pay Cut Dear Colleague, I am pleased to inform you that agreement has been reached for the cessation of the 9-Day Fortnight and the associated 10% Pay Cut. The date of implementation will be the end of October.

This was agreed today at my first meeting with the new CEO of eircom, Mr Herb Hribar, and with the assistance of the HR Director, Ms Marie Lee. Further details on the cessation will be circulated shortly.

Yours fraternally, Steve Fitzpatrick General Secretary

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Telecoms Update

Telecoms – Best Practice Seminar – 26th/27th September A Telecoms Seminar is to be held in CWU headquarters Dublin with a number of representatives from CWU and the CWU Northern Ireland. The Seminar will cover a range of issues of interest to both unions, including private contractor companies and their impact across both jurisdications. In addition it will also cover other areas of interest affecting members in BT, O2 and a number of

call centres located on the island of Ireland. We hope to have a presentation on the legal framework relating to both jurisdications at the Seminar.

The aim of the Seminar is to develop further joint initiatives, such as the CWU Humanitarian Aid Convoy and to involve as many union activists both north and south, with a view to progressing inter-union relationships.

The current model of employee assistance for eircom employees has been in place since 1985. The service was arranged on a geographical location based on the old district arrangements and has remained largely unchanged since that time. In contrast, the eircom employee profile, range of work situations, locations and types of issues presenting in the workplace are significantly more complex.

The Trade Union Alliance in eircom has been engaged in discussions with management on the restructuring of the Employee Assistance Programme.

The focus of the TUA in these discussions was to ensure that current services were retained, particularly services to pensioners and families of employees and also to add on new services which are available from service providers in this field. A new restructured service has now been agreed, details of which, will be explained to all staff at meetings within the coming weeks and a Joint Management/Union group has been set up to oversee the implementation of the new service.

EAP Restructuring

Apprentices

Contractors:

KN Networks

Since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Scheme into eircom and the terms and conditions that applied to their two-year Apprenticeship, the issue of subsistence/vouched expenses was a bone of contention for the Union. A number of meetings were held in order to sort this problem out and to date no agreement can be reached. This issue has been referred to the Labour Relations Commission for a hearing and no date has been set at present. It has been agreed to start discussions on the terms and conditions of Apprentice’s post their two year Apprenticeship and these discussions are due to commence mid-September. A report will be made on the conclusion of these discussions.

Members in KN Networks got their 5% pay reduction reversed. The Union and KN Networks started discussions on the proposed 5% pay reduction due (as the Company states) to the financial position of the company. While these discussions were taking place the management implemented the 5% pay cut on our members without any agreement. All discussions at that stage ceased until the pay reduction was restored and this has now taken place and we are re-engaging with the management on the original proposal. Talks are continuing at this point in time.

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Telecoms Update

Vodafone and 3 Ireland agree on Strategic Partnership

Vodafone has signed a contract to enter a strategic partnership with 3 Ireland. This partnership is for a deep passive network sharing arrangement. There will be a single access network operated by an independent service company and this company will be jointly funded in accordance with an agreed business plan. The rationale put forward by Vodafone for entering into this arrangement is external market pressures, technology demands and developments in Ireland.

Following the announcement, the Union agreed with Vodafone Management to set up a Joint Partnership Group to deal with the wide range of issues that will arise, which will affect the members concerned. Some of the key issues under discussion are:• • • • • • • •

Dealing with the foregoing presents a major challenge to the Union. The members affected by the proposal have made it clear they do not trust Vodafone to deal with their concerns both before and after the setting up of the new company. Their attitude is influenced by the way in which members were treated following Vodafone’s announcement to export jobs to Northern Ireland and the way in which members were treated following the outsourcing of work to Obelisk, where Vodafone has shown a total disregard for the wellbeing of the members concerned.

The Union will engage the services of our legal team, Pensions Adviser and Financial Adviser to ensure we get the best advice available to us and protect our members’ interests.

TUPE/Secondment to the new company; Pension Arrangements; PRSI Arrangements; Financial structure of the new company; Goodwill payment to staff transferring to the new company; Industrial Relations structures; Security of Tenure; Structure of the retained organisation.

in place a mechanism to enable the Union and Obelisk to deal with day-to-day issues. Our expectation was we could develop a working relationship with management in Obelisk. However, this was not to be and Obelisk management are back up to their old tricks. Recently, they refused to adhere to the terms of the agreement, which provides for payment to staff while absent on long-term sick leave, as a result of which, staff were left without pay. The Union referred the matter to the Labour Relations Commission and while payments were eventually restored prior to a Hearing at the Commission, other associated issues remain unresolved. Management in Obelisk have also failed to operate a bonus scheme for members, thereby, depriving them of earnings and this matter has now been referred to the Labour Relations Commission

Following a dispute in Obelisk earlier this year arising from the Company’s refusal to pay a 2% wage increase provided for in the transfer agreement, the matter was referred to the Labour Relations Commission. The Commission’s Recommendation provided for the payment of the 2% increase and the Commission put

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Telecoms Update Vodafone Retail: Organisers visit Dublin stores

eircom Retail: Cessation of pay cuts good news for retail members!

Organisers, accompanied by Vodafone branch secretary Mick Farrell, have visited a number of Dublin stores. The visits resulted in an increase in membership and additionally, a number of workers have made themselves available to attend Workplace Leader training which is planned to take place shortly. We were made aware of a number of workplace issues which have been referred to the Vodafone retail forum, or the company as appropriate.

We are planning to visit the remaining Vodafone retail stores over the coming months. As ever we are always seeking employees who would like to take a more active role in the workplace. Are you employed in a Vodafone retail store? Would you like to become more involved in your Union? Would you like to avail of free Workplace Leader training?

If so, contact: Gerard@cwu.ie or Michael.farrell@vodafone.com

The recent news from the CWU and the new eircom CEO that the reduced hours and associated reduction of pay is to come to a close at the end of October is particularly welcomed by Meteor/ e mobile retail workers, who suffered disproportionately when the pay cuts were initiated. For example, most retail members could not avail of a 9-day fortnight and worked a reduced day instead. Thus workers suffered the pay cut without the compensation of any additional day off each fortnight. The reinstating of the normal salary is particular welcome in the current circumstances.

Probationary difficulties/ workplace problems

Welcome to our latest workplace leader at Meteor!

It has been brought to our attention that some members at eircom retail stores are encountering difficulties in relation to successfully completing their probationary period. If you are aware of any member who is experiencing problems during their probationary period or indeed at anytime, please contact gerard@cwu.ie. Remember, we can offer assistance when we are made aware that a problem exists.

Congratulations and a warm welcome to our most recent eircom retail Workplace Leader Darras Jones who works at the Eyre Square store in Galway.

Darras recently attended Workplace Leader training in Athlone.

Union numbers continue to soar at Meteor!

Membership numbers are rocketing at Meteor and e mobile stores. Organisers recently met 32 new starters during their training, of which 97% joined the union. This brings our membership total to nearly 160 in eircom retail stores, representing an increase in membership in excess of 100% over the last two years. Our next task is to develop retail forums in eircom retail while continuing to grow our density.

The only way that this can happen is with the involvement of our members. With this in mind, we are continuing to seek eircom retail members to train as Workplace Leaders. Currently we have Workplace Leaders trained in Cork, Galway and Dublin. We aim to offer additional training for others throughout the country. Are you employed at an eircom retail store?

Would you like to know more about the training courses that your Union offers? Would you like to avail of free Workplace Leader training? If so contact Gerard@cwu.ie or rlawlor@eircom.ie

Union Representatives meet with eircom retail Management A number of meetings have taken place between Union representatives and Tony McDonnell, eircom National Retail Manager. As a result of these meetings it was agreed that representatives of the CWU would address store managers at their regional area meetings. The purpose of these meetings is to outline the role and benefits of the Union to store managers and to make them aware of the positive relationship enjoyed by the Union and Company. So far we have met two groups of managers - the first in HSQ, Dublin and the second group in Mullingar. We aim to visit the remaining groups of store managers in the near future.

12

ICTU Global Solidarity Summer School, Wexford 2012 The Irish Congress of Trade Unions held its 4th annual Global Solidarity Summer School in White’s Hotel, Wexford on the 24th-25th August with a theme Internationalism, Globalisation and Trade Unions. The Summer School was attended by: Ciara Melinn (CWU Head Office), Paddy Mathews (eircom, Drogheda District), Adrian Scanlon, James Moore, Eric Partridge, Paul Healy, Paula Allen and Susan Murtagh (An Post, DPAB).

The event was opened by Minister for Trade and Development, Joe Costello, who praised the work of the Global Solidarity Champions to date and discussed his hopes for the continuation of the work done by ICTU and its affiliates in this area. The Minister discussed his role within the Department of Foreign Affairs and the portfolio which he has responsibility for, including the work of Irish Aid on both overseas development and international trade. Finally, he discussed some of the partnerships between the trade union movement in Ireland under the global solidarity project and Irish Aid, noting that a pledge for funding had been made for a disability project in Uganda run by the National Union of Journalists and Impact, in partnership with local unions & NGOs. President of ICTU, Eugene McGlone, then addressed the delegates, expressing his gratitude for the work on the various international campaigns to date. Eugene also discussed his first-hand experience of global solidarity campaigning in action, following his visit to Colombia in the last year as part of a delegation of trade unionists.

He noted that there is no end to the number of places where human and labour rights are violated, but that every action taken by activists and unions makes a difference to someone, which always makes the struggle worthwhile.

Professor Ronaldo Munck from Dublin City University then gave a presentation on what actually is meant by the term “global solidarity”, which was

followed by a panel discussion made up of: David Joyce (ICTU), Judith Kirton-Darling (ETUC), Professor Edward Lahiff (UCC), Owen Tudor (TUC), Jeff Vogt (ITCU), and it was chaired by Michelle Stainstreet (NUJ). The discussion focused mostly on what trade unions could do in terms of global solidarity campaigning and the general consensus was that engaging at local level within our own trade unions and with the wider civil society movement on international issues and campaigns was key to a fairer society. The day concluded with a presentation and short film about the 1911 Wexford Lock Out. The following day there was a presentation by Bravo (Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organisation) on the human rights crisis within the Kingdom, which receives little media attention as a result of the strategic importance of Bahrain for its oil. The delegates then took part in one of four workshops of their choice: Justice for Colombia, Palestine Solidarity, Burma Solidarity and Clean Clothes Campaign/Ethical Flowers. The action agreed was that union members should actively campaign against the Free Trade Agreement by contacting their elected representatives at local, national and European level by post, email, fax or phone call. Information can be provided by JFC UK and the ETUC on the Free Trade Agreement, but simply asking questions about the agreement and action plan, and keeping Colombia on the agenda is the most appropriate action at this time. To that end, Justice for Colombia (Ireland) will draft a template that can be used to send to political representatives and this will be made available through the ICTU Global Solidarity website and the JFC Ireland facebook page.

More information on the Global Solidarity project is available on the ICTU website (www.ictu.ie), including information on the campaigns referred to above. Reports from the various workshops will also be available shortly and can be requested through CWU Head Office (ciara@cwu.ie).

13

Award to Migrant Worker quashed over illegal job status The name Mohammad Younis would not be recognisable to Irish workers. However, his treatment by his employer, and a subsequent decision by the High Court, should be source of concern to all workers.

However, while an employer could defend criminal proceedings on grounds they took all reasonable steps to ensure compliance under the Employment Permits Act 2003, that defence was not available to an employee. The 2003 Act provides that “a non-Irish national employee who worked without a permit automatically committed an offence and their contract of employment was void” he said. The Labour Court could thus not make an award in relation to an employment contract, which was substantively illegal. Mr Justice Hogan referred his findings to Richard Bruton, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, with a view to having the Oireachtas examine the Employment Permits Act. By any standards, this is an appalling ruling and takes no account of the exploitation suffered by Mr Younis and the Labour Court’s findings. The treatment of Mr Younis is in stark contrast to the manner in which the Courts treat the great and the good of Irish society whose actions contributed to the collapse of the Irish economy. The Courts have no difficulty in setting aside large sums of money to enable these people to continue with their lifestyles while the mess they have created is under investigation.

The finding is also a further demonstration of how workers cannot expect to be treated fairly by the Courts.

Mr Younis summed up the situation very well when speaking through an interpreter following the Court finding he said; “He had done nothing wrong and was instead being further punished by the decision of the Court”.

Mr Younis arrived in Ireland in 2002. He did not speak English and he commenced employment at the Poppadom Indian restaurant in Dublin. In 2009, Mr Younis complained that he was being exploited. This was brought to the attention of the Migrant Rights Centre and a case was subsequently submitted to the Labour Court under the terms of the Employment (Information) Act, Organisation of Working Time Act and National Minimum Wage Act. Mr Younis claimed he was grievously exploited by his employer and required to work 7 days a week with no holidays except for one month, which was unpaid. Mr Younis claimed his employer paid him “pocket money” in cash, failed to regularise his tax position and retained his Pakistani passport.

In September 2011, the Labour Court upheld a Rights Commissioner finding that the employer failed to provide Mr Younis with documents concerning his employment over an extended period, and breached annual leave working time and holiday entitlements. The Labour Court awarded Mr Younis €92,000, which included €86,132 in back pay based on underpayments from September 2002. Mr Younis’ employer appealed the finding to the High Court and the Court found the award by the Labour Court to Mr Younis must be quashed.

In his findings, Mr Justice Hogan agreed that a nonIrish national could not be employed without an appropriate permit and said the prohibition on employment applied to both employers and employees.

14

Successful Budgeting for those who don’t like to Budget!

Budgeting for household expenses is not a simple task, and every family incurs different expenses, which makes the process even more difficult to regulate.

Why would my budget account be overdrawn?

your budget account each month to cover all your living expenses!

One of the benefits of the budget account is that it can go into an overdrawn balance to cover any bills that are budgeted for when there may not be enough funds in the account at the time your bill is due to be paid. Some budget accounts will go in & out of a minus balance during the budget year but the idea is that the account is either in credit or breaks even by its renewal date.

How do I open a budget account?

What are the benefits of having a budget account?

esccu will work with you to ensure that there is sufficient cash in

To open a budget account you firstly need to fill in a budget account application form which is broken down into various categories & covers a variety of bills. Your budget account start date will be the first of the month the account is opened in & it will run over one year.

One of the main benefits is having all of your bills paid through one account which makes it easier to manage your expenses.

The facility to pay any of your bills on direct debit makes paying your bills through a budget account as convenient as paying your bills through your bank account.

Basically you need to estimate how much you would spend annually under your chosen categories & a weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayment will be worked out based on this.

The budget account can go into an overdrawn balance to pay any bills that are budgeted for when there may not be enough funds in the account at the time your bill is due to be paid.

How does a budget account work?

BENEFITS:

When your budget account has been opened you will receive your account details in the post, to set up a direct debit for your bills you need to contact the providers with your budget account number & the credit union sort code. Usually members would have some of their bills on direct debit & some paid in full by cheque.

• • • •

Takes away the stress of managing your regular household bills Spreads the cost evenly over 12 months or 52 weeks All household bills can be catered for Payments into a Budget account can be taken directly from salary

Are there any charges on a budget account?

There is an annual charge of `15 on all budget accounts & interest is charged on overdrawn balances calculated at a rate of 8.9% daily & charged to the account monthly.

A simple and effective way to reduce costs…

Talk to an esccu representative today and see how easy it is to set up your very own budget account!

Call us at 01-6792344 55 Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Phone: 01-6792344 Fax: 01-6790802 Email: info@esccu.ie Web: www.esccu.ie e-services & communications credit union ltd. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

15

Postal Update

Accommodation Update – An Post MUST Do More!

from frustration of staff working at the Office as well as indeed members of the public who have had to use An Post’s services at Post Office counters. In more recent times local politicians have taken up the mantra as an issue in their constituency.

The Union contends that the Company has failed to deliver on its obligation to its staff and customers. It is particularly unacceptable given Retails successful business bas. The recent Morning Ireland coverage of New Ross and the public image of a dirty clapped out Branch Network is damaging the An Post brand and business. An Post Management need to take a leaf out of their own advertising campaign and DO MORE. Below are a few examples of the unsatisfactory conditions at some Branch Offices.

In previous issues of the Connect magazine the Union has been very complimentary to An Post’s Management for the major improvement in accommodation for staff working at Delivery Service Units. However, the same cannot be attributed to Management in Retail. Not alone have they failed to address the serious accommodation issues for staff working at Branch Offices, they have not bothered to attend Joint Accommodation meetings. As a consequence the Union’s Executive has concluded that there is no desire on the Company’s part to jointly address these issues and has decided to deal with matters in the traditional manner in the industrial relations arena.

In this regard the Union’s National Executive has authorised industrial action should the Company fail to address in a meaningful way the Union’s concerns. This decision eminates

Mountjoy-like facilities at 16

Manning the barricade at New Ross

Athy.

Postal Update

An Post Worker Director Election 2012 In early October an election of Worker Directors for Appointment to the Board of An Post will take place. The purpose is to elect five employee representatives for appointment by the Minister for Communications, Energy and National Resources.

The CWU has nominated five candidates to contest the elections for the five Worker Director positions on the Board of An Post. The Union’s members in An Post will be well served by:

Noel Adamson, Dublin Pat Compton, Roscommon Tommy Devlin, Dublin Willie Mooney, Dublin Martina O Connell, Cork The CWU Candidates have developed a wealth of experience together with enormous trust and respect over many years during their trojan and tireless work on behalf of the CWU. Separately in this publication, each of the CWU candidates is profiled. While individually they have a long track record in putting our members’ interests first at all times, collectively they will represent our common interest in a highly professional and influential manner at the highest decision forum of the Company.

Election Process – What you need to know

CWU – Ambitious Vote Management Strategy

• •

Making your VOTE count A careful strategy of vote management has been devised to achieve the CWU’s ambition to ensure that its five candidates are all elected to the five positions on the Board of An Post.

Each candidate has been allocated a number of Branches so as to ensure they get the maximum number of first preference votes. The strategy is vitally important if we are to maximise the number of seats for our Union. The allocation of Branches is outlined separately and has been accepted unanimously by the Union’s Worker Director candidates.

All members are earnestly requested to cooperate wholeheartedly with this approach by voting No.1 for their allocated candidate and to vote 2, 3, 4 and 5 for the remaining CWU candidates, in order of their choice.

•

•

The election is by postal vote only Ballot papers will be issued to Managers at the end of September and all staff members eligible to vote will receive their ballot paper by the 1st October 2012 ✔ Staff on sick leave etc and in SubOffices will receive ballot papers by swiftpost Polling period is Tuesday 2nd October 2012 to Wednesday 10th October 2012 ✔ Ballot papers must be returned during this period ✔ Last date for receipt of ballot papers is 5.30pm on Wed 10th October 2012 Count Day is 12th October 2012

Vote 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 for the CWU candidates Vote No.1 for your designated CWU candidate 2, 3, 4 and 5 in order of your choice for the remaining CWU candidates.

17

Postal Update

An Post Worker Director Noel Adamson

Pat Compton

Tommy Devlin

Noel joined An Post in January 1981 as a Postperson in the Central Sorting Office, Sheriff Street. He worked in the parcel office up to 1994 before moving to Fairview delivery office where he holds a cycle delivery. Noel has been a trade union activist for 28 years in a number of roles. He originally started as a Committee Member in the parcel office and continued this role in Fairview, where he also became the Fairview Branch Representative on the Dublin Postal Delivery Branch Committee.

Noel is the Assistant Secretary of the Dublin Postal Delivery Branch, a Branch of nearly 1,400 members in 28 offices. Being involved in such a large Branch brings Noel in contact with a huge number of diverse issues and problems on a daily basis, giving him the experience and skills to carry forward and help his colleagues. He is also the Health & Safety Officer of the Branch. He has been instrumental in helping the Company to formulate an Adverse Weather Policy. In order to fully understand the issues in relation to health & safety, Noel completed a Fetac (Level 5) course to complement him in this role. Noel is the chairman of the CWU Standing Orders Committee. This Committee governs any union conference or seminar. It also assists union members and Branches with the wording of motions for conference.

Noel was born into a family of 19 in Finglas, Dublin. Being born into such a large family, Noel had to start his working life at the age of 15, through necessity, not choice. He resumed his education through night courses, attaining diplomas and certificates in health & safety, computing, trade union organising & structures, and industrial relations. Noel is married to Betty, his wife of 30 years. They have two children.

Pat joined the postal service as a Junior Postman in 1973. He has worked in Boyle, Galway and Roscommon. He was active in the union from 1977 to 2003 and has served as Committee Member, Branch Secretary, National Executive Member and President of the Union. He served for 22 years on the National Executive Council of the CWU and was elected President in 1985. He is a former member of Roscommon County Development Board and served for 7 years on the Projects Committee of the aid agency Trócaire.

Pat was elected to the Board of An Post in 1992 and has been a member since. Pat has a wealth of experience gained from representing staff at all levels throughout his working life. This experience has been put to good use at Board-level where decisions taken affect the future of An Post and the working lives and welfare of its staff.

A native of Dublin, Tommy entered the Post Office as a Junior Postperson in 1976. On his promotion to Postperson, he applied to go on the driving. He became one of the youngest ever Postperson Drivers at the age of eighteen. He spent the next twenty five years as a Postperson Driver. He was a Working Leader in Kilbarrack Parcel Depot before being promoted in 2008 to DSM in Malahide. He has served on the Committee of the Dublin Postal Driver’s Branch and was Branch Chairperson for 8 years. He has attended conference as a delegate/ National Executive Member continuously since 1996. He is currently Chairperson of the Dublin Mails Managers Branch.

Tommy was elected to the National Executive Council in 2002 and has served on the Finance Committee and Organising Committee. He has played a major role in recruitment.

He is married to Pauline and they have four daughters and two sons.

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Postal Update

Election - The CWU Team Willie Mooney

Willie joined the Post Office in 1982 as a Junior Postperson. He has been a Branch Committee Member, Branch Chairman and is currently Branch Secretary of the Dublin Postal Clerks Branch, and a member of the National Executive Council. Willie was an active member of the Dublin Postal Amalgamated Branch during the setting up of the Dublin Mails Centre in 1992.

Willie has campaigned tirelessly for postal workers and his friendly, downto-earth and approachable nature has brought many new members to the Union and helped support and resolve issues for workers over the years. He has represented the Union in lobbying TDs and MEPs during the Protect Your Post campaign.

He is currently a member of the CWU’s Education & Training and Organising Committees. Willie has a diploma in Management and Employee Relations from the National College of Ireland. He has a logical mind and is frank in his approach.

Martina O’Connell

Martina O’Connell joined An Post in 1993 as an Auxiliary Postperson and is now working as a Postal Operative in the South City Delivery Office. She became a Committee Member of the Cork Outdoor Branch in 1994 and then served as Assistant Secretary, and has been Branch Secretary for the past 8 years. She has been a member of the National Executive Council of the Communications Workers’ Union since 2002. During that time she has been a member of the Equality Committee and actively campaigned for the introduction of Term Time in An Post.

Martina has been a member of the Education & Training Committee for the past 6 years and has helped deliver numerous training courses around the country on behalf of the CWU to Union Activists. She is also a member of the Finance Committee of the Union. Martina is a member of the Union’s Postal Liberalisation Sub-Group and played a key role in organising the Protect Your Post campaign. As part of her work on this Committee she has lobbied TDs and Councillors throughout the country, as well as MEPs in Europe, on the impact of Postal Liberalisation on Irish postal workers. She is also a member of the Collection & Delivery Group, Ancillary Services Group and the Southern Region Partnership Forum.

Martina will work tirelessly on your behalf to right any injustice. She is an honest and diligent worker and she is dedicated to the post office and its workforce. Martina is married to Dan and has three daughters: Kate, Orlaigh and Aoife.

C W U T E A M

Vote 1,2,3,4 and 5 for the CWU candidates Vote No 1 for your designated CWU candidate 2,3,4 and 5 in order of your choice for the remaining CWU candidates 19

Postal Update

Success of Australian Change.org Postal Petition! public outcry meant Australia Post couldn’t ignore it any longer. They quickly announced a trial for new wet weather gear – ensuring that Anthony and others won’t have to endure a fourth year of returning home cold and wet.

The new gear is still being trialled, and Anthony says he’ll be talking to Australia Post to ensure it delivers on its promise. But after the surge of community support for their campaign, Anthony is confident that they’ll keep their word rather than risk their image by backing out.

Today, Anthony has helped posties around Australia ensure they were treated fairly by their employer – tomorrow, it could be you.

Great news! Just a few weeks ago, postman Anthony Veal and his union launched a Change.org petition asking Australia Post to give them proper wet weather gear – and they’ve won!

Australia Post had been stalling for three years, refusing to pay enough to buy decent gear. So Anthony and his colleagues decided to start a petition, asking the community to stand behind its beloved posties.

And it worked. Their campaign was all over the news – The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and ABC Radio to name a few – and over 5,000 people like you joined them.

After three years of dismissing their concerns, the

One Direct Acquires Aviva Branch Business will migrate to the An Post branch network and that some staff will move into the One Direct office in Athlone. The business is aiming to have the customers migrated by early November.

Of course this is not the first time that One Direct has been through this process in recent years. The promising PostBank venture that was not saved by the government involved very much the same kind of challenges, so the local One Direct Branch Committee are well versed in what to expect and what to be alert for as the transition process gets underway. With this experience under their belts our One Direct members will be very well represented in the forthcoming discussions.

On the 17th August One Direct Managing Director, David Egan, announced to staff that an agreement had been reached between the company and Aviva to acquire the Branch Network Personal Lines Business of Aviva Insurance. In effect this means that One Direct will take over the retail arm of the Aviva car and home insurance business with the transfer of approximately fifty staff into One Direct. This represents a very positive development for the company and should further consolidate their position in what is a very competitive marketplace.

While there has been no formal discussions (at the time of writing) between the Union and either One Direct or An Post on the specifics of what this means for the business, it is predicted that former Aviva staff

20

Postal Update

ComReg Launches Report on the Postal Services Act 2011

In late July ComReg released its response to a consultation it launched in June on the implementation of the Regulation (Postal Services) Act 2011. During the consultation the CWU made a comprehensive submission outlining its concerns both on the approach being adopted

by ComReg in terms of the lack of empirical evidence to support its view as well as the actual policy approach that the Regulator was proposing.

The CWU began by arguing that the Postal Service Act 2011 clearly sets out the statutory obligation that is imposed on ComReg which is “to ensure the provision of the Universal Postal Service that meets the reasonable needs of postal service users”. In conjunction with this, the statutory objectives that ComReg must meet in exercising this function are now as follows: “(i)

to promote the development of the postal sector and, in particular, the availability of a universal postal service within, to and from the state at an affordable price for the benefit of all postal service users,

(ii)

to promote the interest of postal service users within the Community, and

(iii)

subject to sub-paragraph (i), to facilitate the development of competition and innovation in the market for postal service provision”

innovation is concerned, ensuring that postal service users derive maximum benefit in terms of choice, price and quality” It is the view of the CWU that these aspects of the 2011 Act must be the context for any further debate or discussion on matters raised in the Framework Document. It would not be appropriate for ComReg to go beyond the bounds of the 2011 Act or to reinterpret aspects of the legislation in a manner that is inconsistent with these functions and objectives, as outlined above. It is worth noting that the statutory objectives oblige ComReg “to facilitate the development of competition and innovation in the market for postal service provision” but specifically this can only be done subject to “the availability of a universal postal service within, to and from the state at an affordable price for the benefit of all postal service users”.

CWU believes that this clearly sets out the paramount importance of the provision of a universal postal service at an affordable price for all users and in regulating the marketplace ComReg must adhere to this objective at all times. CWU argued in its submission that for ComReg to do otherwise would be in breach of its statutory function and objectives, and in contravention with the 2011 Act. Therefore, any course of action that might have an adverse effect on An Post’s ability to provide, fund and maintain a universal postal service must be considered as contrary to these functions and objectives, and in contravention of the 2011 Act. The ComReg report also included a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) which the Regulator argued supports its agenda for changes to the postal market. CWU however took serious issue with and argued that the (RIA) was flawed and incomplete as it lacked the necessary information and evidence to support the line being argued by ComReg. In the absence of this important data the Regulator cannot make an informed decision on what is best for the market and equally the stakeholders cannot make an informed contribution in the consultation process.

Furthermore, in relation to ComReg’s objectives, Section 10 of the 2011 Act goes on to state that: “the Commission shall take all reasonable measures aimed at achieving those objectives including (a)

ensuring that postal service users may avail of a universal postal service that meets their reasonable needs

(b)

insofar as the facilitation of competition and 21

Postal Update a significant number of An Post customers who cannot reclaim VAT, many of whom are among the largest bulk mail customers. In a marketplace that is already under severe pressure from e-substitution and in an economic environment that is highly cost-sensitive, this course of action by ComReg would have a devastating impact on the revenue streams for An Post and consequently the USO. This runs contrary to the statutory objectives and functions of ComReg and as such would be considered by the CWU to be a profound dereliction of duty.

In the end it appears that ComReg has taken on board the views of stakeholders who had concerns like the CWU. The bulk mail service will not be reduced to a minimal service and there are no plans at this time to introduce a second class service mail service. This takes some of the pressure off An Post but in the context of the very serious challenges that the company faces the more pressing issues of a price rise is quickly focussing everyone’s mind. There may be more to report on this in the coming weeks but as things stand ComReg has not made a decision either way.

In its consultation ComReg had suggested that a second class postal service should be considered and that bulk mail services should be removed from the range of universal postal services (with the exception of one basic service).

On the second class service CWU argued that the status quo should be retained. Without any detail on how the second tier service might be constructed, it is hard to give an adequate response, but regardless, there are a number of concerns around the introduction of a second tier service. There is no evidence presented that a second tier service would do anything to improve mail volumes.

In fact, the likelihood is that this proposal would simply serve to dilute the revenues of An Post and put further pressure on the financial wellbeing of the universal service provider. This would run contrary to the statutory objectives as outlined in the 2011 Act. In relation to Bulk Mail CWU argued that one of the results of taking bulk mail services out of the universal postal service area will be that VAT will be applied to it.

This will effectively add 23% to the cost of the service for

Minister Rabbitte Warns ComReg Against €12m An Post Fine Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte TD, issued a stern warning to ComReg about their intention to pursue a legal action against An Post which could result in a €12m fine. On foot of a question from Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris who described the action by ComReg as ‘mind-boggling’ the Minister clearly stated his view that this action was not helpful at this time.

He noted the very valuable service that is provided

by An Post and noted that the quality of service levels for next day delivery is not a burning issue among Irish postal users and he noted that ‘most Members of the House would share the view advanced by the Deputy that this issue is not a chief concern for postal users’. He went on to say that ‘complaints about nextday delivery do not feature among the matters brought to Members’ attention concerning the postal services’.

In acknowledging the very challenging situation that the company finds itself in the Minister also noted, ‘that greater challenges than this face An Post.

I suspect the extent of electronic substitution, the decline in its core business, the challenges that

confront it from competition and so on rank higher in the matters that confront its management.

Consequently, I must concede I share the surprise that there are such legal proceedings. Preferably, one hopes two public organisations can resolve this issue consistent with the remit of the independent regulator.’

The last point above is one that the CWU has been arguing since the inexplicable decision by ComReg to pursue this fine emerged. The Union’s view has been that the action by ComReg is in breach of the guidelines set down by government on how state bodies should deal with potentially litigious situations. In these circumstances both parties should undertake mediation in order to avoid costly legal battles. ComReg did not adhere to these guidelines and instead is intent on pursuing this matter through the courts. It is expected that legal arguments will be heard on this case in November and that if it proceeds, the case will probably be heard early in the New Year.

As things stand An Post has made it clear that it will contest the case vigorously.

22

23

CWU Headquarters The Communications Workers’ Union moved back to the newly refurbished Headquarters on the 18th June 2012 after just 15 months in temporary offices. The new Headquarters is now equipped to cater for Branch meeting requirements, anywhere from 10 to 200 delegates. There is ample meeting space, with individual syndicate rooms capable of holding 12 to 50 delegates and the Conference Hall catering for 200. There is also the facility to hold six individual phone conferencing calls with unlimited numbers of attendees joining the individual calls. It is also intended that video conferencing will be rolled out in the coming months. The building has been refurbished to the highest spec in relation to energy/heat saving technology, access for disabled persons, induction loops in the reception and meeting rooms for hearing impaired persons, and facilities to cater for all types of branch meetings, AGMs and training events for our members.

The Extension, as seen by night

Rain Sensors

Admin Office

Conference Hall

One of the Syndicate Rooms

Underground Car Park

Podium in Conference Hall

24

The original staircase, complete with studs to prevent kids sliding down the banisters

Top end of Conference Hall

Extension to building

Side Entrance to Car Park

New Staircase

Canteen

Boardroom

25

Equality Update

Launch of Equality Materials IBOA, August 30th

Pictured l-r: Carol Scheffer, CWU, Marian Geoghegan, IBOA, Judge Yvonne Murphy, Carol Baxter, Equality Authority, Anne Casey, Project Development, Stefania Minervino, Equality Authority Aileen Morrissey, Mandate.

equality handbook for representatives and equality presentations for inclusion on representative training courses. Judge Yvonne Murphy formally launched the materials with Carol Baxter, Head of Development of the Equality Authority also making a speech on the day.

The Union was delighted to be part of the project and we are confident that the handbook, policy document and all the other materials will prove useful to our Activists going forward.

Copies of the handbook and the equality policy are available on the Union website, www.cwu.ie

The CWU, IBOA and Mandate launched a suite of equality materials for trade unions at the Banker's Club in Dublin at the end of August. These equality materials were produced on foot of our project through the Equality Mainstreaming Unit of the Equality Authority. The Equality Mainstreaming Unit within the Equality Authority is one of the initiatives set up under the Human Capital Investment Operational Programme 2007-2013.

The materials produced through the project resulted in an Equality Toolkit consisting of a training manual on equality, model equality policy for Trade Unions, an

Pictured left: attendees at the seminar Also in attendance from the Union were: Susan Casey NEC, Fionnuala Ni Bhrogain, Union Organiser, Ian McArdle, National Officer, Ken Good, Letterkenny Postal, Paul Torsney, Dublin No 2 and Mick Smith, NEC.

26

Equality Update

“Women’s Voices – Is the Trade Union Movement Listening?” continuing the work done by Women at Work Skillnet (now amalgamated). Linda McLoughlin, Founder of Top Women Top Jobs and LeadershipWorks, facilitated the day and gave participants a number of tips on getting on in the workplace and increasing their authority and visibility. There was also a firm focus on the role of social media and how it can be used correctly in the movement.

Also among the speakers were ICTU Assistant General Secretary, Sally Anne Kinahan whose keynote address focused on women’s activism within trade unions; Bride Rosney of the Mary Robinson Foundation; Sheila Nunan, General Secretary of the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation; Linda Tanham, Worker Member of the Labour Court, Judge Yvonne Murphy, and Tom Healy, Director of the Nevin Economic Research Institute.

The event was a resounding success – both in terms of the quality of the contributions from the speakers and the participants. All CWU representatives commented on how interesting the seminar was and the value of the insights provided by the speakers.

It is hoped that we will be in a position to run a similar

On 30th August, the Trade Union Skillnet hosted a seminar in IBOA House entitled “Women’s Voices – Is the Trade Union Movement Listening?” The seminar was attended by a cross section of trade unions and focused on the role of women in the trade union movement today and in particular their influence on the leadership of the movement. There was also considerable discussion around the role of women in trade union decision making structures.

The CWU was represented at the seminar by Carol Scheffer, National Officer, Mary Conroy, Galway Postal, Margaret Jenkins, NEC, Susan Casey, NEC, and Fionnuala Ni Bhrogain, Union Organiser. In a very intensive programme, the attendees heard a number of presentations offering a range of perspectives on the current state of the Irish labour movement and its potential to change and grow in the future – with a particular emphasis on the contribution that women could make.

Niamh Desmond, Programme Support Manager, Skillnets Ltd, congratulated Trade Union Skillnet on

Pictured l-r: Judge Yvonne Murphy, Carol Scheffer (CWU), Aileen Morrissey (Mandate), Niamh Desmond (Skillnets), Sally Anne Kinahan (Congress), Marian Geoghegan (IBOA), Linda Tanham (Labour Court) and Linda McLoughlin, Leadership Works

27

for any struggling banker looking for footfall to raise more deposits and sell more loans.

About 1.8 million customers use an Irish post office every week. For An Post, offering new products and services makes sense as 1,090 of its outlets are run by contractors who make more money based on the number of products they sell and services they offer.

The days of buying just stamps at a post office counter are long gone. You can pay a bill, lodge a cheque, sign up for a life and pensions product (through a post office where a former Aviva branch staff member now works), buy a mobile phone or birthday gift voucher, and even pay for a gun licence.

An Post is continuing to look at new banking-related products. It is planning to extend the sale of US dollars and sterling by offering a new foreign exchange debit card.

The loss of confidence in the Irish banks as the financial crisis deepened over the past five years prompted many concerned depositors to lodge cash in their local post offices.

The post office where the resident postmaster or postmistress is more often than not a familiar face locally was seen as a safe sanctuary during the banking run of 2008.

This brought in a windfall. The sale of State savings products through An Post has also helped increased deposits at post offices.

An Post savings are not counted in the Central Bank household deposit figures but if they were, they would have represented an estimated 6 per cent of the deposits in 2007, or about €4 billion. This increased to 13 per cent or in excess of €12 billion last year.

It is impossible to quantify how much of this relates to the public trust in a community post office but it has certainly been a factor.

An Post ranked highly in the Reptrak survey of most trusted brands by the PR firm Corporate Reputations and international consultancy Reputation Institute in May, in stark contrast to the distrusted Irish banks.

The troika-blessed push to encourage unbanked customers to open accounts may create further opportunities for post offices. Almost 17 per cent of Irish households didn’t have a current account in 2008; only Italy and Greece scored worse out of the EU15 countries. The failed entry of Bank of Scotland (Ireland) into retail banking through Halifax showed the high cost and risk of setting up a high-street bank, even in an economic boom.

For that reason, and particularly after Postbank, An Post is unlikely to become a standalone player in banking in the near term but offering profitable services for the slimming banks will offset losses on declining postal services. In a crisis comes opportunity.

BANK CLOSURES A BOON FOR POST OFFICES SIMON CARSWELL Wed, Aug 15, 2012

THE BOTTOM LINE: THE NEED for Irish banks to slash costs and the resulting demise of the traditional bank branch has created opportunities for An Post to take on more business at 1,147 post offices.

The opportunities also show the potential for an Irish postbank – similar to the working models in Germany, Italy and Belgium – and the dreadful timing of An Post’s Postbank, the joint venture with Benelux bank Fortis that was taken down by the global financial crisis.

Both State-controlled Allied Irish Banks and Danish-owned National Irish Bank are using arrangements with An Post to conduct lower-value banking transactions through post offices rather than high-cost branches.

AIB is closing 67 – or one in four – branches, while NIB is closing all 27 of its branches in the Republic.

An Post’s arrangement with AIB dates back a decade, while the deal with NIB is only two years old.

Both banks are looking to greater use of technology including phone apps, internet banking and online video to deal with customers that will generate cost savings.

This will only add further pressure on branches. As more and more products are sold over the internet, the cost of supporting a branch network will become harder to justify as sales volumes through branches decline.

Bank of Ireland is taking a different approach. Chief executive Richie Boucher said last week the bank has no plans to close branches as it was “very hard” to sell investments, mortgages and products to small and medium-sized business over the internet.

But the bank still sees merit in a tie-up with a network of post offices. Bank of Ireland’s joint venture with the Royal Mail in the UK has proven highly lucrative for the bank.

Deposits collected through 11,500 UK post offices rose 44 per cent to £16 billion (€20 billion) at the end of last year and the joint venture was extended by three years to 2023 in a deal announced earlier this month.

Boucher said that 25 million people visit a post office in the UK every week, a mouth-watering figure

© 2012 The Irish Times

28

The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland provides financial assistance for serving or retired staff, of An Post and eircom, and their dependants. It also provides financial assistance for retired staff, of the former Department of Posts and Telegraphs and Telecom Éireann, 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.

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 of Ireland 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.

Today, the Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland

The Fund is worthy of your support because: 1.

2.

3.

4.

It is administered by an independent and voluntary body of Trustees.

Thousands of staff and their dependants have been helped over the years when they were in urgent need of help.

Subscriptions may be deducted from your pay. A few cents deducted regularly will mean a lot to someone in need.

The suggested subscription is 50 cent per week.

Please fill out the form below and send it to Honorary Secretary, Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of

The Rowland Hill Memorial Fund of Ireland I hereby authorise the deduction of _______ per week / fortnight / month from my wages / salary for payment to the R.H.M.F., commencing ______________20___.

Name (Block Letters) _________________________________________________________ Staff / Pension No. ___________________________________________________________ ( An Post / eircom) (Please delete as appropriate) (Please delete as appropriate) Signature ___________________________________________________________________ Date_______________________

29

G20 must change course away from austerity ➠ ➠ ➠

UNI Global UNI warns G20 not to pretend Greek vote is an endorsement of austerity.

Austerity plan failed on three accounts – failed to deliver on jobs, cut the deficit or improve economic activity. G20 leaders are underestimating the power of labour market intervention to help improve the economic situation.

UNI Global Union General Secretary, Philip Jennings calls for a Plan B during meetings with world leaders at G20, including the Mexican presidency, Japanese President Yoshihiko Noda, ILO Director General Juan Somavia, WTO Director General Pascal Lamy and Head of IMF Christine Lagarde.

the G20 leaders are still underestimating the power of labour market intervention to help improve the situation. If you put money in workers’ pockets it’s a stimulus to the economy which is real. What we are seeing around the world is a fall in people’s spending power with for example a drop in salaries in the UK of 4% - the biggest drop Jennings said, “The G20 in 30 years and an income drop should not kid itself that the in the US of 7.7% in the last 3 Greek people have in any way years. The G20 needs to put endorsed the current austerity purchasing power back in plans. They found themselves in workers’ pockets so that they can an impossible situation with their see some demand moving again. backs to the wall. During my We are beginning to see this in exchange with the Japanese Germany with 6% wage prime minister I said that the increases.”

G20 cannot use Greece as an “There is a failure by the excuse for more austerity. A Philip Jennings, General Secretary UNI leaders at the G20 to understand government will be formed in Global Union, addresses the G20 Summit in the importance of collective Athens but the Troika must Los Cabos, Mexico on 18th June, 2012. bargaining to boost economic rethink the repayment terms to activity and demand. They don’t help the Greek people who are get it.

Cutting collective bargaining is a blind alley to suffering because of this process.” growth at a time when the share of wages in the wealth Jennings continued, “We urge the G20 to change produced is at a low for modern times. course - they need a Plan B because austerity has not The G20 should also worry about the consequences of delivered on jobs, cut the deficit, or improved economic precarious work on economic growth. Precarious work activity. Nor has austerity unleashed private sector is a fragile pillar to build prosperity. The G20’s work investment. Firms are sitting on trillions in their balance should be about ‘including you’, including you the sheets. What we are detecting in our talks here in Los people in plans to bring quality jobs, fair wages and hope Cabos is that there is a realisation that more has to be for the future,” he concluded. done to get demand moving in our economy. However

Philip Jennings, General Secretary UNI Global Union, says it’s time for the G20 to change course, back growth and not austerity and cut some slack to the Greeks who found themselves with an impossible choice at the elections.

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UNI General Secretary comments on the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report Dear Colleagues, Here is the message sent out to the international media reacting to the findings of the World Economic Forum's Global Competiteveness Report 2012-2013 released on Wednesday 5 September.

Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI Global Union made these comments: of the Global Competitiveness Report top performers, including the Nordics, understand the “trueMany value of having a strong social dimension to their economy. They are competitive because they place a high value on the unionisation of the work force and collective bargaining, not despite of it.”

On United States drop: United States has dropped down to 7th place and is hurting. There is a growing divide between “theThe 99% and the super rich, built on the stagnating wages of a generation and the irresponsible behaviour of the bankers who speculated rather than invested in real wealth and jobs. This jobs’ deficit is being fuelled by anti-union behaviour and the collapse of collective bargaining. We need a more inclusive society. Short-termism led by unscrupulous Wall Street bankers and lack of job security are holding the US economy back. If the US wants to top the competitiveness rankings and create an environment for sustainable growth it must address the twin peaks of banker greed and the threat to workers’ rights.

”

On performance of European Countries: “ The report shows that in Europe the north-south divide is widening with the southern European

countries languishing far behind their northern neighbours and Greece close to dropping out of the top 100. We now have a two tier Europe with the southern countries, especially Greece, being further undermined by the inflexibility of the Troika. Europe has to pull together. The northern European countries cannot distance themselves from the pain of Greece, Spain, Italy and Portugal. This week Moody’s put the whole of the EU bloc’s AAA credit rating on a negative alert. Europe has to recognise that we are in it together and only a recovery plan for the whole of the region will pull us out of the crisis.

”

Richard Elliott, Director of Communications Mobile: +41 79 794 9709 UNI Global Union, 8-10 Av. Reverdil, 1260 NYON, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 365 21 30 • Fax: +41 22 365 21 21 richard.elliott@uniglobalunion.org • www.uniglobalunion.org

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Great Strides in Atos

increase their strength, there are still many obstacles to overcome in Atos. In particular, the company’s Grievance and Disciplinary procedures are posing some real problems for staff. The Committee aim to address these issues and are currently representing their fellow members on an individual basis at these hearings.

It is important to note that while many of our members enjoy the support of a long-standing branch structure and the working relationship with their employer that goes along with it, our members in companies such as Atos are building their branches from the ground up. This takes real dedication and a genuine interest in the rights of their colleagues. Head Office will continue to offer all the support it can in this process and would like to extend our admiration for the hard work that is being done. We all look forward to a bright future for the staff in Atos.

The last few months have seen great advances in Atos (formerly Siemens) in Cork.

After members took part in Workplace Leader Training, they returned to their workplace with a new energy. Membership in the Cork centre has continued to grow and the CWU now has members in several areas of the business.

As a sign of real progress the members recently held elections and have selected a Committee to represent their interests. We would like to congratulate those members who were elected and wish them every success in their endeavours.

While the members themselves have been working to

One Direct Staff attend Workplace Leader Training On the 20th June 2012, the Branch Committee of One Direct took part in Workplace Leader Training in Athlone.

Pictured are Veronica McLoughlin (Branch Secretary), Gillian Flynn (Chair), Sandra Delaney, Laura Monaghan, Linda Hoban, Mary Collin and Sinéad Power.

The day was designed to allow the maximum amount of participation and debate to encourage members to think about their workplace and what changes might be made to improve the working lives of their colleagues and themselves.

With a renewed energy from the training, when the session concluded the Committee remained to elect Veronica McLoughlin as Secretary and Gillian Flynn as Chair of the One Direct Branch.

The Organisers would like to congratulate both on their election and wish them every success.

The training began with an overview of ‘Why we need Trade Unions’ covering the fundamentals of trade unionism and why unions are necessary. In the second module, the participants discussed the concept of an organised workplace and the importance of being organised. The members were encouraged to analyse their workplace and their own role within it. The afternoon session covered communication skills, identifying issues and practical advice on talking to their colleagues about joining the Union.

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these have traditionally been in the Sir John Rogerson’s Quay and Limerick centres rather than in the stores. Recently however, Organisers have been meeting staff working in stores around Dublin as the first steps in a new campaign.

Together with the known difficulties of organising retail workers, staff in O2 stores face the extra challenge that their employer, Telefónica O2, refuses to engage with employees or their Union by signing a collective agreement. While this will create additional challenges in gaining access to employees, the Organisers intend to work together with the staff to build the membership and a spirit of activism within the stores. We will keep you updated on our progress in future issues of Connect.

O2 Stores With the great success of the Retail campaigns in Vodafone and Meteor/emobile in mind, the Organisers have set their sights on an organising campaign for staff working in O2 stores.

While the CWU has a solid membership base in O2,

PrintPost Update

DPD Branch goes from strength to strength

Organisers have recently met with members from both the Dublin and Portlaoise depots of PrintPost to identify the ongoing issues affecting staff in both sites. It is clear that there are many areas that need to be addressed to improve the lives of members in both Dublin and Portlaoise. While there were some minor differences in the problems affecting staff between the two sites, the vast majority of issues affected both sets of workers in much the same way.

The CWU intends to bring these issues and the matter of the outstanding recognition agreement to the urgent attention of An Post with a view to reaching a speedy resolution.

The Branch in DPD, along with their full time official Joe Guinan, have been working tirelessly to get the company to bring about some real changes in the workplace for the staff. The company has recently agreed to address the issues the Branch has raised in relation to the poor toilet facilities in the building which will benefit all staff across the company.

They have also received training from the Organising department within the CWU on how to organise the work place and have started using many of the skills they learned at that session to strengthen their voice in the workplace. Due to the Branch’s new training and the new organising plan being put into place by the Organising department, but most of all the hard work and dedication from the Branch, their membership continues to grow and in turn their voice within the work place gets stronger.

Members of the Organising department will be making a trip to Athlone in order to discuss in detail the new Organising plan that is being rolled out with the priority being on the growth of their membership and improvements in their members’ working conditions.

Target Express Members of the Communications Workers’ Union at the Target Express depot in Cork got in contact with the office in relation to the news that the company was ceasing trading. The members were in the dark as to what was happening and what their options were going forward. The group of employees in the Cork depot decided to take the action of occupying the work place until the receivers advised them of a date when they would be receiving the wages owed by the company.

The Communications Workers' Union provided advice and guidance at each step of the way with our members in Cork. Cormac Ó Dálaigh, CWU President, and National Executive member Martina O’Connell made the trip out to the depot to meet with the members and provide them with a token of financial support to help them out in what has been a very difficult time. The staff have been in discussions with receivers, Grant Thornton, who have advised that the staff would indeed be receiving the wages owed.

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Organisers deliver Workplace Leader training in Athlone raise issues that were affecting his colleagues with managers within the company and how to educate nonmembers who had made incorrect assumptions about the Union.

This was the first Work Place Leader session rolled out in the midlands since the training was designed in 2011. The Organisers were also able to call upon the experience of NEC member Willie Mooney who was on hand to share his wealth of knowledge with the activists.

Since the training all three are having success in their Companies around organising and the union presence in these companies has gone from strength to strength.

The organising department made a trip to Athlone in June to roll out Workplace Leader training to more of our activists. Darras Jones, a manager in Meteor, along with Tony Gavin and Mark Berry from the DPD Athlone Branch received the training from the organising team as well as NEC member Willie Mooney.

Tony and Mark are the Chair and the Secretary of the DPD branch. They needed this training to equip them to be able to recruit staff on the day shift where the Union currently has no recognition agreement or visibility.

Darras was primarily interested in finding out how the Union worked. He was also interested in learning how to

Darras Jones (Meteor) Tony Gavin , Mark Berry (DPD) at the WPL training in Athlone.

Willie Mooney (An Post) and Darras Jones (Meteor) discussing a point.

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FM Downes & Co Brokers is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland

Education Update

Branch Officer Training Course, June 12th & 13th

In attendance from An Post were:

In attendance from eircom were:

Anthony Horan Gerry Sexton Gary Kenny Michael Byrnes Eleanor Shaughnessy Geraldine Isherwood Eric Partridge Joe Feeney John Kinsella Cyril Tallon

Mick Goldrick Dermot Hayes Donal O’Driscoll Patrick McMahon

Waterford Postal, DPDB Cork Drivers Cork Mails Centre Cork Mails Centre Cork Mails Centre DPAB Longford Postal Cavan Postal Birr/Rocrea

Drogheda Bandon Section Cork District Branch Central Regional Managers

Trade Union Skillnet (TUS) is a new network comprised of affiliates of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) operating in the private sector. The network is representative of a majority of sectors in the Irish economy.

The overall aims of the network are to improve the level of skills across a wide range of sectors and enhance employability for the employed and unemployed.

This includes up-skilling, cross-skilling and re-skilling for workers in technical skills, up-skilling for trade union representatives to ensure that they are capable of negotiating and reaching agreement on change processes, and enhancing the capacity of women to undertake leadership roles in the workplace.

We are dedicated to promoting education and training by supporting our members through lifelong learning and enhancing our national competitiveness.

The Training Networks Programme is an initiative of Skillnets Ltd. and is funded from the National Training Fund through the Department of Education and Skills.

For further information on the Trade Union Skillnet and the courses on offer, please see: www.tuskillnet.ie 36

Education Update

Branch Officer Training Course, June 19th & 20th

In attendance from An Post were:

In attendance from eircom were:

Gareth Daly Paul O’Neill Celestine Swords John Doyle Tony Grogan Sean McKenna Keith Doyle John Larkin Tara Ravenhill Peter Conlon Anne Kenneally

John Dunleavy Liam McKelvey Noel Morrison Thomas O’Brien

Athlone Postal Dublin Postal Drivers N Wexford/S Wicklow Postal Bray Postal Dublin Postal Drivers Dundalk Postal Bray Postal Castlerea & district Athlone Postal Athlone Mails Centre Clonmel Postal

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a “very conscious decision” to do “everything in our power to take as many assets as we could”. The basic intention is very simple – to transfer assets from the Irish people to the Quinn family.

Thus, for example, the status of Karen Woods, a part-time receptionist with Joe Duffy Motors in north Dublin, as recipient of one of the largest public salaries in Ireland. The lucky Karen, then the girlfriend (now the wife) of Seán Quinn jnr, was paid €320,297 after tax (the equivalent of at least €400,000) last year by a Russian company whose assets belong entirely to the Irish people.

This is more than twice what the Taoiseach is paid, with the added refinement that there is no evidence of what work Woods does in return for this salary. Every cent she got, and every euro of the €455 million, is money kept from a State that is, for example, struggling to provide services for young people with intellectual disabilities.

At the same time, but completely separately, every Irish person or business who takes out home, motor or commercial insurance is having to pay the price, quite literally, for Seán Quinn’s mismanagement of his insurance business.

For at least the next 12 years, every time any of us takes out insurance, we will have to pay an extra 2 per cent to recoup the approximately €1.1 billion Quinn lost in his gamble on Quinn Insurance. Thus, even when we leave aside entirely the €2.3 billion Anglo loan, Quinn’s actions are siphoning €1.5 billion from Irish taxpayers, consumers and businesses.

All of this is easy enough to understand. It is underpinned by one of the oldest of human desires, the lure of other people’s money – in this case ours.

What’s more difficult to fathom is the collusion of many respectable people in what Quinn is doing. His shamelessness is made possible by those who tell him that he has nothing to be ashamed of, that, on the contrary, he is the victim in all of this.

Why would 4,000 people turn out in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan, the other night to demand “justice” for the Quinns – though evidently not the kind of justice that would be meted out to someone who deprived the State of €4,550 instead of €455 million?

Fr Brian D’Arcy, who is supposed to be in the morality business, addressed the Ballyconnell rally and essentially credited Quinn with the creation of peace in our time: “He brought peace to the country by creating thousands of jobs.”

Senior GAA figures such as Mickey Harte, Jarlath Burns, Seán Boylan and Colm O’Rourke threw that organisation’s considerable authority behind Quinn’s outright defiance of the courts and determination to hang on to public money.

Thus, a formidable if unofficial nexus of Sinn Féin, the GAA and the church is giving Quinn comfort.

This desire to kiss the rod inflicting the pain is surely rooted in something older than the current fad for designer masochism – some twisted notion of ethnic and religious solidarity in which Quinn has to be protected because he’s one of us – a Catholic, nationalist, GAA man.

It can’t be imagined that our oppressors might go to Mass, wear open-necked shirts and support the GAA. But what can’t be imagined either are the silent victims in all of this – the poor who pay for their master’s gambles.

Support for shameless Quinn is misplaced In recent weeks, the public relations machinery operating on behalf of the Quinn Group has gone into overdrive. The purpose of which, is to portray Seán Quinn and his family as victims of a judicial system, which has found him and his family to be in contempt of Court, of a political system which has failed to support them, and of the former Anglo Irish Bank, which is seeking repayment of monies owed to the bank. It cannot be denied in building up the Quinn Group, Sean Quinn and his family created a significant amount of jobs. It should not be forgotten that they also became very rich in the process. The real victims of the actions perpetrated by Seán Quinn and his family are the Irish taxpayers. The article below, written by Fintan O'Toole and published in the Irish Times, sets out in a very coherent way the impact that the actions of Seán Quinn and his family are having on Irish society.

Seán Quinn acknowledging the support from the rally.

TAKE ALL the money raised this year by the cuts in child benefit. And from cutting the school clothing and footwear allowance. And all the cuts to jobseekers’ benefit, rent supplement and fuel allowances for the elderly.

Throw in the restriction of one-parent family allowance to children under seven. Pile on all the cuts in back-toeducation allowances and community employment schemes. Take all of that money from the pockets of the poorest people in Ireland this year and you still haven’t reached the amount Seán Quinn agrees he owes the Irish taxpayer.

This is nothing to do with the €2.3 billion he borrowed from Anglo Irish Bank to buy its shares. This is the €455 million he borrowed to buy property – using that property as security. In all the noise and distraction, this much is undisputed: Quinn borrowed the money and put up the property assets as collateral. The State, however idiotically, took over that loan. Since Quinn can’t pay it back, the Irish people now own those properties.

There is something else that is not in dispute: that Quinn is openly, flagrantly and quite proudly trying to hang on to this money that belongs to us. As he said on Sunday, he took

Fintan O’Toole, July 31, 2012 © 2012 The Irish Times

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CWU People

Sammy Rowan Retires Sammy Rowan (front row, centre) pictured with his work colleages in Arklow

On Tuesday, 12th June, CWU and DSM Arklow, marked the retirement of Postman Sammy Rowan, after 38 years’ service.

His colleagues turned out in force to wish him well and a long and happy retirement.

Pictured on the left, David Fitzpatrick, CWU Arklow, with Sammy.

Pictured on the left, Kevin Molly (CWU) making a Presentation of the Union Scroll to Sammy.

Pictured on the right, Dermot Alford (DSM Arklow) making a Presentation to Sammy, to mark his retirement from the Arklow Branch.

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CWU People Tony Quinn, from Balliniska, Feohanagh, Co Limerick officially retired from An Post on May 17th 2012, after a long and distinguished career with An Post, spanning 51 years.

Tony began working for the P & T at the young age of fourteen, as a Telegraph boy in Limerick City in August 1961.

From there he progressed to a Postman at the age of 18, where he delivered to many routes across the city. In 1975 he was transferred to Rathkeale, where he spent 5 years until again being transferred to Newcastle West in 1980. Finally, he was assigned to the Tournafulla route where he was to spend the next 32 years.

Tony was also known as a reputable referee during his time, while officiating for the Desmond League and he was more than able to referee fairly, no matter how difficult the task.

To celebrate his retirement, a very enjoyable night was held in the Shamrock Bar, Newcastle West, with his family, colleagues past and present and many friends, where his favourite song “Shanagolden” rang from his lips.

Finally on behalf of his past and present colleagues we wish Tony a long and happy retirement.

Tony Quinn Retires

Seán McSharry Retires Seán McSharry retired from Ballyshannon Post Office after 30 years’ service. He was presented with the Union Scroll and Gold Badge by Paul Crawford, Branch Chairperson Donegal South West Branch.

Seán will be missed in the office by his colleagues, as he was always the liveliest person with something to say. Now it will be a very quiet place to work.

Best wishes on your retirement, Seán, from all your colleagues in Donegal South West Branch.

Seán McSharry being presented with the Union Scross by Paul Crawford, Branch Chairperson, Donegal South West Branch.

cknowlegement Terry Delany, Deputy General Secretary and Cormac O'Dalaigh, President wish to thank everyone for the overwhelming support shown to them on the recent bereavements they had on the deaths of their fathers. The amount of cards and letters they both received from members far and wide is greatly appreciated.

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CWU People

Kerry Hospice Foundation Cheque Presentation Ger O Brien National Executive and Branch Secretary of North Kerry Postal presents a cheque of â‚Ź1000 donated by the CWU to the organising committee of the Spa/ Fenit Branch of the Kerry Hospice at their annual Summer Barbecue in July.

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CWU People

Seven Members Retire!

A recent retirement Function was held for seven retiring members on the Clonmel Section of the CWU. A great night was had by all which included past and present members and their wives and partners.

At a retirement Function held in Raheen House Hotel Clonmel for seven CWU retiring members.

Pictured l to r: Paddy Kenrick (social club secretary) Jimmy Power, Billy Lambe, Gerry Cahill, Paddy Power (CWU Sec. Paddy Halpin, Tom Fahey, Peter Ryan (CWU Sec. Chairman) Absent on the night Ned Purcell and Tom Morrissey.

Clonmel Section Chairman Peter Ryan and Section Secretary Paddy Power presenting Paddy Halpin (centre) with his CWU scroll on his retirement from eircom

Clonmel Section Chairman Peter Ryan and Section Secretary Paddy Power presenting Gerry Cahill (centre) with his CWU scroll on his retirement from eircom

Clonmel Section Chairman Peter Ryan and Section Secretary Paddy Power presenting Billy Lambe (centre) with his CWU scroll on his retirement from eircom

Clonmel Section Chairman Peter Ryan and Section Secretary Paddy Power presenting Tom Fahey (centre) with his CWU scroll on his retirement from eircom

Clonmel Section Chairman Peter Ryan and Section Secretary Paddy Power presenting Jimmy Power (centre) with his CWU scroll on his retirement from eircom

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CWU People €4,142.00 presented to St. Francis Hospice following CWU HQ Staff’s sponsored run in Women’s Mini Marathon, 2012

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The Migraine Association of Ireland – An Introduction

stress, food and alcohol (dehydration), hormonal changes, an excess or lack of sleep, weather factors, change of routine, poor posture, and flicker from televisions, computer screens and certain types of lighting.

www.migraine.ie phone: 1850 200 378

Migraine in the Workplace There are approximately 500,000 people in Ireland who suffer from migraine and yet it remains for the most part an underrecognised and under-diagnosed illness. Migraine is a complex neurological condition which is classified by the World Health Organisation as the 19th leading cause of disability worldwide.

It is ranked 12th for women.

The Migraine Association of Ireland (MAI) exists to provide information, support and reassurance to migraine sufferers while seeking further research, better treatments and increased public awareness. The MAI believes that understanding is key.

Migraine cannot be cured but it can be successfully managed.

Migraine is considered a disability in that an attack temporarily ‘disables’ the sufferer. Under Irish law employers must make reasonable accommodation to protect the migraineur’s rights e.g. adaptation of work stations, patterns of working time, and provision of training. Migraineurs cannot be disadvantaged as regards access to employment or promotion because of their condition.

What services does the MAI provide?

• • •

What is Migrane?

Migraine is not ‘just a headache’. It is the world’s most common neurological condition. The exact cause is unknown but symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, a severe, throbbing, one-sided headache, sensitivity to light, noise, and smells, visual disturbances such as ziz-zag patterns or flickering lights (known as aura), confusion, slurring of speech, loss of articulation, lack of muscular co-ordination, and weakness. Attacks can last from 4 to 72 hours untreated.

An attack can be ‘triggered’ by a combination of factors which are specific to the individual but most commonly include

• • • • •

45

Confidential Helpline: 1850 200 378 or 0844 826 9323 for Northern Ireland.

Information leaflets on all aspects of migraine.

Countrywide training events, information evenings, and migraine management seminars.

Specialist nurse advice line: 01-7979848.

Website: www.migraine.ie - a valuable source of information.

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Five migraine clinics throughout Ireland for severe cases (3 Dublin, 1 Cork, 1 Galway).

Services provided at no cost – contact the MAI for more information on all of the above.

Books reviewed by Adrienne Power LETHAL

by Sandra Brown First published August 2011 (472 pages) A highly charged and compelling romantic suspense thriller set in Louisiana following hurricane Katrina.

Honor Gillette and her four year old daughter are busy organising a party for Honor's father- in- law when her daughter tells her there is a man lying in their garden. When Honor goes out to investigate she is held at gun point by Lee Coburn accused of killing 7 people the night before in the warehouse where he works.

He informs Honor that he will not hurt either herself or her daughter if she does exactly what he says.

This a story of survival and distrust in a small town where a lot is going on in the background and suddenly starts to seep upward to let us know nothing is what it seems.

Full of twists and turns and action-packed scenes!

THE ENCHANTED APRIL

by Elizabeth von Arnim First published 1922 (232 pages) Elizabeth von Arnim led a very interesting life. Born in Australia. She married a German Count and became a Countess. Her cousin was the famous short story writer Katherine Mansfield. Elizabeth herself became the mistress of the writer HG Wells (who wrote The Time Machine and War of the Worlds).

The Enchanted April is set after the First World War. Four women fed up with life and the gloom of days when it seems to rain forever, where they are caught up in a routine existence; see an advertisement of wisteria and sunshine in a medieval castle in Italy. They feel they need an escape and this is it!

This book is simply a journey of the survival of the soul. A gentle read of people seeking harmony and escape from a routine life where they grow and become restored. Elizabeth von Arnim believed strongly in the beneficial properties of plants and gardens.

You can feel faith and hope seeping through the novel for a changing life and world.

A light magical read!

THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY

by Suzanne Collins The first book “The Hunger Games” first published September 2008 (374 pages) The second book “Catching Fire” first published September 2009 (391 pages) The third book “Mockingjay” first published August 2010 (390 pages) Tense dark story of survival against an evil world. Katniss Everdeen and her sister Primrose live in Sector 12 of Panem, a country which rose from the ruins of post-apocalyptic North America.

It is the day of the Hunger Games where a boy and girl from each sector is chosen by lottery to take part in a reality show where the 24 candidates are pitted against each other to fight to the death. Only one survives the Hunger Games. It is the first time Primrose's name has been put forward. All from Sector 12 listen as the names are chosen. The first name picked is Primrose Everdeen, Age 12. Her 16 year old sister immediately steps forward to volunteer in place of her younger sister. The boy chosen from the district along with Katniss is the local baker's son Peeta.

So begins an extraordinary story in 3 books about trying to survive against all odds. Full of political intrigue and strong themes of violence, death, assassination, biological weapons and media influence, especially television. It is a story you become immersed in from the start. It is a very well imagined story with finely drawn characters. Even though it is futuristic you can feel the reality behind it. Suzanne Collins, the author, used her father’s expertise as a lecturer of military history in West Point as background material for her story.

The book is written for ages 11 and up but has universal appeal.

The Hunger Games is a story you will not easily forget!

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