ICTU Special Conference on Pay Deal 17/11/08

Statement by John Carr, INTO General Secretary

17th November 2008

There can be no progress unless the budget cutbacks on education are reversed.

The social partners will soon, no doubt, be asked to play a part in finding a resolution to the current economic crisis. There can be no progress unless the budget cutbacks on education are reversed.  

Economic well-being and security are important but we do not live in the market. We live in communities of people, including children. And it is in those communities that we must invest for the future.  

Instead, many of our children are being asked to pay the price for this generation’s obsession with greed and the relentless pursuit of personal and corporate profit. It beggars belief that they should be targeted by government to bail out an ailing economy.  

Government must not be allowed to get away with increasing class sizes to the largest in Europe and in addition, with axing over 500 English language teachers from newcomer children. No Government must be allowed to get away with forcing young children to pay for the recklessness and greed of big bankers and wealthy developers.  

Silence won’t protect children. That’s why teachers and parents have taken to the streets, for the first time in 21 years to be their voice. There will be protests in Cork next Saturday, 22nd November, Donegal on 29th November and we invite all trade unionists to join with us in a mass rally in Dublin on December 6th starting in Parnell Square.  

Social solidarity must be seen as a force to be reckoned with. Government must be let know that this trade union movement abhors what they are doing.