What on earth has happened here? There has been little or no strike action over the last 10 years and the wages - and therefore union contributions - of members have increased significently, yet there are no funds available for strike pay. My understanding was that union fees were in the most part allocated to this.
What's happened to all the Unions Fees?
http://www.independent.ie/national-...rs-wont-support-an-allout-strike-1935849.html
What's happened to all the Unions Fees?
http://www.independent.ie/national-...rs-wont-support-an-allout-strike-1935849.html
It has also emerged that several key unions have little or no provision for strike pay, which would push thousands of workers into a huge debt spiral should they take long-term industrial action.
None of the teaching unions -- [broken link removed], INTO or TUI -- would provide strike pay which would put severe pressure on members' personal finances.
Larger unions representing the core civil service have, however, amassed healthy war chests running into millions.
[broken link removed], which represents up to 30,000 firemen, engineers, binmen, street cleaners and parks staff, is understood to hold €16m in its kitty.
It is prepared to pay €200 per week if there is prolonged strike action.
IMPACT represents 20,000 local authority members and had €26.69m in a "dispute fund" at the end of 2007. However, the CPSU, whose 13,000 lower-paid members would be especially susceptible to financial losses, only has €5m.
The Public Service Executive Union, which has €4m in reserves, is only prepared to pay its 10,500 mid-ranking civil servant members in areas where a strike would have most impact.