Is social partnership now damaging the ecomony?

[Pique318]

What percentage of workers in Ireland are represented by a Union ?

I seem to remember that it was only 20% or something....

Can anyone clarify ?

 

[wolfspeed]

20% would bring you to around 400,000. There are around 350,000 in the public sector the majority of whom are represented by a union. I think (could be wrong) that there is another 350,000 workers giving a total of circa 700,000 - around 35%.

 

[potnoodler]

If those stats are correct, then it seems that partnership may be punching way over its weight taking into account that half its membership are public sector anyway, surely it would benefit all more to restrain inflation/wages by restraining all taxes not just paye eg.vat, motor tax , tv tax , utilities etc.
These forms of indiscriminate taxation regardless of income are hardly the ideals of James Connolly

 

[room305]

If those stats are correct, then it seems that partnership may be punching way over its weight taking into account that half its membership are public sector anyway, surely it would benefit all more to restrain inflation/wages by restraining all taxes not just paye eg.vat, motor tax , tv tax , utilities etc.
These forms of indiscriminate taxation regardless of income are hardly the ideals of James Connolly

I don't follow this at all. Increased taxation will lower inflation. Social partnership sets wage agreements rather than taxation policy.

Although admittedly the scope of what is dealt with under the partnership agreements is constantly increasing with members seemingly believing it is now a forum for deciding upon nationwide economic policy. Just another reason for highlighting, as Purple mentions, how undemocratic the whole process is.

 

[Purple]

The vested interests that are mentioned are very much balanced, ie ICTU and IBEC ensure both workers and employers are represented at wage negotiations.

Most PAYE workers are not represented by unions, most businesses are not in IBEC. Neither of these groups have a constitutional mandate from the people of Ireland to set government policy. In reality that is what they do.

We still have a Government who take final decisions and spending commitments agreed have to be voted on in the Oireachtas in order to come into effect.

The government rubber stamps the decisions made by the euphemistically named social partners. The government has a majority in the Dail. So the people can only vote for the body that chooses to pass or reject legislation covering a vast range of issues. A committee, the majority of whom have no mandate under the constitution formulates the legislation. Iran has a similar arrangement but at least they have formalised it legally.

So are you say saying actually the issue with Social Partnership is NOT the unions or the vested interests but rather the governments inability to manage the process to get what is best for the country as a whole?

Both. If the government had the balls to assert control it would not be as bad.