On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke to public sector union representatives on proposals for a new public sector pay deal
It is understood that Government employees earning over €185,000 will face a pay cut of 10% under the proposals
Pay cuts would begin at 5.5% for staff earning over €65,000 and rise progressively to the 10% figure
Unions say premium payments for Sundays are to be reduced to time-and-three-quarters. Overtime payments have been preserved at a lower rate
If agreed by members, the deal will run from July 2013 until 2016
We heard Minister for Public Sector Reform Brendan Howlin speaking about the proposals as he exited talks yesterday
Bernard Harbour of the ICTU’s Public Services Committee and IMPACT trade union discussed the terms
Four trade unions walked away from the talks table – the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation , UNITE, the Irish Medical Organisation and the Civil Public and Services Union described the Government’s agenda as "unworkable"
Phil Ní Shéaghdha, INMO Director of Industrial Relations, explained why they walked out of the talks.
North Clare representatives are demanding extra Garda surveillance on the streets of Ennistymon and Lahinch to deal with what they call is a surge in drug and drink fuelled crime
Several businesses have been targeted in recent weeks but its claimed many are to fearful to speak out for fear of reprisals
Its lead to calls for the drugs unit to be drafted in to help combat the criminal elements
Fine Gael Councillor Bill Slattery is demanding that the Garda Drugs Unit set up a surveillance operation in Ennistymon and Lahinch following what he claims is a surge in criminal activity in both towns
It follows a number of incidents in recent weeks during which a number of business premises had their front shop windows smashed while the tyres on several parked cars were slashed.
Fine Gael Senator and Ennistymon business owner Martin Conway joined John in studio
He spoke about antisocial behaviour and drug dealing in Ennistymon- but said this is an epidemic throughout the entire country
He says he will bring this up with Minister Shatter and will hope more resources become available to tackle this.
Donoch O’Loughlin of Lahinch Community Council agreed that there is an issue in Lahinch and Ennistymon with antisocial behaviour- as there is everywhere – and that it is time definite action is taken.
We heard the second part of John’s interview with North and West MEPs Marian Harkin, Pat The Cope Gallagher and Jim Higgins
of Ireland North & West – Fine Gael during their visit to Clare last Friday where they outlined their views on Shannon Airport and what they described as the Squabble between Knock and Shannon.
Neil Shah of the Stress Management Society in the UK joined John on the line to discuss the findings of a Viking conducted ‘stress temperature tests’ with office workers
Some of the Irish findings included:
41 per cent of office staff working under dangerously high stress levels
46 per cent say stress at work affects their health
44 per cent work 10 hours unpaid overtime per week – one in five for fear of losing their job
IT, HR and Manufacturing the most stressed professions
Close to half of teachers blame incompetent colleagues for stress levels
More than a third comfort eat to battle workplace stress
The National Adult Learners Festival is running this week
It is a nationwide celebration of adult learning coordinated by AONTAS, the National Adult Learning Organisation
In the last six years, the Festival has become a firm fixture on the adult learning calendar with events taking place nationwide, including anything from information sessions, taster workshops, sample lectures to small gatherings of people who love to learn
Robbie Ball from Ennis and Martina Lamin, an Art, Craft and Design Student from Ennis spoke about their experience
Helen O’Sullivan,VTOS Co-ordinator, Clare VEC Adult Education Service spoke about the festival
See www.adultlearnersfestival.com or www.ennisvtos.ie
Contact 065 6897649.
In his regular slot Frankie Coote – Clare ISPCA Warden – spoke about animal owners legal obligations and has advice on the proper care of animals
Contact Clare ISPCA Shelter on 065 6820393
IF you have a story, comment or query for the Morning Focus team email [email protected]
