Fianna Fail Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the approval of PDFORRA’s membership with Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).
Senator O’Loughlin said, ” The commission on the Defence Forces recommended that defence force representatives be allowed to associate with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). It is the representative body for 44 affiliated unions and the largest civil society organisation on the island of Ireland. It represents approximately 90% of the State’s public servants.”
“I raised this issue directly with the Minister as a formal oral question in the Seanad. Membership of ICTU is crucial in my view. All bodies, such as the Public Service Pay Commission and the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces have to act within Public Pay Policy, which representative bodies could not influence because it is not a member of ICTU.”
“I am pleased to see that after much pressure from myself and colleagues that the Department have relented and approved PDFORRA for membership of ICTU.”
Fiona concluded by saying “The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces ran to 224 pages and 69 recommendations. It reports recommends significant changes for the Defence Forces and Defence provision in Ireland. Improving pay and conditions must be a key focus here. I will continue to advocate for defence force personnel in South Kildare and indeed around the country.”
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