There are almost 5,000 craft workers working in such important areas as voluntary hospitals and health boards and maintaining sewerage services and water supplies and local authority houses and buildings. The threatened strike by these workers could have a devastating effect on some of the most vulnerable in our society.
Approximately half of the 5,000 workers work in the hospital system and if the threatened strike goes ahead from mid-night tomorrow night, without being too alarmist, a renal dialysis machine might have to be switched off because there would be no one to maintain it or even change a bulb. Basic heating services and boilers in hospitals would cease to be maintained, thereby creating a serious problem for the major acute hospitals, such as the Mater, St. Vincent's and Beaumont, and other hospitals around the country.
I am pleased that at 4.00 p.m. this afternoon the craft unions were due to meet the Labour Court. That meeting may result in the withdrawal of the strike threat and talks between the Labour Court, the unions and management could take place some time next week. I sincerely hope this is the case and that even as I speak that could be the case. I hope a solution can be found to remove the threat of a strike.
The genesis of this problem seems to relate to the analogue agreement which has existed for craft workers since 1979. The system evolved whereby a comparison was made between the pay of craft workers and the average pay in 18 semiState and private companies, for example, the ESB, Telecom Éireann and Irish Ropes. Increases were generally paid to the craft workers by regular reviews. The last review was held in 1994 and I understand there have been approximately seven reviews in the past 18 years leading each time to a small increase in pay.
A review is currently being undertaken. During this review the craft unions have sought an increase of £27 per week to maintain parity with the 18 analogue companies and the employer side has offered approximately £13. The negotiations for the review were chaired by an independent chair, Mr. Aidan Bunyon, formerly of the Labour Court. It would appear the craft unions were unhappy with the offer made by the employers and decided to ballot their members for strike action. That ballot took place in October and the strike was called for 28 November.
I am concerned that the unions seem to have by-passed some of the procedures in place by not going to the Labour Court. To maintain the industrial and employment security we have had in recent years, it is important that all workers follow the procedures and that a strike is a last resort. I am pleased the craft unions are meeting the Labour Court. I am also pleased the craft unions clarified yesterday that they would provide cover for people at risk if the strike goes ahead. However, it is a matter of great concern that 30,000 SIPTU workers indicated they would back the craft workers in strike action. The repercussions from such a pull-out from the workplace would be enormous.
I have sympathy for the craft workers in that they are receiving lower pay rates than many of the workers in the new jobs in the field of technology. The average pay per craft worker is approximately £300 with some small allowances for travel and unsocial hours. However, they provide a valuable service to our health care facilities and local government services. We would all suffer greatly if their services are withdrawn. I sincerely hope a suitable agreement can be reached in the Labour Court and I urge the employers and the craft unions to do all in their power to avoid the chaos that a strike would bring.
The Minister for Finance warned yesterday of the crucial need to curtail public sector pay, while at the same time every Fianna Fáil TD and Minister is travelling around the country announcing all sorts of grants and payments. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. I urge the Government in this instance to be as accommodating as possible to the craft workers who have fallen behind the general level of pay. In return, I would urge the craft workers' unions to accept the need to follow the procedures set down for the protection of workers.
