Campaign extended to mark World Day for Decent Work (Oct 7)
Congress has formally requested that all city and county councils - along with all county councillors - pledge their support for the Congress Charter for Fair Conditions at Work, which includes payment of the Living Wage to all workers.
General Secretary Patricia King said that Congress is extending the Congress Charter campaign to all local authorities in the country and plans to meet with each city and county council to seek their support.
Congress has written to almost 1000 elected councillors individually, asking them to sign the Charter pledge and support the five key principles of the campaign: payment of a Living Wage, Fair Hours of Work, the Right to Representation and Collective Bargaining, the right to be treated with Respect at Work and Fair Public Procurement.
"We launched this campaign in April and, so far, well over 100 TDs and MEPs have signalled their support by signing the pledge. We will make this information know to union members ahead of any general election.
"On October 7, we mark World Day for Decent Work and the Congress campaign represents the single best way to achieve Decent Work on this island. We have already established there is significant political support at a national level and taking the campaign to the local authorities is the next logical step," Ms King said.
Congress has already met with the City & County Managers Association on the campaign and has now asked council chief executives to facilitate a meeting 'that would allow Congress to address the elected members of each council."
A motion in support of the Charter was passed by the Seanad in July and Congress is also requesting that councils discuss and adopt similar resolutions.
Ms King confirmed that Congress also intends to seek support from wider civil society on the Charter and will engage with the business community, including those companies who have already indicated a willingness to pay the Living Wage.
