Government and trade unions must protect low to middle income workers at pay talks – Cullinane

February 24, 2013

Sinn Fein Workers Rights Spokesperson Senator David Cullinane has called on the Government and Trade Union leaders to protect low and middle income earners in any talks on pay. He said the solution to meeting deficit targets is to deal with runaway pay and pensions at the top in the public sector. He also called for higher taxes on higher earners and the wealthy.

Speaking today Senator Cullinane said;

“The focus of this Fine Gael/Labour Party Government is to continue to target low to middle income workers in the public and private sector. The two budgets of this Fine Gael/Labour coalition have been deeply unequal and unfair.

“The current negotiations between the trade unions and the Government on pay must deal with pay and pensions at the top. I welcome Jack O Connor's call for tax increases on wealth and the highly paid. Sinn Féin has consistently called for the introduction of a wealth tax and a higher tax band for those individuals on over €100,000 a year. These options must be pursued and low to middle income workers protected.”

ENDS