Liam Doran to be guest speaker at conference of local unions at Newpark Hotel

The Kilkenny Council of Trade Unions is holding a special May Conference in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on Monday, May, 21 at 8pm.

It is a public meeting open to all and will address a number of topics of concern to workers in the current climate of imposed austerity. The very relevant headings of health, education, jobs and the economy will be the topics for the guest speakers who include Liam Doran of the INMO; Joe McKeown INTO; Jack O’Connor SIPTU and Paddy Murphy TEEU.

“This will give employees an opportunity to voice their opinions”, said Phil Funchion, Secretary of the local Trades Council. “There is a serious erosion of workers rights at the moment and unscrupulous employers are using the recession to make gains for themselves. We are constantly hearing of imposed wage reductions, changes in employment terms and a take it or leave it approach by many”.

Paddy Kavanagh of the TEEU and Chairman of the Trades Council will Chair the meeting. “This will provide an ideal opportunity for those employees in Kilkenny working without the protection of a trade union to come along and learn how they can become members of the union on an individual and confidential basis. This will offer protection to them when the need arises. It can serve as a type of insurance in the job.” The Kilkenny Council of Trade Unions hopes to make this an Annual May Day Event.