Ógra stand by JLC workers

Yesterdays ruling by the High Court will allow employers to avoid employment terms set out by the Joint Labour Committee (JLC). The action taken by several fast food companies will remove working conditions, such as increased pay on Sundays and Bank Holidays. The majority of those employed in areas affected by this ruling are lower waged workers, those on the bottom rung of the employment ladder. This action by the fast food companies does not just harm ordinary workers, it also has a negative effect on the economy. Nat O'Connor of the progressive economics think thank TASC wrote:

"Say one business cuts the wages of its staff - that business has saved money and, all things being equal, should become more profitable (although staff performance might also fall). However, one stores's employee is another store's customer. If the 200,000+ generally lower paid workers protected by the JLC system all suffer pay cuts, that is going to lower demand in the economy; i.e. they are all going to have less money to spend in the local economy. And people on low wages spend most or all of their money. (All of this is basic economics). http://bit.ly/mKzEhB "

Ógra Shinn Féin would like to reaffirm its position and stand beside the low paid in our country. The protection of wages is vital in the battle of protecting workers rights. If we aspire to any form of social improvement we must ensure that the lowest paid receive fair pay for the work that they do. Ógra Shinn Féin calls on the Government in the 26 counties to make sure that workers rights are protect and to prevent a race to the bottom in our economy. Ógra activist and part time worker Alan Conway announced “Ógra must help with the battle against the erosion of hard won workers rights. We call on Ógra members to assist in any strike action workers wish to carry out to protect their livelihoods. It is in the interest of low paid workers and young people that this is a battle we win.”