Impact agenda 2014

Impact Agenda

Biennial Delegate Conference 2014

Contents

Conference timetable 1

Standing Orders Committee 4

General Standing Orders for Conference 2014 5

Voting procedures for elections 7

Standing Orders Committee report No.2 8

Nominations 19

Motions 22

Report to conference on rights of retired members under Rule 6A 42

Report to conference on rights of trainees, students and similar members under Rule 6B 44

Conference 2014 timetable

Wednesday 14th May 201416.00 Registration and issue of ballot papers

19.00 Conference opening ceremony

19.20 Appointment of tellers and scrutineers Adoption of General Standing Orders Minutes of Conference 2012 and matters arising

19.30 President’s address

19.45 Standing Orders Committee reports

20.00 Biennial report: All sections

20.05 Distinguished service awards

20.15 Case study: Coillte branch – Save our forests

20.45 Conference adjourns

Thursday 15th May 201409.15 Conference resumes

Introduction to pay restoration debate: Shay Cody, General Secretary

09.30 Pay and related: Motions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (all to be taken in common debate], 14

10.15 Elections: Ballot box closes – first election

Pay and related: Continued

10.30 Pensions and related: Motions 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 (Motions 18, 19 and 20 to be taken in common debate), 21, 22, 23 (Motions 21, 22 and 23 to be taken in common debate), 24, 25 and amendment, 26, 27 and 28

11.30 Public service agreement and national bargaining: Motions 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and amendment, 35, 36 and 37 (all to be taken in common debate)

12.00 Leave and related: Motions 38, 39, 40, 41 and 43 (all to be taken in common debate), 42 and 44

12.30 Address by David Begg, General Secretary, ICTU


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14.15 Conference resumes

Conference closed session1

Action on Motions from Conference 2012 Treasurer’s report Adoption of accounts for 2012 and 2013 Union finances: Motions 119, 120, 121 (Motions 120 and 121 to be taken in common debate),

122, 123 and 124

14.45 Rules and related: Motions 111 and amendment, 112, 113, 114 and amendment, 115, 116, 117 and 118

15.25 Introduction to briefing note on organisation and development matters: Kevin Callinan, Deputy General Secretary

15.30 Union organisation and development: Motions 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134 and 135 (Motions 134 and 135 to be taken in common debate)

16.15 Other internal matters: Motions 136, 137, 138, 139 and 140

16.35 Media and communications: Motions 141, 142, 143 and amendment and 144 (Motions 142, 143 and amendment and 144 to be taken in common debate)

16.50 Conference resumes in open session Address by Kieran Mulvey, Chief Executive Officer, Labour Relations Commission


Friday 16th May 201409.15 Conference resumes

Other conditions of service: Motions 49, 50 and amendment, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 (Motions 54 and 55 to be taken in common debate), 56 and 57

09.45 Travel and subsistence: Motions 45, 46 and 47 (all to be taken in common debate) (Motion 48 has been withdrawn)

10.00 Staffing and related: Motions 58, 59, 60 and 61 (all to be taken in common debate)

10.20 Address by Eamon Gilmore, TD, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Response by Shay Cody, General Secretary

10.50 Employment and trade union rights: Motions 62, 63 and amendment, 64, Emergency Motion No.1, Motions 65 and 66

11.20 Public services: Motions 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 77, (Motions 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 77 to be taken in common debate) 76, 78, 79 and 80

12.20 Corporate governance: Motions 108, 109 and 110 (all to be taken in common debate)

12.35 Housing and homelessness: Motions 91, 92 and 93 (all to be taken in common debate)

1 Union members and staff only.

Conference 2014 timetable

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12.50 Economic development: Motion 90 and amendment


14.15 Conference resumes

General policy issues: Motions 94, 95 and amendment, 96, 97, 98, 99 (Motions 98 and 99 to be taken in common debate), 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 and 107

15.15 Local government financing and taxation: Motions 81, 82, 83 and amendment (all to be taken in common debate)

15.30 National taxation: 84, 85, 86 and amendment, 87 and amendment (all to be taken in common debate), 88 and amendment and 89

15.55 Guillotined motions

16.00 Closing business

16.20 Conference closes

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Standing Orders Committee

Civil Service Division

Finbar MeehanTom O’Connor (Vice Chairperson)

Education Division

Eileen ComanMary Dolan

Health and Welfare Division

Dolores CallananGerry Foley (Chairperson)

Local Government and Local Services Division

Rose ConroyJohn Melvin

Municipal Employees’ Division

Tom KavanaghMichael Ross

Services and Enterprises Division

Anna FarrellTeresa Kearns

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General Standing Orders for Conference 20141 These standing orders shall be read in

conjunction with the constitution of the Union. If there is conflict on meaning then the constitution shall prevail.

2 The Standing Orders Committee shall recommend the timetable for Conference and the order in which motions and amendments submitted shall be taken. When the time allotted to a group of motions has elapsed, the chairperson shall allow the debate in progress to finish. S/he shall then proceed to the next group of motions, thus guillotining any remaining motions in the current section. Such guillotined motions may be taken up by the chairperson later in Conference as time permits. Otherwise they are automatically referred to the appropriate executive committee.

3 Unless otherwise decided by Conference, only one motion may be before Conference for discussion at any time.

4 Individual motions and amendments should be proposed by a speaker from the appropriate executive committee or from the branch which gave notice of the motion or amendment. Where no delegate of that branch is present, the motion may be proposed by any other member of Conference. In the case of motions in common debate, all motions and amendments shall be deemed to be formally proposed, unless the Conference has been given advance notice that the proposer of a motion or amendment does not wish it to be proposed. There is no requirement for any motion or amendment to be seconded. Once the agenda has been adopted, motions may only be withdrawn with the agreement of Conference.

5 Only members of Conference as defined by Rules 15(i) and 19(ii) of the Constitution and Vocational Group Representatives as defined in

Rule 24(ii)(d) of the Constitution may address Conference1. This rule shall not preclude the Standing Orders Committee from making recommendations to Conference, which shall be considered immediately by Conference.

6 Unless otherwise agreed by Conference, no member shall address Conference unless s/he is proposing or speaking to a motion or amendment or

(i) is raising a point of order; or

(ii) is raising a point of fact; or

(iii) is delivering the chairperson’s address.

7 All speakers should address Conference from the rostrum or microphone, and should announce her/his name and branch or committee. The proposer of a motion shall speak for not more than four (4) minutes, and all other speakers shall have not more than three (3) minutes. Members of the relevant Executive Committee and members of staff will be limited to (3) minutes when clarifying points or answering questions.

8 Where several motions and/or amendments submitted deal with the same topic, Standing Orders Committee may produce a composite or comprehensive motion. If it is not possible to do this, there may be a common debate on the issue covered by the group of motions and/or amendments. The first speaker on behalf of the proposing branch or the first speaker on behalf of the CEC in the case of motions proposed by the CEC shall be deemed to be the proposer of the motion. Each proposer shall have a maximum of four (4) minutes. In the subsequent debate, no-one may speak more than once, but each speaker may refer to any of the motion(s)/amendment(s) then before Conference, up to a maximum of three (3) minutes. Proposers of motions taken in common debate shall, subject to the discretion of the conference chairperson, have the right of reply but only in respect of the motion proposed by her/him and the right of reply shall be strictly confined to answering previous speakers on that motion and/or where clarification has been sought and the proposer shall not introduce any new matter into the debate. When the chairperson is satisfied that

1 In accordance with Rules 15(ii) and 19(iii) and with the exception of the casting vote of the Conference Chairperson, only delegates may vote at Conference.

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sufficient time has been allowed for debate, each motion and/or amendment shall be voted on separately in accordance with the relevant Standing Orders Committee report.

9 Amendments to amendments may not be moved, even under the terms of Rules 16(ix) and 20(ix) of the constitution.

10 Except as otherwise provided, no member of Conference shall speak to a motion more than once. For the purpose of this standing order, an amendment to a motion and a motion which has been amended shall each be considered to be a new motion.

11 Subject to the discretion of the conference chairperson, the proposer of a substantive motion, not in common debate, shall have a right to reply immediately before the motion is put to Conference, provided that opposition has been expressed or clarification has been requested. However, the right of reply shall be strictly confined to answering previous speakers on that motion and/or where clarification has been sought and the proposer shall not introduce any new matter into the debate. The proposer of an amendment shall not have a right of reply.

12 The following types of motion may be moved at any time:

(i) Motion to “refer to the Central or Divisional ExecutiveCommittee.” The chairperson of Conference will then ask the proposer of the motion or amendment if s/he agrees. If not, there will be a short debate on the motion to refer, before Conference decides the issue by voting. If the motion to refer is defeated, the original debate will continue.

(ii) Motion “that the question be now put”. This motion may only be put to Conference if the chairperson is satisfied that a reasonable amount of time for debate has been allowed. If the chairperson is so satisfied, the motion shall be put without discussion.

(iii) Motion “that Conference proceeds to next business”. After this motion has been moved the proposer of the motion/amendment under discussion has the right to speak briefly against the procedural motion, which shall then be put without further discussion. If it is defeated, debate

shall continue on the original motion/amendment.

(iv) Motion to “suspend standing orders”. Such a motion shall state the purpose and period of time for which standing orders shall be suspended. This procedural motion must be passed by three-quarters of the delegates present and voting to be adopted.

13 If two or more members of Conference wish to speak, the chairperson will call on the members whom s/he first observes, except that when a member of the Standing Orders Committee rises, s/he shall be the next to speak.

14 If, in the opinion of the chairperson, grave disorder has arisen, s/he may at her/his discretion, adjourn the meeting for a specified time.

15 Mobile phones may not be used in the Conference Hall while Conference is in session.

16 No literature, other than conference documents – agenda, minutes and reports – may be circulated in the Conference Hall without the express advance approval of Conference by a simple majority of delegates present and voting.

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Voting procedures for electionsProcedures to be applied in the counting of votes in elections held at union and divisional conferences, as approved by the union conference 1998

1 The total number of ballot papers shall be counted and spoiled ballot papers set aside - a paper shall be considered spoiled if it does not clearly indicate a first preference by the insertion of a “1”, “/” or “X” for one candidate only. All ballot papers shall be given a value of 1,000.

2 All valid (unspoiled) papers shall be arranged in parcels according to the first preferences for each candidate and the value of each parcel shall be calculated.

3 The quota required to elect a candidate shall be calculated by dividing the total of the values of valid papers by a number exceeding by one the number of places to be filled and by adding one to the result, ignoring any fraction.

4 Any candidate who exceeds this quota, at this or any subsequent stage, shall be elected and the count shall conclude when all places have been so filled or when the number of remaining candidates equals the number of places left to be filled, which candidates shall then be elected.

5 Except when a surplus (excess of the value of a candidate over the quota) is to be distributed, the count shall proceed by the successive elimination of the lowest candidate and the distribution of that candidate’s next available preferences. Where two or more candidates are lowest and have equal values, the candidate to be eliminated shall be the candidate who

received least first preference votes. Where two or more such candidates received the same number of first preference votes, the candidate to be eliminated shall be the candidate whose value was least at the first count at which they were unequal. If there was no such count, the determination of the candidate to be eliminated shall be by lot. The lowest two or more candidates may be eliminated in one operation when their total together with the total of the undistributed surpluses of elected candidates do not exceed the value of the next highest candidate.

6 A surplus shall be distributed when the total of the undistributed surpluses of elected candidates exceeds the difference between the values of the two lowest candidates, in which case the largest surplus shall be distributed. Where two or more candidates have equal surpluses that are the largest, the surplus to be distributed shall be that which arose on the earliest count. Where two or more such surpluses arose on the same count, the surplus to be distributed shall be that of the candidate who received most first preference votes. Where two or more such candidates received the same number of first preference votes, the surplus to be distributed shall be that of the candidate whose value was greatest at the first count at which they were unequal. If there was no such count, the determination of the surplus to be distributed shall be by lot.

7 A surplus which arises on a first count shall be distributed by allocating each paper of the elected candidate to the remaining candidate next in order of preference in an uninterrupted sequence commencing with “1” and ending with the number inserted for that candidate, having multiplied the value of each paper by the ratio of the surplus to the total value of the elected candidate. A paper shall by non transferable if there is no such candidate.

A surplus which arises as a result of a transfer shall be similarly distributed having multiplied the value of each paper in that transfer by the ratio of the surplus to the total value of the papers in that transfer.

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Standing Orders Committee report No.2This report is a consolidated report including Standing Orders Committee report No.1.

1. Motions receivedOne hundred and ninety four (194) motions were received by the deadline set in Rule 20(v) (i.e. by noon on Wednesday 26th February 2014). Of these, the same motion was submitted by two branches. This leaves the number of motions on the agenda at 194, including those considered to be out of order. Eight (8) motions were received after the deadline and do not appear on the preliminary agenda.

The number of motions received, even when those considered as out of order are excluded, is very substantial. It is highly unlikely that all of these could be properly discussed at conference given the time available to conference for motions and the other items of conference business. As such, the SOC has considered how best to try deal with all of the conference business. The general approach by the SOC to Conference 2014 business was set out in its note to branches on 15th January 2014.

Where several motions and/or amendments submitted deal with the same topic, the SOC in accordance with General Standing Order 8, may produce a composite or comprehensive motion. The SOC has done this to the maximum extent possible for the 2014 Conference and has identified six such topics to be covered by composite or comprehensive motions. This has the effect, if agreed by Conference, of reducing the number of motions to be discussed by Conference to 144. The SOC asks, in light of the heavy business load of conference, that branches agree this approach. It will facilitate conference to get through the maximum amount of business without unduly curtailing the time required for important debates and decisions. It will also allow all proposing branches to have the opportunity to speak to the relevant topic.

2. Motions considered as out of orderEleven (11) motions are considered as out of order for the reasons set out below.

Motion 80

Following a request from a branch, the SOC reviewed the status of this motion. Having considered the matter the SOC is now of the view that this motions refers exclusively to the members of one division only as People Point is a civil service body, staffed by civil servants.

Motion 145

This is considered to be out of order as it refers to industrial relations matters exclusively relating to the members of one division only.

Motion 146


Motion 147


Motion 148


Motion 149


Motion 150


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Motion 151

The change proposed requires a rule change. All proposed rule changes must specify the rule to be amended or added, any text within the rule to be replaced and the proposed new or additional text. The amendment must include all consequential or additional changes required to that rule and/or other rules so that there are no contradictions or gaps within the rules if the proposed rule is agreed. Details of the precise changes required were set out in Motion 167 at Conference 2012.

Motion 152

All proposed rule changes must specify the rule to be amended or added, any text within the rule to be replaced and the proposed new or additional text. The amendment must include all consequential or additional changes required to that rule and/or other rules so that there are no contradictions or gaps within the rules if the proposed rule is agreed.

Rule 22(iii)(e) states that the term of office of the Officers of the Union shall commence at the conclusion of the Conference at which they are elected. No amendment has been proposed to alter this rule, which cannot apply if one Officer (the President) is not elected at Conference.

The last sentence in the branch’s proposed rule change was omitted from the preliminary agenda in error. However, this adds to the problems with the proposed rule change in that it states that “The Central Executive shall consist of such Union Officer posts, provided that;”, whereas the Central Executive consists of the Union Officers, the immediate past President and the divisional members (Rule 22 (iii) 1, 2, 3 and 4). As such, this proposed rule change is considered to be out of order.

Motion 153

All proposed rule changes must specify the rule to be amended or added, any text within the rule to be replaced and the proposed new or additional text. The amendment must include all consequential or additional changes required to that rule and/or other rules so that there are no contradictions or gaps within the rules if the proposed rule is agreed.

The proposed rule change does not make all of the changes required to move from biennial to annual union conference (it does not seek to alter the biennial cycle of divisional conference) e.g. Rule 20(i) provides that the biennial conference is held during the first six months of every second year. The motion seeks to change this to holding a conference annually but does not seek to change the reference to holding it in the first six months of every second year.

Motion 154


3. Amendments received A total of 14 amendments were received by the deadline set out in rule. One amendment was received from a branch and the CEC. All of the proposed amendments are deemed to be in order. No amendments were received late.

4. Amendments considered as out of orderNo amendments are deemed to be out of order.

5. Common debatesIn view of the large number of motions and amendments and the other conference business and to ensure that the maximum number of motions is considered at conference, the SOC is recommending that the following motions be taken in common debate. Amendments to individual motions in common debate to be proposed, discussed and voted upon before the common debate on these motions commences.

Pay and related: Motions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13

Pensions and related: Motions 18, 19, and 20. Motions 21, 22 and 23

Public service agreement and national bargaining: Motions 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and amendment, 35, 36 and 37

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Leave and related: Motions 38, 39, 40, 41 and 43

Travel and subsistence: Motions 45, 46 and 47 (Motion 48 has been withdrawn)

Other conditions of service: Motions 54 and 55

Staffing and related: Motions 58, 59, 60 and 61

Public Services: Motions 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 77

Local government financing and taxation: Motions 81, 82 and 83 and amendment

National taxation: Motions 84, 85, 86 and amendment, 87 and amendment

Housing and homelessness: Motions 91, 92 and 93

General policy issues: Motions 98 and 99

Corporate governance: Motions 108, 109 and 110

Union finances: Motions 120 and 121

Union organisation and development: Motions 134 and 135

Media and communications: Motions 142, 143 and amendment and 144

6. Incompatible motions/amendmentsIt is recommended that:

Motions 1, 2 and 3: If motion 1 is carried, then motions 2 and 3 fall

Motions 18, 19 and 20: If motion 18 or 19 is carried, motion 20 falls

Motions 81, 82 and 83: If motion 81 or 82 is carried motion 83 falls.

7. Withdrawal of motions and amendmentsThe proposing branches have agreed to the withdrawal of the following motions: Motions 48, 107. No amendments have been withdrawn to date.

8. Remission of motionsNo proposing branches have agreed to the remission of any motion to date.

9. Emergency motionsThe union rules provide that motions or amendments not included in the final agenda cannot be considered at conference other than where two-thirds of the delegates agree to add a motion of which timely notice could not have been given (i.e. where it refers to events that have occurred since the final date for receipt of motions – 11 weeks before conference).

One emergency motion has been received to date from the Cabin Crew branch. This reads as follows:

“This Conference condemns in the strongest terms the recent decisions by the DAA, Ryanair and Aer Lingus to use the law courts in an effort to frustrate unions and workers engaged in a legitimate dispute and, in particular, condemns the efforts by Aer Lingus to seek damages against individuals and unions.

Our union will not be intimidated by the threat of the use of legal action when we take or threaten industrial action in furtherance of a legitimate trade dispute. Conference resolves and, hereby, instructs the Central Executive to ensure that such efforts by employers are resisted by all lawful means at our disposal and to legally and financially protect and defend members, activists and staff from such attacks.”

It is recommended that this motion this be admitted as an Emergency Motion No.1 and taken after Motion 64 in the section on employment and trade union rights.

In view of the extremely large number of motions, even when account is taken of motions composited, withdrawn and remitted, any emergency motions added to the agenda are likely to have the effect of pushing further motions off of the agenda. Branches are asked not to propose emergency motions other than where the subject matter is vital to the union and/or its members and a conference decision is required. Given the time constraints there is no guarantee that any emergency motion which is added to the conference agenda will in fact be discussed at conference.

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10. Conference timetableThe foregoing timetable for Conference is recommended. It is recommended that any guillotined motions:

(i) Be taken during conference if time permits at the end of other sections, with the balance, if any, of guillotined motions being taken at the end of conference.

(ii) Be taken in the order they were guillotined, with all guillotined motions in a section being completed before moving to the next set of guillotined motions.

11. Distinguished service awardsThe CEC has approved the following distinguished service awards which will be presented at the Conference session on Wednesday night 14th May: Kevin O’Brien, NETB; John O’Donovan, Cork Branch; John McGrath, NETB.

12. General Standing OrdersThe SOC recommends that the same General Standing Orders that applied at divisional conferences 2013 will apply at the union conference 2014. These are broadly in line with the General Standing Orders that applied at Conference 2012 with the additional of an extra Section 16 that reads as follows: “16. No literature, other than conference documents – agenda, minutes and reports – may be circulated in the Conference Hall without the express advance approval of Conference by a simple majority of delegates present and voting.”

The 2012 General Standing Orders are similar to those agreed for Conference 2010 with the following differences:

• To delete the reference in SO No.3 to taking sections of the biennial report at different times at conference as it is proposed, this year, to take it as one item and not as individual sections

• To provide that motions and amendments in common debate do not need to be formally proposed (SO Nos.4 and 7)

• To clarify that motions or amendments at conference do not require a seconder (SO No.4)

• To provide that the first speaker from the CEC or a branch in a common debate is deemed to be proposer of the relevant motion from that branch etc (this is relevant to the right of reply if it arises) (SO No.8)

• To make the right of reply subject to the discretion of the conference chairperson (e.g. he/she may consider that any points raised have been adequately addressed by speakers other than the proposer and that in such cases a right of reply is not necessary) (SO Nos.8 and 11)

• To clarify that the right of reply is confined to answering previous speakers etc whether motions are in common debate or being considered individually (SO No.11)

The purpose of these changes is to try assist in the smoother running of conference where there are an exceptionally large number of motions.

13. Officer elections and votesOfficer elections will commence in the morning of Thursday 15th May at conference at 9.30am. The elections to be held in the following order: President, Vice Presidents, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Equal Opportunities Officer and Honorary Health and Safety Officer. The ballot box for the first election will close at 10.15am.

It is recommended that Tom O’Connor, SOC, be appointed as Returning Officer. It is recommended that conference appoints at least six scrutineers to count ballot papers.

14. Conference votesIt is recommended that conference appoints at least eight tellers to count any votes at conference.

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15. Members of the Standing Orders CommitteeThe members of the Standing Orders Committee are:

Civil Service Division: Finbar Meehan, Tom O’Connor (Vice Chairperson)

Education Division: Eileen Coman, Mary Dolan

Health and Welfare Division: Dolores Callanan, Gerry Foley (Chairperson)

Local Government and Local Services Division: Rose Conroy, John Melvin

Municipal Employees’ Division: Tom Kavanagh, Michael Ross

Services and Enterprises Division: Anna Farrell, Teresa Kearns.

16. Changes to standing ordersWhere branches or the CEC have queries or wish to seek changes to General Standing Orders or to SOC reports they are asked to raise these in writing with the SOC as soon as possible and in any event not later than one week prior to conference. The SOC will be available to deal with last minute conference issues at 4.00 pm in the conference venue on Wednesday 14th May 2014.

Appendix 1 Motions considered as out of orderMotion 80 - Civil Service No 1. Branch

That this conference instructs the incoming Central Executive Committee to seek to address concerns in relation to People Point which include;

• The position of contract staff as regards The Official Secrets Act.

• Increased workload for managers.

• The ability of the system to rectify mistakes in a timely fashion.

• Duplication of work.

Motion 145 - National Education and Training Board Branch

That IMPACT trade union commence a campaign to highlight the intolerably high workloads of many school secretaries, and insist that negotiated agreements re clerical and administration grades are fully implemented and adhered to. The ongoing pay inequalities for like work across the sector are simply reprehensible, and must be brought to a just, swift and sustainable resolution forthwith.

Motion 146 - School Secretaries’ Branch

The School Secretaries’ Branch calls on conference and the CEC to seek to end discrimination based on gender that deprives clerical officers in community schools access to the spouse and orphans pension scheme which is available to caretakers and other male unestablished public servants.


The School Secretaries’ Branch seeks support to launch new action strategies to support their campaign to secure a fair deal in relation to pay and conditions and achieve equal value to other non teaching staff within the public service. Following the recent achievement and success to abolish the two-tier pay system within the public service by the union we call on conference to give the same priority to rectify an already existing system within the public service and demand an end to the two-tier system’.

Motion 148 - Dublin Hospitals Branch

This motion calls on IMPACT to seek formal recognition from the HSE that health promotion officers (HPOs) are acknowledged as a distinct profession under the HSE pay scale ‘health care professionals’. Currently HPOs are not recognised in writing as a profession at all but classified as ‘clerical/administrative’ staff and remunerated as a grade V officer. As the majority of health promotion work is clinical in nature treating patients and staff for serious health issues it is felt that the remuneration for this role is not adequately reflected by the clerical/administrative pay scale.

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Motion 149 - Wicklow Branch

That this conference calls on IMPACT to ensure that sufficient staffing and resourcing are allocated to the housing and finance sections of local authorities to deal with the impending transfer of rent supplement from the Department of Social Protection to the local authority sector. In order to ensure that the transition runs smoothly and is not injurious to claimants or placing undue burdens on members in either the local authority sector or in the Department of Social Protection proper resourcing and transitional framework needs to be put in place.

Motion 150 - Cork Branch

This Conference calls on IMPACT to ensure that when evaluating the alternative corporate forms for the HBS (health business services), for existing service delivery functions, that the option chosen, affords maximum protection of our members’ terms and conditions of employment.

Motion 151 - Dublin City Branch

We call on this Conference to propose henceforth that the position of general secretary be filled by ballot of all the IMPACT membership, this change to take effect immediately following the end of the current general secretary’s tenure.

Motion 152 - Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Branch

That this Conference agrees that Union Rule 22 be amended as follows:-

The paragraph

“(iii) The Central Executive shall consist of:

(1) A President, 4 Vice-Presidents, an Honorary secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Equal Opportunities Officer and an Honorary Health and Safety Officer who shall be known as the Union Officers, elected by each biennial meeting of the Union Conference, by proportional representation, from nominees of Branches provided that;”

Be replaced by:

“(iii) The Central Executive shall consist of:

(1) A President, 4 Vice-Presidents, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, Honorary

Equal Opportunities Officer and an Honorary Health and Safety Officer who shall be known as the Union Officers.

The President shall be elected biennially by the union membership, with each member of the union having a single transferable vote, from nominees of Branches. The result of this election shall be declared, and the President deemed elected during each biennial meeting of the Union Conference.

All other matter of procedure connected with the election of the President shall be determined by the Central Executive Committee.

The 4 Vice-Presidents, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Equal Opportunities Officer and Honorary Health and Safety Officer shall be elected by each biennial meeting of the Union Conference, by proportional representation, from nominees of Branches.

The Central Executive shall consist of such Union Officers, provided that;”

Motion 153 - Westmeath Branch

The Westmeath Branch propose a Rule Change under rules 20, 22, 23 and 36.

The Westmeath Branch are proposing that the word ‘Biennial’ be replaced with ‘Annual’.


The school Secretaries’ Branch seek that the incoming CEC pursue the lack of deduction at source facilities from salary for school secretaries and special needs assistants in line with other public sector workers.

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Appendix 2 Motions covered by composite motionsThe following motions are deemed to be covered by Composite Motion 1

Motion 1.1 - Central Executive Committee

Conference mandates the CEC, in conjunction with other ICTU unions, to prepare and pursue a strategy of income recovery for IMPACT members in the public, private, community and commercial sectors. The CEC strategy should be informed by the views of Conference and there should be updates and liaison with branches at the Consultative Council. The strategy should have regard to improving finances in some private and commercial companies and the terms of the letter from the ICTU Public Services Committee to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2013 which stated our intentions that, should the State’s finances improve to a degree that would lead us to believe that the exchequer could cope, we may lodge a pay claim on behalf of public servants.

Motion 1.2 - Roscommon Branch

That this Conference calls on IMPACT to bring about a reversal of cuts and seek restoration of pay, terms and conditions for public service workers.

Motion 1.3 - State Laboratory Branch

That this Conference directs the Central Executive Committee to oppose, by all means at its disposal, any further reductions in the pay, pensions, terms and conditions of employment of any of its members and to seek to recover lost ground as soon as possible.

Motion 1.4 - Dublin Care Services Branch

That this Conference seeks the reversal with immediate urgency of all pay cuts and all detrimental changes to the pensions, terms and conditions of public and voluntary sector workers implemented since 2009.

Motion 1.5 - Municipal Employees Branch

That this Conference supports a campaign to restore pay levels to pre-recession levels.

Motion 1.6 - Dublin City Branch

This Conference calls on IMPACT to prepare a pay claim for lodging on behalf of public servants, taking account of the reduction in our terms and conditions, and to pursue the securing of such a claim vigorously. We played our part in contributing to the economy when it was at rock bottom, which led to a severe erosion of pay. We need to be in a position to begin to recover those losses at the earliest opportunity.

Motion 1.7 - Driver Testers Branch

That this Conference instructs the Central Executive to begin immediately the process by which pay rates for members are restored to pre-pay cut rates.

Motion 1.8 - Cabin Crew Branch

That this Conference endorses a policy of seeking increase in pay and restoration of terms and conditions for its members across the public and private sectors.

Motion 1.9 - Oireachtas Ushers Branch

The impact ushers Branch proposes that IMPACT union should pursue a pay increase. This pay increase could involve a reduction in public service pension levy or a reduction in the universal social charge, not just for the membership but all workers.

Motion 1.10 - Offaly Branch

The Offaly Branch call on IMPACT’s in coming Central Executive Committee to work, over the next two years towards the full restoration of monies and hours lost to public and civil service through Croke Park and Haddington Road agreements.

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Motion 1.11 - Ordnance Survey Branch

That this Conference calls on the CEC, in light of the departure of the Troika and the improving economic outlook, to begin the process of recovering some of the losses suffered by IMPACT members across all sectors of the economy.

The following motions are deemed to be covered by Composite Motion 15


That this Conference undertakes to actively seek the abolition of the pension levy, which has put a financial burden on members of IMPACT.

Motion 15.2 - Dublin City Branch

This Conference calls on IMPACT to seek the complete reversal of the unjust tax on public servants which is erroneously titled “the pension levy”. The very small reduction in this levy must be viewed as an open door to its complete reversal and we must capitalise on that by continuing to strenuously campaign for its abolition.

Motion 15.3 - Louth Branch

While acknowledging the efforts that IMPACT has achieved to date in the recent reduction in the pension levy, the Louth Branch of IMPACT proposes a redoubling of efforts to achieve a more significant reduction.

Motion 15.4 - School Secretaries’ Branch

The School Secretaries’ Branch urges Conference to seek the removal of the PRD when negotiations commence with the Government on the termination of the Haddington Road Agreement. This is an unjust tax on public servants which is applicable to them alone. It does not apply to other workers and in light of the very small pensions we receive, we feel that it is most discriminatory and unjust.

Motion 15.5 - Dublin South HSE Branch

That this Conference calls on the Central Executive Committee to campaign for the abolition of the pension levy.

Motion 15.6 - Roscommon Branch

We call on conference/IMPACT CEC to launch a campaign/lobby for the abolishment of the so-called pension related deduction. This crude ‘public servant tax’ applies to public sector employees only earning under 60k. It was introduced as a financial emergency measure in 2009 and now it is time for it to disappear. It is also misrepresentative of the fact that it is contributing in some way to our pensions – it is a tax and has no effect on our separate pension contributions.

Motion 15.7 - Cork Branch

The Cork Branch believes that the pension levy is a discriminatory tax levied on those who are guilty on nothing more than working in the public service. In every other section of the workforce, taxes are levied based on how much one earns, not where one works. Conference instructs IMPACT to vigorously engage with Government to accelerate the removal of this unjust tax. Conference further instructs IMPACT to request Government to agree a timeline for its abolition.

Motion 15.8 - Waterford City Branch

That this conference acts immediately in seeking a reversal of the levies placed on public sector workers and in particular the pension levy. In light of the recent economic growth in the economy verified by all leading economists, we ask that the pension levy be reversed immediately to take some of the burden off lower and middle income workers, especially in light of more costs coming down the road in the form of water charges. We reject the continuing policy of placing the burden of resolving the economic crises onto the ordinary lower to middle income workers.

Motion 15.9 - FGE Branch

That this union seeks the reversal of the universal social charge and the pension levy both of which dramatically affect the earning ability of the low paid and act a disincentive to work.

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Motion 18.1 - Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Branch

That this Conference directs the union not to accept the application of the Consumer Price Index to pensions until such time as it is agreeable to retired members.

Motion 18.2 - Agriculture No.1 Branch

That this Conference directs this CEC not to accept the implementation of CPI to pensions until such time as it is agreeable to retired members.


Motion 58.1 - Ordnance Survey Branch

That this Conference calls on the CEC to begin negotiations aimed at dismantling the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service, which has had an extremely damaging effect on service delivery and on the working conditions of IMPACT members.

Motion 58.2 - Laois Branch

That this Conference calls on the union executive to work immediately to remove the ban on recruitment/promotion in the public and civil service.


That this Conference seeks to have the recruitment embargo lifted in the public sector.

Motion 58.4 - Cavan Branch

That this Conference mandates the CEC to seek a resumption of recruitment to the public service, with a particular emphasis on entry level grades, as a condition of IMPACT’s participation in any new national agreement.

Motion 58.5 - National Education and Training Board Branch

To date this union has been co-operating with the public services reform process while bearing the ongoing pressure of the moratorium on public service recruitment. While the moratorium is not an absolute embargo, severe workload strains permeate all the public service areas in which we are organised. This conference instructs the CEC to continue to press for relief in the affected areas.



That this Conference deplores the use of labour activation schemes, for purposes other than which they were intended, by some employers, as a means to displace core staff, or to replace recruitment with unpaid employment.

Motion 61.2 - Connaught/Ulster SNA Branch

We ask that Conference work towards the implementation of a national oversight committee to ensure that existing and potential employees are not displaced by Jobbridge Internship.

Motion 61.3 - SNA Branch North Dublin/North Leinster Branch

We call on conference to actively seek that people employed through a jobs-bridge scheme do not displace existing employees.


That this Conference acknowledges the problems faced by our members as a result of the moratorium on public service recruitment and that this branch will not accept any plans that seek to treat such problems with the use of any labour activation schemes.

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Motion 61.5 - Fingal Branch

That this Conference opposes the use of volunteers to do work previously done by paid public servants.

Motion 61.6 - Fingal Branch

That this Conference opposes the introduction of unstaffed hours in public service places of work.


Motion 63.1 - Architectural, Engineering and Heritage Services Branch

This conference resolves that IMPACT should seek changes in the legislation that would give trade unions the right to represent retired workers.

Motion 63.2 - Agriculture No.1 Branch

That this conference directs the union, as a matter of urgency, to demand to have negotiation rights on behalf of retired members as denied under current legislation.


That this Conference directs that the union should as a matter of urgency demand to have negotiation rights on behalf of retired members.

Motion 63.4 - Clare Branch

That conference directs that the union should as a matter of urgency demand to have negotiation rights on behalf of retired members.

Motion 63.5 - CLME Branch

This Conference calls on the CEC to take the necessary steps to have IMPACT afforded negotiating rights for its retired members.

Motion 63.6 - Mayo Branch

That this Conference directs that the union should demand, as a matter of urgency, to have “negotiation rights” on behalf of retired members.

Motion 63.7 - Dublin Hospitals Branch

We insist that IMPACT does its best to have the 1991 IR act repealed or amended to allow IMPACT to negotiate on behalf of its pensioners in a similar way to that of its working members.

Motion 63.8 - Boards and Voluntary Agencies Branch

That this Conference urges the union to pursue negotiation rights on behalf of retired members by addressing the anomalies with the 1991 Industrial Relations Act.

Motion 63.9 - Coillte Branch

That Coillte Branch calls on union Conference to direct that the union should, as a matter of urgency, demand to have negotiation rights on behalf of retired members.

Motion 63.10 - Cork Branch

This Conference calls on this union, together with the assistance of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), lobby the Government to amend the 1990 Industrial Relations Act so that all trade unions can fully represent retired members and afford them the same protection that working members are in receipt of.


That this Conference, directs IMPACT, as a matter of urgency, to demand the right to collective bargaining and to negotiation rights, for retired members of the workforce, as denied under current legislation.

The following motion is deemed to be covered by Composite Motion 67

Motion 67.1 - North Tipperary Branch

That this conference instructs the CEC to take the following steps:

1 To ensure that in every aspect of our work on public service provision we highlight the value of the public sector economy especially

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in rural areas where there is no private sector investment and no job creation.

2 To oppose the further privatisation or outsourcing of public services.

3 To oppose the centralisation of a service in a single location where this detrimentally affects service provision to the public and weakens public sector infrastructure in other locations.

4 To ensure that decisions on the location of public services are taken in a transparent manner based on objective criteria free from political influence.

5 To monitor the effects of public service reforms, the centralisation of services and any privatisation on jobs, services and staff across the regions and to lobby for a balanced regional development policy in this regard.

6 To support and organise effective campaigns opposing specific privatisation measures, as evidence by the efforts of the Coillte Branch those campaigns if properly resourced and organised can be extremely effective.


Motion 78 - Architectural, Engineering and Heritage Services Branch

This conference calls on the government to deliver the staffing and other resources required to resolve the many complex problems and difficulties resulting from the implementation of legislation and policies required to protect our country’s built, archaeological and natural heritage – the protection and sustainable management of which are key to Ireland’s economic and social recovery.

Motion 79 - Conservation Rangers Branch

That this Conference calls on the government to deliver the staffing and other resources required to resolve the many complex problems and difficulties resulting from the implementation of policies required to protect our country’s built, archaeological and natural heritage.

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NominationsNominations received by midday on Wednesday 26th February 2014.

President (1)

Nominee Branch Nominating Branch

Coughlan, Margaret Wicklow Health Wicklow Health

King, Jerry Mayo Agriculture No.1, Architectural, Engineering and Heritage Services, Ballinasloe, Boards and Voluntary Agencies, Cabin Crew, Cavan, Clare, Dublin South HSE, FGE, Gaeltacht, IALPA, Irish Youth Justice, Legal Professional, Leitrim, Limerick Health and Welfare, Longford, Louth, Mayo, National Education and Training Board, NEWB, Placenames, Roscommon, School Secretaries, Sligo, State Laboratory, Teagasc General, Westmeath, Wicklow

Quinn, Paddy CE Supervisors CE Supervisors

Robinson, Ruth Dublin Care Services Dublin Care Services

Scully, Michael Ordnance Survey Ordnance Survey, Property Registration Authority Technical and Survey

Vice-presidents (4)


Coughlan, Margaret Wicklow Health Cabin Crew, CE Supervisors, Dublin South HSE, IALPA, Ordnance Survey, Wicklow, Wicklow Health

Davis, Michael Dublin North HSE Dublin North HSE

Fallon, Pat Sligo Agriculture No.1, Ballinasloe, Cabin Crew, CE Supervisors, Clare, Dublin South HSE, FGE, IALPA, Leitrim, Limerick Health and Welfare, Longford, Mayo, NEWB, Placenames, Roscommon, Sligo, State Laboratory, Teagasc General, Westmeath, Wicklow

McCarthy Barrett, Maeve

Cork HSE Cork

Ní Ghriofa, Siobhán State Laboratory Architectural, Engineering and Heritage Services, FGE, Gaeltacht, Longford, NEWB, Placenames, State Laboratory, Wicklow

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Quinn, Paddy CE Supervisors Agriculture No.1, An Bord Pleanála, Cabin Crew, CE Supervisors, Fáilte Ireland, FGE, IALPA, Laois, Longford, Mayo, Offaly, School Secretaries, Sligo, State Laboratory, Teagasc General, Westmeath, Wicklow

Robertson, Tara Dublin City Dublin City

Robinson, Ruth Dublin Care Services Agriculture No.1, Cabin Crew, Cavan, CE Supervisors, Dublin Care Services, Dublin South HSE, FGE, IALPA, Leitrim, Louth, Mayo, NEWB, Sligo, State Laboratory, Teagasc General, Westmeath

Scully, Michael Ordnance Survey Ordnance Survey

Smyth, Michael Schools CompletionProgramme

Cavan, National Education and Training Board, Ordnance Survey, Schools Completion Programme, School Secretaries, SNAs Connacht/Ulster, SNAs South Dublin/South Leinster

Honorary secretary (1)




Fanning, Patricia SNAs North Dublin/North Leinster

SNAs Connacht/Ulster, SNAs Munster,

SNAs North Dublin/North Leinster,

SNAs South Dublin/South Leinster


Cork HSE Cork, Dublin South HSE, Mayo

Ní Ghriofa, Siobhán State Laboratory Cabin Crew, FGE


Robertson, Tara Dublin City Dublin City



Schools Completion Programme

Honorary treasurer (1)

Nominee Branch Nominating branch




SNAs Connacht/Ulster, SNAs Munster,SNAs North Dublin/North Leinster,SNAs South Dublin/South Leinster

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Cork HSE Cork

Ní Ghriofa, Siobhán State Laboratory FGE



Robertson, Tara Dublin City Dublin City, Ordnance Survey



Honorary equal opportunities officer (1)Nominee Branch Nominating BranchCoughlan, Margaret Wicklow Health Wicklow Health




Ní Ghriofa, Siobhán State Laboratory FGE




Honorary health and safety officer (1)

Nominee Branch Nominating branch





Ní Ghriofa, Siobhán State Laboratory Agriculture No.1, CE Supervisors, Dublin SouthHSE, FGE, Mayo, Sligo, State Laboratory, Westmeath




Wynne, Mark Municipal Employees Municipal Employees

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MotionsPay and related

Motion 1 (Composite) - Central Executive Committee

Conference mandates the CEC, in conjunction with other ICTU unions, to prepare and implement a strategy of income recovery for IMPACT members in the public, private, community and commercial sectors. The CEC strategy should be informed by the views of Conference and there should be updates and liaison with branches at the Consultative Council. The strategy should have regard to the improving finances in some private and commercial companies and the terms of the letter from the ICTU Public Services Committee to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in March 2013 which stated the intention that, should the State’s finances improve to a degree that would lead us to believe that the exchequer could cope, we may lodge a pay claim on behalf of public servants.

Motion 1 is a composite motion and is deemed to cover the substance of motions 1.1 to 1.11 inclusive (See Appendix 2, page 14 for details).

Motion 2 - Civil Service No.1 Branch

This conference instructs the incoming Central Executive Committee to immediately start the process of negotiation to restore our pay, hours of work, terms and conditions of employment i.e. annual leave, pay, sick leave, pension levy, Universal Social Charge etc. This to be achieved before any other pay agreement is put in place and if necessary to authorise a ballot for industrial action up to and including strike.

Motion 3 - Driver Testers Branch

That this Conference instructs the Central Executive to seek an immediate pay increase for all members of an amount equal to what has been lost, plus inflation.

Motion 4 - FGE Branch

That the provisions of the Croke Park agreement of which the Haddington Road Agreement is an extension of be implemented in relation to any pay increases. In particular that any pay increases be focused in the first instance on those defined as low paid.

Motion 5 - Wexford Branch

That this Conference seeks an urgent restoration of pay for all public sector workers who have suffered draconian reduction in incomes due to pay cuts and other deductions. It seeks the highest percentage restoration in the first instance on all incomes up to €35,000.

Motion 6 - Probation Officers Branch

That this Conference notes the continued hardship faced by low paid workers as a result of continued austerity policies, cut backs and the increased tax burden. IMPACT also notes the widely publicised savings generated by the cutbacks in public expenditure in the past four years or so. Given the acknowledged savings and the various positive economic indicators heralded by Government, IMPACT recognises that the reversal of pay cuts for low paid public sector workers will help to ease the difficulties faced by many people in Ireland and will further assist in the economic recovery of the state. In the interests of social justice and sound economic policy IMPACT will vigorously campaign for the speedy restoration of pay for workers earning below €35,000 per annum.


This Conference calls on IMPACT to seek that Government repeals those terms of the FEMPI legislation, which affords the government of the day the power to change our terms and conditions by legislation. We, as public servants, have more than played our part in helping lift this country out of recession, it’s time that we closed any loopholes that may present us as soft targets in the future.

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That this Conference affirms it’s commitment to seeking pay increases as the main element of income recovery. The union rejects as inadequate and damaging – and will not support – a policy that relies on tax cuts that give negligible increases in disposable income. IMPACT rejects the principle of trading tax cuts for low or no wages rises as this will merely reinforce a low-spend and low-resourced economy.


That this Conference defends the principal of an agreed rate of pay for the job and believes that the public sector pay cuts over recent years should be reversed. Furthermore, it is not acceptable that people are currently being employed to various positions throughout the public sector on lower pay scales than the scales for established employees in the same posts or in largely similar posts requiring the same qualifications and experience. Such a position leaves long established public sector workers vulnerable to pressure for reduced pay should the political climate shift that way in the future, whenever such inequality in pay scales exists then there is a worrying precedent in terms of the further undermining of pay and conditions. Furthermore unfair and unequal pay structures can have an adverse effect on morale for all employees. This is a fundamentally unjust situation and IMPACT calls for an immediate end to it.

Motion 10 - Oireachtas Ushers Branch

The Oireachtas Ushers Branch proposes that IMPACT should not enter into talks where management are looking for a two tier pay system. It causes division and bitterness amongst workers.

Motion 11 - Dublin Care Services Branch

That this Conference recommends that no further pay cuts or changes to public sector and voluntary sector workers pensions or terms and conditions should take place without a ballot of members.


That this Conference seeks an urgent restoration of income for all public sector workers who have suffered draconian reduction in incomes due to pay cuts, pension levies, Universal Social Charge by seeking a reduction in the percentage charged for the pension levy and Universal Social Charge.

Motion 13 - South Tipperary Branch

That this Conference calls for an immediate halt to the continuing erosion of workers’ pay and the benefits for which we pay, (pension, PRSI, tax relief etc.) which continue annually.


That this Conference notes the decision of previous conferences of IMPACT to pursue a Dublin area living allowance and directs the CEC to pursue this as part of any future pay negotiations.

Pensions and related

Motion 15 (Composite) -Cork Branch

This Conference agrees that the union should actively seek the abolition of the Pension Related Deduction (pension levy) at the earliest possible date and, pending its abolition, seek an urgent restructuring of the levy to further reduce its burden on lower paid workers.


Motion 16 - State Laboratory Branch

That this Conference directs the CEC to hold a ballot for industrial action if there is any move by government to reduce the pension entitlements of members in the civil and public service superannuation schemes.

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The School Secretaries’ Branch call on this Conference to ensure that access to a pension scheme with contributions from employers is available to all public service workers regardless of grade.

Motion 18 (Composite) - Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Branch

That this Conference directs the union not to accept the application of the Consumer Price Index to pensions until such time as it is agreeable to retired members.


Motion 19 - Mayo Branch

That this Conference directs not to direct Consumer Price Index to retired members both present and future until it is acceptable to all trade unions.

Motion 20 - Clare Branch

That conference directs the union not to accept the implementation of Consumer Price Index (CPI) to pensions.

Motion 21 - Boards and Voluntary Agencies Branch

That this Conference calls on IMPACT to work towards ending the anomaly of a waiting time between retirement age and age of eligibility for full pension where this includes State retirement pension bearing in mind that only some workers are subject to this waiting time. A one year waiting time came into effect on 1st January 2014 but this will increase to two years from 2021 and to three years from 2028.


That this union seeks the amelioration of the consequences of the termination of the transitionary pension for those who have accrued sufficient A1 contribution and have the legitimate expectation that this non means tested payment would be in place when they retire.


That the loss suffered by those in receipt of coordinated pension as the result of the termination of the transition pension be reversed and that they be treated in the same manner as those in receipt of gross income in excess of 3.3333 the contributory old aged pension who have experienced no comparative loss in relation to this termination.

Motion 24 - Community Employment Supervisors Branch

That this Conference instructs that IMPACT actively pursue the implementation of all outstanding Labour Court recommendations relating to pension rights where no pension currently exists in the workplace.

Motion 25 - Meath Branch

That this Conference requests the CEC to seek the removal of the Public Service Pension Reduction from public service pensions.

Amendment - Central Executive Committee

Delete the word “removal” and substitute the word “alleviation”.Delete the word “Reduction” and substitute the word “Deduction”.


That the gross pay of members be used as the basis for the calculation of pension.


That IMPACT seek to change the restrictions on the access to AVC funds as they apply to civil and public servants on low pensions.

Motion 28 - Waterford City Branch

That this conference addresses the unfair regulations of the spouses and children’s scheme. We propose that members of the scheme be given an option to either A opt out or B nominate a beneficiary.

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Public service agreement and national bargaining


That this Conference directs the Central Executive Committee to actively seek the restoration of the working hours, which existed prior to the Haddington Road agreement, immediately following the end of that agreement.


That this Conference directs the Central Executive Committee to actively seek the reinstatement of the flexitime system conditions that existed prior to the Haddington Road agreement, immediately following the end of that agreement.

Motion 31 - Sligo Branch

That this union ensure that as the employees are delivering on all commitments on their side of the Haddington Road Agreement that the management side are held to do likewise e.g. by returning the Child and Family Agency payroll back in house.

Motion 32 - Agriculture No.1 Branch

That this conference instructs the CEC to ensure that a workable system to sanction managements who blatantly fail to abide by its terms be a fundamental part of any new national/public service agreement.


That this Conference calls on IMPACT to work towards ensuring that section 39 employees who have been subject to pay reduction, pension levies, superannuation deductions etc, as laid out under the Croke Park Agreement and HRA, are afforded the protections offered in the aforementioned agreements and thereby not subject to involuntary redundancies. The agreed redeployment options must be upheld for this under threat group of employees.

Motion 34 - Driver Testers Branch

That this Conference instructs the Central Executive not to enter into any national agreement unless the issue of pay restoration is central to that agreement.

Amendment - Dublin Hospitals Branch

Change the word ‘agreement’ to ‘pay negotiations’.

Amended motion to read:

“That this conference instructs the Central Executive not to enter into any national pay negotiations unless the issue of pay restoration is central to that agreement.”

Motion 35 - Health and Safety Authority Branch

That this Conference calls for IMPACT union to ensure that, where public sector employers are obliged to redeploy staff out of their organisation, the process for the selection of posts for redeployment and any subsequent redeployment of members will be carried out in a fair manner and in accordance with national agreements and the redeployment toolkit issued by Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.


This Conference mandates IMPACT to refuse any non-strike clause in any future agreements.


This Conference calls on IMPACT that in any future national agreements that the maximum distance for redeployment should not exceed a 40km round trip.

Leave and related

Motion 38 - SNA Branch North Dublin/North Leinster Branch

The new sick leave entitlements, for public servants, commence on either March/September. We ask that IMPACT urgently seek that injuries sustained in the workplace be classified as occupational injury and not considered as sick leave.

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Motion 39 - Dublin South HSE Branch

That this Conference calls on the Central Executive Committee to negotiate a reversal of the sick leave scheme.


The School Secretaries’ Branch seek the support of Conference and the CEC in the establishment of a proper sick pay scheme for school secretaries and caretakers, many of whom receive no sick pay at present and have to rely on Social Welfare.

Motion 41 - Dublin North HSE Branch

The Dublin North Branch HSE calls on the IMPACT Biennial Delegate Conference for sick leave to be recorded accurately.


This motion calls on IMPACT to work to extend the accepted definition of ‘close relative’ for the purpose of leave to attend funerals, to include grandparents and grandchildren.


That this union demands that all rest days be treated in the same manner as bank holidays in the calculation of sick leave.


The Dublin North Branch HSE calls on the IMPACT Biennial Delegate Conference to gain an increase in the special leave for marriage max allowance of annual leave and marriage leave of 26 to be increased to 28 due to privilege days being added to the annual leave year.

Travel and subsistence


That this conference instructs the incoming Central Executive Committee to seek that a fair and appropriate subsistence payment structure be put in place.


That this Conference seeks an increase in the travel rates in view of the ever increasing cost of motoring.


That this conference instruct the CEC to reject out of hand any attempt to reduce the terms of the travel and subsistence regulations for public servants. It instructs the CEC to ballot immediately for a robust response to any such initiative.


That this Conference seeks to protect its members by ensuring that the rules relating to driving and payment of subsistence do not create a driving hazard due to members not being entitled to subsistence payments thus forcing them to drive home after a long day away from their base.

Other conditions of service


This Conference calls on IMPACT to vigorously defend part-time working conditions in line with the government’s commitment to work-life balance.

Motion 50 - North Tipperary Branch

That this conference instructs the CEC to seek the introduction of school friendly work sharing arrangement throughout the public service.


Replace ‘school friendly work sharing’ with ‘a work/life balance’.


“That this conference instructs the CEC to seek the introduction of a work-life balance arrangement throughout the public service.”


The Dublin North HSE calls on the IMPACT Biennial Delegate Conference to gain agreement that force majeure leave can be recorded as a half day.

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That this Conference calls on the CEC and the Public Services Committee of ICTU to engage with Government to ensure that there are adequate policies and procedures for the filling of public sector posts, including temporary posts, in a fair and transparent manner. This is needed to ensure that there is a fair and transparent process particularly where retired public servants may be applying for positions.

Motion 53 - Professional Accountants Branch

That the advertising of all available positions/jobs across all civil/public sector bodies be open to all staff. That where staff have been successful in such competitions whether this is a promotion or a transfer at the current grade that their current employer in the civil/public service cannot stop an employee from moving to another civil/public service organisation and that all employment and pension right should be maintained.

Motion 54 - Institutes of Technology Branch

That this Conference seeks to stop grade drift occurring as a result of vacant posts not being filled due to the Employment Control Framework and cutbacks in the public service.


That this Conference directs the union to ensure that the present grade drift that is taking place in some departments where duties are being transferred to higher paid grades at the expense of other union members be exposed and all means at the disposal of the union be used to counter such occurrences.


That this Conference seeks to ensure that where shared services are being rolled out that in the case of payroll the deductions currently provided by employers to credit unions etc. will continue without members needing to set up bank standing orders etc. thus increasing the bank charges they must currently pay.

Motion 57 - Offaly Branch

That this Conference adopts the motion that the payment of overtime to employees it represents shall only be on the following basis:

a) Normal payment of overtime rates for hours worked. ie time +one quarter, time +one half or double time depending on the appropriate pay for the hours worked.

b) The payment of overtime through TOIL only with the agreement of the employed. TOIL payment shall be calculated using the same rates as existing overtime rates.

Staffing and related

Motion 58 (Composite) - Ordnance Survey Branch

That this Conference calls on the CEC to begin negotiations aimed at dismantling the moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service, which has had an extremely damaging effect on service delivery and on the working conditions of IMPACT members.


Motion 59 - Fáilte Ireland Branch

That this Conference notes the significant reduction in the public service workforce numbers to date, combined with the impending departure of more between now and the end of August, and this against a background of no decrease in workload or productivity. The reality of this is low morale as workers struggle to meet deadlines and work load challenges, with no opportunity for progression. There is loss of expertise as the knowledge pool is shrinking and employees come to terms with the ever changing work environment. We call on conference to seek recognition for the flexibility shown by members through their experience in acting roles and taking on additional responsibilities, and ensure it is recognised when the opportunities for progression present themselves in the future.

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Motion 60 - SNA South Dublin/South Leinster Branch

That this Conference opposes any and all fragmentation of whole time equivalent posts within the public service.

Motion 61 (Composite) - Cavan Branch

That this Conference deplores the use by some employers of labour activation and work experience schemes for purposes other than which they were intended and the use by them of volunteers and other forms of unpaid employment as a means to displace core staff and/or to replace recruitment.


Employment and trade union rights


Conference welcomes in principle, the promise made by Eamon Gilmore in November 2013, to begin a process of legislation for collective bargaining in the coming months. Conference urges that the proposed legislation will leave the way open for eventual union representation and negotiating rights in every workplace.

Motion 63 (Composite) -Agriculture No.1 Branch

That this conference seeks, as a matter of urgency, full representation and negotiation rights for the union on behalf of our retired members with government, former employers, pension trustees and state agencies on all appropriate matters.

Amendment - Cork Branch

Add the following sentence to end of motion:

“In order to achieve the foregoing, that this union liaise with Irish Congress of Trade Unions and its Retired Workers Committee as IMPACT is affiliated to both, towards the amending of the 1990 Industrial Relations Act”


“That this conference seeks, as a matter of urgency, full representation and negotiation rights for the union on behalf of our retired members with Government, former employers, pension trustees and state agencies on all appropriate matters. In order to achieve the foregoing, that this union liaise with Irish Congress of Trade Unions and its Retired Workers Committee as IMPACT is affiliated to both, towards the amending of the 1990 Industrial Relations Act.”


Motion 64 - SNA North Dublin/North Leinster Branch

We call on IMPACT to enter into negotiations with the relevant bodies to obtain release for union activists enabling their full participation in union activity.


That this conference condemns the union busting activities of certain managements across the public sector. It instructs the CEC to ensure that a robust response is made to such activities.


That this Conference calls on the Central Executive Committee to make a submission under European Social Charter, Article 4, to the European Committee of Social Rights pursuant to Article 2 of the Committee by taking a case.

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Public services

Motion 67 - Clare Branch, Limerick Local Government and Education Branch

The public sector reform programme set out by the Troika and implemented by successive governments was designed to reduce the overall size of the public service, to significantly reduce the cost of providing public services and to increase private sector involvement in the delivery of public services. The changes necessary to reach those targets will have long lasting consequences. A cursory examination of the effects of this reform programme on the local authority sector reveals that:

• Payroll costs have decreased by €300m including severe reductions in take home pay for staff.

• Staff numbers have reduced by 9,000 WTEs or 25% since 2008 and will decline further.

• Driver licences are no longer issued by local councils

• Irish Water has taken over responsibility for the provision of water services

• Town councils are to be abolished and replaced with the municipal district councils with much scaled down functions and resources

• Six city and county councils are now subject to amalgamation

• A shared services model will result in the further centralisation of key services such as a payroll in a single location

• Some authorities have considered privatising their housing stock whilst others contemplate outsourcing of other key services such a income collection.

The medium to long term effects of this reform programme on local services will be catastrophic. In ten years’ time much of what we think of as being a public service will be delivered by private contractors, the same private multinational companies who pay an effective rate of corporation tax of 2% will have moved in and bid for lucrative public contracts. Core services within a Local Authority may be restricted to passing the bye laws with councillors meeting to examine the performance indicators associated with each of these contracts for services.

This process of stripping out jobs, reducing pay costs and handling over services to the private sector is not just happening in one sector of the public service, we can see across all the sectors examples of services being first centralised in one location and then a real risk of those services being hived off to the private sector.

Conference instructs the CEC to take the following steps:

1 To ensure that in every aspect of our work on public service provision we highlight the value of the public sector economy especially in rural areas where there is no private sector investment and no job creation.

2 To oppose the further privatisation or outsourcing of public services

3 To oppose the centralisation of a service in a single location where this detrimentally affects service provision to the public and weakens public sector infrastructure in other locations.

4 To ensure that the decisions on the location of public services are taken in a transparent manner based on objective criteria free from political influence.

5 To monitor the effects of public service reforms, the centralisation of services and any privatisation on jobs, services and staff across the regions and to lobby for a balanced regional development policy in this regard.

6 To support and organise effective campaigns opposing specific privatisation measures, as evidenced by the efforts of the Coillte Branch those campaigns if properly resourced and organised can be extremely effective.

Motion 67 is also deemed to cover the contents of Motion 67.1 (See Appendix 2, page 17 for details)

Motion 68 - Roscommon Branch

That this conference calls on IMPACT to take all necessary steps to stop the piecemeal privatisation/outsourcing and further erosion of services which are traditionally provided by public service staff.

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This Conference rejects privatisation in all its forms. We call on IMPACT to campaign vigorously and to use all available means up to and including ballot or industrial action to stop the further privatisation of public services and utilities as these privatisations are a form of legalised theft.


That this union condemns and opposes the privatisation of the work of its members and take will all measures necessary to defend the continuity of provision of public services by publicly accountable direct employment.


That this Conference calls for an immediate cessation of the transfer of services from the public sector and voluntary and community group organisations to private companies, whose only obligation under company law is to shareholders and the production of profit for those shareholders. That the union will oppose all future attempted transfer of services, from the current ‘not for profit’ service providers.

Motion 72 - Municipal Employees Branch

That this Conference supports a nationwide campaign to return bin collection to local authorities in Ireland.


That this Conference emphasises, in talks with government, that the privatisation and centralisation of services have been a failure in the contexts of reduction in service and duplication of costs.


We call on IMPACT to continue its stance that water should be a human right and protected under law, and resist any attempts to privatise our national water supply.

Motion 75 - Fingal Branch

Given the national strategic importance of water production and delivery, and the vital need to treat waste water, this Conference calls upon the

IMPACT union to determine the constitutionality of the provision contained in the Water Services Act, which facilitates the transfer of assets to Irish Water. To assist in this determination, the CEC are to:

a) Authorise the union to seek counsel’s opinion on the issue.

b) On the basis of such an opinion mount a challenge to the provisions of the Act through the courts.


That this Conference calls for an immediate halt to the centralisation of previously localised services, such as medical/GP visit cards, third level grants, driving licences, etc. This Conference calls for the immediate reinstatement of such services, back to local area departments, where there is a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Motion 77 - North Tipperary Branch

That this conference vehemently opposes the tendering out/privatisation of the Local Community and Development Programme and will actively resist all attempts by the Department to implement this.


This conference calls on the government to deliver the staffing and other resources required to resolve the many complex problems and difficulties resulting from the implementation of legislation and policies required to protect our country’s built, archaeological and natural heritage – the protection and sustainable management of which are key to Ireland’s economic and social recovery.

Motion 78 is a composite motion and is deemed to cover the substance of motions 78 and 79 (See Appendix 2, page 18 for details).

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Local government financing and taxation


This Conference calls on IMPACT to oppose the introduction of water charges. Water charges are another stealth tax on households and families who are already burdened with property tax, bin charges and the universal social charge. The introduction of water charges will mean a minimum of €200 to €300 that households will have to pay each year. It is time that the union reversed its support for these regressive taxes and campaigned against their imposition.


That this Conference calls on the Central Executive Committee to campaign for the abolition of water charges.


This Conference calls on IMPACT to support a national campaign of opposition to the introduction of water charges for households. The Cork Branch notes that IMPACT has committed to campaign to keep water services in public ownership. It therefore follows that it is necessary to also oppose the imposition of charges for water as this revenue is what makes public water services an attractive investment to private sector interests.

Amendment - Municipal Employees Branch

After “support a” insert “trade union”

Delete full stop after “households” and insert “unless the Government commits to retaining the service in public ownership.”

Delete the remaining text.


“This Conference calls on IMPACT to support a trade union national campaign of opposition to the introduction of water charges for households unless the Government commits to retaining the service in public ownership.”

National taxation


IMPACT calls on government to demand that we are all entitled to a fair and equitable society and one of the ways to achieve this is by having higher taxation for the wealthy in our society. Equity can not be achieved by demonising the marginalised and the vulnerable which is what is currently happening and if it continues our members will start to look at the relevance of the trade union movement.

Motion 85 - Louth Branch

That IMPACT resist any more attempts to reduce the take home pay of its members in the form of stealth taxes and/or the introduction of the proposed new Universal Health Insurance charge.


That this Conference calls on the Central Executive Committee to campaign for the abolition of the Universal Social Charge.

Amendment -Central Executive Committee

Delete the words “abolition of the Universal Social Charge” and substitute the words “restructuring of the Universal Social Charge to benefit those on low and middle incomes”.


That this Conference undertakes to actively seek the abolition of the Universal Social Charge which has brought financial hardship to the island of Ireland.

Amendment - Central Executive Committee

Delete the words “abolition of the Universal Social Charge” and substitute the words “restructuring of the Universal Social Charge to benefit those on low and middle incomes”.

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That this union condemns the introduction of flat rate taxes and charges for the provision of services which take no account of the ability of the individual to pay these taxes and charges are fundamentally regressive in nature are extracted from after tax income have not been balanced by axiomatic reductions in direct taxation and are of proportionately greater significance to the lower paid.


Motion to finish after ‘flat rate taxes’.


“That this union condemns the introduction of flat rate taxes.”


That this Conference again calls for the reinstatement of tax credits, previously tax-free allowances for all children and dependants, irrespective of the marital status of the child’s parent or parents.

Economic development


That this Conference calls on IMPACT to develop policy and promote it at ICTU level favouring the strengthening of the social economy in Ireland in a manner in line with trade union values and principles. In particular it will:

• Promote the development of social enterprises as an alternative to redundancies in the private and community sectors;

• Actively support and be involved in local initiatives for employment and quality training of unemployed and disadvantaged persons through social and community owned enterprises;

• Support the contracting of appropriate local services to social economy entities which submit commercially competitive tenders rather than the private sector;

• Promote reform of the system of public procurement in line with proposals of the European Parliament both to enable local social enterprises secure contracts for the provision of services and also, through the introduction of ‘social clauses’ in public service contracts, reward tenders that include in their aims employment, training and other social benefits for disadvantaged communities.

Amendment - Cork Branch

Delete everything after “community owned enterprises”


“That this Conference calls on IMPACT to develop policy and promote it at ICTU level favouring the strengthening of the social economy in Ireland in a manner with trade union values and principles. In particular it will:

• Promote the development of social enterprises as an alternative to redundancies in the private and community sectors.

• Actively support and be involved in local initiatives for employment and quality training of unemployed and disadvantaged persons through social and community owned enterprises.”

Housing and homelessness


That this Conference recognises the leading role played by IMPACT in a successful campaign to persuade Dublin City Council not to approve cuts in funding to the homeless and disability services. We call on the incoming CEC to support the ‘protect homeless services’ campaign launched by the BVA Branch at its AGM in February 2014.


This Conference condemns the recent threatened cuts by the Department of the Environment to reduce the homeless allocation for Dublin by €6 million, while welcoming the decision of Dublin City Council to fill the deficit from its own resources. This move by Dublin City Council has prevented a complete collapse in services at a time when the

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need for such services has never been greater. There is a crisis in the provision of social housing in the state and homelessness is only the symptom of this crisis. We call on the government to start a social housing building programme, which will relieve the pressure on homeless services. We fully support the IMPACT campaign for adequate central government funding to be provided to local authorities, and we call on IMPACT to escalate that campaign, in conjunction with ICTU, in order that the valuable work of local councils, voluntary and community organisations can continue to be delivered to the most vulnerable in our society.


That this Conference calls on the Government to follow through on its commitment to address homelessness by a progressive housing policy.

General policy issues

Motion 94 - Roscommon Branch

That this Conference calls upon the Government to take strong action to prevent climate change. Actions should include the introduction of annual targets for reductions in greenhouse gases into the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Bill. This Conference asserts that the setting of targets will spread the responsibility across government departments; and will also give certainty to industry in investing in the technological revolution needed to deliver a safe climate for future generations.

Motion 95 - SNA Branch North Dublin/North Leinster Branch

While we welcome the introduction of free GP visits for children under five years old, we ask that Conference lobby the relevant body to have the scheme extended to include all children with a diagnosed medical condition.


Include the words ‘up to the age of 18 years old’ after ‘all children’.


“While we welcome the introduction of free GP visits for children under five years old, we ask that

Conference lobby the relevant body to have the scheme extended to include all children, up to the age of 18 years old, with a diagnosed medical condition.”


That this Conference puts pressure on Government to change the criteria for higher education grants whereby PAYE workers grant applications are based on disposable income, after both statutory and reasonable living costs such as mortgage, transport costs etc.


That this Conference deplores the Governments failure to resolve the issues impacting on the victims of institutional abuse in light of the delay in dealing with the victims of the Magdalene laundries.


IMPACT calls on the government to prioritise victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. The Immigrant Council of Ireland has said that “the failure to provide residency entitlements to victims of domestic violence in immigration law is leaving people trapped in violent relationships because of fear they could be deported. People who find themselves in these situations need to know that there is help and support for them not threats of being deported.

Motion 99 - Galway Branch

That this Conference calls on IMPACT to lobby government to stop the budgetary cuts (and consequent staff losses) to domestic violence services in Ireland and maintain and develop a national network of local refuges for women and children in need of these essential services.

Motion 100 - Sligo Branch

That this conference calls upon the union to campaign in the referendum for a YES vote in support of same sex marriages.

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The Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission have now merged and the new body will be known as the Human Rights and Equality Commission. In view of the past achievements of both bodies we call on IMPACT to work closely with the new body to ensure that our fundamental rights be protected and defended.


This Conference notes that the centenary occurs at this time of the founding of the Irish Citizen Army, which came into existence to defend the ordinary workers of Dublin against the Dublin Metropolitan Police and the armed thugs of the Dublin employer cartel led by William Martin Murphy; and the men and women of which later came to join the fight for Irish freedom; we wish to remember their high principles, their heroism and their sacrifices and call on Conference to ensure that IMPACT organises and participates in suitable events to mark the occasion.


That this Conference welcomes the Heads of the Community Sanctions Bill and urges support for its progress to Green Paper at the earliest opportunity.


That this Conference supports the Community Sanctions Bill in requiring that newly appointed probation officers are subject to social work registration.


That this Conference believes that people should be afforded every opportunity to rebuild their lives after being convicted of a criminal offence or offences. IMPACT recognises that the current legal and political situation requiring people in many circumstances to declare all criminal convictions regardless of time that has elapsed is a barrier to people in their efforts to put behind them the effects of previous offending. This can be particularly detrimental in terms of securing employment. While recognising exceptional circumstances arising from certain offence categories, IMPACT will campaign for

legislation to allow for most criminal offences to be considered ‘spent’ after specified periods of time. Notwithstanding certain exceptions such legislation will remove any current requirement that people declare all historic convictions and will thus restrict the availability of such sensitive information.


The rich linguistic heritage on this island is something that we can all share and enjoy the continued growth of Irish language schools and Gaelscoileanna show a continuing desire to keep Irish as a rich part of our culture. This motion calls on IMPACT to support initiatives aimed at broadening the appeal of the Irish language and doing what it can to make it part of the everyday life of the union.


This Conference calls on IMPACT to lobby the Government to the effect that the Cork Savings Bank building and the bank in College Green, Dublin, revert to municipal use.

Corporate governance


That in common with IMPACT’s general policy for openness and transparency, that this Conference seek to ensure that following the banking enquiry, persons identified with corporate misgovernance be treated to the same redress through the courts as ordinary debtors and others who have lost their homes and occupations. To achieve this that the IMPACT union use its influence through ICTU, partnership and through the media to press on whatever administration is in office following the enquiry.


This Branch condemns the recent revelations in some healthcare organisations which revealed a litany of greed and inadequate corporate governance at the highest levels and calls on the Government to pursue money back to fund the provisions of health care to the most vulnerable in our society.

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Having regard to the level of media scrutiny and public disquiet in regard to the revelations on pay, bonuses and internal appointments in some state funded/sponsored organisations, we call on IMPACT to ensure that future appointments to senior managerial positions are fully transparent, follow best practice in the appointment process and are compliant to public service salary guidelines.

Rules and related

Motion 111 - Central Executive Committee

Rule 4:

Add after “objects” in line 3:

“and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the union may alone or in partnership with one or more trade unions enter into agreements, contracts or arrangements with external bodies or organisations to provide services to the union and/or Union members including the provision of services or financial supports otherwise provided from the Dispute Fund”

Amendment

After the word “alone” insert “, through its Trustees”

After the words “one or more trade unions” insert “engage with or”

After the words “external bodies” delete the words “or organisations” and insert “, organisations, professional advisers or agents of any kind”

After the words “and/or Union members including” insert “, but not limited to,”

After the words “the provision of” insert “, financial, investment, insurance, auditing, accounting, legal, consulting, administrative or custodial services or financial supports of any kind whatsoever.”

Delete the words “services or financial supports otherwise provided from the Dispute Fund”


Rules and Related

Rule 4:

Add after “objects” in line 3:

“and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the union may alone, through its Trustees or in partnership with one or more trade unions engage with or enter into agreements, contracts or arrangements with external bodies, organisations, professional advisers or agents of any kind to provide services to the union and/or Union members including, but not limited to, the provision of financial, investment, insurance, auditing, accounting, legal, consulting, administrative or custodial services or financial supports of any kind whatsoever.”


Rule 5:

Add after “any” the words “serving or retired”

Add after “Central Executive,” the words “and any apprentice, trainee, intern or person in a similar relationship to an appropriate employer or a student undergoing a course of study leading to a third level, or above, educational qualification in a profession or discipline represented by the Union,”

Amended Rule to read

“Any serving or retired employee, including a temporary employee, of an appropriate employer, as determined by the Central Executive, and any apprentice, trainee, intern or person in a similar relationship to an appropriate employer or a student undergoing a course of study leading to a third level educational qualification, or above, in a profession or discipline some of whose members are represented by the Union, who accepts the objects and Rules of the Union shall be eligible for membership.

Insert new Rule 6B as follows:

“Rule 6B TRAINEES AND SIMILAR MEMBERS

A member who is a trainee or in a similar relationship with an appropriate employer or is a student member shall be entitled to such rights and such benefits as may be determined from time to time by Union Conference.”

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Motion 113 - Limerick Health and Welfare Branch

That this Conference Amends Rule 6 of the rule book and instrument of amalgamation Entry into Membership:

To insert a new sentence as the third sentence as follows:Membership Subscriptions, irrespective of payment method, shall not commence until acceptance of the application has been completed, including resolution of membership arrears where such may apply and the application has been approved both by the appropriate Branch Executive and by or on behalf of the Central Executive.

The new rule 6 shall read as follows:

6. Entry into membership

Application for membership shall be made to the appropriate Branch Executive or to the Central Executive on such form as prescribed by the Central Executive.

Acceptance of an applicant into membership by the Branch Executive or by or on behalf of the Central Executive shall not be treated as final until the application has been approved both by the appropriate Branch Executive and by or on behalf of the Central Executive.

Membership Subscriptions, irrespective of payment method, shall not commence until acceptance of the application has been completed, including resolution of membership arrears where such may apply and the application has been approved both by the appropriate Branch Executive and by or on behalf of the Central Executive.

Subject to the above, an applicant’s membership shall be treated as effective for all Union purposes from the date and time of its approval by the appropriate Branch Executive or by or on behalf of the Central Executive, as appropriate.

In the event of an application for membership not being approved by both the appropriate Branch Executive and by the Central Executive, any matter arising in relation to the status of the applicant in the period following the original approval by the Branch Executive or Central Executive shall be determined by the Central Executive.


Rule 25:

In Rule 25(xii)

Delete the words “at meetings”

Delete the word “majority” where it first appears in the subsection and replace with “two thirds”

Delete the text in Rule 25(xiii) and replace it with the following:

“The ballot papers for a strike or other industrial action ballot shall be issued to the appropriate members by post or may be distributed in the workplace or at meetings called in connection with or to consider the proposed strike or other industrial action. Members may return the completed ballot papers to the Union’s registered office or to the appropriate Union branch by post or may place the completed ballot papers in secure ballot boxes in the workplace or at the meetings of members called in connection with the dispute.

Ballots shall be conducted in accordance with any guidelines or procedures determined by Union Conference or by the Central Executive from time to time.

Amendment

Line 1, delete the word ‘shall’ and insert ‘may’

Amended motion to read;

“The ballot papers for a strike or other industrial action ballot may be issued to the appropriate members by post or may be distributed in the workplace or at meetings called in connection with or to consider the proposed strike or other industrial action. Members may return the completed ballot papers to the Union’s registered office or to the appropriate Union branch by post or may place the completed ballot papers in secure ballot boxes in the workplace or at the meetings of members called in connection with the dispute.

Ballots shall be conducted in accordance with any guidelines or procedures determined by Union Conference or by the Central Executive from time to time.

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Rule 26:

Rule 26(vii)

Delete the text “, in the first instance,” and add at the end of the sentence “whose decision shall be final”

Amended Rule 26(vii) to read:

“An appeal against a disciplinary decision shall be to an Appeals Tribunal which shall deal with the matter expeditiously and whose decision shall be final.”

Delete Rule 26(ix) and Rule 26(x) and renumber Rule 26(xi) as Rule 26(ix).


Rule 27:

Rule 27(ii)

Delete the words “and, should the member or Executive remain dissatisfied with the decision of the Central Executive following such review, the member or Executive may appeal the decision to the Union Conference”

Rule 27(iii)

Add the words “Subject to Rule 22(i), the decision of the Central Executive on such an appeal or request for a review shall be final.” after the current text of Rule 27(iii).

Rule 27(iii)

Add the words “or a request for review” after “an appeal” in line 1

Add the words “or review” after “appeal” in line 2

Rule 27(iv)

Delete the words “and an appeal shall be made at least one month before a meeting of the union Conference to be heard at that meeting”

Amended Rule to read:

27. APPEALS

(i) Any decision taken in a Branch or Division may be appealed to the Central Executive by any member or by the Executive of any Branch or Division affected by that decision.

(ii) Any decision of the Central Executive shall be reviewed expeditiously by the Central Executive at the request of any member or of the Executive of any Branch or Division affected by that decision.

(iii) Any decision which is the subject of an appeal or a request for review shall have effect unless, and until, it is varied on appeal or review. Subject to Rule 22(i), the decision of the Central Executive on such an appeal or request for a review shall be final.

(iv) An appeal or request for review of a decision shall be by notice in writing to the General Secretary within three months after the decision has been made.

(v) The provisions of this Rule do not apply to disciplinary decisions.

Motion 117 - Cabin Crew Branch

That this Conference endorse an amendment to Rule 28(iii) to include after “the members directly affected” the clause “save in the event that balloting a small minority may impact negatively on the wider Branch membership”

The entire clause/rule 28(iii) should read as follows: “A decision to accept or reject an offer on foot of a claim shall be taken by members directly affected save in the event that balloting a small minority may impact negatively on the wider Branch membership the Central Executive or appropriate Divisional Executive may sanction the aggregation of votes of IMPACT members directly affected with those of similar members in another union(s) where it considers it appropriate to do so.”


Rule 36:

Add the words “approved by the Central Executive and shall be” after the words “shall be”.

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Union finances


That this conference appoints Eileen Brosnan, Geraldine Maddock and Tom Murray as union trustees from the close of this conference until the close of conference 2016 and appoints the following to the panel provided for in Rule 32 (iii): Paul Carey, Michael Clarke, Pierce Dillon and Gerry Monahan.


That this conference directs the union to review the union subscription to remove any inequity that is created by the present ceiling and thus ensuring that subscription rates are more equitable for all members.


This Conference calls on IMPACT to consider the collection of union dues based on gross pay minus statutory deductions.


According to the recent official record from the United Nations, over 60,000 people have died in Syria since the uprising started and millions are in different refugee camps along the Turkish border. This is a humanitarian catastrophe that should not be happening in this age. We call on IMPACT to contribute towards alleviating the suffering of the innocent Syrians in refugee camps.

Motion 123 - Connaught/Ulster SNA Branch

We ask Conference that members whose membership subscriptions have lapsed should be contacted by head office before being removed from database, so that the cause for the lapse in subscription payment can be established, whilst also informing branches of the intent to remove lapsed members from the database.

Motion 124 - Donegal Branch

The Donegal Branch proposes that towards end of each year, headquarters provide a breakdown of monies paid to branches with a brief outline of how these amounts were calculated.

Union organisation and development


This conference adopts the report titled “Report to Conference on Rights of Retired members under Rule 6A.”


This conference adopts the report titled “Report to Conference on Rights of Trainees and similar members under Rule 6B.”


This Conference notes that if all branches were to attend Conference with their full delegate entitlement, or even a slightly higher proportion than usual, that it would not be possible to hold the Conference in its current format in almost any venue in Ireland. Conference, therefore, authorises the Central Executive to limit the physical number of delegates attending from branches where it appears that the overall numbers cannot be accommodated in the Conference venue in classroom style. Any such restriction will not alter the voting entitlements of branches, should only be used where other options are not feasible and should be pro rata to branch size subject to no branch with an entitlement to five or less delegates being affected.


That this Conference ensures that any move to increase the amount of national branches is not to the detriment of the local branch. Services are best delivered at the closest possible point to the membership and that this union is very well served by the local branch volunteers who interact every day with their membership. While national branches serve some purpose for geographically disparate groups, those grades represented here as based in a given locality, with a single employer and as such are best served by having a strong local branch.

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The Branch calls on the CEC to look at the organisation and structure of vocational groups across divisions to see if they are still fit for purpose. It is now very difficult to get a vocational group position adopted by IMPACT, without having to go through all the branches in the Division. While recognising the functional nature of the mixed grade branches, it would appear that branches which are de facto vocational groups appear to have a more streamlined way in determining their own policies.


This motion asks IMPACT to publish its office holders, staff, committees and structures on the website in the interest of transparency and so that members can see the number of staff and range of activities the union is engaged in at national level.


That this Conference calls on IMPACT to pursue a nationwide strategy of organising the community and voluntary sector to maximise the protection of workers and counter abusive practices in that sector. In particular, IMPACT will:

• Continue and expand its organising strategy towards workers in the community and voluntary sectors nationally, including through the strategy of branch organisers;

• Link IMPACT members in non-public employments delivering public and community services in the health, community, youth and related sectors, as well as the local enterprise and local development sectors, and combine them in an organisationally appropriate manner nationally to maximise collective bargaining strength;

• Pursue protocols with Government authorities covering health, local authority, and other public departments and agencies that contract services from the community and voluntary sector, to implement public service norms and standards in pay and conditions, and seek to strengthen security of employment, in the sector;

• Work with other unions organised in the sector to jointly promote these aims at ICTU level.


That this Conference calls upon the CEC to fully fund and restore the AGS provision to the South East region. All members are equal, but at the moment some are more equal than others. The South East regions of Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford were until recently well served by two AGSs. Without any meaningful consultation with the branches one of the AGS was reassigned leaving one AGS to cover this large region. The solution proposed by HQ is that the effected branches part finances a new position to assist the AGS, in effect having the members in the south east paying twice for less service.


That this Conference direct the Central Executive Committee to set up a National Industrial Relations Defence Committee who will have responsibility for preparing, fully investigating and reporting to all IMPACT members the best means to undertake any strike action. This Committee must set up Industrial Relations Defence Committees in all IMPACT work-places. These Committees and the National Industrial Relations Defence Committee must be well publicised and visible.


That this conference instructs the incoming Central Executive Committee to hold ballots on any future pay agreements, even those that have been clarified.


Having regard to the recent national agreements such as “Croke Park” and “Haddington Road” which impacted on all members both serving and retired, and in which only serving members can ballot on, that this Conference seek to ensure that where such agreements affect pensioned members that they be entitled to representation on similar future proposed agreements.

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Other internal matters


Suicide and depression can affect anybody at any time, but in the current social, cultural and financial climate this motion calls on IMPACT to implement and strongly promote policies encouraging positive mental health.


In view of the fact that the current block-voting method of calculating votes by the ICTU Public Services Committee on issues where unions have balloted their members (e.g. public service pay and conditions agreements) is undemocratic in that measures can be accepted or rejected despite a clear majority of trade union members having voted in the alternative, this Conference calls on IMPACT to propose to the PSC that the system be changed to a procedure whereby the Public Services Committee’s decision is based solely on the aggregate vote of all public service members of affiliated unions and that an urgent transition to such procedure be the policy of IMPACT.


We call on Conference to adopt a resolution that no politician or political party which voted in favour of the nakedly anti-worker FEMPI legislation is to be invited or made welcome at union events and conferences, until such time as that legislation is repealed in full, and calls on Conference to do likewise.


That this Conference calls on IMPACT to assist those members who are seeking to transfer to other public sector organisations by providing a facility, either through the Work and Life magazine or the IMPACT website, which enables them to share this information with other members.


That this conference instructs the incoming Central Executive Committee, in order to promote better communication, to seek to ensure that a minimum of two representatives be present at all appropriate meetings with management, such as Departmental Council meetings.

Media and communications

Motion 141 - Ordnance Survey Branch

That this Conference calls on the CEC to liaise with ICTU and other unions with a view to establishing a national action week to promote the benefits of trade union membership. That this week be targeted at all areas of Irish society, both existing and potential members, in particular in the education system with the aim of raising awareness of trades unions growing, trades union membership numbers and reminding current members of the benefits they already received by virtue of their membership.


We call on IMPACT to continue to be vocal in defending our members from the onslaught in the media.


This conference condemns the failure of the IMPACT leadership to challenge the imposition of austerity on the Irish people. The IMPACT leadership has failed to show solidarity with those suffering from cuts in public services. As trade union representing public sector workers who are expected to implement these cuts, IMPACT has not given voice to the concerns of those workers over the real effect of these cuts on very disadvantaged groups in Irish society. IMPACT needs to publicly show its solidarity with groups most affected by public sector cuts. This solidarity must be shown in the following ways:

• Supporting campaigns against cutbacks to public services

• Supporting IMPACT members who get involved in campaign against cuts

• Presenting IMPACT in the media as a union that is not afraid to speak about the effects of the cuts on the people who are served by its members.

• Making the argument more effectively in the media that austerity is not working

• Working more closely with other unions and civil society organisations who share this position.

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Amendment - Kerry BranchCentral Executive Committee

Delete the words

“This conference condemns the failure of the IMPACT leadership to challenge the imposition of austerity on the Irish people. The IMPACT leadership has failed to show solidarity with those suffering from cuts in public services. As trade union representing public sector workers who are expected to implement these cuts, IMPACT has not given voice to the concerns of those workers over the real effect of these cuts on very disadvantaged groups in Irish society.”


Since the start of the financial crisis in 2008 during which the combined media, vested business interests, and right wing politicians conducted a campaign of vilification and demonization against public servants, and while acknowledging the efforts of IMPACT to combat this media barrage, that this Conference calls upon the CEC to launch a specific campaign using any resources available, lobbying or protest marches, to neutralise the very harmful effects and urban folklore about public servants created by the media and others.

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Report to conference on rights of retired members under Rule 6AThe rules of IMPACT on its establishment did not specifically provide for retired members to continue in membership or to rejoin the union. At its first Conference in 1991, IMPACT adopted a report and rule changes which enabled retired members to remain in membership of the union. An amendment to rule was designed to facilitate this by allowing retired members and some other members to continue in membership when they had ceased employment with an appropriate employer. Since then IMPACT has encouraged that retired members remain in membership. Conference 2002 decided to formally include provision for retired members in rule (Rule 6A) instead of indirectly allowing for it. In 2008 the union established a Retired Members’ Vocational Group to deal solely with retired members’ issues. This was in response to an increase in the number of retired members in recent years. This is consistent with the ICTU position of seeking to enhance the role and involvement of retired workers in unions.

It makes sense for retired members to retain their IMPACT membership because:

• It gives a voice within the union on issues that affect retired public servants and others. This is vital at a time when greater numbers of members are retiring. Public service pensioners have already suffered a cut in their pensions and the IMPACT Vocational Group is campaigning to prevent further cuts to retired workers’ income and security. Other retired members have to face significant challenges in the context of underfunded pension schemes.

• An active Retired Members’ Vocational Group gives us more clout and credibility on issues that affect retired members’ income and the services they depend on.

• It helps IMPACT to promote the wider rights of older people, who are now more active and living longer, as part of its objective of promoting equality and equal opportunities in society.

We have made it clear that IMPACT welcomes retired members because the bigger our membership, the stronger our voice for retired people.

Retired members who continue to remain in the union or re-join the union (and who pay the appropriate subscription of 0.4% of pension, subject to the overall ceiling of €96 per annum) remain as members of their original branch (however, a local branch may accept retired members who live in the area). Payment of membership subscription by a retired member may be by deduction at source from pension where the payer of the pension is agreeable or by standing order.

Retired members are entitled to information and all IMPACT publications available to members generally. They are also entitled to access to relevant IMPACT membership benefit schemes. As they are no longer in employment, industrial relations representation is restricted to pension related matters.

Rule 6A, which was adopted at Conference 2002, states;

‘A member of the Union who has retired from the service of an appropriate employer may continue in membership of, or apply to re-join, the Union as appropriate. Former members who have retired from the service of an appropriate employer may reapply to join the Union in accordance with Rule 6. A retired member shall be entitled to such rights and such benefits as may be determined from time to time by Union Conference.’

The purpose of this paper is to enable conference to determine the rights and role of retired members on branch committees and on other union committees.

The Retired Members Vocational Group has already given consideration to the role of retired members within branches. ‘The group considers that the role should be seen as supportive in nature. It should encourage new activists to emerge and take up positions of responsibility, especially branch officer posts. At the same time,

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retired members should be available to provide their considerable expertise and experience, as required and as appropriate.’

In this context, it is recommended that conference agree that retired members may hold a non-voting role as a representative of retired members on branch committees. Branches will have a facility, subject to appropriate branch rule changes, to make this position a voting one. In the case of larger branches there could be a maximum of two positions. For the avoidance of doubt all other positions on branch committees must be held by members who are serving employees in appropriate employments. There should be facility to provide for a ‘sunset’ clause where committee members or officers retire in midterm. In these circumstances members should be allowed to serve out their term of office. Retired members may not be nominated as candidates for positions on DECs or the CEC but similar sunset provisions should apply in the event of an elected member retires in midterm. This provision shall not affect Rule 22 (4) which gives the immediate past president as seat on the CEC.

The Industrial Relations Act 1990 and Rule 25 already provide that only those expected to take industrial action can vote. This, by definition, excludes retired members. Rule 28(iii) provides that only members directly affected may vote in ballots on offers etc. Therefore, it should be clarified that retired members have no vote on ballots on industrial relations or industrial disputes.

It is also recommended that conference confirm what constitutes retired membership. It is recommended that retired members are defined as members in receipt of a pension in payment from their former employer or in cases where there is no employer pension scheme, are in receipt of the state pension. Again, for the avoidance of doubt, it is not proposed to have a category of members who have left their employment but are not yet on pension.

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As they are not employees, we may be limited in some of the ways that we can represent them and as they may be on short term contracts, they may have limited benefit from some of the ongoing union membership services including various forms of insurance and AVCs etc.

The proposed rule change provides for the admission of trainees, students and similar categories into IMPACT as well as providing that union conference should determine the rights and benefits of such a member. Conference already sets the rate of subscription for all categories of member.

It is recommended that:

• The rate of subscription for trainees, students and similar categories is €10pa, if demanded

• That they be assigned to an appropriate branch by the Central Executive

• That they are entitled to information and all IMPACT publications available to members generally

• That they are also entitled to access to relevant IMPACT membership benefit schemes

• Trainees, students and similar categories members may hold a non-voting role as a representative of such members on branch committees. Branches will have a facility, subject to appropriate branch rule changes, to make this position a voting one. In the case of larger branches there could be a maximum of two positions

• Trainees, students and similar categories may not be elected to branch officer positions, to divisional or Consultative Council, to the Standing Orders Committee, to Divisional Executive Committees or to the Central Executive Committee

As they are not employees, industrial relations representation will be limited to appropriate matters.

The Industrial Relations Act 1990 and Rule 25 already provide that only those expected to take industrial action can vote. This, by definition, may exclude trainees, students and similar categories of member from an entitlement to vote.

Rule 28(iii) provides that only members directly affected may vote in ballots on offers etc. Therefore, it should be clarified that trainee, student and similar categories of member have no vote on ballots on industrial relations or industrial disputes other than where allowed by law.

Report to conference 2014 on rights of trainees, students and similar members under Rule 6BThe rules of IMPACT on its establishment did not specifically provide for members, other than those in employment, to continue in membership or to rejoin the union. At its first conference in 1991, IMPACT adopted a report and rule changes which enabled retired members and some other members to remain in membership of the union. An amendment to rule was designed to facilitate this by allowing retired members and those other members to continue in membership when they had ceased employment with an appropriate employer. Since then IMPACT has encouraged that retired members in particular remain in membership. Conference 2002 decided to formally include provision for retired members in rule (Rule 6A) instead of indirectly allowing for it. Over the years, IMPACT has taken many categories of workers into membership including some who are nominally self-employed. There have been changes in workplace composition with trainees, interns and similar categories of people undertaking training or work experience but at the same time also undertaking various forms of work as part of their engagement with employers.

The Central Executive Committee is proposing a rule change to allow trainees, students and similar categories in occupations and/or employments where we have ordinary members to become IMPACT members. This is being done for a number of reasons including making them feel part of the workforce and of the union and encouraging them to remain as union members when they move from their current status to full employee status. It gives a voice within the union on issues that affect them and helps IMPACT to promote the wider rights of future employees as part of its objective of promoting equality and equal opportunities in society.

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DublinNerney’s CourtDublin 1T: 01 817 [email protected]

CorkFather Matthew QuayCorkT: 021 425 [email protected]

Limerick Roxborough Road Limerick T: 061 319 177 [email protected]

SligoIce House, Fish QuaySligoT: 071 914 [email protected]

GalwayUnit 23, Sean Mulvoy Business ParkSean Mulvoy Road, GalwayT: 091 778 [email protected]

impact.ie

Impact agenda 2014

Documents

conference adjourns1114

conference adjournsfriday

conference adjournsthursday

common debate motion

common debate16

conference opening ceremony19

common debate10

common debate12