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Brendan Howlin's task of finding extra cuts in the public sector pay bill have taken a dent, with the news that another trade union will reject the Croke Park 2 proposals. Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

TEEU rejects 'Croke Park 2' proposals by two-to-one margin

The union, which represents engineering and electrical workers, is the third to vote against the deal.

THE TRADE UNION representing engineering and electrical workers in the public sector has voted against the ‘Croke Park 2′ proposals on public pay.

Members of the Technical, Electrical and Engineering Union voted against the deal, with 65.6 per cent rejecting the proposals and 34.4 per cent in favour – roughly a two-to-one margin against ratifying the deal.

The union now becomes the third to reject the terms of the proposals, which would continue the protection against redundancies in exchange for pay cuts above certain grades, extensions to the working week, and the reduction of several allowances.

A final decision from public workers on whether to back the proposals is likely next week, when ICTU’s Public Services Committee meets.

Most other public unions are still balloting their members, and so have not yet confirmed their stance.

The overall progress of the deal will depend on whether ICTU’s committee approves the proposals, though eight unions have insisted they will not be bound by ICTU’s vote if the agreement is ratified and a majority of their own members vote against it.

Read: Unions against Croke Park deal will ‘not be bound’ by ICTU vote

More: Report finds Croke Park deal could push women out of workforce

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64 Comments
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    Mute justasheedy
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:25 PM

    In a report from the independent howlin is quoted as saying that a 7% pay reduction will be implemented if this agreement isn’t accepted. Am I wrong but didn’t howlin say he wouldn’t interfere with the balloting process awhile back. He’s also quoted as saying “I think people would underestimate the steel, the determination and the patriotism of Labour parliamentary party members. People shouldn’t try to divide us, to underestimate us,” he said. Surly he and this government have tried to do this by offering different versions of cp2 to different unions in an attempt to divide. He is a walking contradiction and so are the current government in my opinion.

    239
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    Mute Michael Roughan
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:35 PM

    Bully boy tactics from Howlin !!!

    185
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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Apr 12th 2013, 4:32 PM

    That’s the Labour Party minister for you, champagne for himself and Dutch gold for the rest of ye.

    87
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    Mute Little Jim
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    Apr 12th 2013, 4:33 PM

    It’s a Napoleonic thing.

    37
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    Mute John Burke
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    Apr 12th 2013, 5:25 PM

    Any politician who follow the policies of varadkar, Hayes and bruton are in the sh it big time.

    49
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:44 PM

    Disgraceful protest.

    5
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 13th 2013, 12:28 PM

    Brendan Howlin is a great minister. The country is broke and savings need to be made except some unions oppose spending cuts.

    2
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    Mute werejammin
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Excellent news. This fake ‘agreement’ needs to be sunk and the sham of a government forcing it through needs to be sunk along with it.

    197
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 13th 2013, 12:24 PM

    Yeah, lets keep borrowing more money. I hope the government legislates if no agreement is found.

    2
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    Mute Irish Mule
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:32 PM

    Front line workers will be taking close to another 7% pay cut if the cp2 was voted in anyway so we may aswell vote no we lose the same either way.

    172
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    Mute Falstaff Oldcourt
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:37 PM

    Ye are better off taking a pay cut to the core salary than a cut in allowances.

    If ye lose allowances like the twilight, Saturday allowance and Sunday to 1.75 or O.T to 1.25, ye will never get that back. Once it’s gone it gone.

    However, a cut to salary will be more beneficial because it’s short term…ish. Because in a few years when this country is back on its feet your salary will begin to increase with inflation again year on year.

    If the allowances go, they’re gone for good. At least a salary cut can be recovered.

    Thats why this government don’t want to legislate. They want to reduce/abolish the Allowances because it’s a more permanent act.

    Also, if they legislate they are including themselves in the cuts. But not if they just attack the allowances.

    Keep up the protests. I know no one wants a cut in pay of any sort, but whatever else ye might do, protect the allowances.

    46
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:43 PM

    Irish Mule,

    Gardai are well-paid compared to other European Police forces.

    10
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 8:01 PM

    At lease that’s what the stats seem to suggest.

    5
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    Mute Colm M
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    Apr 12th 2013, 9:25 PM

    Reginold/jeremy…go away with ya and have a wee chat with your other identities.

    Falstaff…well said and succinctly summed up. Its also worth noting that thry purposrly waited till govt was over the two year point (pensions!) before pushing this lest labour backbenchers cause govt to fall

    16
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 11:37 PM

    Am I being deliberately targeted because of someone else? I have yet to find out who this “Reginold” is. I for one feel a conspiracy being made against me!

    2
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    Mute Simon Barnes
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    Apr 13th 2013, 1:06 AM

    I don’t think your Reginald.. he’s a shinner and I haven’t heard you promote them much. Also he just copy’s and pastes his arguments in. You’d defiantly know if Reginald was on here. LOL

    2
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    Mute Robbie Redmond
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:02 PM

    Well done TEEU

    170
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    Mute Tensing Norgay
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    Apr 12th 2013, 10:22 PM

    Why , where do these typically work in the public sector ?

    3
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:01 PM

    Should be interesting to see if Labour will fall in line and vote in legislation against their last remaining voters.

    156
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    Mute Isaac Hunt
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:28 PM

    What they won’t go against both of them will they.

    55
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:38 PM

    Good one!

    34
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:54 PM

    The two largest parties are Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, Norman. Do you really think that punishing Labour will achieve anything? If anything, it would leave two other parties as the most popular in the country!

    3
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    Mute Padraig
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:04 PM

    Well done to the TEEU. Off with the lights.

    143
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    Mute Penfan
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:34 PM

    No:
    UNITE, IMO, INMO, CPSU, MLSA, AHCPS, IFUT, TUI, ASTI, NASRI, PNA, IFESA, GRA, AGSI & INTO (?)

    Yes:
    SIPTU, IMPACT & PSEU (?)

    132
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    Mute voiceofsense
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:38 PM

    No – shift/frontliners.

    Yes – desk jockeys/9.30-4.45ers

    179
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:41 PM

    Or who’s sold out and who hasn’t.

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    Mute Donna Hughes
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    Apr 12th 2013, 4:28 PM

    Funny and convenient maybe but im a siptu member in the disability sector who only learned that there was a union meeting last pm. Havent heard a word about balloting etc…. seems siptu are keeping very quiet. Maybe hoping for a low turn out cause they know what frontline workers are gonna say !!!

    74
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    Mute Frank Hindsight
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    Apr 12th 2013, 4:35 PM

    @Donna. Bang on, Ive heard it was easier for minorties to vote in Florida while Jeb Bush was chief executionor, I mean governor!!!

    41
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    Mute Margaret Martin
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    Apr 12th 2013, 5:21 PM

    U might b like us who work with the disabled, we don’t have a vote cause we r semi state, we just have to abide by the out come even though we r SIPTU members!!!!!

    26
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    Mute John Burke
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    Apr 12th 2013, 5:27 PM

    You can vote in liberty hall on Monday Donna I rang them, sly f ers.

    35
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 13th 2013, 12:23 PM

    The country is broke. Time to get back to work.

    1
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    Mute Gerry Corbett
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:16 PM

    Solid solidarity from the TEEU

    128
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 13th 2013, 12:26 PM

    FALSE.

    2
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    Mute Ucanthandlethetruth
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    Apr 12th 2013, 3:02 PM

    We need a national strike

    124
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:51 PM

    We are in an adjustment program. The party is over.

    6
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    Mute censored
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    Apr 12th 2013, 8:20 PM

    We need to adjust our government.

    24
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    Mute Alan McCartney
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    Apr 12th 2013, 9:05 PM

    what party would that be?

    7
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 11:38 PM

    Yes, get Labour out of office and:

    - cut spending
    - cut taxes

    7
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    Mute Ryan O'Sullivan
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    Apr 12th 2013, 3:18 PM

    Well done TEEU. We haven’t even finished balloting, but so far looks like a resounding NO from nurses and midwives!

    122
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    Mute De Badger
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:42 PM

    About time its time someone stood up to these bullies

    80
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:57 PM

    Your comment reveals your state of mind. Lets keep borrowing more money and ponder how it will be repaid. Then we can pretend all is okay and live in la la land. Deal?

    8
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    Mute Joey Potatoes
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    Apr 13th 2013, 10:41 AM

    Cut wages again and see your small business close… deal?

    6
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    Mute Joey Potatoes
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    Apr 12th 2013, 3:43 PM

    Bullying will not be tolerated, now piss off Howlin.

    77
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:45 PM

    I think you need to get your specs adjusted.

    5
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    Mute Gerry Connors
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    Apr 12th 2013, 3:50 PM

    My god the absolute arrogance of the man . Howlin the person who last feb told opposition parties to not give an opinion on whether to vote yes or no . Now he seems to think that he can bully people into accepting these proposals which as far as I can see protect 9-5 workers and attack frontline shift workers

    75
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    Mute Maria Dardis
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    Apr 12th 2013, 6:09 PM

    Gerry, that is not fair 8.30 – 5.30 workers are also taking paycuts by loosing half of their last increment and working extra hours. They have even managed to cause a divide between same grades depending where you are on the increment scale. Divided we fall, United we stand for all public sector staff.

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    Mute Gerry Connors
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    Apr 12th 2013, 6:27 PM

    Hi Maria . Point taken . However it should be remembered that shift workers are also taking the cuts u describe as well as cuts in their penalty payments for working Sundays nights bank holidays etc . I’m not critising 9-5 workers but it is plainly obvious the government /howlin is attacking shift workers

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    Mute Maria Dardis
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:06 PM

    Hi Gerry, many thanks for your response. I fully sympathise and support front line workers in this issue. I am acutely aware of the very fine work you all do and yes it is shameful you are been targeted for having to work weekends whilst the rest of us are off! They really need to start with their very own generous allowances first. Lets stand United on this issue, we all having taking far too many cuts at this stage. Next year they will be back for more..

    29
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    Mute liz potts
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    Apr 12th 2013, 3:44 PM

    Laboratory scientists voted no this week too, no surprises as we were crucified under the croke park 1….

    72
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Apr 12th 2013, 5:01 PM

    If they impose this 7% cut on the unions, I think it’ll be impossible for Labour backbenchers to keep sitting on their hands. This could be the issue that’ll bring the entire tottering house of cards called the coalition down. How far Labour have drifted from their core values and their affinity with the unions just to stay at the trough.

    54
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:49 PM

    According to recent polls, support for the coalition is up! Government support has increased since around the time these reforms were announced suggesting the public support reforms of the civil service.

    3
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    Mute Tony Skillington
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    Apr 13th 2013, 12:33 PM

    Jeremy..as your leader and all the other political lack wits at the trough have said…polls aren’t a true reflection of the overall picture, just a snap shot in time. An election is the only poll that counts according to the afore mentioned lack wits .

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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 13th 2013, 5:02 PM

    Do you really think the taxpaying public will vote for parties that go into bed with Unions? Stop living in a fantasy world.

    Unions have gotten what they wanted long ago.

    2
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    Mute Gar74
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    Apr 12th 2013, 5:03 PM

    The walls are closing in around labour you can see it in Howlins face.

    49
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    Mute jeremy34
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    Apr 12th 2013, 8:00 PM

    Doubt that’s the reason. Recent opinion polls have given Fine Gael and Fianna Fail as the most popular parties. This would suggest that support for the pro-union political parties is on the wane.

    5
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    Mute Jim Kavanagh
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    Apr 12th 2013, 4:43 PM

    METHINKS WE ARE HEADING FOR A SUMMER OF DISCONTENT

    47
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    Mute Little Jim
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    Apr 12th 2013, 5:21 PM

    I CONCUR.

    32
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    Mute Derek Cotter
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    Apr 12th 2013, 4:28 PM

    Not surprised by the TEEU to vote no, good on them all the same,

    43
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    Mute nospinjustfacts
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    Apr 12th 2013, 2:51 PM

    Ben Dunne the new voice for

    32
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    Mute Neil Smith
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    Apr 12th 2013, 7:33 PM

    CP2 is a sham, how dare they try to reduce the pay of the public sector workers.. To generate revenue they should simply place heavier taxes on low income workers…. c’mon?? and expecting them to work a minimum of 37 – 39 hours per week!!!!, basic.. Sheer Lunacy..

    15
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    Mute Richie Bolger
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    Apr 13th 2013, 1:23 AM

    Jeremy34 go away like a good little boy .i have a pain in my head .

    5
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    Mute Martin Smith
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    Apr 13th 2013, 12:28 PM

    i note that the politicians,senators and retired tds wont see a 7% reduction of pay inposed on them if there is a no vote

    3
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    Mute Scobee Gough
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    Apr 13th 2013, 10:30 PM

    Stay strong brothers & sisters, no
    Means no, force their hand and then wait a while until the next general election, these jokers that are our Govt are like turkeys waiting for christmas, bring on the election

    2
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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Apr 13th 2013, 9:15 PM

    Who rules Ireland?
    Unions for the most well paid public sector in the world.
    Or the duly elected government?

    1
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