1. “Trade Unions at a time of Financial Crisis and Privatization” Case Study - Ireland Noel Ward, Deputy General Secretary & General Treasurer 30 January 2013. 1

2. Timeline of Financial Crisis & Responses (Ireland) 2007 + impending crisis 2008: - Bank bailout and implications - Collapse of tax base 2009: - Collapse of talks with public service unions - Public service pay cut via levy (average 7%) 2

3. Timeline of Financial Crisis & Responses cont./ 2010 –Further pay cut of 7% (public service) –Public service(“Croke Park”) Agreement (to 2014: no further pay cuts for serving staff, no compulsory redundancies) –IMF-EU-ECB “bailout” of Ireland 3

4. Timeline of Financial Crisis & Responses cont./ 2011/2012: –Fiscal shortfall, cuts in public service numbers, hits to conditions (sick leave, allowances, promotions etc.), new entrant pay cuts. –2010 Agreement revisited, 2012-2013: €1bn more sought from pay and pensions. 2013: –Talks on reducing pay bill –Challenge to unions’ purpose? 4

5. Trade Union Role “ Inside” or out? –Economic alternatives to austerity (“There is a Better, Fairer Way”); NERI –On the streets? (Rally against Debt, 9 February 2013) –Serving all members equally? [New entrants, pay differentials etc.] 5

6. Trade Unions and Privatization The “outsourcing” agenda (health service, local authorities etc) Pensions issues Specific challenge to teacher supply (ROI) through activities of large, private provider. 6