SIPTU to escalate campaign against privatisation of Local Employment Services

SIPTU members working in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs will next week escalate their campaign to stop the privatisation of these essential community services.

SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Adrian Kane, said: “Last night over 250 members came together to discuss a way forward for the campaign. From next week, it was agreed that members and activists will escalate their industrial and protest action to stop the privatisation of Local Employment Services and Jobs Clubs. This will include a protest outside the constituency office of an Taoiseach, Michael Martin.”

“Our members employed in the LES and Job Clubs, as well as the people who use these services, will ultimately pay the price for the privatisation model proposed by the Government. It is our intention to keep the pressure on and escalate our actions until the Government sees sense and stops the proposed destruction of these essential community based services.”

He added: “The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, must put forward concrete proposals in relation to the job losses and redundancies that will result from Phase 1 of this privatisation process before. Our members are determined and will campaign to stop any attempt to progress the privatisation of these services across the country.”