16/09/2008

Junior Minister Told "Apologise Or Quit" By Unions

A junior minister is being told to "apologise or quit" after entering a row with the civil service.

Junior Minister of State, John McGuinness, angered civil service workers and union member by saying there was now a culture in the civil service that "destroys ambition" and that workers are over-protected by unions.

The Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU) said that its members are insulted, and at an emergency meeting of CPSU members on Monday afternoon, a motion was passed calling on Mr McGuinness to resign if he does not apologise.

However, a Government statement said Mr McGuinness's comments were of a personal nature and do not reflect Government policy.

The news comes as crunch time approaches on the countries national pay talks.

The talks between the Government and union leaders over new pay for public workers went on late into the night on Sunday, and were to resume at 2.00pm on Monday.

Progress is said to be slow, and the recent comments by the junior government minister are believed to have aggravated the ongoing delays.

The process was dealt another major blow at the weekend, when reports emerged that Aer Lingus is set to axe 1,300 jobs and outsource its entire cabin-crew operation to make €100m savings next year.

(DW)

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