Motion no: 11
Conference notes that since the foundation of our movement, trade unions have had to face down the scourge of precarious work on this Island.
Today exploitative work practices exist in both traditional and newer forms. A significant proportion of the working population experiences precarious working and
living conditions and this number is rising. Precariousness stretches into almost every industry, both in the public and private sector, through insecure terms of employment and uncertain living conditions.
Conference acknowledges the progress made to date by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, its affiliates in Northern Ireland by means of the Better Work Better Lives Campaign and in the Republic by achieving new legislation to tackle uncertain hours and campaigning for legislation to combat bogus self-employment.
Conference resolves that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions makes the organisation of precarious workers into trade unions a top priority.
To this end conference mandates Congress to assign the necessary resources to implement a comprehensive strategy which will facilitate:
• Develop cooperation between affiliate unions in both organising and industrial initiatives aimed at organising precarious workers into affiliated trade unions.
• Liaison with trade unions in other jurisdictions in pursuance of international cooperation on union organising and industrial initiatives.
• Prepare detailed mapping of the sectors where precariousness is likely to proliferate giving the changing nature of the labour market as it interacts with new modes of working and technological innovations.
• Conducts research on models and application of international best practice campaigns in sectors with a propensity for precariousness.
Facilitates cooperation between unions on digital organising initiatives aimed at connecting with precarious workers and encouraging them to join affiliates.
Extend and enhance collaboration with civil society groups which share the goal of ending precariousness.
