Sir, - The Labour Court proposals were rejected by the ASTI, not by a narrow margin but by a substantial majority. This was in spite of a major campaign by the Irish establishment, led by the Government, IBEC, ICTU and the national press including The Irish Times. Your newspaper does provide a spectrum of opinion - the cynics among us would say there is money in it - but when one dares to challenge its allies in the establishment there is no doubt where it stands.
In a turn-out of 77 per cent of the 17,300 ASTI members, 57 per cent still dared to stand up for what the union believes in: a just wage. The ASTI didn't break any laws. It works on democratic principles and has consulted its members. The majority has spoken and the campaign now continues on democratic lines - a further vote on the type of industrial action will be held shortly.
A turn-out of 77 per cent is now impossible in a general election, given past trends, and both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael would be delighted to achieve support for their policies in the region of 57 per cent. Fianna Fail, the biggest party, will be very lucky to get 40 per cent at the next election and Fine Gael, the other side of the green establishment, would be "ar muin na muice" with 25 per cent of the vote. Will The Irish Times then question their mandates and those of the minority parties which are likely to coalesce with them to create a combined support that often doesn't even reach 50 per cent of the popular vote. Is thisdemocracy or isn't it?
Will The Irish Times now continue a virulent campaign against the Revenue Commissioners, the Government, and the Opposition, similar in intensity to the campaign against the ASTI, for again selling out on the PAYE sector?
The ASTI reflects the frustration of workers, particularly in the public service, for the abominable way they have been treated by the tax system over the past 30 to 40 years and by wage agreements since the late 1980s. The establishment always complains about wages but never about profits. This is especially true when the economy is in decline and workers are the first group asked to show "restraint". While the State was being robbed of millions of pounds, workers in general were offered increases of ridiculous proportions, e.g. 1.5 per cent. They now tell us that the Celtic Tiger is in decline! What tiger?
"Arise Knocknagashel and take your place amongst the nations of the earth" was one of the slogans of impoverished 19th-century peasants en route to a Parnell rally in the North Kerry/West Limerick area. Perhaps The Irish Times has something to learn here, not to mention rank-and-file trade unionists inside and outside ICTU. - Yours, etc.,
Eamonn O Liathain, Bothar na Grainsi, Rath Fearnain, Baile Atha Cliath 14.