To:    All Members
Crc:  130/15
Date: 20^th August 2015
Re:    Right2Water National Demonstration Dublin 29^th August

Colleagues,

On Saturday 29^th of August the Right2Water movement is organising another national demonstration in Dublin once again to highlight the debacle that is Irish Water. The campaign intends to highlight the continuing refusal by this Government to grant its citizens the right to decide on the future of water ownership in Ireland by providing a referendum that would secure the utility from privatisation. CPSU has been to the forefront of this campaign in securing the backing of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions supporting opposition to the water charges and the provision of a referendum.

Recent media commentators have once again sought to downplay the massive resistance in communities opposed to Irish Water saying the numbers turning out to demonstrate is dwindling. We know that over 85,000 demonstrators attended the last major demonstration in O’Connell Street Dublin last March. By any stretch of the imagination this shows an unprecedented level of support for the campaign. The organisers expect to see one of the biggest demonstrations of the campaign so far in August. We need CPSU members to join their fellow trade unionists and neighbours and support the campaign on the day and turn out in even greater numbers than previous events.

Members outside of Dublin can avail of the many local bus transports that are being provided and a list is available on the Right2Water Facebook page. The union would hope that all who can attend make the effort on the day to join family and friends in a peaceful protest. Our members in Dublin should also do their best to make the effort and assist to make this demonstration the biggest peaceful family friendly protest that has taken place so far in this campaign.

There are two assembly points – Connolly Station and Heuston Station – at 2 p.m. marching to O’Connell Street. Outside the G.P.O. speakers from the trade unions, community groups, political parties and invited guests will address the marchers. As usual there will be music to entertain and provide the right atmosphere.

Make history, make a difference and please make the effort to get to the demonstration.

Please distribute this circular widely to all CPSU members their friends and family.

Yours fraternally
Des Fagan
Financial Secretary

To: All Members DSP
Date: 7^th August 2015
Circ: 126/15
Re: Staffing in DSP/News Update

Dear Colleagues,

Following discussion at the recent DSP National Committee meeting in June it was agreed that a sub-group would be set up to look at staffing levels in the department.

Before we convene a meeting of the sub-committee we require some information on staffing in each office. In order to provide the maximum amount of accuracy and compare local figures to those provided by the Department it is necessary for the sub-committee to rely on local knowledge from CPSU reps, therefore your assistance is required in undertaking an staffing audit of your area and returning the information to CPSU Head Office.

Can you please supply the following information by Friday 21^st August.

 

Name of Office:……………………………………………………..

Number of Staff in each Grade currently

HEO	EO	SO	CO	Service Officer

 

Number of Vacancies in each grade

HEO	EO	SO	CO	Service Officer

 

Where possible can you indicate the date the vacancy occurred.

 

News Update

Cork

The union have written to the Department in relation to the lack of glass screen barriers in the PSC area at the Hanover Quay office. At present a verbal commitment has been received that the glass screens will be provided to the PSC area, however the union is requesting a written confirmation of same which we await.

Employment Activation

The union has advised the Department of its concerns as a result of a Department Circular on Stor advising of the Departments intention to provide ‘support for people who are long-term unemployed as well as people who are newly unemployed but who are in particular need of intensive support to find work (low PEX)’. The union along with the Departmental Staff unions referred a case to arbitration regarding the outsourcing of the activation of long-term unemployed. The arbitration finding was against the unions and the CPSU have supported the PSEU in advising management of its concerns that the arbitration finding is being mis0interpreeted and in requesting management to amend or remove the offending circular from Stor.

Mullingar Intreo

CPSU National Official Moira Haslem will be in attendance in the newly refurbished Mullingar office when Intreo officially goes live this coming Monday 10^th of August. A separate meeting to officially launch the project with the attendance of a Government representative is expected to take place in the following weeks.

Moira also intends to carry out a site visit to the Carrigaline office in the coming weeks.

 Yours Fraternally
Des Fagan
Financial Secretary