In the mist of an economic downturn and the inevitable job losses that that results in, Lisburn City Council adopted a position tonight (Tuesday 24 February) to support the improvement of the conditions of temporary workers.
It has become too common for the news bulletins to carry stories of job losses – and everyone knows that when a company is struggling it gets rid of the staff that is the most expendable, i.e. temporary agency workers.
SDLP, led by SDLP Youth has been continuously campaigning for fairer wages and better rights for agency and temporary workers, many of whom are young, long before the recession and downturn. We will continue that fight.
With this back drop, a matter arose in the Council chamber regarding the Coca Cola plant in Lisburn who, just like Bavarian mini, ’dumped’ their agency staff out in the cold and told them to get lost.
After much debate, and an adjournment due to one of those former agency workers being present in the public gallery and verbally expressing his frustration and annoyance at the Coca Cola plant and some political members who he feels failed to help him I made a proposal.
I proposed that Lisburn City Council writes to our Minister for Employment and Learning, Reg Empey, and his counter part in Britain asking them to bring legislation forward that brings temporary workers rights in line with permanent workers rights.
There is no doubting that a change in legislation is long over due – for too long now, temporary workers have been getting a raw deal.
This proposal is a first step; it gained cross party support, thanks to one UUP member’s support and passed.
Let the fight continue….