CTU looks for more detail on growth talks

“The CTU would welcome a formal proposal from Government on a tripartite process for the growth and productivity strategy talks foreshadowed yesterday by Michael Cullen,” Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.

Ross Wilson said such a proposal would be consistent with the position outlined in the CTU’s recent publication ‘Unions, Innovation & Sustainable Development’.

“There is unquestionably an urgent need for an increased focus on creating high performance workplaces through combining investment in innovation, technology and design, higher levels of skill development, and improved workplace organisation and culture,” said Ross Wilson.

Ross Wilson said the CTU was also vitally concerned about creating a prosperous future, which means more employment, greater investment in skills, and more infrastructural investment within a sustainable development framework.

“But there is a need to carefully build a mutual trust and commitment,” Ross Wilson said.

“There is a high degree of skepticism after the experience of the 1980’s and 1990’s. If there is to be a social partnership approach we have to put it up there in black and white. What are we committing to and what are the expected mutual obligations and returns?”

Ross Wilson said the successful country models like Ireland and Finland showed that the systematic involvement of the social partners at national, industry and enterprise level could yield the best results in terms of long-term economic and social reforms, balancing flexibility with security, enhancing competitiveness and the quality of employment and promoting economic and social security. The CTU brings together 34 unions, representing nearly 300, 000 workers.

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