Monday 3 May 2004

Media Release

Ird Threatens To Suspend Striking Staff

“Inland Revenue Department staff are voting today on strike action in a further attempt to persuade the IRD to change its position,” said Martin Cooney, Organiser of the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE). NUPE is one of three Unions representing IRD staff nationally.

“NUPE gave IRD two weeks notice of the strike on 21 April but this has led to no change in their position. Instead they have threatened to suspend our members if they take action by refusing got volunteer for extra duties.”

“NUPE members are taking action over IRD forcing unwilling staff members to work outside their normal work,” said Martin Cooney. “IRD’s refusal to pay an additional duties allowance to staff doing tasks outside their normal work is the underlying cause of the problem. Such payments would normally produce enough volunteers.”

“Our members are voting on a proposal to strike from tomorrow 4 May by refusing to undertake work outside their job descriptions,” said Martin Cooney. “Results will be available after 5pm tonight”

“This low level industrial action is a further first step in an escalating plan of action that will affect services to the public if we are unable to persuade IRD managers to take our concerns seriously,” said Martin Cooney.

ENDS

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