A shortfall in funding is turning local government into a sham democracy, a trade union conference was told this evening.
Speaking at IMPACT's Local Government, Education and Local Services conference in Castlebar, Divisional Cathaoirleach Tom Murray criticised the Government for failing to invest in local services during the boom years.
He said this under-funding had left councils without the resources to provide services.
He said local authorities now faced a growing crisis as rates, development levies, planning and other local revenue streams dried up in the recession.
He said the crisis was compounded by a collapse in morale among local authorities, where IMPACT represents around 20,000 staff.
However, he warned that IMPACT would defend members against any more attacks on public services, jobs, pay, and pensions, which could include industrial action.
He cited a recent OECD review of the public service that he said had given it a clean bill of health for delivering high quality services at a relatively low price.
Referring to IMPACT's failure to sanction participation in a proposed one-day national strike two months ago, Mr Murray said members had not understood the union’s decision to work through the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and many had perceived this as inaction.
He described the failure of the union to get this message across to members as a fatal flaw - adding that the union had paid the price in the ballot result.
