Labour urges restoration of tax relief on trade union subscriptions

Labour workers’ rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock has demanded tax relief on trade union subscriptions to help workers gain access to industrial relations protections.

Senator Sherlock said:

“The old saying is true - united we bargain, divided we beg. That’s why Labour is demanding tax relief for trade union subscriptions to ensure everyone can have access to a union.

“In our Alternative Budget, An Ireland That Works For All, we estimate that restoring the tax relief would cost €37 million annually. Money well spent to keep our industrial relations mechanisms working well.

“It’s an unprecedented time of industrial unrest at the moment, brought on by this Government’s utter failure to engage effectively with working people.

“Communication and consultation is in the Labour Party’s DNA, born out of the trade union movement. The unilateral ‘let them eat cake’ approach from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is failing working people.

“Next Tuesday, workers in the community and voluntary sector will go on strike action led by Forsa, the INMO and SIPTU. No worker wants to take such action, but when they are backed by their union, there is power to solve the dispute.

“Government need to get to the table and engage honestly with these workers ahead of the strike action that will hurt communities nationwide if it goes ahead.

“With the crippling cost of living, lagging wage increases and revolutions in how we work, trade union membership has never been more vital for working people. It is a crucial time for the movement. It’s time to make it easier for working people to have the support they are entitled to. It’s time to end the tax on trade union subscriptions.”