Many of these new jobs have been low paid, non-union, yellowpack or contract jobs, into which the increasing number of women in the workforce are mainly being steered. The new jobs forecast in Partnership 2000, where they are not in schemes, are projected to come on stream anyway. Partnership is a fraud. Throughout the Programmes firms have hacked away at jobs, conditions, pay rates and union rights. No sooner was the ink dry on a new partnership deal in Dublin Bus than CIE demanded cut-backs and withheld the PCW rise.
Partnership is a dangerous fraud.
The unions accept rather then give a lead against the policies of government and employers. The Programmes preach that workers and employers are on the same side. Members lose interest and stay away from union activities because all the important transactions are made by top officials in government buildings. Attendances dwindle, young people don't join, union leaders become persuaders on salaries way above their members. The new deal pushes partnership to ever greater heights.