SIPTU is aware that many aspects of vital community and
voluntary work are not appreciated by the wider public, and funding
decision makers. This creates additional difficulties at a time of
dwindling budgets resulting from the substantial reduction of the block grant
from Westminster. We believe over 3,000 workers in the sector or
approximately 10% of the numbers employed have lost their jobs over the
previous two years. It is vital that we ensure that organisations
providing vital services to the community are better protected.
As part of our campaign, SIPTU is hosting a celebration
of Community and Voluntary organisations in the Long Gallery in Stormont. The
purpose of the event is to allow organisations with SIPTU membership the
opportunity to display their professionalism directly with the political
representatives. In addition we wish to provide each organisation
attending the opportunity to invite the political representatives to visit the
organisations in their own constituencies so that they might engage directly
with service users, volunteers and workers. Each organisation will have a
table if required to display information relating to their organisation, and to
share with interested parties. We also believe this event will be an
ideal opportunity for organisations to engage with each other and share
information. MLAs from the five main political parties have assisted us
in the organisation of the celebration.
We will also be using the event to build support for the
introduction of a fair play/ threshold of decency clause into every contract
issued by the Government for public procurement contracts issued to the
sector. This campaign hopes to build upon the commitment to introduce
Social Clauses in the draft Programme for Government. We also hope
to have some key speakers at the event to make it as inclusive and
informative as possible for all stakeholders in the sector. SIPTU will be
providing greater details of the planned event which is scheduled for the 28th
May 2012 between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.
If you or your organisation would like to attend contact
SIPTU at athompson@siptu.ie or 048 90
314000
