Page 43 - Signal Winter 2019

Former RACO Gen Sec Lt Col (retd.) Ernie Naughton with Capt Deirdre Newell, 2 Bde
RACO believes that trade unionism is incompatible with military service for reasons outlined at length by the Association and has called instead for an Independent Pay Review Body, that recognises the unique nature of military service. To this end, we are pleased to welcome our colleague from the UK Armed Forces Pay Review Body to our Conference, and he will educate us on the merits of this system for pay determination this afternoon. I have already invited your officials to participate in the briefing and I hope that they take us up on this offer. SLIDE
It is also in this context that we welcome the comments of An Tánaiste Simon Coveney only last week when he said that “while we have to ensure appropriate representation for Defence Forces members, we also have to recognise that the Defence
| RACO BDC 2019 |
Forces, like the Gardai in many ways, are in a different category from other public servants”.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have reached a tipping point in the organisation. To borrow from military terminology, an Immediate Action is required to address and remedy this retention crisis, which is close to becoming unfixable. RACO is aware that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs & Trade and Defence have unanimously supported the reinstatement of the supplementary pension for post 2013 new entrants, the reinstatement of credible retention policies such as Fixed Period Promotion and the provision of a Defence Forces Pay Review Body to recognise the unique nature of military service in correspondence with your Department. Our Association hopes that you will move quickly to implement these necessary and achievable solutions.
Finally, the Association members wish to thank you most sincerely for your engagement with the Defence Forces and all those who serve in uniform. We know that you have the best interests of the Defence Forces at heart, and request that you translate this positive intent into encouraging the Official Side to collaborate positively with the Representative Side within agreed timelines to implement these tangible and proven initiatives, ensuring that we can retain our most important asset; our people.
Deputy Brendan Ryan and Deputy Sean Crowe
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