World of work is changing, Penrose tells Labour AGM

Speaking at the recent well attended AGM of the Longford Westmeath constituency council of the Labour Party, Willie Penrose TD said that we need to adapt to the quickly changing world of work, and to the changing nature of work.

“The world of work as we know it is in great flux. Old certainties are gone. For large cohorts of society, the promise of a job for life has disappeared. The Labour Party is the party of work. But work is changing, and changing fast,” said Deputy Penrose.

“We need to analyse and understand the revolution that is taking place before our eyes. And we need to take the lead in charting the future of work – in a way that offers hope and genuine opportunity to all our people, not to a chosen few.

“There are many technological advances having an impact on our lives. Some of these are exciting and genuinely life-enhancing. Others will boost productivity, make life more comfortable, and render the provision of services more efficient. But the consequent disruption to the labour market is already having an enormous impact on wages, skills and opportunities.

“We cannot permit a ruthless race to the bottom, or the sacrifice of employment rights that have been hard won, and that are the mark of a decent and progressive society. People want sustainable, secure and reasonably well-paid jobs. The state has a critical role in securing this entitlement for its citizens.

“Work is about more than earning a living. It is a source of personal identity, and helps give structure to our days and our lives. It is, ultimately, about human dignity and personal fulfilment.

“Labour is the party of work and of workers. Since our foundation in 1912, we have believed in decent work and the principle that work should always pay. Well paid and fulfilling employment, with fair and decent conditions, is critical for ensuring a proper standard of living for workers and their families.

“The challenge is to ensure that all our citizens – regardless of age, location or economic and educational background – are able to participate in the benefits of the digital revolution now underway.

“Just as in the past, it is to our party and to our movement that citizens should look for solutions, hope and direction in order to manage the transition to a digital economy. In reshaping and re-regulating the world of work, we will apply our immutable principles of fairness, equality, inclusion and social justice.

“We will be leaders and partners in this transition, not its victims.

“To advance our thinking and policy formation we have identified three clear priorities to be explored in the months ahead: a new deal for working people, a new national industrial strategy, and new ways of eliminating poverty and inequality.

“This programme of work is at the heart of what the Labour Party stands for. But it will not stand in isolation.

“Examining the future of work must happen alongside an examination of the efficiency of our tax system and how the living standards of our people might be enhanced by tackling living costs. It must also be accompanied by a rigorous analysis of how new forms of social dialogue might lead to a fair and sustainable settlement for people working in both the public and private sectors.

“We must be at the vanguard of championing a new deal for working people. We must also look at collective bargaining in a changing world; tackling the casualisation of work and the gig economy; refining/redefining our laws on self-employment; and workplace democracy and governance.

“It is the Labour Party's intention to develop comprehensive policies to deal with all of these issues pertaining to work in the near future.”

At the meeting, detailed reports were furnished by the outgoing officers, and the secretary indicated that recruitment was ongoing, and that a national recruitment drive was taking place across all constituencies in September.

New reps approved

It was also stated that the party's national executive had approved the recommendation for the appointment of three local area representatives: Lorraine Scally for the Mullingar East/Coole Electoral Area; Cathy Whelehan for the Mullingar/Kilbeggan Electoral Area (see right); and Geraldine Mills for the Athlone Electoral Area – 087 0933332; geraldinemills@hotmail.com.

Further appointments will be made for the general Mullingar area in October.

A major fundraising initiative by way of a golf classic has been arranged for Mount Temple Golf Club on Saturday August 26; teams of 4 for €180.

Officers elected for 2017/2018: chairperson Jimmy Connell; vice-chairperson Lorraine Scally; secretary Derek Ryan; assistant secretary Ray Lennon; treasurer Sean Bond; assistant treasurer Pat Collins; PROs: Owen Hughes and Geraldine Mills.