Union official is not a 'boss'
Madam -- In an article about the Public Accounts Committee and Siptu (Sunday Independent, February 5, 2012), I am referred to as 'Siptu boss'. I must object to the use of this pejorative term which denigrates and misrepresents the nature of the union, my role within it and our relationship with our members, and with workers generally. I am a duly elected officer of Siptu with responsibility for various aspects of union policy, but I do not employ anyone. All full-time staff of the union are employed by Siptu's National Executive Council.
I note that your newspaper rarely, if ever, uses the term 'boss' when referring to the country's employers, to whom it could legitimately apply. In the interests of fairness and accuracy I would ask you to desist from applying this label to me. It serves no honourable journalistic purpose.
Jack O'Connor,
General President,
Siptu,
Dublin 1
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