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Eddie Cassidy

Eddie Cassidy. Divisional Organiser Mandate Trade Union Ireland. Smoke free Workplaces A Trade Union View. Eddie Cassidy, Divisional Organiser, Licensed Trade Division MANDATE TRADE UNION The Union of Retail, Bar and Administrative Workers. Profile of Mandate Trade Union.

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Eddie Cassidy

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  1. Eddie Cassidy Divisional Organiser Mandate Trade Union Ireland

  2. Smoke free Workplaces A Trade Union View Eddie Cassidy, Divisional Organiser, Licensed Trade Division MANDATE TRADE UNION The Union of Retail, Bar and Administrative Workers

  3. Profile of Mandate Trade Union • 40,000 Members – 3rd largest Union ROI • 3000 + members in Bar Trade – mainly Greater Dublin area • Founded in 1994 – seen as the authoritative voice representing bar workers • Vocal in various campaigns regarding • extended pub opening hours • liberalization of pub licences • health & safety for bar employees

  4. Why Trade Union Support? • Health & Safety at Work • No viable alternative ventilation/smoking rooms • Hospitality Workers most at risk • Hospitality workplaces are places of entertainment but also employment

  5. Public Awareness and Support - Post Ban • 82% support ban • 95% say it’s a positive health measure • 90% say it benefits workers • 82% say it benefits everyone • 78% say experience of restaurants improved • 70% say experience of pubs improved • 53% more inclined to eat in pubs

  6. One Year On (March 2005) • 94% of all workplaces inspected were smokefree • 93% of all hospitality workplaces inspected were smokefree • 98% of people believe that workplaces are healthier • 96% of people believe that smokefree law is a success • 93% of people think the smokefree law is a good idea • 38 Prosecutions 2005

  7. One Year On from Behind the Bar • Levels of Carbon Monoxide have decreased by 45% in non-smoking barworkers (respiratory laboratory, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin – a Study of 81 barworkers pre and post the ban) • Bar workers support (TSN/mrbi poll) • Pre ban 71% • Post ban 87% • 87% believed the ban has had a positive impact on their health • 82% found it easier to breath • 94% had little or no difficulty enforcing the ban

  8. Compliance Building • Dialogue with Employers and Employee Organisations • Practical Codes of Practice for Employers and specifically for the hospitality industry • Guidelines for signs and posters for pubs – Mandatory “No Smoking Signage” • Smoke Free Compliance Line (free phone) • Public debate not anti-smoker but a health and safety issue • 1,353 calls to the compliance line 2005

  9. Public Health (Tobacco) Acts Section 47 • Offence for a person to smoke in a specified place • Owner, Manager or other person in charge each guilty of an offence where there is a contravention of the Law • Defence if a person can show they made all reasonable efforts to ensure compliance

  10. Business Impact • Publicans have implemented the ban and many have invested in outdoor smoking facilities • Impact of the ban on jobs has been marginal with very few reported job losses attributed solely to the ban • Irish Licensed Trade had been going through a difficult period prior to the ban and this has continued • Volume bar sales have been in decline since 2001: • -4.2% year ending 2003 • -4.4% year ending 2004

  11. Business Impact (cont’d) Main factors impacting on bar trade • Increased Price Competition – Supermarkets and Off-Licences • Change in lifestyles • Level of indebtedness of the Irish population • High level of excise duty on alcohol in Republic of Ireland • Smoking ban

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