More than 80 delegates attended a successful Community Sector Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Portlaoise on 25th April to consider the next stages in the campaign by SIPTU members to achieve fair pay and respect for workers.
Addressing the meeting in the Midlands Park Hotel under the slogan of ‘Publicly Funded, Public Services, Public Rewards’, SIPTU Community Sector Organiser, Brendan Carr, said: “Workers in the community sector have for too long had to wait for a proper reward for the vital work they do across the country for all sectors of our society.”
The AGM was also addressed by the SIPTU Community Sector President, Lynda Scully, and SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King.
Highlighting several successful pay claims achieved by members in 2023, he added: “We are far from finished securing proper respect and pay for members, but we are now going in the right direction. When and where necessary we have also shown employers and the Government that our demands will be backed with effective industrial action.
He said: “The Community Sector is quite a disparate sector in terms of the many different roles, functions and governance structures of organisations where you work. However, what unites you all is a commitment to do the best for our communities and your belief that through organising in our Union we can achieve the best outcomes for workers, your clients and society in general.”
Before the AGM workshops were held on developing communications, organising, lobbying and campaigning. A speech was also given by National Women’s Council Director and SIPTU Community Sector member, Orla O’Connor, where she highlighted the threat from forces seeking to cause division concerning the issue of immigration.
SIPTU Community Sector staff and delegates at the Community Sector Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Portlaoise on 25th April.