News Archive
Unions deeply troubled by new pensions Bill for uniformed services
Trade unions representing Prison Officers, Fire Fighters and the Defence Forces have expressed extreme concern with proposed pension changes.
SIPTU launches new Gender Inclusive Language Toolkit
As a Union we stand steadfast in supporting and advocating with our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer members, future members, friends and family.
SIPTU members in RTÉ will oppose attempts to outsource shows to the private sector
SIPTU members employed in RTÉ have committed themselves to opposing any attempt to outsource the national broadcaster to the private sector.
Research reveals productivity gap between Irish domestic economy and European counterparts
Ireland’s productivity problem is not an issue which should divide workers and employers. Increasing productivity raises wages while increasing business prosperity.
SIPTU members will fight the privatisation by stealth at RTÉ
SIPTU members employed in RTÉ are committed to fighting for the future of the national broadcaster following the announcement management is seeking to outsource many operations.
Sky Handling Partner meets with SIPTU at WRC to discuss union recognition
The move follows a successful union organising campaign with Sky Handling Partner staff based in Dublin and Shannon. This is a significant development.
Dublin Airport embraces Trade Union Week
As part of Ireland’s first-ever Trade Union Week SIPTU Aviation Sector activists set up a stall in Terminal 1 at Dublin Airport and used it as an opportunity to talk to workers about the value of joining the Union.
Notable SIPTU pay deals in the Aviation Sector
SIPTU continues to win for its members with a large number of pay deals concluded in 2024 across the Aviation Sector
Aviation Sector well represented at SIPTU BDC
Motions passed by Conference delegates also committed the union to do “all we can to stop hate organising in our communities and workplaces”.
World Police and Fire Games 2023
The event featured 8,500 athletes from over 70 countries in 60 different sports. 2,800 volunteers helped to run the games.
Well attended SIPTU Aviation Sector AGM 2024 addressed by Kane and Ennis
A well-attended SIPTU Aviation Sector Annual General Meeting 2024 took place on the 12th March in Portlaoise with constructive and meaningful discussions on a number of issues.
Aircoach joins the Supporting Quality campaign
Aircoach is a company which engages in collective bargaining with its SIPTU members. It is a service which all SIPTU members can use secure in the knowledge that its staff have the opportunity to organise into our Union.
FAI refusal of employees’ right to collective bargaining to be referred to Labour Court
SIPTU members employed by the FAI have accused the Board of the sporting organisation of hypocrisy by denying them the right to be part of a team in the workplace.
SIPTU members in National Advocacy Service suspend strike after management climbdown
SIPTU members employed in the National Advocacy Service have suspended their strike action over pay and conditions for people who provide vital assistance to disabled citizens.
Election results indicate we should not take democracy for granted
Despite democratic forces in the European Parliament maintaining a majority, the significant growth of the far right is deeply troubling for workers across Europe.
WRC rules on recognition and protection for Shop Stewards in the workplace
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has recently recommended that the dual role of an employee and Shop Steward should be recognised and protected by the employer
SIPTU calls for swift government action on worsening situation for public transport workers
SIPTU representatives have called for immediate action by the Government to protect public transport workers from increasing rates of anti-social behaviour.
SIPTU members welcome new minimum rates of pay in the security industry
SIPTU members employed in the security industry have welcomed the announcement by the Government that a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the sector.
SIPTU strongly supports increase in pay rates for low-paid workers
SIPTU have welcomed the Government’s decision in April to increase the minimum rates of pay for work permit holders from outside the EEA declaring it an opportunity to increase pay for all low-paid workers in Ireland.
Respect at Work campaign calls legal protections for workers organising a trade union
Across the Manufacturing Division, we are all too familiar with the problems workers have organising and achieving collective bargaining in workplaces where the employer is hostile toward our Union.
Notable pay deals secured to date in 2024
SIPTU continues to win for its members with a large number of pay deals concluded in 2024 across the Manufacturing Division.
ZIP an Irish manufacturer which is a proud member of Supporting Quality
Ireland’s commitment to environmental sustainability is demonstrated by the Government pledge to achieve a 51% reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions between 2021 and 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
Members in STERIS Plant in Tullamore call for union recognition
SIPTU members employed by the medical equipment manufacturing company, STERIS, at its plant in Tullamore, County Offaly, have raised concerns with management.
Successful organising drive in THK in Tallaght
Following a successful organising drive by SIPTU members employed by the Japanese multinational mechanical engineering company, THK, in Tallaght, Dublin, a 5% pay increase has been secured.
Call on Stryker to respect OCED recommendation on union recognition
SIPTU has called on the management of the Stryker Plant in Carrigtwohill, County Cork, to respect the recommendations of Ireland’s National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and engage with Union representatives in collective...
Slaintecare Progress Report – Record investment but for who?
It is imperative that the union continues to advocate for a more equitable distribution of resources to all those on the health frontline.
SIPTU secures part-payment of pension on date of retirement
SIPTU has secured the part payment of pensions on the date of a members retirement rather than waiting up to several months for it to be paid.
NEW Early Years MINIMUM rates of pay
The current minimum rates will increase by approximately 5% and will become legally enforceable from Monday, 24th June, 2024.
SIPTU European Elections Hustings
As we prepare to go to the polls, our European election hustings held in Cork, Galway and Dublin offered the ideal platform to election hopefuls.
Long Covid scheme discussed at WRC
The most recent conciliation conference regarding workers with Long Covid took place at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in early May.
Trade Union Week spreads the good word on collective action at work
Ireland’s first ever Trade Union week took place on the week commencing 29th April. It saw thousands of trade unionists across the island taking part in events and activities.
Recently released HSE HR Circulars
HR Circular 001 2024 Amendments to Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales for 1.10.2023 HR Circular 002 2024 Domestic Violence Policy and Paid Leave HR Circular 003 2024 Application of 1.2.22 pay adjustments for Sectoral Bargaining Unit HR Circular 004 2024...
Lack of clear workforce plan for National Children’s Hospital creating confusion
The lack of a clear and concrete workforce plan for the National Children’s Hospital is creating unnecessary confusion around the staffing of the facility.
SIPTU Health meets with government officials to discuss Section 39 pay issue
SIPTU provided an update to directly affected members within the Section 39 sector to advise them of progress relating to issues arising from the implementation of a pay agreement
Close contact with a measles case seeks full pay for rostered hours
A member should not attend their workplace due to being deemed to be a close contact with a confirmed case of measles.
SIPTU welcomes long-awaited increase to Early Years workers’ minimum pay rates
SIPTU members employed in the Early Years education sector have welcomed the announcement that increased minimum pay rates will come into force on 24th June.
Podcast: Lively debate on workers’ rights at Galway Hustings
Special Podcast: Listen back to a lively debate on workers’ rights between European Election candidates in Midlands North West constituency.
Putting Union Busting on the political agenda
Respect at Work campaigners are taking conversations to communities to highlight the right to organise a union without fear of discrimination or victimisation.
SIPTU retained firefighters seek urgent WRC meeting on retainer increase
SIPTU retained firefighters are seeking an urgent meeting at the WRC concerning the failure of the Government to follow through on a commitment for a significant second increase to their retainer payment.
CE Supervisors, RSS, TUS and JI pay talks begin
Recent years have seen a major organising campaign by SIPTU for members in these organisations with large public meetings of up to 600 people around the country.
Early Years members welcomed into SIPTU Community Sector at conference
The theme of the conference was ‘Our Union, Our Future’ and the event marked the further integration of these members into the SIPTU Community Sector.
Community Sector AGM calls for more action on wages and organising
More than 80 delegates attended a successful Community Sector Annual General Meeting in Portlaoise to consider the next stages in the campaign by SIPTU members to achieve fair pay and respect for workers.
Sector seeks to develop membership within locally based sporting organisations
The SIPTU Community Sector is currently organising into the Union workers in Bohemian FC. The Sector is seeking to engage with other clubs on the value of union membership.
Major pay improvement secured for members in a NGO
The Union has continued to pursue pay claims for members in Non-Governmental Organisations including a sizable pay improvement.
Unions meet Government on pay issues in Section 39, 56 and 10 organisations
Union representatives returned to the WRC to discuss further pay adjustments following the 8% agreed for members in Section 39, 56 and 10 agencies.
SIPTU members in the National Advocacy Service vote for strike action starts 12th June
SIPTU members employed in the National Advocacy Service, who provide free representation for adults with disabilities across Ireland, have voted overwhelmingly for strike action on June 12th
European Election candidates to debate workers’ rights in Cork today
European election candidates for the Ireland South constituency will debate workers’ rights and what can be done at EU level to improve them at a special hustings in Connolly Hall.
President hails Tressell Festival as a celebration of union culture
Liberty Hall theatre was alive with debate and song for the Robert Tressell Festival which was held on 11th May. A daylong event of debate, drama and music
SIPTU NEC condemns attack on union activist running for election in Dublin
There are many candidates across the country in both council and European elections running on an agenda of anti-migrant hate. Several election candidates are undeniable members of the extreme right.
SIPTU members in Bus Éireann begin all out strike action
SIPTU members in Bus Éireann commenced an indefinite all out-strike action on Friday (24th March) at 12.01 a.m. and placed pickets on bus stations across the country in a dispute over cuts to pay, the casualisation of work and the threat of job losses at...
Housing crisis demands urgent action
Over 1,500 trade unionists and social activists took part in the march, which concluded with a rally outside Liberty Hall. Organised jointly by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) and the National Homeless and Housing Coalition, the May Day...
Unions call for rapid talks on pay recovery
The ICTU Public Services Committee (PSC) today (Tuesday) called for early talks on public service pay recovery following the publication of the report of the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC), which said “there is a basis for the parties to enter into...
Connolly Commemoration 2017 speech by President Jack O'Connor
We are assembled here today, in the centenary year of the Russian Revolution, to commemorate the heroic figure of James Connolly, trade unionist, labourite, socialist and revolutionary martyr. We are here, 101 years after his brutal...
Proposals for an extension of the Lansdowne Road agreement
This is a summary of the main points of the outcome of negotiations on a proposed extension to the Lansdowne Road agreement for members of SIPTU and other trade unions in the public service. Duration of proposal: 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2020 By 2020,...
Congress proposes creation of all-Island ‘Early Warning System’ to help workers and industries vulnerable to Brexit
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will today (Nov 2) call for the establishment of an ‘all-island Early Warning System’ to assist workers and industries at risk from Brexit, along with a dedicated Retraining Fund to help those affected. Congress...
SIPTU NEC offers condolences to Cuban people on death of Fidel Castro
Letter from SIPTU General President to Hermes Herrera Hernandez, Ambassador of Cuba to the Republic of Ireland To: Hermes Herrera Hernandez Ambassador of Cuba to the Republic of Ireland Re: Comrade Fidel Castro Dear Hermes, On behalf of the National...
Unions engage in consultation process with members in Bus Éireann
SIPTU and the NRBU members in Bus Éireann are engaging in an extensive consultation process in advance of any decision on a possible campaign of industrial action concerning the pay dispute at the company. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said:...
Congress backs ‘innovative, new housing initiative' from One Cork project’
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has backed innovative new proposals to tackle the housing and homeless crisis, put forward by the One Cork project, a collaborative initiative involving 20 trade unions in Cork. The One Cork plan – Housing our...
One-day work stoppage by members in CIT Student Services CLG
SIPTU members employed by Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) Student Services CLG implemented a work stoppage and place pickets on entrances to the institute on Wednesday, 7th December. The industrial action resulted from a dispute relating to rates of pay for...
Open recruitment event for nurses and midwives
SIPTU Health is encouraging all Nursing Professionals returning home from abroad for the Christmas holidays to consider retuning to their communities to serve in our public health services. Those interested in the opportunities on offer in the Irish public health...
SIPTU welcomes council motion calling for extra ambulances for Dublin Fire Brigade
SIPTU members have welcomed the passing of a motion by Dublin City Council on Monday (9th January) calling for additional ambulances to be made available to be utlised by the Dublin Fire Brigade. SIPTU Public Administration and Community Organiser, John...
Bus Éireann trade union group call for the Minister to provide leadership
In a joint statement the Bus Éireann trade union group, which includes SIPTU, the NBRU, Unite, TSSA and TEEU, said: “Staff at the state-owned Bus Éireann provide up to 40,000 economically and socially vital...
All-out strike at Bus Éireann if management force changes
The Bus Éireann Trade Union Group, which includes the NRBU, SIPTU, Unite, TSSA and TEEU, have announced an all-out strike to commence on the 20th February to coincide with unilateral cuts to agreed terms and conditions. The Group...
Congress condemns "misleading and irresponsible" claims on clerys closure
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today (May 12) condemned as “misleading and irresponsible” a claim by employers’ body IBEC that no change in the law is required to prevent another Clerys debacle occurring. Congress General Secretary Patricia King...
Workers Rights Centre open to all workers
A new Workers Rights Welcome Centre, which is open to members of the public who wish to ‘drop in’ for information and advice on workplace issues, has opened in Liberty Hall, Dublin. Staffed by experienced Workers Rights Centre (WRC)...
TASC report finds ‘flexibility’ being imposed on many workers in Ireland
Research published today (Friday, 17th June) by the think tank TASC shows that ‘flexibility’ is being imposed on more and more workers in Ireland across a range of different industry sectors. Enforced Flexibility? Working in Ireland Today analyses...
Congress calls for increased investment to tackle ‘fractured society’
Congress General Secretary Patricia King today (June 27) called for greater levels of investment to tackle the housing emergency and deliver high quality public services, at the National Economic Dialogue in Dublin Castle. She said: "Ireland is one of the...
SIPTU representatives to attend further talks to deal with crisis in mental health nursing
SIPTU nursing representatives will tomorrow (Friday, 22nd July) attend a meeting with the Health Service Executive, under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission, in an attempt to resolve the ongoing crisis in mental health nursing. SIPTU...
Historian Emmet O’Connor to deliver Markievicz Memorial Lecture on 2nd September
Renowned labour historian, Dr. Emmet O’Connor, will deliver the 40th Countess Markievicz Memorial Lecture in the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School, Carysfort Avenue, Blackrock, Room C201 on Friday, September 2, at...
SIPTU working on job evaluation scheme for support workers in the health service
SIPTU representatives discussed the planned reintroduction of a job evaluation scheme by the HSE for support grade workers in the health service, which is due to commence on 1st October 2016, at a meeting in Liberty Hall on Thursday, 25th August....
SIPTU signs collaboration agreement with Latvian Ambassador
SIPTU has entered into a collaboration agreement with the Latvian Ambassador in Ireland which is aimed at encouraging more Latvian workers to join and become active in the union. The agreement was signed following a meeting between SIPTU Organiser and representatives...
Irish Citizen Army plaque unveiled in Smithfield in Dublin
A plaque commemorating the men, women and young people who served with the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) during the revolutionary period was unveiled outside The Cobblestone Pub, Smithfield, Dublin 7, on Saturday, 10th September. The plaque...
SIPTU condemns Department inaction over Dublin Bus strike
SIPTU members in Dublin Bus have condemned the lack of interest shown by the Department of Transport and management in trying to resolve the dispute at the company for forcing them to implement a further 48-hour work stoppage, which began on Thursday (15th...
Congress says EU competitiveness boards could cause wage 'race to the bottom'
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has expressed "deep concern" at new EU proposals to establish National Competitiveness Boards that would “inform the wage setting processes” in all Eurozone member states. Congress General Secretary Patricia...
Call to end ‘if and when’ contracts
SIPTU is seeking action from the Government in relation to so-called ‘if and when’ contracts which have been highlighted as a major concern for precarious workers. Researchers at University of Limerick (UL) found that ‘if and when’ contracts...
SIPTU President warns against single party Fine Gael government
SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, has warned against complacency concerning the threat of a single party Fine Gael Government to “working people or those who depend most on public services.” On the prospect of such a single party...
Trade deal ‘will force privatisation of Irish Water’
International CETA Speaking Tour Monday, 9th November, 7.30pm Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 EU TRADE deals such as CETA and TTIP are a threat to Irish water, public services, food standards, environment and democracy, international...
Trade deal ‘will force privatisation of Irish Water’
EU TRADE deals such as CETA and TTIP are a threat to Irish water, public services, food standards, environment and democracy, international experts will tell a Dublin audience Monday. International CETA Speaking Tour Monday 9th November,...
SIPTU President warns against single party Fine Gael government
SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, has warned against compliancy concerning the threat of a single party Fine Gael Government to “working people or those who depend most on public services.” On the prospect of such a single party...
SIPTU says action needed as study shows half of wealth in Ireland held by top 10%
SIPTU has called for greater action on wealth redistribution after a new study published by the think tank TASC indicated that half of all wealth in Ireland is held by the top 10% of households, with the bottom 50% having only 5%. The study, based on an...
'Bogus self-employed' in construction may have cost taxpayer over €600 million
The Irish State could have lost over €600 million since 2007, due to the huge growth in ‘bogus self-employment’ in the construction sector, a new report from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has revealed. False Economy: The Growth of...
'Bogus self-employed' in construction may have cost taxpayer over €600 million
The Irish State could have lost over €600 million since 2007, due to the huge growth in ‘bogus self-employment’ in the construction sector, a new report from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has revealed. False Economy: The Growth of...
Congress calls for pay rise of 5% next year
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has said that workers in the private sector of the economy should seek pay increases of up to 5% next year. The private sector committee of Congress said that subject to prevailing conditions in their enterprise workers should...
Undocumented in Dublin and New York: Irish man and Filipina woman speak out for the first time in new film
Patrick is from Cork, Ireland. Marites is from Batangas in the Philippines. He lives in New York and works in construction; she lives in Dublin and works as a childminder. On the surface, their lives are very different, but they have a shared story:...
TUS Network Manager Position
TUS is seeking to recruit a Network Manager to assist us on delivering our training programme for 2016. The Network Manager will report to the TUS Steering Committee, made up of training representatives of participating trade unions, and will be supported...
Congress says plan to force pension trustees to obtain qualifications a 'ploy to disguise industry failure'
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has condemned proposals from the ‘pensions’ industry’ that would force scheme trustees to obtain professional qualifications in order to continue in their role. Congress pensions’ expert Fergus Whelan said the...
NRA Model for Irish Water would lead to privatisation of water services
A National Roads Authority (NRA) type model for the provision of water services and infrastructural development would inevitably lead to increased outsourcing and hasten the privatisation of the water services infrastructure, according to the Secretary of the...
Speech by President Michael D. Higgins at a Symposium entitled “Remembering 1916” in the Mansion House, Dublin on Monday, 28th March, 2016
A Cháirde Gael, Is mór an phléisiúr dom tús a chur leis an gcomhrá seo tráthnóna ar an eachtra ríthábhachtach a bhí in Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916. Tugann sé...
SIPTU and President Higgins welcome home James Connolly’s Green Flag of Ireland
SIPTU representatives and President Michael D Higgins welcomed back to Dublin for the first time in 100 years, the Green Flag of Ireland that was raised above Liberty Hall in the run up to the Easter Rising, at a ceremony at Áras an...
James Fearon
James Fearon was often known as ‘the third James’ in recognition of his role, with Jim Larkin and James Connolly as one of the key founding members of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union. He was born in Newry the son of a mill worker...
Polska Eire Festival 2016
Polish Vice-Ambassador to Ireland Mr Piotr Rakowski, together with Deputy Mayor of Limerick Cllr Gerard Mitchel officially launched PolskaEire Festival in Limerick making it a part of a Limerick 2020 bid. The committee discussed various ways Polish community...
Meeting on how trade unions in New Zealand defeated zero hour contracts
New Zealand trade unionists will discuss how they effectively tackled the threat of zero hour contracts in the fast food sector at a meeting in the Unite Hall on Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, on Wednesday, 11th May, at 7.00 p.m. Those...
Palestinian refugees commemorate 68 years of displacement as their situation worsens
Palestinians and their supporters in Ireland will commemorate the 68th anniversary of Nakba (‘Catastrophe’) Day on 15th May with a speaking tour by two human rights defenders from BADIL, a Palestinian refugee rights organisation, based in...
May Day to be celebrated in Dublin with rally and social night in Liberty Hall
International Workers’ Day on Friday, 1st May, will be celebrated in Dublin with a trade union march and rally followed by a social night in Liberty Hall. The march organised by the Dublin Council of Trades Unions (DCTU) will assemble at the Garden...
SIPTU NEC appoints Gene Mealy as new union Vice President
The SIPTU National Executive Council (NEC) appointed Gene Mealy as the new Vice President of the union at its monthly meeting today (Thursday, 16th April) in Liberty Hall. Gene Mealy has worked as a full time SIPTU organiser for 29 years ago and has extensive...
NERI Labour Market Conference in Belfast
The third annual NERI Labour Market Conference will be held in Queen’s University Belfast on Friday, 1st May. This year, the conference is being organised in conjunction with the Centre for Irish Business and Economic Performance at the Queen’s...
Yes Equailty campaign takes to the road
‘Yes Equality’ took to the road on Wednesday (22nd April) with the launch of its nationwide bus tour that will cover 66 locations in 26 counties over 27 days. The ‘Yes Equality’ bus was unveiled at Dublin City Hall by a team of ‘Yes...
Sinn Féin commits to introduction of living wage
Sinn Féin has pledged to introduce a mandatory living wage, of €11.45, if it is in Government after the next election. Launching the policy document, For Decent Work and a Living Wage, on Wednesday, 22nd April, Sinn...
Save our bus services
Bus drivers across the country will engage in four days of strike action during May to defend the public transport service and decent jobs from the threat of privatisation. SIPTU drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann will conduct 24-hour work stoppages on...
Students and workers join forces with unveiling of Vote Yes banner over Liberty Hall
The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and SIPTU have joined forces in a show of solidarity between workers and students for the unveiling of a massive Vote Yes – Students for Marriage Equality banner over Liberty Hall. Speaking at the launch of the banner on...