News Archive

The unions which make up the ICTU Congress Construction Industrial Committee (CIC) will commence lodging claims with employers in the construction sector for improvements in pay to restore the living standards of workers in the sector. Workers in the sector received a...

SIPTU members working for Shannon Heritage protested at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park on Friday, 28th October, to highlight the continued failure of the Government to announce the funding required to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage tourism...

A coalition of trade unions today (Thursday 27th October) launched the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign, which calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported...

Funding for the public sector faces a 5% cut in real terms by 2025, which will result in a decline in services, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, told the SIPTU Health Division Biennial Delegate Conference in Waterford today...

Full implementation of the Sláintecare policy is essential for the effective reform of our health and social care services, Social Democrats co-leader, Róisín Shortall, told the SIPTU Health Division Biennial Delegate Conference...

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre secured an award of €18,000, at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), for a member who was dismissed by a private parking company because he needed time off following shoulder surgery. SIPTU Workers Rights...

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and SIPTU have said the sudden decision to close Clifden District Hospital is shocking and emergency engagement is needed with staff and representatives through the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. INMO...

SIPTU worker representatives met with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, this morning (Friday, 21st October) to demand that the Covid-19 recognition payment is paid to frontline healthcare workers employed by contract companies. The Minister...

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has awarded compensation to a SIPTU member employed by Prenco Manufacturing Limited in Skibbereen, County Cork, after he was forced to retire at 65 years of age when he was in a position to continue working. SIPTU...

SIPTU members in Clifden District Hospital and St. Anne’s Community Nursing Unit in Clifden, county Galway, are to ballot on industrial action in a dispute resulting from unilateral changes to their conditions of employment including their sick leave...

SIPTU representatives have said that workers paid the minimum wage are seeing their wages fall further behind the level which is adequate to even maintain a basic standard of living following the announcement of a new Living Wage level of €13.85 per hour. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have called for the pay rates of Early Years professionals to keep pace with the Living Wage following the announcement today (Thursday, 20th October) that it is to increase by 95 cents per hour. SIPTU Head of Organising, Darragh...

SIPTU representatives have said that a Department of Health report on the recruitment and retention crisis for home carers and nursing home healthcare assistants will do little to resolve a problem which is threatening services across the country. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU representatives have called on the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities to respect the right of its staff to union representation for the purposes of collective bargaining and to end attempts to unilaterally cut their terms of employment. SIPTU...

Employers should utilise a rise in the tax free limit for once off voucher payments announced in the recent Budget to provide workers with €1000 to help offset the rising cost of living, according to SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack....

SIPTU representatives have expressed opposition to the proposed introduction of a concrete block levy saying that it will negatively impact on construction sector jobs in Ireland. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “Since the announcement of a...

SIPTU representatives have expressed opposition to the proposed introduction of a concrete block levy saying that it will negatively impact on construction sector jobs in Ireland. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “Since the announcement of a...

SIPTU representatives have written to politicians in Cork to highlight the continued failure of medical devices manufacturer, DePuy Synthes, to respect the right of its workers to be represented by a union and their dissatisfaction with the arbitrary...

The Public Services Committee of the ICTU has today (Friday, 7th October) formally ratified the decision by members of SIPTU and other unions to vote in favour of accepting the terms of the revised pay proposals in the ‘Public Service Agreement: Building...

SIPTU representatives have called for clarity from the Government concerning the funding of pay increases for workers employed by independent organisations which provide care and community services on behalf of the State. SIPTU Public Administration and Community...

SIPTU members in the public service have voted by a resounding majority to accept the pay proposals in the review of the ‘Public Service Agreement: Building Momentum’. Following a count of ballots today (Thursday, 6th October), 90% of votes...

SIPTU representatives will authorise industrial action in order to secure adequate pay rises across the private sector delegates were told today (Wednesday, 5thOctober), at the union’s Services Division Biennial Delegate Conference in Kilkenny....

The objection of employers group, IBEC, to the introduction of a specific category of paid leave for workers who are the victims of domestic violence has been strongly condemned by SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley. Addressing the SIPTU...

SIPTU members have condemned the failure of the Government to include in Budget 2023 the funding required to facilitate the transfer of tourism sites currently managed by Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council. SIPTU Organiser, Rachel Keane, said:...

The Government is taking a huge gamble on energy prices in Budget 2023 through large credit payments to companies in order to provide relief to households and businesses, according to SIPTU Researcher, Michael Taft. “The Government’s failure to...

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the construction company, John Sisk and Son, to seek clarification on the workers who will be included in a once off €1,000 cost of living payment which it announced today (Tuesday,...

SIPTU worker representatives employed by the daa in Dublin Airport have declared no confidence in their management and have begun preparations for balloting union members for industrial action in a dispute over the repeated failure to pay staff wages on time. SIPTU...

The Government is intent on provoking more strikes in care and community organisations as it seeks to ignore three days of industrial action in the sector this week as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign and with more workers demanding to join...

Hundreds of SIPTU members in the community and care sector will take strike action over the next three days (Wednesday, 21st to Friday, 22nd September) in more than 20 organisations in counties Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal....

Hundreds of community and care sector workers will be forced on to picket lines this week because of the complete failure of the Government to engage with them on their reasonable request for a first pay rise in 14 years, according to SIPTU Public Administration...

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, has welcomed the Government’s decision to retain the pension age at 66. Ms Buckley said that the proposal to allow workers to remain in employment until they reach 70, while allowing those in...

Staff in thirteen community organisations in county Donegal will strike on Thursday, 22nd September, as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign to highlight the demand for a first pay rise in 14 years for workers in the sector. The...

Staff in Ability West in county Galway will strike on Thursday, 22nd September, as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign to highlight the demand for a first pay rise in 14 years for workers in the organisation. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU has called on the Government to extend the terms of the public service pay deal to workers in the community sector and Section 39 organisations who have not received a pay rise since 2008. SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser,...

Staff in the Western Care Association in county Mayo will strike on Thursday, 22nd September, as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign to highlight the demand for a first pay rise in 14 years for workers in the sector. Western Care...

Meath County Council unanimously endorsed a motion in support of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign for pay justice for workers in Section 39 and community sector organisations at its meeting in Navan on Monday, 5th September. The motion in...

Irish Equity and the Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) have welcomed the awarding of 2,000 grants for artists and creative arts workers through the new Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme, which were announced today (Thursday, 8th September). Irish...

A group of the country’s main private sector unions have supported the call by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, in its pre-budget submission, for a significant rise in the minimum wage. Connect, CWU, FSU, SIPTU and Unite have...

SIPTU members working in early childhood care and education have welcomed the establishment of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) that sets minimum pay rates for the sector, which was signed off by the Government today (Wednesday, 7th September). The pay...

Irish Equity, the union which represents professionals in the live performance and theatre sector, has called for reform of film industry tax breaks in Budget 2023 to ensure a fair return for taxpayers and greater protection of the interests of all those...

Unions representing staff in Local Employment Services (LES) and Jobs Clubs have condemned the treatment of workers who provide vital community services and who have been made redundant in Dublin due to a controversial new tendering process. Fórsa Assistant...

SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to set a date for a referendum on the public ownership of water services to ensure against any future privatisation of the national utility. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “It...

SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to immediately act to ensure that the terms of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the security industry are honoured following an injunction being secured yesterday (Wednesday, 24th August) by a small...

A survey of more than 1,977 managers and staff in the Early Years (childcare) sector has indicated that many services may be restricted or face potential closure due to an inability to recruit and retain staff. The Early Years Staffing Survey, which is...

SIPTU members employed by De La Salle College, Waterford are to ballot for industrial and strike action and strike following a decision by management to unilaterally outsource their employment to a private sector provider. SIPTU Organiser, Con Casey,...

SIPTU members employed by Kyte Powertech in Cavan will begin a campaign of strike and industrial action due to a pay dispute, with a 24 -hour work stoppage commencing at 12.01 a.m. (midnight) on Friday, 19th August. SIPTU Organiser, Martin...

SIPTU general secretary, Joe Cunningham, today gave a donation on behalf of his members to Mick Lynch, the leader of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) in a gesture of solidarity with striking rail workers in the...

Members of the SIPTU Meath District Council met with the General Manager of Our Lady’s Hospital, Anita Brennan, to discuss the threat to the future of the Accident and Emergency Department at the facility in Navan, county Meath, on...

SIPTU organisers in the public service representing members in the Health, Local Authority, Education and State sectors, are today commencing a consultation exercise with its members in advance of ballots for industrial action over pay later in...

SIPTU members employed by local authorities across the country are preparing to ballot for industrial action as a result of the failure of the Government to conclude a deal on public sector pay that takes account of the increasing cost of living and high inflation...

SIPTU members across the public service will commence a consultation exercise in advance of ballots for industrial action over the failure of the Government to conclude an acceptable review of the pay provisions of the ‘Building Momentum’ Public Service...

SIPTU representatives have engaged with the Department of Social Protection concerning the delay in processing payments to workers made redundant by the civil engineering and construction firm, Roadbridge, after it was placed in receivership. SIPTU Sector...

Workers in the care, community and voluntary sector will escalate their campaign of industrial action to secure a first pay rise in 14 years after the Government failed to engage with their unions following strikes in selected workplaces earlier this month....

SIPTU members in the care and community sector have committed to escalating their campaign of industrial action following a successful first wave of strikes this week which saw hundreds of workers join picket lines and attend protests across the country. SIPTU Public...

SIPTU members will hold protests in Dublin, Galway and Waterford tomorrow (Wednesday, 6th July) to mark the second day of strike action by care and community sector workers in a long running dispute in which they are seeking their first pay rise in 14...

More than 500 people attended a SIPTU organised public meeting on the need to protect the operation of Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Tús projects in the Travellers Friend Hotel in Castlebar, county Mayo, last night (Monday, 4th July). SIPTU...

SIPTU members in the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) will conduct a 24-hour work stoppage tomorrow (Tuesday, 5th July) following the refusal of the Government to discuss with their union their need for a pay rise for the first time in 14 years. SIPTU Public...

SIPTU members in Kostal Ireland GmbH have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, at the company’s plants in Abbeyfeale, county Limerick and Mallow, county Cork, as part of a dispute...

SIPTU representatives and shop stewards met with daa management on Friday, 1st July, to discuss the implications for union members following the request from transport minister, Eamon Ryan, for the Defence Forces to be put on standby at the...

SIPTU members employed in selected community schemes in seven additional counties have voted to join their colleagues in the Irish Wheelchair Association and numerous organisations in county Galway and county Waterford in a one-day work stoppage next week as part of a...

The ICTU Film Construction Group of Unions (FCGU) has welcomed the introduction today (Friday, 1st July) of a new National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Irish film and Television industry. Members of the unions involved, SIPTU, BATU,...

SIPTU members in the Galway Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC) are conducting a 24-hour work stoppage on Wednesday, 6th July, to demand a first pay rise in 14 years and the restoration of pay which was removed from them during the economic crisis. SIPTU...

The SIPTU Hospitality Sector Committee has welcomed changes to the Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022, which will ban the display of service charges on bills unless the payment is going directly to staff, which were passed in the...

SIPTU representatives met with workers employed by the medical devices manufacturer, DePuy Synthes, to discuss their fight for union recognition in the St Vincent’s GAA Club, Knocknaheeney, Cork, on Saturday,18th June. SIPTU...

SIPTU members employed in community organisations in county Waterford and county Galway have announced a 24 hour work stoppage on Wednesday, 6th July, as part of a wider campaign by workers in the sector seeking to secure their first pay rise in 14 years....

The Meath Council of Trade Unions held its inaugural public meeting on the topic of decent work, democracy and citizenship as part of the Hinterland Festival in Kells, county Meath, on Sunday, 26th June. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary,...

SIPTU members employed by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) have voted by 97% to 3% to conduct a work stoppage on Tuesday, 5th July, at its care centres across the country in a pay dispute in which they are demanding their first wage rise for 14...

There will be no compulsory transfer of local authority staff to Irish Water when it becomes the single national water authority next year. This protection has been underpinned in a new ‘Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services,’ hammered out...

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre has secured an adjudication award of €3500 for a member, Lazaros Saridis, in compensation for breaches of the terms of the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the construction industry. SIPTU Workers Rights Centre...

SIPTU is hosting a meeting to discuss LBGTQI+ community issues as they impact on the workplace and working lives in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, on Saturday, 25th June, at 11.00 a.m. as part of the Dublin Pride festival. SIPTU is hosting a meeting...

SIPTU representatives have said that a good pay deal for childcare workers is the only way to deal with the worsening staffing crisis in the sector which is at the root of many of the other issues affecting services. SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising, Darragh...

SIPTU members employed as Covid test centre swabbers are calling on the Minister for Health, Simon Donnelly, to directly intervene to resolve their dispute with the HSE and the Department of Health concerning a review of pay rates for these essential...

SIPTU members in several care and community organisations in county Galway have begun a ballot for industrial action in a long running pay dispute which could result in a 24-hour work stoppage by workers providing vital services on Wednesday 6th July. SIPTU...

SIPTU members employed at the Bausch and Lomb manufacturing plant in Waterford will ballot on pay proposals issued by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this evening (Friday, 17th June) following intensive negotiations involving union representatives and...

A SIPTU member employed by Lake Region Medical Limited at its plant in New Ross, county Wexford, has won a case at the Labour Court for underpayment of wages while his employer was availing of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). SIPTU Workers Rights...

SIPTU members in several community organisations in county Waterford have begun a ballot for industrial action in a long running pay dispute which could result in a 24-hour work stoppage by workers providing vital services on Wednesday 6th July. SIPTU...

SIPTU members in several care and community organisations, including the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) as well as numerous local social services in county Galway and county Waterford, have begun a ballot for strike action in a long running pay...

SIPTU members employed by Bausch and Lomb have suspended industrial action scheduled for this weekend at the company’s plant in Waterford to facilitate talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that will begin on Friday (17th June). SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU representatives will hold a meeting for workers employed by the medical devices manufacturer, DePuy Synthes, to discuss their fight for union recognition in the St Vincent’s GAA Club, Knocknaheeney, Cork, at 2.00 p.m. on...

SIPTU members employed by Bausch and Lomb will begin a campaign of industrial action, in a pay dispute at the multinational company’s manufacturing plant in Waterford City, with a two-hour work stoppage commencing at 12.00 p.m. (noon) this Saturday...

A meeting of the housing campaign group, Raise the Roof, in the Dan Shaw Centre in Navan, yesterday (Wednesday, 1st June), heard that new research has found that asking rents for properties in county Meath have risen by 10% in the last...

More than 400 people attended a meeting to discuss the threatened collapse of Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Tús programmes at a public meeting attended by several local elected representatives in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, County Galway, on...

SIPTU representatives highlighted the impact of inferior pay and conditions of employment for new daa staff as a key factor in the current crisis at Dublin Airport at a meeting with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton,...

SIPTU members will ballot for industrial action if there is a failure to take immediate steps to resolve critical safety concerns relating to the operation of the software system of the Munster Regional Control Centre (MRCC) which controls fire service responses in...

The EU Commission has today launched an infringement notice against Ireland over the Government’s failure to properly transpose the EU Directive on European Works Councils (EWC). The notice was issued following a complaint made by SIPTU representatives,...

A construction worker has secured an award of €6000 in compensation from the Labour Court for not being provided with the correct rates of pay, pension entitlements and annual leave applicable under the Construction Sectoral Employment Order (SEO). SIPTU...

SIPTU members attended a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on Wednesday (11th May) to brief it on the growing threat to the operation of community schemes across the country. Rural...

SIPTU Local Authority Professional Officers (LAPO) has backed a campaign of industrial action in order to ensure the public ownership of water services, through a constitutional referendum, at their conference in Portlaoise, county Laois today...

SIPTU representatives have said that the over €12,500 awarded to a worker at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) following his unfair dismissal from Dawn Meats in Grannagh, county Waterford, highlights the right of employees to have their...

Trade union members working in the community sector and for Section 39 healthcare organisations protested in Dublin city centre today (Tuesday, 3rd May) to highlight the need for better pay and respect of their roles. Following a march from the Customs...

Trade union members working in the community sector and for Section 39 healthcare organisations from across the country are holding a major protest to highlight the need for better pay and respect of their roles in Dublin on Tuesday, 3rd May. Among the hundreds...

SIPTU representatives have called for a renewed focus on all aspects of health and safety in workplaces following a commemorative event in the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, to mark Workers’ Memorial Day today (Thursday,...

SIPTU and Fórsa members employed in local employment services (LES) and Job Clubs are losing confidence in the ability of the Department of Social Protection to manage these vital social services following a further change in the contracts for their provision....

The SIPTU Workers’ Rights Centre has secured a €10,000 award at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the Organisation of Working Time Act in a case where a member, employed by the Independent College Dublin (ICD), was found...

SIPTU Workers Rights Centre (WRC) has won a €15,000 award at the Workplace Relations Commission for a union member employed at University College Dublin (UCD) after she was denied her entitlements under the Fixed Term Workers Act. SIPTU member, Dorota...

SIPTU representatives decided on Wednesday, 13th April, to defer industrial action at LISK Ireland in Gort, Co. Galway, which was scheduled for Thursday 14th April. The move is in response to engagement at local level that has resulted in an...

SIPTU members across the private sector will seek pay increases to match the rising costs of living and will re-negotiate existing pay deals which fall short of inflation. Following a meeting of the union’s sector organisers, SIPTU Deputy General...

Members of Irish Equity have approved the use of UK Equity collectively bargained agreements on international film co-productions shooting in Ireland. These agreements allow for its members to be engaged on terms and conditions equal to, and not less than,...

Unions representing performance workers, SIPTU, Irish Equity and the MUI, have welcomed the announcement today (Tuesday, 5th April) of a Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which will provide a security of income for three years for up to...

SIPTU members employed in LISK Ireland Ltd commenced a campaign of industrial action at its manufacturing plant in Gort, county Galway, this morning (Monday, 4th April) with a work stoppage that began at 8.00 a.m. and will conclude at 12 midnight....