News Archive

SIPTU Health Division has expressed its condolences to the families of two health workers at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny who died after contracting the coronavirus. The workers who were employed as support staff at the hospital were members of SIPTU and...

SIPTU representatives have today confirmed (Wednesday 15th, April) that agreement has been reached with the Health Service Executive (HSE) on the voluntary redeployment of health workers to private nursing homes to assist in their efforts to defeat the Covid-19...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 14th April) demanded that the Government gets to grips with the growing childcare crisis facing health and other essential workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, ...

SIPTU and Irish Equity have written to the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, calling for the Government to urgently increase the financial support for workers in the Arts sector who have been unable to avail of the...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 14th April) demanded that the Government gets to grips with the growing childcare crisis facing health and other essential workers on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, ...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 7th April) called on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris to intervene and approve pay for student radiographers working in the health service in the fight against COVID-19. SIPTU Sector Organiser,...

SIPTU representatives have today (Saturday, 4th April) requested that public health officials provide a detailed breakdown to Union representatives of the health settings where over 900 workers have now tested positive for COVID-19. SIPTU Health Divisional...

SIPTU members employed by Cork County Council will assist vulnerable people in the community with tasks such as grocery shopping and the collection of prescriptions as part of a newly established COVID-19 Community Support Programme. SIPTU Organiser, Davey...

The Trade Union Federation (TUF) has served a formal claim on the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) seeking payment for workers of the agreed industry rates during the Covid-19 crisis. BATU Official, Brendan O’Sullivan, said: “The...

SIPTU representatives have called for owner managers in childcare services to be treated as employees under the Wage Subsidy Scheme, which is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. SIPTU Head of Organising, Darragh O’Connor, said:...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Thursday, 2nd April) welcomed the call from leading infectious disease specialists calling on the Government to prioritise the testing of all health care workers for COVID-19. SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Paul...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 31st March) demanded that the Government immediately publishes a strategic and sustainable plan that puts childcare arrangements in place for all essential workers for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis. SIPTU Health...

The Trade Union Federation (TUF) has called on companies to ensure laid off construction workers are paid no less than the minimum rates for the industry for the duration of the suspension of their work. The TUF which comprises SIPTU, BATU and Connect trade...

SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy, has called for an immediate reduction of passenger numbers on public transport services in order to protect passengers and staff from the COVID-19 virus. He also called on the National Transport Authority...

SIPTU has called for all childcare services in financial difficulty to have ‘fast track’ access to the Early Learning and Care Sustainability Fund, which was announced this week as part of the Government’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. SIPTU...

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack has said that health and safety standards to protect workers from the Covid-19 virus should be enforced at all construction sites and other workplaces, and if not, they should be immediately closed...

SIPTU has welcomed the introduction of a scheme to support the childcare sector during the Covid-19 emergency, the details of which were released yesterday (25th March). SIPTU Head of Organising, Darragh O’Connor said: “Even before the Covid-19...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Wednesday, 25th March) expressed concerns over the increase in the number of health workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 virus. The numbers confirmed by the Department of Health indicate that health care workers...

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham, has welcomed the Government’s wage compensation scheme which was announced today (Tuesday, 24th March) and is intended to retain workers in employment. Under the scheme, an employer will receive a...

SIPTU has called on the Government to ensure that any childcare scheme established to provide for the care of the children of frontline staff must fully adhere to advice from HSE on how to limit the spread of infection among childcare workers. SIPTU Head of Organising...

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham has called on the Government to amend the ‘Employer COVID-19 Refund Scheme’, widening its scope and ensuring that workers and employers are given the support they need. Joe Cunningham said today...

Irish Equity has called on theatre organisations across the country to follow the example of the Abbey Theatre, which suspended its performances earlier this month and continues to pay staff and artists already contracted for a production. Irish Equity...

SIPTU and other unions in Aer Lingus have been told that the airline is to reduce working time for the month of April, with the effect that staff earnings will be reduced by 50%. Management informed unions today (Thursday, 19th March) that the airline will...

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham, has called on the Government to introduce an extensive wage subsidy scheme to keep employees in work during the COVID-19 emergency. In a letter to An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, today, Joe Cunningham...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have reassured the public that they are actively working with management to ensure the Emergency Medical Service they operate is maintained throughout the unfolding Covid-19 crisis. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan...

The daa ICTU Unions, SIPTU, Mandate, Forsa, Connect and Unite have today called for the daa to suspend the planned dividend to allow for the funds to be used to support airport workers over the coming period. The Unions have been in...

Following detailed discussions over several months, an affiliation agreement between SIPTU and BATU (Building and Allied Trade Union), was signed in Liberty Hall on Thursday, 12th March. Welcoming the agreement, the General Secretary of...

The Trade Union Federation (TUF), which includes SIPTU, BATU and Connect, has welcomed the agreement by Dublin City Council to introduce a monitoring body which will ensure that contractors comply with the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Sunday, 8th March) welcomed written confirmation from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that all barriers to the recruitment of health staff has now been fully lifted in an effort to support critical clinical services in...

Delegates attending the ICTU Women’s Conference in White’s Hotel, Wexford, have today (Thursday, 5th March) unanimously passed a motion supporting the Stop67 campaign to halt the proposed increase in the state pension age and establish a...

SIPTU members have been encouraged to support a protest rally by students seeking to stop rent increases in student accommodation at University College Dublin, which is taking place at 12.00 noon today (Wednesday, 4th March) on the campus. SIPTU Public...

SIPTU has today (Monday, 2nd March) commended its public service members working in local authorities, fire, health, ambulance and emergency services and the Office of Public Works (OPW) for protecting families and communities and for keeping...

SIPTU representatives have called for urgent action to end the crisis in the Early Years sector. The impact of the crisis is made clear in a survey by Network Ireland, released today (Monday, 2nd March), which reveals that nearly half of working...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 20th February) confirmed that up to 500 home helps working in community and disability services across Dublin city and county have reached an agreement to have their pay restored and have deferred strike action planned...

SIPTU Mayo District Council will host a seminar on the Stop67 Campaign to prevent the increase of the state pension age, at 7.00 p.m. in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar on Wednesday, 26th February. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel...

SIPTU Public Sector representatives have today (Wednesday, 19th February) confirmed that members in selected Section 39 organisations across the country will take strike action on Friday (21st, February) in an effort to resolve a dispute over pay...

SIPTU members providing elderly care services at the Sue Ryder Foundation residential complex in Carlow, county Carlow, will conduct a one-day work stoppage on Tuesday (18th February), from 7.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m., in a dispute concerning union...

SIPTU members in the catering and household departments of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services on James Street, Dublin 8, will commence an strike, in a dispute concerning the outsourcing of services, at 7.00 a.m. on Friday, 14th...

SIPTU members in catering and household departments of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services on James Street, Dublin 8, will hold a public protest tomorrow (Friday, 7thFebruary) to highlight their vote for industrial action in a dispute...

More than 30,000 Early Years educators, providers and parents from across the country marched to demand a ‘new deal’ for the childcare sector at a colourful and vibrant protest march in Dublin, today (Wednesday, 5th February),...

Thousands of Early Years educators, providers and parents will call for a ‘new deal’ for childcare at a protest march in Dublin, today (Wednesday, 5th February). The march will assemble at 11.30 a.m. in Parnell Square, Dublin 1....

Wednesday, 5th February Assemble at 11.30 a.m. Parnell Square, Dublin 1 The protest march is being organised by the ‘Together for Early Years’ campaign

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, told the annual Jim Larkin commemoration in Glasnevin cemetery, Dublin, today (Friday, 31st January) that “the ignorance and indifference” the current Government has shown to the...

SIPTU members employed by the FAI have welcomed the announcement today (Thursday, 30th January) of an agreement by stakeholders in the organisation to increase funding to a degree which safeguards jobs and the development of community level football. Sport...

Bord na Móna (BNM) workers will take part in a protest march to highlight their demands for a ‘Just Transition’ for midlands communities and workers and to highlight their concerns over the pensions’ policy at the company, in...

SIPTU representatives are to begin a consultation with union members and management following the announcement of planned redundancies at the Standex Ireland Ltd production plant in Mountmellick, Co. Laois. SIPTU Organiser, Jim Sheridan, said:...

SIPTU members working in St. Patrick's Mental Health Services, James’s Street, Dublin 8, will tomorrow (Wednesday, 29th January) begin the process of balloting for strike action in a dispute resulting from a management decision to...

SIPTU representatives have said that the promises on childcare contained in the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil election manifestos published today (Friday, 24th January) are not adequate to deal with the worsening crisis in the childcare sector. SIPTU Head of...

Community Employment (CE) Supervisors have overwhelmingly voted to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute concerning the failure of the Government to implement a Labour Court recommendation regarding their right to a...

SIPTU was joined by leading non-governmental organisations for the launch of the Stop67 campaign in Dublin today (Thursday, 23rd January) which aims to halt the increase of the state pension age for workers to 67 from next year. Speaking at the formal campaign...

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham, will outline the union’s STOP67 campaign to reverse the pension age increase to age 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028, in Dublin on Thursday 23rd January. The event will take place at 11.00 a.m. in the Cheyne...

SIPTU representatives have rejected a claim by finance minister, Paschal Donohoe, that the State cannot afford to stop the increase in the pension age to 67 years in 2021. Responding to finance minister, Paschal Donohoe, who questioned how the...

Up to 150 SIPTU members and activists, working in the health service across the North West of Ireland, will gather for a special “Stop67” campaign event tonight in the Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo (Thursday, 16th January) at 7.00 p.m. At...

A SIPTU delegation met the Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, today (Wednesday, 15th January) in Government Buildings in Dublin, to discuss the future of the FAI and the protection of the livelihoods of union members employed by the Association....

Community Employment (CE) Supervisors are voting in a ballot for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute concerning the failure of the Government to implement a Labour Court recommendation regarding their right to a pension....

SIPTU has called for its organisers to be granted access to building sites across the country following a doubling in the number of construction workers who died in workplace incidents during 2019. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “New...

The Early Years Alliance has today (Friday, 10th January) announced that it will be holding a national protest march involving thousands of educators, providers and parents to demand a sustainable solution to the worsening childcare crisis in Dublin on...

SIPTU representatives have called on members to support for the #SupportOurSecretaries rallies taking place tomorrow (Friday 10th January) to highlight the campaign by school secretaries for respect and fair conditions at work. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Karl Byrne...

SIPTU representatives have today (Sunday, 5th January) said that the overcrowding crisis in emergency departments is causing chaos for ambulance professionals across the country. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell said: “SIPTU representatives...

SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Teresa Hannick, has expressed her deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Marian Finucane, following the death of the broadcaster who made an immense contribution to journalism and...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have warned that lives could be put at risk over the festive period due to ambulance delays resulting from the underfunding of the service and have called for extra resources to be made available. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 1st January) said that members working in the National Ambulance Service (NAS) are planning a national mobilising campaign to win respect and recognition for all ambulance professionals in 2020. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 31st December) confirmed that up to 500 home helps working in community and disability services across Dublin city and county will be balloted for strike action early in the new year. The decision follows the failure of...

SIPTU members in the Public Service will receive a pay increase from 1st January, 2020, as part of the Public Service Agreement 2018-2020 which places a particular emphasis on raising the wages of lower paid workers. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary,...

The SIPTU Dublin District Council has condemned a government decision to increase the number of work permits issued for chefs from non-EU countries as a move that will further undermine pay and working conditions in the industry. SIPTU Dublin District Council...

A SIPTU delegation met the Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, this evening (Wednesday, 18th December) in Government Buildings in Dublin, to discuss the future of the FAI and the protection of the livelihoods of union members employed by the...

SIPTU has warned that a dramatic increase in insurance costs is threatening the viability of services and jobs in the childcare sector and called for government action to ensure coverage can be maintained at affordable rates into 2020. SIPTU Big Start...

SIPTU representatives are to meet with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, tomorrow (Wednesday, 18th December) to seek assurances for the future of workers employed at the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). The...

The General Secretary of SIPTU, Joe O’Flynn, has expressed his deep condolences to the family and friends of Cormac Ó Braonáin following his tragic death. The General Secretary of SIPTU, Joe O’Flynn, has expressed his...

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign has said that the ‘Early Years Sector Profile Report’ by the State funding agency POBAL, which was published today (Monday, 16th December), has revealed that low pay continues to plague the childcare...

SIPTU members in the Canon Hygiene Division of Rentokil Initial Ltd. based in Santry in Dublin have served notice of a one-day work stoppage on Friday, 20th December. SIPTU Organiser, Peadar Nolan, said: “Our members will conduct their work...

SIPTU representatives have stated that union members employed by the FAI were misled by management concerning the financial situation of the organisation which, it has emerged, is heavily in debt. SIPTU representatives have stated that union members...

SIPTU and Unite members employed by Virgin Media Ireland have overwhelmingly voted in favour of taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a ballot counted today (Monday, 9th December). SIPTU Organiser, Martin...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday 5th December) demanded the introduction of an emergency hand-over protocol to assist ambulance crews who are unable to hand over patients to hospital staff due to overcrowding and lack of bed capacity. The call comes as the...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the decision of Pfizer, the multinational pharmaceutical manufacturer, to maintain its Defined Benefit (DB) Pension scheme for workers at its facilities in Ringaskiddy and Little Island in county Cork. SIPTU Sector...

Tara Mines workers have postponed a protest scheduled to take place outside Leinster House in Dublin tomorrow (Wednesday, 4th December) following confirmation that a drastic reduction in their flat rate expenses, which was due to be implemented on 1st...

SIPTU members employed by the FAI are requesting an urgent meeting with the Minister for Sport, Shane Ross, concerning the funding of the organisation in the light of reports of possible major job losses. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Denis Hynes,...

SIPTU representatives have called on National Pen to respect a Labour Court recommendation that it recognise the trade union for collective bargaining purposes for its members working in the company’s production facility and call centre in Dundalk, county...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday 29th November) demanded that an immediate contingency plan is put in place to deal with the unacceptable obstruction of ambulance resources at Cork University Hospital (CUH). SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell...

SIPTU members have condemned the failure of Fianna Fáil senators to support a Bill which would have strengthened the system of Joint Labour Committees (JLCs), which protect the pay and conditions of low paid workers, in a vote in Seanad...

Unions have signed an agreement with the building contractor, BAM Building, committing it to ensuring compliance with the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the construction industry at the National Children’s Hospital site at James’s Hospital...

SIPTU members have expressed their support for a new Bill which seeks to strengthen the system of Joint Labour Committees (JLCs) at a meeting with politicians in Leinster House, Dublin 2, today (Thursday, 21st November). The existing JLCs set minimum...

SIPTU members employed at SK biotech, the pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Swords, County Dublin, have accepted an invitation to attend a conciliation meeting at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). SIPTU Organiser, Jim Fuery,...

SIPTU members employed by Virgin Media Ireland will ballot for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute concerning an attempt to impose compulsory redundancies and the failure to implement a Labour Court recommendation by the...

SIPTU representatives told the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee today (Wednesday 20th November) that the HSE recruitment embargo across all grades in the health service and related agencies is putting the lives and health of patients at risk. At the committee it was...

The work of singer, playwright and author Dominic Behan will be remembered in a concert featuring singers, historians, and friends of the late artist in Liberty Hall Theatre on Saturday, 30th November at 7.30 p.m. Among those performing at the...

Unions representing employees in Boliden Tara Mines in Navan, county Meath, have called for the reversal of a decision to drastically reduce an allowance which has been in place for mine workers since 1990. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan,...

Community Employment (CE) Supervisors will visit Dáil Éireann to present a letter to TDs demanding they put pressure on Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, to reconvene the Community Sector High-Level Forum, at...

SIPTU members at the SK biotek, the pharmaceutical manufacturing company in Swords, County Dublin, commenced a 24-hour, seven days a week, picket (Thursday, 14th November) outside the plant in response to a lockout by management....

SIPTU members at the SK biotek pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Swords, County Dublin, have been refused entry to their workplace by management this morning (Wednesday, 13thNovember). SIPTU Organiser, Jim Fuery, said: “The...

SIPTU members employed by GoSafe Ireland, the operator of speed camera vans on behalf of the State, have suspended their industrial action following an interventioby the Workplace Relation Commission (WRC). SIPTU Organiser, Brendan Carr, said:...

SIPTU representatives have stated that they will oppose any attempt to enforce compulsory redundancies on staff in RTÉ following the emergence of a plan to impose 200 job cuts at the national broadcaster. SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Karan O...

The continuing refusal of GoSafe Ireland, the operator of speed camera vans on behalf of the State, to adhere to a Labour Court recommendation to discuss its employees’ concerns with their union will be highlighted at a protest outside Leinster...

SIPTU representatives will be seeking detailed reasons for the proposed closure of the Cuisle Accessible Holiday Resort, county Roscommon, and calling for the decision to be reversed at a meeting with the Irish Wheelchair Association on Friday, 8th...

SIPTU and Fórsa have written to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, calling on him to convene a meeting of the Community Sector High Level Forum to discuss issues of importance within the sector including funding,...

SIPTU members in GoSafe are to hold a further one day stoppage on Thursday, 7th November, due to the company’s continued to refusal to accept a Labour Court recommendation that it engages with the union on their behalf. The workers, who operate...

SIPTU and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) have launched a Charter of Rights and Conditions for Postgraduates which calls for a living wage, better access to supports and training as well as other improvements for those who carry out teaching and other...

SIPTU members at the SK biotek pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Swords, County Dublin, will begin a campaign of industrial action this evening (Tuesday, 29th October) following the refusal of management to attend the Workplace Relations...

A 72-hour work stoppage by SIPTU members working for the national speed camera van operator GoSafe will begin at 9.00 a.m. on 26th October, in a dispute related to working conditions and union recognition at the company. SIPTU Organiser, Brendan...

SIPTU representatives and senior management of pharmaceutical manufacturer, Novartis, will meet today (Thursday, 24thOctober) following the announcement by the company of major job cuts at its plant in Ringaskiddy, county Cork. SIPTU Sector...