News Archive

Members of the SIPTU Meath District Council are protesting outside four bank branches in Navan, county Meath, today (Monday, 13thJuly) between 12.00 noon and 2.00 p.m., to show their opposition to the charging of interest on loans and mortgages...

SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) support the full implementation of a memorandum of understanding concerning the organisation’s future which includes the appointment of six new independent directors. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU members have been angered by the exclusion of union representatives from appearing at the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response which will discuss the situation in the meat processing industry today (Friday, 10th July). SIPTU Manufacturing...

SIPTU members held a general meeting in the courtyard of King John’s Castle in Limerick City on Tuesday 7th July to discuss the threat of closure for the historic site and others operated by the Shannon Group. SIPTU Organiser, Rachel Keane, said:...

Representatives of the Shannon Airport Group of Unions today (7th July) called for immediate discussions with management following its announcement that the company intends to cut pay by up to 20% until April 2023. Speaking on behalf of the Group of Unions...

SIPTU Construction Sector Organiser, John Regan, has called on the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to confirm that the next pay increase of 2.7% due to construction workers on the 1st October will be paid and that all the terms of the Sectoral...

SIPTU representatives joined with trade unions across Europe today (Tuesday, 23rd June) to celebrate the contribution of public service workers on United Nations Public Service Day. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Service, John King,...

SIPTU representatives have called for the extension of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme for the childcare sector before the full reopening of services in September. SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising, Darragh O’Connor, said: “There was...

SIPTU representatives will meet the Special Oireachtas Committee on Covid-19 tomorrow (Tuesday, 23rd June) to discuss the issue of childcare for essential health workers during the health crisis. SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Paul Bell, said:...

Irish Equity has today (Monday, 22nd June) called on the Government to put artists and arts workers first in planning for the recovery. Irish Equity Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin said: “We have seen movement from the Government over the last week...

Irish Equity has welcomed the announcement by the Government of vital additional funding for the arts and cultural sector, amounting to a total of €25 million. This will bring funding for the Arts Council in 2020 to €100 million. SIPTU Divisional...

SIPTU representatives have described as unacceptable a decision by Aer Lingus to withdraw proposals aimed at averting pay reductions and job losses. SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin said: Aer Lingus management has confirmed that the pay...

The deferral of the pension age increase to 67 contained in the Programme for Government has been welcomed by the Stop67 campaign. Ethel Buckley, Deputy General Secretary of SIPTU said: “During the recent general election there was widespread opposition to...

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham, has said that the proposed Programme for Government published today by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party contains initiatives which can improve the lives of working people and their families...

SIPTU has today called on the Construction Industry Federation to ensure its members are fully compliant with the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), and Collective Agreements. The union is warning employers that they cannot avoid full compliance during the...

Funding for the reopening of childcare services, announced today (10th June) by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, has failed to address the major issues facing Early Years Educators, according to SIPTU. SIPTU Head of Organising,...

Two of the most important tourist attractions in the Mid-West, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and King John’s Castle, Limerick, will reopen their doors to the public from June 29th instead of July 20th. SIPTU has welcomed the decision,...

SIPTU representatives have met with Shannon Heritage over its decision not to reopen its’ sites on a fulltime basis, contrary to the Government’s return to work protocol. Rachel Keane, SIPTU Organiser, said, “We are extremely...

SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with Debenhams senior management in Northern Ireland to discuss the plight of workers who have been sacked without consultation or notice. Niall McNally, SIPTU Organiser, says that, “This is contrary to the...

SIPTU representatives are to meet with Shannon Heritage, one of Ireland’s leading heritage tourism operators tomorrow (Thursday 4th June) over its decision not to reopen sites on a full-time basis in line with the Government’s return to work...

Irish Equity today wholeheartedly endorsed the recovery programme which has been launched by the National Campaign for the Arts (NCFA) to ensure that the long term damage caused by the Covid-19 pandemic to the sector is minimised. Karan O’Loughlin, Irish...

This morning, (Tuesday, 2nd June) SIPTU representatives held a highly productive meeting with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, at which union officials outlined the serious concerns members have over the need for full and transparent data...

SIPTU Health Division representatives have today (Monday, 1st June) called on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris to ensure information relating to the Covid-19 infection rates of all health workers is released without delay. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU Hospitality Sector Organiser Martin O’Rourke has criticised the decision of the Government not to include worker representatives on the recently established Task Force charged with providing a safe, quality environment in which the hospitality...

SIPTU representatives have called on Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party to ensure that the deferral of the planned pension age increase to 67 next year is included in any agreed Programme for Government. SIPTU research, Michal Taft said:...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Sunday 24th, May) condemned the failure of Government to include a voice for health workers on the Nursing Home Expert Panel, established by Minister for Health, Simon Harris, in response to the...

SIPTU representatives at Aer Lingus have called on the company to continue with current pay arrangements following a statement by the company that it will unilaterally cut pay and working hours after 21st June. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Neil McGowan said:...

The Trade Union Federation, comprising Ireland's largest construction unions, SIPTU, BATU and Connect have signed a landmark agreement with the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) to ensure the safety of workers across the industry. The...

SIPTU representatives and the Migrants Rights Council of Ireland (MRCI) have written to the chief executive of the Health And Safety Authority (HSA) to complain about its failure to carry out inspections in meat plants across the country where there have been more...

SIPTU representatives have called for urgent discussions with the management of the Dublin Airport Authority (daa) after the announcement today that the company is seeking to reduce the workforce in Dublin and Cork airports by up to 1000 people. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU Health Division representatives have today (Monday, 18th May) demanded that the Government publishes a full and transparent breakdown of the health settings where over 7,600 workers have now tested positive for Covid-19. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU representatives have requested an urgent meeting with the management of National Pen following last week’s announcement of the loss of 176 jobs in its Dundalk call centre. SIPTU Organiser, Denis Sheridan said: “SIPTU is asking that National Pen...

On this day we remember the most significant revolutionary in the history of the Irish trade union, socialist and republican movements. James Connolly was also a leading progressive voice in the global struggle for worker’s rights in the first decades of...

The Trade Union Federation (TUF), which includes SIPTU, BATU and CONNECT trade unions, have called on construction employers to ensure that maximum protection is provided for workers when they return to work tomorrow. SIPTU Construction Sector...

SIPTU transport representatives have called for the mandatory introduction of face masks for passengers using public bus, rail and tram services. They said that its members are disappointed at the announcement today (Friday, 15th May) by An...

SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, has called for the immediate creation of a ‘Farm to Fork’ meat industry taskforce to deal with the spread of Covid-19, with more than 600 cases of the virus reported in plants across the...

SIPTU’s Education Sector Committee has called for the establishment of a separate government department for third level education and research. SIPTU Public Administration Division Organiser, Adrian Kane said: “The problems facing the sector prior to...

Workers at National Pen in Dundalk, county Louth have insisted that they wish to be represented by SIPTU during discussions on redundancy terms following the decision by the company to remove 176 employees from its workforce. SIPTU Industrial Organiser,...

SIPTU and the Big Start Campaign are calling on political leaders to retain the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) in order to ensure that issues relevant to children remain a priority at the highest level of government. SIPTU Head of Campaigns and...

SIPTU representatives have called on members of Dublin City Council to reject a management proposal to sell a waste recycling facility in Ballymount, Dublin 24, to a private company. SIPTU Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “This...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Sunday 10th, May) demanded immediate government intervention to ensure that all health workers who are battling to stop the spread of Covid-19 are treated equally. SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser Paul Bell said:...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Tuesday, 5th May) called on the Government to immediately revise the date for the reopening of childcare facilities and to offer a special “annual leave credit” for all health and essential workers. SIPTU...

SIPTU along with several other Early Years organisations have today (Friday, 1st May) launched a Model of Early Years and School Age Services which has long term benefits for children, families, the economy and society. SIPTU Head of Campaigns and...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 1st May) confirmed the union has secured an agreement offering student radiographers working on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis a paid contract of employment. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis said:...

SIPTU representatives have today (1st May) called for detailed discussions with management in Aer Lingus following the announcement that the company intends to cut job numbers by 20%. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Neil McGowan said: “Management today informed...

SIPTU representatives have called for the mandatory temperature testing and the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers in meat and dairy processing plants following the confirmation of clusters of Covid-19 infections in a number of facilities....

SIPTU representatives have raised serious concerns with proposed return to work measures for the construction industry and called for agreement on a protocol for the sector which prioritises the safety of workers. SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Karan O...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions has condemned the decision of management at the semi-state company to attempt to proceed today (Thursday, 30th April) with the removal of workers from its payroll. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone,...

SIPTU and the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) have called on the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) to immediately inspect the Liffey Meats facility in Ballyjamesduff, county Cavan, to ensure its compliance with Covid-19 precautions. In a joint...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Thursday, 23rd April) said the Government’s plan to meet the childcare needs of health and other essential workers falls well short of what is required by all workers on the frontline of the Covid-19 crisis. SIPTU...

SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, has called on the Government to bring the private nursing home sector into State control for the period of the Covid-19 crisis as it did with the private hospitals. According to the Department of Health,...

The Bord na Mόna (BNM) Group of Unions has condemned proposals to lay-off over 200 workers this week and has called on the board of the semi-state company to reject the plan. BNM Group of Unions Secretary, Willie Noone, said: “BNM management...

SIPTU representatives have condemned the manner in which Debenhams Retail Ireland Limited has treated its employees and have committed to challenging the manner in which a collective redundancy notice was served by the company. At the request of the company, the...

New government will need progressive counterweight to centre-right to avoid past mistakes In the storm of this public health crisis we’ve seen a significant shift away from a four-decade market-centred economic orthodoxy towards some of the principles and tools...

The SIPTU Big Start National Committee has said that the introduction of the Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (WSCS), which was announced yesterday (Thursday, 16th April), will greatly assist in maintaining a skilled workforce in the Early Years sector....

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...