News Archive

Liberty Hall in Dublin, the headquarters of SIPTU, will host a day of entertainment on Monday 7th May, for children and families affected by the homelessness crisis, as part of the union’s MayFest calendar of events celebrating...

SIPTU representatives will focus on pay justice for lower paid public servants in a talks process with Government, under the auspices of the Public Service Stability Agreement, which began today (Friday, 27th April) with a meeting in the Department...

Community Employment (CE) Supervisors have welcomed the passing of a motion in the Dáil, this afternoon (Thursday, 26thApril) which calls on the Government to implement a Labour Court recommendation to provide them with a pension scheme. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives will meet with Government officials, tomorrow (Friday, 27th April), to discuss the ending of the two-tier pay structure in the public service as part of a process established under the terms of the Public Service Stability...

SIPTU members employed as cleaners in De La Salle College, Newtown Road Lower, Waterford City, have voted to conduct three one-day work stoppages as part of a campaign of industrial action aimed at halting an attempt to outsource their work at the...

Community Employment (CE) Supervisors have expressed their gratitude for the support a motion calling for the implementation of a Labour Court recommendation to provide them with a pension scheme received from opposition TDs yesterday (Tuesday, 24th April)...

The Trade Union Group which represents unions at RTÉ has called on the Government to ensure RTÉ’s Orchestras are retained within the National Broadcaster. The call responds to a review commissioned by RTÉ, which recommends that the...

The caution comes following the presentation of a report, commissioned by RTÉ, conducted by Ms Helen Boaden, to the group of RTÉ Union’s this morning. SIPTU Organiser Graham Macken said; “The report recommended that while...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 23rd April) described the changes to the labour activation schemes, announced by the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty TD last Friday (20th April) as a small step in the...

SIPTU will launch its new Workers’ Rights Welcome Centre (WRWC) at the SIPTU offices on Patrick Street, Kilkenny on Tuesday, 1st May 2018 at 3.00 p.m. WRWC project manager, Rachael Ryan, said: “Throughout 2016 and 2017 the union...

Community Employment (CE) Supervisors have called on TDs from all parties and Independents, to support a private members motion on Tuesday (24th April) evening which calls on the Government to implement a Labour Court recommendation to provide them with a...

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn, has expressed his deep regret at the news of the death of former ITGWU and SIPTU president, John Carroll. “On behalf of the officers and members of SIPTU, I wish to express my deep regret at the...

SIPTU and Forsa members, working as Community Employment (CE) supervisors, met with TDs and Senators in Leinster House this afternoon (Wednesday, 18thApril) to discuss a private members’ motion calling on the Government to implement a Labour...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 13th April) informed the management of the HSE that if it has not completed an audit of Section 39 organisations by May Day (Tuesday, 1st May) union members will reactivate a notice for strike action. The move...

SIPTU Community Sector representatives have called on the management of the South Dublin County Partnership (SDCP) to meet with them to discuss a number of issues concerning union members employed delivering the organisation’s programmes. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU members in Pfizer Ireland have today (Wednesday, 11th April) rejected a claim by management that a Labour Court recommendation, which they are currently considering, supports a move away from their defined benefit (DB) pension scheme. SIPTU...

SIPTU members working in the National Ambulance Service have today (Friday, 6th April) stated that they will reject an attempt by the Government to extend their legal retirement age beyond 65 unless a proper evaluation of the full impact of such a measure is...

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mícheál Mac Donncha, has joined with trade unions, political parties and housing organisations to call on people to turn out in large numbers to support the National 'Housing is a Human Right' march...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 2nd April) demanded that the Government reverses pay cuts imposed on public servants who remain in their jobs after the age of 65. The call comes after Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Pascal...

Representatives of the SIPTU Big Start campaign for quality, affordable and accessible childcare have today (Thursday, 29th March) urged the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to give Early Years educators the same opportunities as school teachers...

In recent years, the cinema has closed on these days as management refused to honour the premium payments to which full-time staff are entitled, according to SIPTU Industrial Organiser, Graham Macken. “Following the decision to open this...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 29th March) demanded that immediate action be taken to solve the housing crisis. The call comes in light of new figures released yesterday which confirm that nearly 10,000 people are now homeless in the State....

Members of the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) wish to correct erroneous media reports and reassure the public that they will continue to maintain a full emergency fire and ambulance response service throughout the ongoing extreme weather event. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU members working in the Energy Sector have today (Wednesday, 28th March) added their voices to the call for an agreed national protocol during future red alert weather warnings. SIPTU Energy Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said: “Delegates...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade have today (Tuesday, 27th March) announced the passing of two no confidence motions in both the National Director for Fire and Emergency Management, Sean Hogan and the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) Chief Fire...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 26th March) called on the Central Bank of Ireland to consider its position before taking a decision that will cease the printing of currency in the Republic of Ireland. The call follows a decision by management to...

SIPTU activists have commended the swift response of hotel workers to the high-rise fire in Ballymun, Dublin 11, last night (Wednesday, 21st March) during which staff played a crucial role in notifying people of the incident and assisting them in...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions is seeking a meeting with the company to express the anger of its members concerning the announcement that it intends to close its coal operations around the country. The operations affected are the Lullymore Facilities...

Representatives of SIPTU and Fórsa members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) are seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, concerning the provision of adequate training,...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed a decision by the Government to enter discussions with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) on the issue of lower pay scales for new entrants to the public service. The agreement follows representations to the Minister for...

SIPTU representatives have called for the introduction of a protocol outlining a uniform response by local authorities to extreme weather events. In particular, there should be proper remuneration for those who work extra days and hours during such crises,...

SIPTU representatives have said the decision by the Government to lift the cap of €190,000 on the salaries of senior academics within the university sector is an insult to the thousands of low paid and precariously employed workers within the third level...

SIPTU members have called for the adoption of a uniform policy across the agriculture, food and drink manufacturing sector in relation to issues such as time off and payment during the period of a red weather alert. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Michael...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade have called for all parties in the Dáil to support a Fianna Fáil private members’ motion which calls for the retention and adequate funding of their Fire-based Emergency Medical Service (EMS). SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU’s Education Sector Organiser, Karl Byrne, on behalf of its over 6000 members, has praised the action of the University and Colleges Union in Britain and in Northern Ireland in its efforts to protect the pension benefits of its members....

SIPTU members at the Kerry Foods plant in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, commenced a 24-hour work stoppage this morning (Tuesday, 6th march) at 7.30 a.m. in a dispute resulting from an attempt to make 31 workers redundant without agreement. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have condemned the management of Applus National Car Testing (NCT) service for its failure to fully adhere to a Labour Court recommendation and called on action from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to ensure its implementation. SIPTU...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Monday, 5th March) demanded the immediate development of a red alert weather protocol for all health workers that is underpinned by specific staffing arrangements and a fair pay structure. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU members at the Kerry Foods plant in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, have notified the company that they will conduct three 24-hour work stoppages unless a threat to make 31 workers redundant without agreement is removed. SIPTU Organiser, Jim...

Last week (Wednesday, 21st February) over fifty Early Years educators and providers from across County Wexford came together to launch a local Big Start campaign. The event, which took place in the Presentation Centre in Enniscorthy, was part of the...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 20th February) urged the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to give early years educators the same opportunities as primary and second level teachers to complete child protection training. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU members at the Kerry Foods plant in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, will ballot for strike action on Friday (23rd February) if management refuses to remove a threat to make 31 workers redundant without agreement. SIPTU Organiser, Jim...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Monday, 19th February) launched a national campaign aimed at protecting the pay of health workers who choose to work beyond 65 years of age. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “We are...

SIPTU has called for immediate action to increase firefighter/paramedic numbers in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) after a fire appliance was taken out of operation last night (Thursday, 15th February) due to a lack of staff in Donnybrook Fire Station,...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 12th February) called on the management of Kerry Foods to reconsider its threat to make 31 people redundant without agreement at the company’s factory in Carrickmacross, Monaghan. SIPTU Organiser, Jim...

SIPTU members in Section 39 organisations have today (Friday, 9th February) deferred strike action, scheduled for next Wednesday (14th February), following an agreement, facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), to begin a...

Members of the Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions in the company’s peat briquette production facility in Littleton, County Tipperary, have voted 94% in favour of proposed redundancy terms in a ballot counted this evening (Thursday, 8th...

SIPTU has written to the Irish Football Association (IFA) requesting a meeting with its officials to discuss a number of issues of concern to members of the union who play for the Northern Ireland Senior Women’s International Football Team. SIPTU Sport Sector...

Following the rejection of a Labour Court recommendation on past productivity and a pre-emptive decision by Irish Rail management to unilaterally implement its plans for driver mentoring on 12th February, members of SIPTU who drive inter-city rail and DART...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 5th February) confirmed that up to ten Section 39 organisations in counties Wexford, Kerry, Westmeath, Sligo and Leitrim will be balloted this week on whether to take strike action in their campaign for...

SIPTU members in Section 39 organisations are to serve notice tomorrow (Thursday, 1st February) of industrial action, up to and including strike action, to commence with a one-day stoppage on Wednesday, 14th February, in a dispute over...

SIPTU members employed by Section 39 organisations providing health and care services across the country have voted by 97% in favour of commencing strike action, beginning with a one-day stoppage on Wednesday, 14th February, in their campaign for pay...

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign is holding a lunchtime protest outside the gates of the Dail (Irish Parliament) between 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. on Thursday, 25th January. The protest will be highly visual and photo-friendly with young people dressed as...

SIPTU members employed by Applus National Car Testing (NCT) service have formally accepted a Labour Court recommendation in relation to pay and conditions which includes permanency for employees currently on fixed terms contracts. SIPTU Organiser, Robert...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 22nd January) demanded that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) clarify whether its officials gave a formal instruction which resulted in the Health Service Executive (HSE) holding off on submitting a...

Members of the Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions in the company’s peat briquette production facility in Littleton, County Tipperary, will vote in a ballot, to be held within the next two weeks, on proposed redundancy terms which...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 17th January) welcomed cross party support for a Dáil motion calling for the restoration of pay for Section 39 workers. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “SIPTU’s...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 16th January) urged all political parties to support a Dáil motion to be debated tomorrow afternoon (Wednesday, 17th January) supporting the restoration of pay for thousands of Section 39 workers. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 15th January) called on the Government to instruct the Health, Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to conduct an investigation into the impact of the crisis in hospital emergency departments on patient and...

SIPTU members employed as train drivers in Irish Rail have voted by 83% to 17% to reject a Labour Court recommendation concerning pay and productivity measures at the public transport company, in a ballot counted today (Wednesday, 10th, January) in...

The call follows discussions between union representatives and the Health Service Executive (HSE) at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Following the talks involving SIPTU, IMPACT and UNITE, the HSE formally agreed to provide funds for Section 39...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 5th January) called for greater funding for home help packages and home care services as part of the solution to the overcrowding crisis in emergency departments in hospitals across the country. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 3rd January) called for a review of expenditure on all non-core activities by Irish Rail following criticism by the chairman of the company of its sponsorship of a fishing competition in Northern Ireland. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 2nd January) written to the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, seeking a meeting and clarification in relation to a tweet sent by the Minister last Saturday (30th December), in which he set out his...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 28th December) warned that thousands of workers employed by Section 39 organisations providing vital care services will strike in February unless the Government adequately deals with their rightful demand for pay...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 15th December) criticised Section 39 employers of inaction while their respective organisations are hurtling towards national strike action in January. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said:...

Gene Mealy has today (Thursday, 14th December) retired from his position as SIPTU Vice President, following a meeting of the union’s National Executive Council. Following the meeting, the outgoing SIPTU Vice President thanked the many SIPTU...

International Transport Federation representatives have today (Thursday, 14th, December) welcomed the publication of a Joint Oireachtas Report aimed at halting the exploitation of migrant fishermen working on Irish trawlers. The International Transport...

Jack O’Connor will step down from his role as SIPTU General President today (Thursday, 14th December) following a meeting of the Union’s National Executive Council. He has served three consecutive 6-year terms as a National Executive Officer,...

SIPTU and Musicians’ Union of Ireland (MUI) representatives have welcomed the support expressed yesterday (Tuesday, 12th December) by Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, for the future of the RTÉ orchestras and his call for the Ministers involved...

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Yves Rocher following its announcement last Thursday (7th December) that it intends to close its plant in the Kilbarry Industrial Estate, Cork city, at the end of 2018. SIPTU...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have expressed extreme concern over the lack of aerial appliances, with only two of the vehicle mounted long ladders available for dispatch in the city and county today (Friday, 8th December), a third...

SIPTU members have urged the management of the AbbVie Plant in Carrigtwohill, county Cork, to engage in talks in order to avoid an escalation of the industrial dispute at the company concerning their right to union representation. Workers are currently...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have voted by 75% to 25% to accept a Labour Court recommendation on pay aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company, in a ballot counted today (Friday, 8th December) in Liberty Hall, Dublin. The...

SIPTU representatives have stated that the publication today (Thursday, 7th December) of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 is a step in the right direction but that the proposed legislation requires further amendment in order to provide...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 7th December) condemned a Government plan to break from public sector pay norms and ‘top up’ the salary of the official charged with implementing the Sláintecare healthcare reform plan. SIPTU Health...

SIPTU has stated that a Government proposal to allow public sector workers to volunteer to continue in their jobs until 70 years of age only deals with one aspect of the problems associated with the increase in the statutory retirement age. SIPTU Deputy General...

SIPTU members working in a range of Section 39 organisations, providing health and social care services, will be balloted next week for all-out strike action in a dispute concerning equal pay. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said:...

SIPTU members in the National Ambulance Service based in Letterkenny, county Donegal, will commence a campaign of industrial action on Saturday, 9th December, at 1.00 a.m. due to a management failure to implement a Rights Commissioner...

SIPTU members are conducting a 36-hour work stoppage at the AbbVie pharmaceutical plant in Carrigtwohill, county Cork. The industrial action commenced yesterday (Wednesday, 22nd November) at 7.00 p.m. and will conclude tomorrow (Friday, 24th...

SIPTU members and activists joined with trade unionists from across Europe in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Thursday (16th November) for an EU summit to discuss the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) demand for the enhancement of the social rights of...

SIPTU has welcomed the announcement by the National Transport Agency (NTA) that Bus Éireann has been awarded the contract to run services in Waterford City following a tendering process. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said: “Our members...

SIPTU confirmed today that the union will attend a full hearing of the Labour Court this Friday (17th November) in order to defend the defined pension scheme of 350 union members. defined These workers are employed in the Ringaskiddy and Little Island plants in Cork....

SIPTU members in the Abbvie Plant in Carrigtwohill, county Cork, began a 36-hour work stoppage this morning (Tuesday, 14th November) at 7.00 a.m. The industrial action results from the refusal of management to implement a Labour Court recommendation...

The Lessons of the Russian Revolution will be the focus of a lecture and debate, which will include Irish and international experts on the subject, in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on Friday, 17th November, starting at 7.00 p.m....

Trade union members in Irish Rail will vote on a Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company. The decision to ballot workers was taken at a meeting of representatives of the Irish Rail Trade Union Group in Liberty...

SIPTU members employed as in-field sales representatives by McCurrach Ltd will commence industrial action on Thursday, 16th November, in response to the company refusing to attend the Labour Court in relation to a pay claim. SIPTU Organiser, Colm...

Irish Equity has criticised, as not going far enough, the announcement by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, that board members and senior staff in arts organisations are to take part in special workshops...

SIPTU and the Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) have warned the management of RTÉ that it could face significant opposition concerning a review it has commissioned in relation to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ NSO) and the RTÉ...

SIPTU members employed in Section 39 organisations met with the Minister of State with Responsibilities for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath, yesterday (Thursday, 8th November), to request that the Government commits to providing them with pay...

SIPTU representatives are to attend discussions at the Labour Court tomorrow (Thursday, 9th November) in relation to the ongoing dispute at Irish Rail. SIPTU Transport Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, said: “SIPTU representatives have been...

Workers in the transport section of Bord na Móna unanimously voted to take all-out strike action in opposition to an attempt by management to outsource their jobs to a private contractor at a general meeting held in the SIPTU Offices in Tullamore, county...

SIPTU representatives have called on the management of Irish Rail to desist from issuing letters to workers which could be perceived as threatening their livelihoods and instead enter into negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company....

SIPTU representatives have called on management in the Boston Scientific Plant in Clonmel, county Tipperary, to accept a Labour Court recommendation recognising the right of workers in the medical devices manufacturing facility to trade union...

SIPTU representatives have stated that the 24-hour work stoppage by Irish Rail workers which will begin at 00.01 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, 7th November) is the regrettable result of a failure by management and the Government to seek a just resolution to the...

SIPTU has published a list of key recommendations on how to minimalise differences in pay between men and women in Ireland, as part of the union’s recognition of European Gender Pay Gap Day which is being marked today (Friday, 3rd November). SIPTU...

SIPTU firefighters have renewed their demand for fire assessments in all properties following the extent of the risks in some buildings being highlighted once again in a documentary broadcast on RTE last night (Thursday, 3rd November). SIPTU Sector...

Union members in the craft grade in Aer Lingus have voted by 66% to 34% to accept a Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving the pay dispute at the airline in a ballot counted today (Friday, 3rd November) in Dublin Airport. SIPTU Organiser, Neil...

SIPTU has called on Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, to end his focus on publicity stunts, such as his latest claim to be interested in solving the confrontation between North Korea and the US and instead focus on ending...

SIPTU members have served notice today (Thursday, 2nd November) of industrial action involving five work stoppages at the AbbVie Ltd Plant in the IDA Industrial Estate, Carrigtwohill, county Cork. The industrial action involves three 36-hour work...