News Archive

Trade unions representing over 30,000 local council workers today (Wednesday, 27th March) launched a campaign for substantially increased revenue and funding powers for local authorities, and published research that shows Irish councils have less...

SIPTU Nursing representatives have today (Monday 25th March) presented their case in the Labour Court for a fair contract for all nurses and midwives. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “SIPTU representatives put forward a robust...

SIPTU members employed by the FAI are demanding an explanation of why they had to endure pay cuts during a period when it is reported the organisation decided to begin paying the rent of its former CEO John Delaney. SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser, Denis...

SIPTU representatives have today called for better protections for all dock workers following the tragic death yesterday (Thursday, 21st March) of a young Latvian seafarer in Europort in Rosslare, county Wexford. SIPTU Ports, Docks and Harbour...

Over 100 Community Employment (CE)supervisors discussed an escalation in their industrial action aimed at forcing the Government to implement a Labour Court recommendation regarding their right to a pension, at a meeting in the Midlands Hotel in...

SIPTU representatives have informed management that its proposal to close a ward in University Hospital Limerick, without consultation with unions, will constitute a breach of the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA). SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have confirmed that members working in the Education Sector will be supporting the #FundTheFuture protest tomorrow (Thursday, 21st March), in higher education campuses across the country. SIPTU Education Sector Organiser, Karl...

The ITF has called for the immediate payment of all monies due to them and assistance to return home for a group of Indonesian fishers who have been stranded in Dingle, County Kerry, since Monday, 11th March, when they left their vessel due to...

SIPTU members will be supporting the strike by school students and associated events across the country tomorrow (Friday, 15th March) as part of a global day of action by young people protesting at the lack of response by world leaders to tackling climate...

The National Executive Council of SIPTU has expressed its deep concern at the economic, political and social implications for workers in Ireland of a ‘no deal’, hard or disorganised Brexit. Following a meeting of the NEC at Liberty Hall,...

The threat by the British government of punitive tariffs on Irish products entering the UK in the event of a no deal Brexit, has been described as unacceptable by SIPTU deputy general secretary for the private sector, Gerry McCormack. Tens of thousands of...

Members of the SIPTU Nursing and Midwifery Sector Committee have today (Tuesday, 12th March) sought to refer proposals for the introduction of an enhanced Nursing and Midwifery contract to the Labour Court. Speaking after the lengthy meeting today in Liberty...

SIPTU members working in Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. Killarney, Co Kerry have today (Tuesday, 12th March) confirmed that they have served notice of industrial action at the company. The decision comes following the result of a ballot held on...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have today (Monday, 11th March) renewed their call for a full risk assessment of properties built or extended from approximately 2000 to 2014 due to the large number of fire safety issues discovered in a recent...

SIPTU Health Division representatives have confirmed that talks between unions and health service management on an enhanced nursing and midwifery contract, concluded last night (Sunday, 10th March) without agreement at the Workplace Relations Commission....

A major protest rally on the housing emergency is to take place at Cork City Hall on Monday, March 11. The rally will see trade unions, political parties, women’s groups, student unions, housing agencies and community groups join...

The SIPTU Education Sector has launched a campaign to fight precarious work in higher and further education following a meeting of workers from across the country to mark International Women’s Day in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, today (Friday, 8th...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 7th March) called for the JobPath employment activation scheme to be brought to a swift end after it emerged that in some cases job seekers have gone through the process three times without success. SIPTU Sector...

The Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) is calling on its members to attend a protest in support of the call for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest, to be held by Israel in 2019, which will take place outside of RTÉ Studios in Donnybrook,...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 7th March) called for the JobPath employment activation scheme to be brought to a swift end after it emerged that in some cases job seekers have gone through the process three times without success. SIPTU Sector...

The Big Start Campaign has released new research, to mark International Women’s Day tomorrow (Friday 8th March), showing that childcare, which has an overwhelmingly female workforce, is the lowest paid sector in the Irish economy. Early...

SIPTU members working in First Choice Credit Union in Ballyhaunis, Achill and Castlebar have today (Monday, 4th March) served notice of industrial action in a dispute concerning pay, travel time and other terms and conditions at the company. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 4th March) confirmed members in construction are pursuing a 12% increase in pay over three years as part of a process in establishing a new Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the industry. SIPTU Sector Organiser,...

SIPTU nursing and midwifery members, working across acute hospital settings, will vote on a recent Labour Court recommendation once full details of a new contract for nurses and midwives is negotiated. The decision follows a meeting today (Friday,...

SIPTU representatives have stated that a ‘Graduate Outcome Survey’ published by the Higher Education Authority, today (Monday, 18th February), has revealed the extent of low pay and precarious work facing newly qualified graduates in the...

SIPTU members working in the Pfizer Plants in Ringaskiddy and Little Island in county Cork have today (13th February) agreed to attend a meeting of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in relation to proposed pension changes at the company. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU members have voted to accept an agreement between union representatives and the management of Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) on recognition, pay and grade structure for hourly paid employees at the company’s plant in Gweedore, county Donegal. The...

SIPTU representatives have condemned the tone of a letter from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to the management of Community Employment (CE) Schemes, which requests the names of workers involved in industrial action and implies that...

SIPTU members in health and other public services will engage in consultation on the implications of the Labour Court recommendation arising from the claims submitted by the nursing unions, according to the Union’s deputy general secretary, John...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the passing by Dáil Eireann of a motion, sponsored by Sinn Féin, calling on the Government and Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to immediately cease all referrals to the JobPath...

Workers and trade union organisers assembled outside the offices of JJ Rhatigan and Company, Newmarket Square, Dublin 8, this morning (Friday, 8th February) to hand in a letter requesting an urgent meeting to discuss compliance with...

SIPTU members will assemble near the Irish Ferries offices in Dublin Port tomorrow (Friday, 8th February) at 1.15 p.m. to hold a protest demanding decent wages for seafarers. SIPTU Organiser, Jerry Brennan, said: “The protest will take place as...

Nearly two hundred people including campaigners, union representatives, politicians and members the public attended a major ‘Raise the Roof’ conference in the CWU Centre in Dublin on Wednesday (30thJanuary). The focus of the event was the...

The Raise the Roof campaign platform will host a conference on Wednesday (30thJanuary) focused on establishing a new, legal right to housing and the need for increased investment in a major programme of public housing. The conference takes place in the CWU...

The SIPTU Dublin District Council and the Justice for Clerys Workers Campaign have called on the developers of the former iconic department store to fully adhere to the existing community benefit agreement for the site. SIPTU Dublin District Council Secretary and the...

The comprehensive defeat for Theresa May’s Brexit deal in the House of Commons on Tuesday (15thJanuary) highlights the urgency for the Government to step up engagement with trade unions in planning for a no-deal scenario, according to SIPTU Deputy General...

SIPTU nursing representatives met with the HSE today on the measures required to advance the pay and conditions of employment of our nursing and midwifery members, having regard to the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA). SIPTU representatives urged the...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) Emergency Medical Service are marking the 120th Anniversary of the start of the service today (Saturday, 5th January) with a call for the safeguarding of its future operation. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan...

SIPTU has called on the government to take real action to solve the waste management crisis in Ireland rather than mere token gestures such as the announcement today (Friday, 4th January) that single-use plastic cups, cutlery and straws will not be...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 28th December) confirmed that more than 7,000 support grade staff working in major hospitals and other healthcare centres across the state will be balloted for strike action early in the New Year.   The...

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, has expressed the deepest condolences to the family of Jer O’Leary, following the death of the activist who made an immense contribution to the culture of trade unionism in Ireland through his...

SIPTU representatives have noted the clarification issued by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, yesterday (Thursday, 20th December), concerning the interim measures introduced to deal with the processing backlog for work...

SIPTU representatives are seeking a meeting with government officials concerning the recruitment of additional staff and possible impact on existing working conditions in the transport sector in the event of no-deal Brexit. SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Greg...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 20th December) highlighted the possible impact a no-deal Brexit could have on working people in Ireland, following the publication of contingency plans by the European Commission and the Irish government...

SIPTU representatives today (Thursday, 20thDecember) signed an agreement with Signature Living, the management company of the soon to be opened George Best Hotel in Donegall Square, Belfast, ensuring its workers will have their collective...

SIPTU Ambulance Sector representatives have today (Thursday, 20th December) confirmed that agreement has been secured on the conduct of an independent review of the role and responsibilities of ambulance professionals as part of the Public Service Stability...

SIPTU representatives have expressed concern over the decision of Irish Ferries to cancel its services from Rosslare Europort, County Wexford, and France from the beginning of 2019. SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen, said: “This decision is...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 18th December) welcomed a statement by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar that the JobPath employment activation scheme might not be needed in the future and they called for priority to be given to job activation measures that...

SIPTU construction sector representatives have today (Tuesday, 18th December) expressed concerns that the National Children’s Hospital could need additional money to complete the project. They also voiced their disappointment that the notion of possible...

SIPTU is to seek a meeting with the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to discuss comments attributed to him in the media that lives are being put at risk due to the manner in which emergency ambulance calls are handled in the Dublin area. SIPTU Public...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 17th December) sought Government intervention to address the current backlog in processing work permits for up to 35 nursing staff working in the Mater University Hospital, Dublin. Due to these delays existing...

The decision by Theresa May to postpone today’s planned vote on the Brexit deal negotiated between London and Brussels puts workers in Ireland at risk regarding the potential effect on jobs and workers’ rights according to SIPTU, Deputy General...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 7th December) acknowledged an apology made by Aer Lingus senior management for the “hurt and upset” caused by a recent newspaper article concerning its claimed loss of millions of euros worth of stock at the...

SIPTU members working in Section 39 organisations have voted overwhelmingly to accept the terms of Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposals aimed at resolving pay injustice in the sector. The result of the national ballot, confirming 90% of votes cast were...

“SIPTU members and workplace representatives in Aer Lingus are extremely concerned about the front page report in the Sunday Independent newspaper which suggests that senior management at the company believes that “staff (are) stealing many...

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign has said that the ‘Early Years Sector Profile Report’ by the State funding agency POBAL, which was published today (Thursday, 29th November), has revealed the negative impact that low pay for workers and high...

A levy on transport companies should be considered in order to fund a dedicated police unit to deal with increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour on our bus and rail networks, the SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction (TEAC)...

Dublin Airport needs a new northern runway but not a new terminal building, until 2030 at the earliest, the SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction (TEAC) Division Biennial Delegate Conference was told today (Friday, 23rd...

SIPTU Health Care Support Assistants (HCSA) in counties Cork and Kerry have voted overwhelmingly in favour of taking industrial action in a dispute concerning the failure of the HSE to implement the conditions of new contracts, in a ballot counted today...

Adrian Kane, SIPTU Public Administration Division Organiser, has given a cautious welcome to the cabinet decision yesterday to consult with the Attorney General for a referendum on the public ownership of water services. He said that it would be important...

A SIPTU representative has said that a commitment by the Government, made in a report launched today (Monday, 19th November), to develop a “radical new funding model” for childcare is of little value unless it effectively deals with the...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 16th November) called on management in the Coca-Cola plant in Ballina, county Mayo, to fully implement a Labour Court recommendation recognising the right of the workers in the plant to collective trade union...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 15th November) called for better protections and safety protocols for all dock and port workers following the tragic death yesterday (Wednesday, 14th November) of seafarer, Dennis Gomez Regana, from...

SIPTU and its members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have today (Wednesday, 14th November) responded to recent criticisms relating to the performance of the service. Speaking after meeting of the SIPTU DFB Section Committee, SIPTU Sector Organiser,...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 14th November) said that talks are underway with management at University Limerick Hospital in an effort to resolve a dispute in the portering department. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Tony Kenny, said:...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed an announcement today (Tuesday, 13th November) from Bausch and Lomb of significant investment and the expansion to its Waterford facility with 100 additional jobs set to be created. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Alan...

SIPTU divisional organiser, Adrian Kane, has given a cautious welcome to the recommendations contained in the Gender Action Plan 2018-2020. Under the plan, up to 30 women-only professorships will be created in third level institutions over the next...

SIPTU is focused on uniting workers in the fight against racism and discrimination, the union’s Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, told a very well attended We Shall Overcome event, marking the 50th anniversary of the Northern...

Delegates at the SIPTU Manufacturing Division Biennial Delegate Conference being held in Castlebar, County Mayo, have today (Thursday, 8th November) voted to endorse a motion calling on the National Executive Council of SIPTU to campaign for...

A Brexit Adjustment Assistance Fund to support workers most at risk from the impact of the UK leaving the EU must be established, ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King, told the SIPTU Manufacturing Division Biennial Delegate Conference in...

Maintaining the free movement of people between the Republic and Northern Ireland is crucial to the economic and social well being of workers, ICTU Vice President, Owen Reidy, told the SIPTU Services Division Biennial Conference in Portlaoise,...

The successes of the Better than Zero campaign by the Scottish Trade Union Congress (STUC) against precarious work practices were outlined to delegates attending the SIPTU Services Division Biennial Conference in Portlaoise, County Laois, this afternoon...

The place of workers in Google who wish to effectively tackle alleged discrimination against women in the company is in a union, the SIPTU Services Division Biennial Conference in Portlaoise, County Laois, heard this afternoon (Thursday, 1st...

The cultural significance of members of SIPTU and its affiliated body the Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) was recognised at the inaugural RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, held last night (Thursday, 25th October) in Vicar Street in Dublin, with Lankum...

SIPTU has called on the Government to take immediate action to assist the many Bord na Móna workers facing the loss of their jobs and the communities which face economic hardship due to the company’s plans to accelerate the closure of its peat processing...

The SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Biennial Delegate Conference was today (Tuesday, 16th October) told that creeping health service privatisation lay at the root of the Cervical Check scandal, by the union’s Deputy General...

SIPTU members must take the lead in developing public services but will continue to totally oppose their outsourcing to the private sector, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, told delegates attending the SIPTU Public Administration and...

Responding to the details in Budget 2019, SIPTU economist, Marie Sherlock, described it as a scattergun approach designed to get over the hump of the next election. “Contrary to what the Government might claim, this was an exercise in...

SIPTU representatives have said that Budget 2019 has failed to address the deep staffing crisis in Early Years education. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Darragh O’Connor, said: “The Government claims it wants a high quality, affordable and...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have raised concerns about staffing levels which resulted in a serious deficit in services in several areas of the city yesterday (Friday, 5thOctober) during the Government’s official Fire Safety Week. SIPTU...

The SIPTU Dublin District Council and the Justice for Clerys Workers Campaign have said that the reported new owners of the iconic department store must adhere to an agreement with the union, local community groups and city councillors concerning the development...

SIPTU Big Start Campaign activists launched their pre-budget statement which outlines measures to end the crisis in Early Years education at an event this morning (Thursday, 4th October) in the Childcare Centre, Ballybough, Dublin 3. SIPTU Sector...

Delegates at the SIPTU Health Biennial Conference have voted to endorse a motion calling on the National Executive Council of SIPTU to engage with the Public Services Committee of the ICTU with a view to exploring the possibility of bringing forward the date for the...

SIPTU representatives yesterday, (Tuesday, 2nd October), secured a proposal that has the potential to end the Section 39 pay dispute. The move comes following protracted negotiations with officials from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and...

SIPTU representatives have condemned the proposal by the National Transport Authority (NTA) to offer 10% of Bus Eireann services to private operators from 2021. SIPTU Organiser, John Murphy, said the decision was ideologically driven and would result in...

SIPTU members in the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore, County Donegal, have suspended a 24-hour work stoppage which was due to commence tomorrow (Tuesday, 2nd October) at 7.00 a.m., following a proposal from management to enter...

SIPTU has called for immediate action from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, concerning the operation of Bray Home Care Services following a decision by the company to issue staff with a 30-day protective notice...

SIPTU has said that the review of the waste industry by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission confirms that the only long-term solution for the industry is the return of services to local authority control. SIPTU Public Administration and Community...

SIPTU members in the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore, County Donegal, have decided to escalate their campaign of industrial action with a 24-hour work stoppage which will commence at 7.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 2nd October. The industrial...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 24th September) secured a proposal from Government that will address outstanding pay issues for workers who joined the public service from 2011. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Sector, John...

SIPTU members in the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore, County Donegal, began a 16-hour work stoppage at 7.00 a.m. this morning (Monday, 24th September), in a dispute resulting from a refusal by the company to respect a Labour...

Workers and trade union organisers assembled outside a building site operated by Cairn Homes, on Hanover Quay, Dublin 2, this morning (Friday, 21st September) to highlight reports of subcontractors failing to comply with legally binding terms...

SIPTU representatives have said that significant progress has been made in negotiations today (Tuesday, 18th September) with officials from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Health to resolve a pay dispute for members working in Section 39...

SIPTU representatives have dismissed claims concerning the conduct of union activity in the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore, County Donegal, where workers will conduct a 16-hour work stoppage on 24th September. SIPTU Organiser, Declan...

SIPTU Health representatives have this afternoon (Friday, 14th September) agreed to accept an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) scheduled for Tuesday 18th September. The move is in response to an understanding that the Department of Health...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 14th September) confirmed that thousands of Section 39 health and social care workers will participate in a one day national strike next Tuesday (18thSeptember) to highlight their claim for full pay restoration. A...

ONE Galway kick-started a housing campaign with a ‘camp-out’ by NUIG and GMIT students on Eyre Square, Galway City, today (Tuesday, 11th September), from 4.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. The ONE Galway movement which comprises trade...

SIPTU members have served notice of a 16-hour work stoppage in a dispute concerning a refusal by management to respect a Labour Court recommendation in relation to union representation for workers at the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore, County...

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign has said low pay will continue to undermine the delivery of quality Early Years education. Union representatives welcomed the announcement by the Government today (Wednesday, 5th September) of increased funding for childcare supports...

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign is calling for a radical new approach to childcare funding to address the affordability and staffing crisis in the sector. Speaking in response to a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the state agency,...