News Archive

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,...

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign is calling on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) to adequately support a pre-school to primary school transition plan developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The NCCA plan envisages the...

Staff in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) have agreed significant pay increases, following local collective bargaining between management and trade union representatives. The new pay agreement includes increases of 7.5% for all union members...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 20th August) said that members working in Respond Housing Association will be balloted for strike action unless management agrees to an urgent meeting with union representatives over plans to restructure the company....

SIPTU members have voted overwhelming for strike action in a dispute concerning a refusal by management to recognise their right to union representation for collective bargaining purposes at the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) plant in Gweedore, County Donegal....

SIPTU representatives have called on the management of the Respond Housing Association to attend a meeting of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to discuss proposed redundancies at the company. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins, said: “In...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 10th August) called for a face-to-face meeting with Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to discuss breaking the deadlock concerning pay restoration for thousands of Section 39 Organisation workers providing...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 9th August) confirmed that after negotiations with Health Service Executive (HSE) management a proposed agreement has been secured that could end precarious work practices for home help workers in the community sector....

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign has called on the Government to invest in high quality, affordable childcare instead of endorsing the ill-conceived proposal for payments to grandparents from the Independent Alliance. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Darragh...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 25th July) confirmed that talks to avert strike action across Section 39 organisations have collapsed following negotiations in the Workplace Relations Commission. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 25th July) warned that the four academics who reached a settlement in the High Court represent the tip of the iceberg regarding gender discrimination at National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG). Maggie...

This weekend (Friday 27th, July and Saturday, 28th July) the SIPTU Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon (SLR) District Council are set to mark the centenary of women’s suffrage at the 2nd Annual Markievicz/Partridge seminar in Lissadell House,...

Workers and trade union organisers assembled outside a building site, on Hanover Quay, Dublin 2, this morning (Friday, 30th July) to highlight reports of subcontractors failing to comply with legally binding terms and conditions for employees...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the confirmation that outstanding wages and arrears due to the players of Bray Wanderers FC are being processed this evening (Thursday, 19th July). SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser, Denis Hynes, said: “SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives are in negotiations with the management of Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd concerning a proposal to place workers on a three-day working week and the suspension of the sick pay scheme at its manufacturing plant in Killarney, county Kerry....

SIPTU representatives met with the management of Limerick FC on Tuesday, 17th July, following a ballot organised by the union in which players voted by an overwhelming majority for strike action if they are not paid outstanding wages. SIPTU...

A SIPTU representative will meet with the management of Bray Wanderers FC this evening (Tuesday, 17th July) to discuss the ongoing pay dispute at the football club which has resulted in its players voting for strike action. SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser,...

A SIPTU representative will meet with the players of Limerick FC in Limerick City at 12 noon today (Tuesday, 17th July) to discuss the possibility of balloting union members in relation to a pay dispute at the club. SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser, Denis...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 9th July) said that talks in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) between Department of Health and the Health Service Executive (HSE) have adjourned until Wednesday 25h July to allow the Government time to consider...

SIPTU members in the Cork Fire Service are to serve notice of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in relation to a dispute which has resulted from a refusal by management to pay back monies owed to staff. SIPTU Organiser, Con...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 9th July) called for the establishment of a dedicated transport policing service in order to combat the growing number of incidences of anti-social behaviour across the public transport network. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU representatives has resumed pay talks with the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Health and Section 39 health service providers today (Monday, 9th July). SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “The talks...

The Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI), an affiliate union of SIPTU, has expressed concern and disappointment with a decision by the Government to move the control of the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉNSO) from the broadcaster to the...

The Local Authority Professional Officers (LAPO) of SIPTU yesterday (Monday, 2nd July) served notice of industrial action on Roscommon County Council in support of their trade union colleagues in Fόrsa who are in a dispute concerning the restoration of a...

SIPTU representatives have signed a collective bargaining agreement with Go-Ahead Ireland in which the transport company, which recently won a tender to operate 24 Outer Dublin Metropolitan Area bus routes, recognises the right of the union to organise its...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 27th June) confirmed that members working as psychiatric nurses at St Luke’s General Hospital in county Kilkenny have suspended planned industrial action. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Marie Butler, said:...

Early Years educators and providers from across county Wexford presented local TDs with a petition, containing over 2,000 signatures, which calls for improved pay and conditions in the sector, at an event in Riverside Park Hotel,...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) will gather outside the Dáil today (Tuesday 19th June) at 3.15 p.m. to highlight their call for all parties to support a private members’ motion which seeks the retention and adequate funding of their Fire-based...

SIPTU has called for a major review of waste collection and its return to control by the local authority sector following a Prime Time programme, broadcast last night (Monday, 18th June) which revealed widespread illegal practices within the industry....

Early Years educators and providers from across county Roscommon presented politicians with a petition, containing over 2,000 signatures, which calls for improved pay and conditions in the sector, at an event in in Hannons Hotel,...

SIPTU members at the Liebherr Container Cranes Ltd. plant in Killarney, county Kerry, have expressed shock and disappointment at the confirmation by management that 27 workers are to lose their jobs in June, up to 60 in July and possibly a further...

SIPTU will commemorate Lá na mBan/Women’s Day 1918 at an event at the Mansion House, Dublin 2, this Saturday, 9th June, from 12.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m. The commemoration will be staged on a 19th Century tram and involve recitals and...

SIPTU has called for urgent action to tackle the funding crisis in higher education as the majority of third level institutions in Ireland continue to decline when ranked internationally against similar colleges. SIPTU Education Sector Organiser, Karl...

SIPTU representatives have expressed dismay at the announcement today (Wednesday, 6th June) by Aer Árann that it is to terminate its Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract to operate flights to the Aran Islands in December 2018. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU members in the Irish Society for Autism (ISA) have today (Wednesday, 6th June) confirmed that they have secured in excess of €400,000 owed to them as part of the wider process of pay restoration for workers in the health service. The...

SIPTU Meath District Council officers have today (Tuesday, 5th June) paid tribute to the life and work of union activist and Sinn Féin Councillor, Joe Reilly. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: “The passing of Joe Reilly has...

SIPTU has stated its full support for maintaining universal child benefit payments but has called for improvements in the scheme in order to tackle the issue of child poverty. SIPTU Economist, Marie Sherlock, said: “The union fully supports the...

A new series of short documentary films outlining the story of the Irish Citizen Army will be launched by the SIPTU Dublin District Council at an event in Liberty Hall tomorrow (Tuesday, 5th June) evening which will be addressed by the Lord Mayor of...

The 150th anniversary of the birth of James Connolly will be marked with a seminar in the Mansion House, Dublin, on Tuesday (5th June), at which trade union representatives will launch a campaign to assert the rights of freelance workers across the...

SIPTU has written to the National Ambulance Service today (Friday, 1st June) to warn of major staffing problems within the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) which takes emergency calls and dispatches ambulances across the country. SIPTU...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 31st May) sought a meeting with the management the Mater Private Group following the announcement that MP Healthcare Holdings, the holding company of Mater Private Group, is to be sold to a subsidiary of...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) have voted in a ballot counted today (Wednesday, 30th May) by 91% to 9% to accept a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal on pay. The proposals include an 8.5% increase in pay with 3% backdated to 1st...

SIPTU representatives have called on members to participate in a ‘day of action’ tomorrow (Wednesday, 30th May) organised by the Standing4Women campaign in solidarity with the 209 women affected by the CervicalCheck scandal. The ‘day of...

The SIPTU Big Start Early Years Committee in County Mayo is set to challenge the levying of commercial rates on Early Years education services at a meeting with the Director of Finance of Mayo County Council on Tuesday (5th June). The Mayo SIPTU Big Start campaign...

SIPTU deputy general secretary, Ethel Buckley, said that union members warmly welcome the resounding vote to repeal the 8th Amendment. “Having called and campaigned for repeal with the ‘Together for Yes’ coalition, SIPTU members...

SIPTU representatives commenced discussions today (Thursday, 24th May) with the management of Bus Éireann in relation to the adequate funding of the service and essential increases in basic pay for staff. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy,...

SIPTU representatives commenced discussions today (Thursday, 24th May) with the management of Bus Éireann in relation to the adequate funding of the service and essential increases in basic pay for staff. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy,...

SIPTU representatives in Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly, have today (Thursday, 24th May) cautiously welcomed confirmation from hospital management that it has been given approval to recruit more staff to relieve some of...

SIPTU representatives have raised safety concerns for National Ambulance Service members based in Drogheda, County Louth, following the discovery of an intruder at their base on Sunday (20th May) morning. SIPTU Organiser, John McCamley, said:...

SIPTU representatives have written to the Minister for Business, Enterprise, and Innovation, Heather Humphreys, demanding an urgent meeting to discuss the threat by the management of Coca-Cola to close its plant in Athy, County...

The Labour Court has recommended compensation for two SIPTU members working at Carambola Kidz, Annacotty Business Park, Limerick, due to breaches by the company of the Organisation of Working Time Act. SIPTU Organiser, Pat McCabe, said:...

SIPTU representatives have called on senior management at Coca-Cola to reconsider its decision to close its facility in Athy, County Kildare, with the loss of all jobs, which was announced earlier this month. The company said it had taken the...

SIPTU members, working as Multi Task Attendants, in Midlands Regional Hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly, will hold a protest outside the facility next Thursday (24th May), from 1.00 p.m. to 2.00 p.m., to highlight their concerns...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 16th May) insisted that employers in the construction industry must play a greater role to support the training of apprentices and semi-skilled workers. Speaking in response to the Construction Industry...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 15th May) demanded that the Government acts on the recommendations of the Health Service Executive (HSE) audit report into Section 39 organisations. SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 15th May)...

SIPTU members, working as childcare professionals in Ballyfermot, are calling on all Dublin City Councillors to support their campaign for fair pay and recognition. SIPTU Organiser, Dave Curran said: “On Wednesday, 16th May, the...

SIPTU members, working in the Irish Society for Autism (ISA), are set to hold a protest in Johnstown Bridge, County Kildare, next Monday (21st, May) to highlight their concerns over a management refusal to engage with their union over the...

The massacre of unarmed protestors by Israeli military forces in Gaza on the day (Monday, 14th May) that the opening of the US embassy was celebrated in Jerusalem only serves to demonstrate once again how the international community has failed the people of...

A petition calling on the Government to increase investment in the Early Years childcare sector was launched by members of the Roscommon Big Start Campaign at a meeting held in Hannon’s Hotel, County Roscommon, on Thursday (10th May). The Big Start...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 14th May) said that any attempt by the Government to recalibrate the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) will be resisted wholehearted by the membership. SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Paul Bell said:...

SIPTU support staff and health care assistant grades working in Our Lady of Lourdes and Louth County Hospitals have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute concerning management's failure to...

A petition calling on the Government to increase investment in the Early Years childcare sector was launched by members of the Roscommon Big Start Campaign at a meeting held in Hannon’s Hotel, County Roscommon, on Thursday (10th May). The Big Start...

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 11th May) repeated their call to halt the privatisation of critical health services and demanded that the Government starts a process of bringing all health screening services home to Ireland. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 10th May) described the National University of Ireland Galway’s (NUIG) gender equality award as a very misleading development. SIPTU Industrial Organiser Noel Maguire, said: “This is a very misleading...

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 8th May) called on the Government to intervene in a dispute involving up to fifty Section 39 organisations in order to avert strike action by workers. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said:...

SIPTU representatives will enter a talks process on Tuesday (8th May) with the management of Coca-Cola concerning a company decision to close its manufacturing plant in Athy, County Kildare, with the loss of more than 80 jobs. SIPTU Sector Organiser,...

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 30th April) demanded an immediate halt to the privatisation of critical health services and called on the Government to ensure that the outsourcing clause of the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) is honoured to...

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...

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...