News Archive

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...

SIPTU has called on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, to immediately initiate a process aimed at resolving the dispute at Irish Rail in order to ensure a solution is in place before a second 24-hour work stoppage by staff...

The RTÉ Trade Union Group (TUG) has called on management to implement the recommendations of the Gender Pay Review of the station by Kieran Mulvey, which was published today (Wednesday, 1st November). The TUG Executive will review the comprehensive...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have highlighted the urgent need to purchase new aerial appliances, with only one of the vehicle mounted long ladders available for dispatch in the city today (Wednesday, 1st November), only a third of...

SIPTU members employed as drivers by the Inishowen Oil Company Ltd, Carndonagh, county Donegal, will begin an all-out strike at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday (1st November) in response to their employer’s refusal to accept an invitation by the...

Three SIPTU members, who worked as school cleaners, have reached an agreement which ends a dispute over the loss of their jobs at St Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown, in Swords, County Dublin. The dispute was settled...

SIPTU representatives have demanded confirmation in writing from the Health Service Executive (HSE) concerning the re-opening of Loretto Day Centre in Navan, county Meath, following a meeting, today (Monday, 23rd October), between...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have announced five dates of 24-hour all out-strike action starting on Wednesday, 1st November following a refusal by management at the State transport company to address a reasonable pay claim by staff. The four further 24-hour work...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute which results from a refusal by management at the State transport company to accept a reasonable pay claim by staff. SIPTU members voted by 84% in favour of industrial...

The Irish Rail trade union group said: “Despite the best efforts of the WRC, Irish Rail senior management have once again demonstrated their total disdain for their own staff and those that rely on Irish Rail services. We have spent the last twelve hours...

The SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee has welcomed the release from prison in Egypt last night (Thursday, 19th October) of Ibrahim Halawa and looks forward to his arrival home in Ireland. SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Karan O...

A SIPTU Organiser addressed students from the Cairnes School of Business in NUI Galway, on the importance of trade unions in the modern workplace at a meeting held in the university on Thursday, 12th October. The event was organised by NUI Galway...

Budget 2018 has failed to address the long-term crisis in funding for Family Resource Centres (FRC) which are struggling to provide frontline services and cope with increased overheads, according to the SIPTU National FRC Committee. There are 109 FRCs providing...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the enacting of a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), today (Thursday, 19th October,) which sets minimum rates of pay in the construction industry as an “important first step” for workers in securing...

Four SIPTU members ended an 18-day sit-in at the the Brookfield Youth and Community Centre in Tallaght, county Dublin, last night (Wednesday, 18th October) after an intervention by South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to confirm that it will seek to...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 18th October) written to management in the Health Service Executive (HSE) to clarify why Home Care workers were expected to remain working on Monday (16th October) after HSE offices were shut at midday due to the...

SIPTU has contacted the provisional liquidator of Charleville Credit Union, Charleville, County Cork, seeking a commitment that all entitlements due to its members will be promptly paid following the granting of a High Court application to wind up...

SIPTU representatives have reiterated their call for a major overhaul of the State pension system to end discrimination against workers who have breaks in their careers, mainly women, ahead of a Dáil debate on the issue this evening...

SIPTU has accepted an invitation to attend a meeting of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to discuss a pay claim by staff at Irish Rail on Thursday (19th October). SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen, said: “Our members are mindful of the position of...

SIPTU has commended its members in the local authorities, fire, ambulance and emergency services and the Office of Public Works (OPW) for their courageous service to the public in relation to dealing with the lead up to and impact of storm Ophelia. SIPTU...

SIPTU has stated that Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, is wrong to suggest in a post published on her Facebook page, yesterday (Thursday, 12th October), that “an unofficial labour dispute is in...

Irish Equity has assured members that the union will support them should they have any concerns regarding their treatment in the workplace, following the recent media coverage of sexual assault and harassment in the film industry. Irish Equity Organiser,...

SIPTU members have welcomed aspects of Budget 2018 for the Early Years sector, including a 7% increase in ECCE capitation and its extension to two years. However, the fundamental problems of the current Early Years funding system remain. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor has said that Budget 2018 is “a slick piece of political presentation but is morally indefensible.” He said: “In the midst of a housing and homeless crisis the government has chosen to deploy €335...

SIPTU has condemned a call by a new independent childcare providers’ organisation, ‘Seas Suas’, for a temporary derogation that would allow up to 25% of staff in Early Years facilities to work without any qualifications. ‘Seas...

The incoming SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Sector, John King, has renewed his union’s call for South Dublin County Council to intervene in a dispute which has resulted in a sit-in at Brookfield Youth and Community Centre (BYCC) during...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have raised serious concerns about staffing levels in the service following the confirmation that several fire appliances were sent into operation today (Friday, 6th October) while undermanned. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU delegates attending the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Thursday, 5th October) unanimously backed a motion calling on the Government and Health Service Executive (HSE) to ensure Section 39 organisations adopt transparent...

The image of SIPTU has been transformed for many young women by the success of its members in the Women’s National Football Team in securing better conditions, the union’s incoming SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, told...

SIPTU delegates voted overwhelmingly in support of a motion for their union to “support the call for a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment”, at its Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork today (Thursday, 5th October). Proposing the motion on...

SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, has declared that Iarnród Éireann is the “new frontline” in the battle to ensure the adequate funding of public transport in Ireland at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in...

SIPTU representatives at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Wednesday, 4th October) called on the Government to increase funding to Community and Not For Profit organisations in order to ensure workers in these sectors benefit...

SIPTU delegates attending the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Tuesday, 3rd October) backed a call to strongly oppose the forces of the extreme right and to radically reform the EU in a manner which places the interests of citizens...

SIPTU delegates attending the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Tuesday, 3rd October) unanimously backed a motion calling on the Government and Health Service Executive (HSE) to give all health workers the option of remaining in...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has called for a new alliance to prioritise public investment in housing, health care, and education and to guarantee collective bargaining rights for all workers. Addressing the SIPTU Biennial...