News Archive

The ICTU and SIPTU have said that a European Court ruling on Thursday (10th September), which found that travel time for employees with no fixed place of work should be counted as part of their working day, could benefit many workers in Ireland. ICTU...

SIPTU members working as social care workers and social care leaders in County Galway have called on the Minister of Health, Leo Varadkar, to honour a Labour Relations Commission (LRC) proposal in a dispute concerning the payment of monies owed to them for...

SIPTU has criticised the management of Irish Rail for its refusal to discuss past productivity increases by workers which led to the breakdown of talks between the company and unions at the Labour Relations Commission last night (Tuesday, 8th September). SIPTU...

Mandate and SIPTU trade unions have today (Wednesday, 9th September) agreed to negotiations with the owner of Boyers department store on Talbot Street, Dublin, on the orderly wind down of the company. Mandate Official, Jonathan Hogan,...

SIPTU and IFUT have expressed outrage at the refusal by management at NUI Galway to attend a meeting at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to discuss an equality taskforce it has appointed. At a meeting with union representatives on Friday, 28th August,...

A legal expert with the SIPTU Workers Rights Centre has today (Tuesday, 1st September) been appointed to sit on a Committee of Investigation to oversee the liquidation process of OCS Operations, the company which operated Clerys department store. The...

Former Clerys workers protested outside the offices of the department store’s new owner, Natrium, on North Wall Quay, Dublin 1, at lunchtime today (Friday, 28th August). The workers are calling on the directors of Natrium to meet...

SIPTU has called on the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) to commit to the continued funding of the Ballymun Young Women’s Project in north Dublin. SIPTU Organiser, Karen Smollen, said: “The Ballymun Young Women’s Project has...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have voted for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a dispute provoked by a decision of the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council to renege on an agreement on recruiting new firefighters. In...

The SIPTU proposals for a progressive alternative to the Universal Social Charge (USC) were presented at a meeting in the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan, County Meath, on Wednesday (19th August) evening. The SIPTU Meath District Council hosted the meeting and a...

A dispute over pay and conditions in Bord na Móna has been referred to the Labour Court following a break down in negotiations between workers and management at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) yesterday (Thursday, 20th August). Bord na Móna...

Former Clerys workers protested outside the department store on O’Connell Street, Dublin, at lunchtime today (Thursday, 20th August), to highlight the failure of its new owners to meet them in the 10 weeks since they took over the...

The Bord na Móna Group of Unions has deferred a general meeting of its members following confirmation from management, today (Wednesday, 19th August), that it has removed a threat to implement compulsory redundancies at a subsidiary company of...

SIPTU has called for senior Health Service Executive (HSE) officials to urgently intervene to resolve a staffing crisis at two community care units in County Meath which appears to have resulted in beds being left idle. SIPTU Organiser, John McCamley,...

SIPTU is to nominate members to sit on the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the agricultural sector following the re-establishment of the body by the Labour Court. SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, said: “Legislation for the...

SIPTU has warned the management of Irish Rail of the possibility of industrial action if it fails to deal with calls by train drivers for adequate compensation for their contribution in significantly increasing productivity at the transport company. SIPTU...

SIPTU has called upon the owners of a convenience store in Ardnaree, Ballina, County Mayo, to respect an Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) ruling and pay eight former employees the monies they are owed. SIPTU Organiser, Robert Purfield,...

The Bord na Móna Group of Unions has informed the company that it intends to recommend a motion of no confidence in the Bord of the semi-state enterprise to its members if a threat to implement compulsory redundancies is not rescinded. Bord na Móna Group...

SIPTU has called on the Government to commit to removing the preferential VAT rate currently enjoyed by the profitable hotel and restaurant sector that includes many businesses that are exploiting low paid workers. SIPTU Division Organiser, John King,...

SIPTU has stated its support for the announcement today (Tuesday, 11th August) by the Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash, that a Forum on the Living Wage will be held in Dublin Castle on Wednesday, 30th September. SIPTU Division...

SIPTU has called for a review of the conduct of investigations and the use of administrative leave by the management of the St. Anne’s Centre for people with intellectual disabilities, Roscrea, County Tipperary. The call follows the completion of a...

SIPTU has called on the Department of Social Protection to review the use of JobBridge in the Education Sector stating that its implementation will result in the displacement of workers. SIPTU Education Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, said:...

SIPTU representatives will meet with workers in Kerry Spring Water in Ballyferriter, County Kerry, early next week following the announcement, last night (Friday, 31st July), that the bottled mineral water company has gone into...

SIPTU members have said they are not surprised at the failure of NUI Galway to secure an Athena Swan award for gender equality policies in higher education in light of the number of outstanding issues concerning discrimination at the third level institution. SIPTU...

SIPTU supports the reported position of the Department of Transport that it is seeking a derogation for Ireland from the EU Commission supported ‘Fourth Railway Package’ which calls for greater market liberalisation and competition within the railway...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has expressed its support for today’s announcement by the National Apprenticeship Council of Ireland that it plans to extend current apprenticeship schemes to areas such as hospitality, manufacturing, ICT and...

SIPTU representatives have written to local and regional HSE management requesting that it reverses its decision not to fill vacant nursing posts in two community units in County Meath. St Joseph's Hospital in Trim and Beaufort House in Navan have a total of 8.14...

SIPTU has called for funds to be made available immediately to upgrade and increase staff numbers at the St Patrick’s Nursing Home, Carrick-on-Shannon, county Leitrim. SIPTU Organiser, Sandra Flanagan, said: “SIPTU members who work...

SIPTU members in the public service have overwhelmingly accepted the Lansdowne Road proposals following a ballot which was counted today in Liberty Hall, Dublin. Members supported the proposals with 78.5% of votes cast in favour and 21.5% against. SIPTU...

SIPTU has stated that new measures contained in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015, which was passed in the Dail this afternoon (Thursday, 16th July), will strengthen the rights of workers in Ireland. SIPTU President, Jack...

SIPTU members at NUI Galway met with the Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, this morning (Wednesday, 15th July) to discuss their demand for an independent taskforce to investigate gender discrimination in the university. The delegation...

SIPTU has urged the management of the National Ambulance Service and the Health Service Executive (HSE) not to introduce the use of the Eircode system for ambulance professionals until the new postcodes have proven to be fit for purpose. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU members employed by Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) will hold a rally to protest at their treatment by the management of the voluntary organisation, in the Bullring Wexford Town on Saturday, 11th July, between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m....

SIPTU has entered into talks at the Labour Relation Commission (LRC) with the management of Celtic Linen Ltd concerning plans to implement up to 62 job losses at the company, which is headquartered in Drinagh, County Wexford. SIPTU Organiser, Peader...

The Clerys workers have renewed their call for Natrium, the new owners of the department store, to meet with them to explain their actions which have cost hundreds of jobs. The renewed call was made following the publication of a report, today...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today (Monday, 6th July) that the government must move to ensure company directors can be disqualified if they breach their obligations to their workers. Congress General Secretary Patricia King said that the law must be...

SIPTU, Ireland's largest trade union, has welcomed the decisive rejection of the one sided austerity agenda by the Greek people in today's referendum. The union has also called on the Irish government to act in solidarity with the beleagured...

SIPTU, Ireland's largest trade union, has welcomed the decisive rejection of the one sided austerity agenda by the Greek people in today's referendum. The union has also called on the Irish government to act in solidarity with the beleagured...

SIPTU has expressed alarm at the decline in the number of workplace inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) which was revealed in the agency’s annual report for 2014 published earlier this week. SIPTU Health and Safety Adviser,...

Members in Dublin Fire Brigade are to ballot for industrial/strike action in response to the refusal of the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan, to implement an agreement reached in May for the filling of outstanding firefighter...

SIPTU has launched a proposal for “A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge” (USC). It recommends that a new Social Solidarity Contribution, which would retain all the progressive elements of the existing USC charge as a highly...

SIPTU has called on Ryanair to respect workers’ rights following a ruling by the Labour Court in Denmark that trade union members in that country can take industrial action against the company in order to secure their right to collective bargaining. Following an...

The EU should think hard and long before pushing Greece out of the Eurozone, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) General Secretary Bernadette Ségol has warned. “Decisions by the ECB and Eurogroup Finance Ministers are pushing Greece towards...

The Clerys workers have voiced their support for the decision of Dublin City Council to endorse a number of motions condemning their treatment and extend the protection of the specific use of the store on O’Connell Street, Dublin. SIPTU shop steward,...

SIPTU members working in the Our Lady's Unit in the Saint Patrick's Centre, County Kilkenny, had highlighted deficiencies in its operation to the management of the facility prior to it being de-registered and taken under the control of Health...

Patients on the waiting list for kidney and pancreas transplants are to hold a meeting in Liberty Hall, Dublin tomorrow (Saturday, 27th June) to discuss the failure of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide essential treatment and procedures since...

A SIPTU petition calling on the new owners of Clerys to meet with the former staff of the department store has received over 14,000 signatures since it was launched six days ago. SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said:...

Members of the international trade union movement signed the Clerys workers' petition, on Tuesday, 23rd June, outside the department store in O’Connell Street, Dublin. Trade unionists from Belgium, France, the UK,...

Protest outside the head office of D2 Private, Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2, Friday 19th June at 12.00 p.m. D2 Private is a part owner of Natrium, the consortium that bought Clerys on Friday (12th June). Following the purchase of the store,...

SIPTU members employed in Clerys department store have collected over 5,000 signatures from members of the public and politicians for their petition demanding that the new owners of the premises meet with them. The petition, which was only started on...

SIPTU members employed at the swimming pool in Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, have called on the college administration to reverse its decision to close the facility. The workers met today (Tuesday, 16th June) to discuss their response to the...

A rally by SIPTU members employed in Clerys department store and their supporters on O’Connell Street, Dublin, at lunchtime on Tuesday, 16th June, received overwhelming support from the public. Over 1,000 people attended the...

SIPTU has called a rally in support of the Clerys workers outside the department store, O’Connell Street, Dublin, tomorrow (Tuesday, 16th June) between 12.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to highlight the demand that the new owners meet with staff....

SIPTU members marched to Clerys Department store on O’Connell Street, Dublin, at lunchtime on Saturday, 13th June, demanding fair treatment and justice less than 24 hours after their jobs were made redundant with immediate effect....

The SIPTU ‘Fair Deal for Cleaners’ campaign will mark the 25th anniversary of International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security Officers on Monday, 15th June, with publicity events in workplaces across the country. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with the new owner of Clerys Department Store, Dublin, following confirmation today (Friday, 12th June) that the company has been bought by the real estate firm, Natrium. SIPTU Organiser, Robert...

SIPTU members in Clerys Department Store, O’Connell Street, Dublin, will attend an emergency meeting in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on Saturday, 13th June, morning at 11.30 a.m. to discuss what action they will take following...

SIPTU members employed by Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) will conduct strike action on Wednesday, 17th June, in a dispute concerning a unilateral change by management to sick leave benefit and its refusal to engage with their union. On 17th...

The National Executive Council of SIPTU met today (Friday, 5th June) to consider the proposals for an agreement on pay in the public service. Having considered the details it was decided to recommend them for acceptance by the union’s membership. It was...

For the second time in its history the International Federation of Actor (FIA) and its worldwide members gather for a 4-day international conference on live performance. Hosted by FIA member unions Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland,  - the event will...

Following intensive discussions facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), public service trade unions have concluded an agreement with the Government which will see the protections of the Haddington Road Agreement extended to September 2018,...

SIPTU members at Aer Lingus have been informed that management at the airline has agreed to establish a legally enshrined Registered Employment Agreement (REA) at the company which will commit it not to pursue an agenda of outsourcing and compulsory redundancies. The...

SIPTU has called on the management of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) to attend a conciliation conference facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to discuss job losses and cuts in staff working hours at the charity....

SIPTU will vigorously oppose the Government plan to sell-off its 25% of shares in Aer Lingus due to the failure of the company to provide commitments to workers that it will not impose compulsory redundancies or the outsourcing of jobs. SIPTU Construction and...

SIPTU has called on TDs to vote against the sale of the State’s shareholding in Aer Lingus to allow time for the full consideration of an internal Aer Lingus report which has revealed major job losses are envisaged in the event of an IAG takeover. SIPTU...

SIPTU has called on the management of C&C Gleeson to meet with union representatives and begin a process of engagement relating to a proposed restructuring of the drinks company which could result in up to 25 job losses. SIPTU Organiser, Terry Bryan,...

SIPTU will vigorously oppose the sale by the Government of its 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus if the company fails to provide commitments that it will not impose compulsory redundancies or the outsourcing of jobs. SIPTU Construction and Utilities Division...

Dear Colleagues, SIPTU representatives have entered discussions with public service employers for the restoration of pay for union members who have suffered severe reductions in income over the past number of years. We will also seek the alleviation of the...

A 48-hour work stoppage by SIPTU drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, scheduled to begin on Friday (15th May), has been deferred following agreement between union representatives, management and Department of Transport officials. The...

SIPTU members at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork (UCC), who are engaged in strike action today (Wednesday, 13th May), have called on the UCC President, Michael Murphy, to intervene in their dispute over pay...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions has stated its support for an ESB decision to maintain a supply agreement with the company for peat to fuel its power stations in Shannonbridge, County Offaly, and Lough Ree, County Longford, after...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has welcomed new draft legislation on collective bargaining which the Government has published today describing it as an important and long awaited development by the Irish trade union movement. The legislation...

SIPTU West Cork District Council endorsed the union’s ‘Yes Equality’ campaign for marriage equality at a meeting in the Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, County Cork, on Tuesday, 21st April. The meeting heard presentations on the...

SIPTU Health Division members called on the Government to honour its commitment to restore their pay in line with national agreements at a rally today (Thursday, 30th April) outside the Department of Health, Dublin 2. At the rally, frontline health...

SIPTU members at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork (UCC) will undertake three days of work stoppages in May, beginning tomorrow (Friday, 1st May), during which pickets will be placed on entrances to the facility from 7.00...

SIPTU Bus drivers will place pickets in over 30 locations across the country on Friday, 1st May, as they engage in strike action aimed at protecting services and decent jobs from the threat of privatisation. The strike is one of four scheduled to take...

SIPTU members have expressed their support for the announcement today (Wednesday, 29th April) of a €75 million investment programme in the Bausch and Lomb production plant in Waterford. The decision by the contact lens manufacturer’s parent...

SIPTU members have expressed their support for the announcement today (Wednesday, 29th April) of a €75 million investment programme in the Bausch and Lomb production plant in Waterford. The decision by the contact lens manufacturer’s parent...

SIPTU Kildare District Council will host a meeting on the impact of the housing crisis on the commuter belt in the McAuley Place, Arts and Culture Centre, Sallins Road, Naas, county Kildare at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 30th April. The event...

SIPTU has stated that a comprehensive agreement which deals with the threat to bus services and workers' terms of employment is needed before there can be any suspension of industrial action by bus drivers scheduled to begin on Friday, 1st May. SIPTU...

SIPTU has expressed disappointment with the failure of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to seek input from relevant staff members before publishing an inspection report on the St. Anne’s Centre for people with intellectual disabilities,...

Speaking at the Union’s Education Sector AGM and in advance of the publication of the Government’s Spring Statement next week, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has called for public spending to be prioritised over tax cuts on...

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Ladbrokes Ireland to discuss the implications of the bookmaker being placed into examinership after an application to the High Court today (Tuesday, 21st April). SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU Drivers employed by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are to engage in four days of strike action during May, following a refusal by the management of both companies to meet with workers to discuss their major concerns over plans to privatise 10% of bus...

Former Ulster Bank workers are staging a lunchtime protest today, Wednesday, 15th April at Ulster Bank Head Quarters, Georges Quay, Dublin 2 to highlight the non-implementation of a Labour Court recommendation in relation to their redundancy...

SIPTU has deferred notice of industrial action at University Hospital Galway (UHG), Galway city, pending implementation of an agreement for the facility to secure additional nurses and support staff cover. SIPTU Organiser Mark Lohan said: “This...

A survey of the working lives of the under 35s, conducted by the Young Workers Network (YWN), has revealed that nearly 90% struggle to make ends meet with zero hour contracts and low pay the norm for many. Other findings of the ‘Working Hours and Pay...

A SIPTU member’s claim against Ard Eoin Kickhams GAC for failure to pay her statutory redundancy entitlements will be heard by the Industrial Tribunal in Belfast on Friday, 17th April. The case involves the Belfast GAA club’s former bar...

SIPTU Bus Drivers will consider issuing formal notice of industrial action on Friday, 24th April, if their concerns have not been adequately addressed at meetings with other stakeholders in the dispute over attempts to privatise 10% of public bus services....

SIPTU has called for a full clinical review by an agreed independent expert to examine and validate proposals for the operation of a new psychiatric unit on the campus of Cork University Hospital, Cork City. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul...

SIPTU Bus Drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have voted by over 90%, in both companies, in favour of industrial action and strike action in a ballot counted this afternoon (Friday, 10th April) in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1. The ballot...

SIPTU has demanded urgent action by the Government to end the imposition of zero-hour contracts on home helps working for voluntary sector organisations which are funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide public health care schemes. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has stated that the struggle of Dunnes Stores workers for decent jobs and against low hour contracts is one that is critical to the defence of the living standards of all workers in Ireland. This...

Irish Equity passed a motion at its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 29th March, calling for a moratorium on proposed cuts to the funding of the cultural sector in Northern Ireland. The motion also sent “solidarity and support” to the members...

SIPTU members in Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus will meet tomorrow (Tuesday, 31st March) to consider balloting for industrial action following the breakdown of talks, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), on plans to privatise 10%...

The SIPTU Meath District Council endorsed the union’s ‘Yes Equality’ campaign for marriage equality at a meeting in the Dan Shaw Centre, Navan, county Meath, on Tuesday, 24th March. The meeting heard presentations on the...

SIPTU members working as bus drivers for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are to ballot for strike action following a threat to privatise 10% of routes without the agreement of workers. SIPTU Utilities and Construction Division Organiser, Owen Reidy,...

SIPTU members employed at Toughers Restaurant in Carlow, county Carlow, have expressed shock at the sudden closure of the restaurant and the liquidation of its parent company. SIPTU Organiser, Denis Hynes, said: “I will be meeting with...

SIPTU has called upon all workers to support their colleagues in Mandate trade union who are on strike at Dunnes Stores across the country today, Thursday, 2nd April, by not shopping at the retailer. SIPTU Services Division Organiser, John...

Political and trade union activists from across the island attended a one-day conference on the future of Palestine in Liberty Hall on Saturday, 28th March. Among those who addressed the conference, entitled ‘Where Now for the Two State Solution...