News Archive

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) welcomes the announcement by Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, that the minimum wage will increase in 2015. The minimum wage has not risen since 2007 despite the mounting cost of living, such as in transport and rent. Other...

An international economic conference held in Dublin on today (Monday, 19th January), heard that alternative decisions could have been taken by Government, which would have lessened the impact of the recession on working people, following the...

An international economic conference held in Dublin on today (Monday, 19th January), heard that alternative decisions could have been taken by Government, which would have lessened the impact of the recession on working people, following the...

SIPTU is focused on its ongoing campaign for pay rises across the private sector, according to the union’s General President, Jack O’Connor. Responding to speculation concerning the establishment of a process of ‘social dialogue’...

The public disclosure by Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, that he is gay will bring confidence to workers still struggling against discrimination, according to the SIPTU LGBTQ members’ network. Leo Varadkar made the public announcement that...

Government Ministers and out-going Congress General Secretary, David Begg, have signaled support for renewed talks between the social partners. At a press conference in Dublin on Monday (19th January), Minister for Finance, Michael...

The National Union of Journalists and Amnesty International held a protest outside the Saudi Embassy in Dublin on Thursday, 22nd January, to call for the release of blogger Raif Badawi. The founder of the 'Free Saudi Liberals' website was...

SIPTU members in Dunnes stores across the country are being consulted on how they wish to proceed with an ongoing dispute concerning temporary contracts and working hours. In November, a Labour Court ruling urged Dunnes management to engage with staff....

Ireland’s largest trade union has joined the growing number of progressive organisations calling for a ‘Yes’ vote in the Marriage Equality referendum which will take place in May. A meeting of the SIPTU National Executive Committee, today...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions announced on Wednesday (21st January), that SIPTU Vice President, Patricia King, is to succeed outgoing General Secretary David Begg, when he steps down in March. Patricia will be the first woman General...

The Irish trade union movement has welcomed the forming of a new Greek government led by the leftwing Syriza party, following elections on Sunday, 25th January. In particular the Syriza commitment to forcing Euro area Governments to participate in a...

SIPTU, the largest trade union in Aer Lingus, has called on the Government not to sell its share of the airline prior to receiving guarantees on the future of the company. Speaking on RTE, SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor,...

The economic recovery can only be safeguarded by pay rises for workers across the economy, is the message from SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor. Speaking on the Matt Cooper Show on Today FM on Monday (2nd February), Jack O’Connor...

The 'Youth for Decent Work Awards' is fast approaching - 26th February, 2015. The all Ireland second level student video competition run by ICTU's Youth Connect Programme is now in its second year and building on the success of last year's...

SIPTU has accepted an invitation to enter into talks with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) on Thursday 5th of February. SIPTU Nursing Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said following Minister for Health Leo Varadkar’s recent request that...

The Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) is considering a demand that it reverse a decision to implement a 50% increase in its retention fee following a meeting between its senior staff and union representatives on Thursday, 5th February. SIPTU Nursing...

It was with great sadness that union members heard the news that SIPTU National Executive committee (NEC) member Tim Fitzgerald had passed away on Sunday, 1st February. SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O'Flynn, said: “Tim was a great advocate...

The director of Ireland’s leading progressive think tank has called for solidarity with the new Greek government and serious consideration of its proposals for restructuring Eurozone debt. Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) director, Tom Healy,...

In towns and cities, court rooms and corridors, workplaces and street corners the battle lines have been drawn for workers to hold on to their right to strike. On February 18, a global day of action in support of the right to strike will demonstrate...

A major new report from the progressive think tank, Tasc, has found that income inequality in Ireland is moving further away from the distribution found in other Europe countries towards the levels of gross inequality experienced in the United States....

Trade Unionists for Civil Marriage Equality, an alliance of trade union members that will campaign for a Yes vote in the May referendum, was launched in Liberty Hall on Friday, 13th February. Addressing the launch event, SIPTU Campaigns and...

The 1913 Lockout Tapestry, produced as part of the centenary commemoration of the 1913 Lockout, will be on display at Pearse Street Library in Dublin from 17th February until 28th March. The tapestry was designed by artists Cathy Henderson and Robert...

Love & Pride at Liberty Hall for Valentine’s Eve Irish Congress of Trade Unions President John Douglas announced today (Feb. 13) that Congress is calling for a Yes Vote in the forthcoming civil marriage equality referendum.Speaking ahead of the public launch...

SIPTU members employed as security officers by G4S Secure Solutions Limited on a contract to supply services to South Dublin County Council will attend talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on Friday (20th February) relating to a dispute concerning transfer...

Over 500 childcare workers held a rally outside Leinster House, Dublin, at lunchtime on Tuesday (17th February) demanding better funding for the essential service they provide. The protest was organised by the Association of Childhood Professionals...

The membership of the Low Paid Commission, which will decide on the appropriate rate of the National Minimum Wage, has been announced by Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ged Nash. The nine-person group...

SIPTU nurses and midwives are organising lunchtime protests at hospitals across the country on Monday, 2nd March, to highlight the attempt by the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) to increase its retention fee by 50%. SIPTU Nursing Sector...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today (February 19) strongly criticised the government for its failure to be ‘more sympathetic’ to attempts by Greece to secure a resolution of its debt problem, at European level. In a letter to the...

The SIPTU Yes to Equality campaign has welcomed the Government’s confirmation that the Civil Marriage Equality referendum will be held on Friday, 22nd May. SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “The campaign now has...

The Labour Party must re-assert its own identity and work towards securing a government of the Left, according to SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor. The message was delivered at a fringe meeting on the restatement of Labour values held on...

The threat of over 200 job losses at three Mondelez Ireland (formerly Cadburys) plants amounts to a “dark day for manufacturing in Ireland”, according to SIPTU Organisers. Union representatives will meet with the management of Mondelez Ireland on...

At its annual conference, the Labour Party passed a motion calling for a debate on withdrawing from Government if collective bargaining legislation has not been enacted by this autumn. Presenting the motion on behalf of the Labour Party Navan Road Branch (Dublin...

SIPTU members are sceptical about assurances from Aer Lingus Chief Executive, Stephen Kavanagh, that they would retain their existing terms and conditions if the proposed International Airlines Group (IAG) take-over of the formerly state owned company goes...

Au pairs, carers, and domestic workers will today (Friday, 6th March) launch Labour of Love, a new campaign focusing on the rights of workers in private homes across Ireland. The campaign aims to combat the widespread underpayment,...

The Government’s proposal to create a new forum, involving trade unions and other civil society organisations, to discuss pay, tax and overall spending priorities has been supported by SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor....

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today (Friday, 6th March) that unions at Aer Lingus “remain unconvinced” of the proposed takeover of the company by International Airlines Group (IAG), following a meeting with IAG head Willie Walsh and...

The Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, gave a written commitment to SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) that there would be “full consultation with stakeholders” before any changes to the running of the city’s ambulance service...

Two Vietnamese men released today (11.03.15) after Carlow Circuit Criminal Court judge found serious flaws in Garda investigation of trafficking. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) today welcomed the acquittal of two Vietnamese men, Hung Ba Tran and Hoang...

Delegates voted to endorse proposals aimed at establishing a living wage for workers throughout Ireland at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis held in Derry last weekend. Sinn Féin Workers Rights’ spokesperson, Senator David Cullinane, welcomed the...

Two Vietnamese men released today (11.03.15) after Carlow Circuit Criminal Court judge found serious flaws in Garda investigation of trafficking. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) today welcomed the acquittal of two Vietnamese men, Hung Ba Tran and Hoang...

Two Vietnamese men released today (11.03.15) after Carlow Circuit Criminal Court judge found serious flaws in Garda investigation of trafficking. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) today welcomed the acquittal of two Vietnamese men, Hung Ba Tran and Hoang...

Two Vietnamese men released today (11.03.15) after Carlow Circuit Criminal Court judge found serious flaws in Garda investigation of trafficking. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) today welcomed the acquittal of two Vietnamese men, Hung Ba Tran and Hoang...

Two Vietnamese men released today (11.03.15) after Carlow Circuit Criminal Court judge found serious flaws in Garda investigation of trafficking. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) today welcomed the acquittal of two Vietnamese men, Hung Ba Tran and Hoang...

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) will today, Wed 11 March, hold a lunchtime demonstration outside Dail Eireann between 1pm and 2pm calling on the Irish government to place an immediate arms embargo upon the state of Israel. A statement from...

When: 12.45pm, Sunday 15th March 2015 Where: Outside the Central Bank, Dame Street, Dublin 2 Who: Undocumented men, women and children of various nationalities who live and work in Ireland What: Photocall at 12.45 – a group of...

Public sector workers from across Northern Ireland are on strike today (Friday, 13th March) demanding the shelving of planned cuts that will damage vital services and result in 20,000 job losses. Rallies are being held cities and towns across Northern...

SIPTU has warned the HSE that its plans to outsource the operation of a new State-owned facility providing community and step-down beds on the site of the former Mount Carmel private hospital in south Dublin will breach the Haddington Road agreement. The HSE has...

SIPTU will host a Polish Culture Night in the Liberty Hall Auditorium, Dublin, on Tuesday, 26th March, as part of the the PolskaÉire 2015 Festival. SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said the...

The latest NERI report on the economy predicts the Government will comfortably meet its deficit target this year on the back of strong GDP growth of 3.4%. The positive economic outlook is driven by continued employment growth and improved consumer demand....

SIPTU will host a Polish Culture Night in the Liberty Hall Auditorium, Dublin, on Tuesday, 26th March, as part of the the PolskaÉire 2015 Festival. SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said the...

A SIPTU delegation attended a major demonstration in the Place Luxembourg, Brussels, Belgium, on Monday, 23rd March, organised by the European Water Movement to highlight the inaction of the European Commission in relation to safeguarding...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today (March 27) there are “significant and very strong reasons” to oppose the planned Transatlantic Trade & Investment Pact (TTIP) between the European Union and the United States. Speaking at a seminar on the...

The SIPTU Galway District Council is hosting a special showing of the film ‘Pride’ in the union’s office in Galway City as part of the ‘Yes Equality’ campaign on Thursday,16th April, at 7.30 p.m.. Set in the summer of 1984 in...

The SIPTU Health Division is organising a major rally outside of the Department of Health inDublin at the end of this month, as part of its campaign for greater investment in healthcare services and workers. The rally will be staged outside the Department on...

A protest in solidarity with Palestinians being attacked in Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, which has been overrun by ISIS fighters, will be held at the GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 at 5.30 p.m. on Thursday, 9th April. A statement...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions today (July 9) warmly welcomed the ratification of the International Labour Organisation’s Domestic Workers’ Convention by the Government, hailing it as “a major advance for domestic workers and their right to...

THE popularity of Uilleann Piping is growing in Cuba and on Wednesday night in Liberty Hall, Dublin, the Clé club hosts a fund raising event featuring one of the finest Cuban exponents of the traditional Irish art. Alexander Suarez Mendez from...

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign has called an Emergency Protest & Rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people, especially those currently being bombarded in Gaza. It will take place this Saturday 12th July at 2pm at The Spire on O'Connell...

A meeting to discuss the current situation in Venezuela scheduled to take place in Liberty Hall tonight (Monday, 14th July) has been postponed. The meeting hosted by Venezuela Solidarity will now take place on a later date. Information on the rescheduled meeting...

South Dublin County Councillors voted unanimously last night (Monday, 14th July) to support a motion calling on locked out Greyhound Recycling and Recovery workers to be allowed return to their jobs on their existing terms and conditions while talks aimed at...

Net adjustment of €800 million only needed to reach 3% deficit target.  Five year social housing programme urgently needed. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has proposed to Government that it introduce refundable tax credits and reduced water charges...

Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) welcomed the new Employment Permits (Amendment) Bill 2014, which was passed in the Dáil on the evening of Wednesday, 16th July. Gráinne O'Toole of MRCI stated, "This law will address abuses...

The Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign today welcomed the Irish government's announcement that it would send €500,000 in emergency aid to the UN emergency appeal for Gaza, but added that aid was not a solution to the ongoing problem of the...

Letter of appeal from the Palestinian Community in Ireland regarding the ongoing bombardment of the Palestinian People and an appeal for relief aid to the people in the Gaza strip. Details of the website of the Irish Medical Aid for Palestinians is in the letter along...

Saturday, 26 July 2014, 2pm Assemble @ The Spire, O'Connell Street, Dublin 1 This Saturday 26th July in Dublin there will be another march in solidarity with the people of Palestine, especially those trapped in Gaza who are being...

This Saturday, 2nd August, in Dublin there will be another march in solidarity with the people of Palestine, especially those trapped in Gaza who are being killed in their hundreds, maimed in their thousands and terrorised in their entirety by...

SIPTU is assisting workers affected by the sudden closure of the Showboat pub in Waterford City on Monday, 28th July. SIPTU Organiser, Mark Flynn, said: “These workers have been left in a terrible situation by the sudden closure of the pub on...

The lockout of workers by Greyhound Recycling and Recovery is entering its seventh week with the solidarity of the men unbroken and growing support for their campaign for justice from communities across Dublin. Strike committee member and SIPTU Shop Steward,...

Renowned singer/songwriter Damien Dempsey will perform at the National Demonstration for Freedom and Justice in Palestine on Saturday, 9th August. The demonstration, organised by the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, begins at 2.00 p.m. at The...

News of rising house prices, fewer households in negative equity, falling dole queues, rising spending in the shops and the long farewell to the Troika together with a relatively benign Irish summer, so far, have lifted the economic mood...

Despite the welcome fall in jobless numbers Irish unemployment levels remain some 50 percent above the levels that prevail in non-programme countries within the EU15, the latest issue of the Labour Market Monitor has revealed. The information is contained in the...

The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign announced that it will host a National Demonstration calling for freedom and justice for the Palestinians people this Saturday, 9th August. The announcement comes as 16 small businesses nationwide have pledged to stop to...

The Labour Party is committed to establishing a Low Pay Commission according to new Ministerfor State, Ged Nash. In his first interview since his appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ged, told...

Construction unions staged protests on Wednesday, 13th August, in an escalation of their campaign in support of Decent Work in the construction industry and against abuses by contractors engaged on public contracts. The protests were organised by the...

Construction unions will stage a number of protests tomorrow (Wednesday, 13th August) in an escalation of their campaign in support of Decent Work in the construction industry and against abuses by contractors engaged on public contracts. The protests have been...

Labour TD, Joe Costello, has stated that he intends to raise the Greyhound Lockout on the floor of the Dáil and table a motion which will request that the provision of waste management services involving state bodies is placed on the agenda of the...

The 50th anniversary of the nine-week Builders’ Strike will be marked with an event in the Matt Merrigan Hall, Unite House, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, on Monday, 1st September. The event will be addressed by several participants...

Christy Moore will play a benefit concert for the children of Gaza in Vicar Street in Dublin on Sunday 12th October. The proceeds of the concert will go directly to the Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) which helps children to overcome the trauma they have...

We, the undersigned, call upon you as both concerned citizens and organisations to use the full power of your office to demand the immediate and unconditional release of 18 year old Irish teenager Ibrahim Halawa who has been held in preventive detention...

Over 500 people marched through Dublin City Centre yesterday (Monday, 1st September) in support of the locked out Greyhound workers. The colourful march began at Liberty Hall and concluded with a rally outside City Hall at 6.00 p.m., just before the first...

Viva Gaza presents an intimate evening of poetry, prose, music and song on Saturday 6th September 2014 at 7.30pm in The Button Factory, Dublin in support of Gaza and in celebration of the indomitable spirit of its people. The stunning line-up of...

SIPTU has suspended two planned work stoppages by members in Irish Rail following an agreement between union and company representatives at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) last night (Tuesday, 2nd September). A 48-hour work stoppage was scheduled to take...

SIPTU members working as support staff in Dublin’s main training hospitals are balloting for strike action in response to an attempt by the management of the HSE to unilaterally change existing rosters and shift pattern arrangements which are protected under the...

SIPTU members and officials and the management of Greyhound Recovery and Recycling are engaged in intensive negotiations aimed at reaching an agreed resolution to the 13 week long lockout of workers by the waste disposal company. The talks began yesterday...

Locked out Greyhound workers and their partners addressed over 70 local residents at a SIPTU organised meeting in the Kilmore West Community Centre, Coolock, Dublin 15, on Wednesday (3rd September). The meeting was held for the locked out workers to...

Mandatory Service Levels and Customer Charter for Waste Collectors to be introduced next year as Minister for the Environment warns waste collection companies they are in “the last chance saloon” with new reforms. Speaking at the Environment Ireland...

Domestic workers employed by foreign diplomatic staff will enjoy increased protection following the publication of new guidelines by the Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday, 12th September. As a guiding principle, diplomatic staff of embassies or...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has launched an important new guide on how best to assist workers diagnosed with breast cancer and other serious illnesses, during their treatment, recovery and return to work. The guide was formally launched by An...

SIPTU is opposing an attempt by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) to increase the retention fee for members for 2015, from €100 to €150, which was announced today (Tuesday, 23rd September). ‌All nurses and midwives must...

SIPTU activists were to the fore at the launch of the Trade Unions ‘Support Poles Abroad’ initiative in the conference centre of the Communications Workers’ Union, Dublin 1, on Friday, 26th September. The joint initiative, by...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions will tomorrow (Sept. 24) launch an important new guide on how best to assist workers diagnosed with breast cancer and other serious illnesses, during their treatment, recovery and return to work. The guide will be...

- No scope for tax cuts, despite positive economic projections. An adjustment of €800 million in Budget 2015 balances the requirement for fiscal prudence with the need to avoid doing harm to an emerging economic recovery, according to the latest...

Members of the SIPTU Cavan/Monaghan District Committee met Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys and Sean Conlan TD, to present them with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) budget proposals that are aimed at...

Cathy Henderson, who designed the 1913 Lockout Tapestry with artist, Robert Ballagh has died after a long illness. Cathy was ill from quite an early stage in the design and production of the Tapestry but she insisted on carrying on with the project. The...

There are 412,000 households living in fuel poverty in Ireland today, an increase of over 10,000 since last year. This means that almost 20% of all households in Ireland are unable to adequately heat their homes. The Energy Action Conference,...

The creation of high quality, decent jobs is the only way to ensure that economic recovery is genuine and sustainable, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today (6th October). Ahead of World Day for Decent Work – marked annually on 7th October...

As we enter the final months of 2014, we thought we'd take the opportunity to recap on some of the NERI's recent work and highlight a few upcoming events. Throughout the year, the Institute has produced research on  taxation, housing...

SIPTU members will protest outside the annual conference of the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI), Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on Thursday, 9th October, from 12.00 p.m. to 1.30 p.m. The protest...

A planned protest by SIPTU members outside the annual conference of the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI), on Thursday, 9th October, has been suspended due to the postponement of the event. The protest was to highlight the refusal by nurses...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Youth Committee is to launch its Rights Campaign for young people in Ireland on Wednesday, October 29th. A public meeting will take place at 5.00pm in the Twisted Pepper on Abbey Street and feature young trade...