“When candidates come knocking to your door looking for a vote ensure that they leave knowing that the SIPTU Private Sector has these clear demands for any in-coming Government. It’s simple, don’t vote for a candidate unless they commit to action on the concerns of your Union.”
Greg Ennis, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary (Private Sector)
New legalisation to protect union activists, enhance trade union activity and increase collective bargaining
SIPTU backs the Respect at Work campaign and its call for greater protection for trade union activists from victimisation in the workplace.
Explainer: The EU Directive on Adequate Minimum Wages seeks to increase collective bargaining coverage to 80% in Member States. Currently, in Ireland, workers do not have a right to collectively come together to bargain with employers on conditions and wages. Greater protections for union activists from victimisation and a right to access workplaces will assist in Ireland meeting its EU requirements and increase our current collective bargaining coverage of less than 40% of the workforce.
Increase weekly maximum statutory redundancy level to €1,000
The maximum level of statutory redundancy must be increased from its current €600 to approximately €1,000 per week, this will be the first rise in its level in 20 years and bring it more in line with current average wages.
Explainer: In November 2004, the then Government set the statutory redundancy weekly calculation at €600. According to the Central Statistics Office, the average industrial wage was €645.62 per week in 2004. At the start of 2024, according to the Central Statistics Office, the average industrial wage was €969.12. When wage rises during 2024 are factored in, the average industrial wage is now more than €1,000 per week.
Establish a Transport Police Service
SIPTU, in the Travel Safe policy document, has outlined how a new National Public Transport Police can be created using the ‘Authorised Officers’ model currently existing in the Airport Police service.
Explainer: In response to increasing anti-social behaviour and violence on our public transport network, SIPTU proposes the establishment of a nationwide network of ‘Authorised Officers’. They will have powers of arrest in transport settings and not require the level of training of Gardai. Also, Public Transport Assistance Units will deal with those causing a disturbance.
Domestic waste collection returns to being a public service
We need reform, regulation and ultimately re-municipalisation (the bringing back under the direct control of Local Authorities) of the domestic waste collection sector, this is best for the environment, consumers and workers.
Explainer: Reform of the domestic waste collection system is needed so public bodies can re-enter the market to provide it as has happened in many other countries. This is why our last state-owned waste collection service provided by Bord na Mona must not be sold off merely for short-term profit. When local authorities operated the system all domestic waste was collected. Since privatisation there has been an increase in illegal dumping and numerous bin lorries using the same routes.
Equal treatment of TV and Film workers across the island
Workers in the TV and Film sector in the Republic have contracts which do not adequately protect their future earnings and lack other benefits when compared to those in use in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
Explainer: The PACT (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television) contract, in use in Northern Ireland, provides greater protections for workers’ copyright, future earnings and payments. Many TV and Film workers employed in the Republic must accept an inferior contract arrangement in what is an all-island industry. This results in greater demands on the State (in terms of social welfare and other payments) to support TV and Film workers while production companies’ profits increase. A new Government should work for equal treatment of workers in this industry across the island.