A damning new report launched today by the Respect at Work campaign exposes the scale and human cost of union busting activity across Ireland.
The report finds that 69% of workplace representatives have observed at least one form of anti-union behaviour by employers, with the most common being victimisation of union activists (42%) and discouraging workers from joining a union (40%).
Its findings also reveal the harmful impact of employer hostility to unions, with 43% of respondents saying it had negatively affected their mental and physical health.
The research, carried out with the support of academics from Queen’s University, Belfast, interviewed 159 workplace representatives from four unions: SIPTU, the Financial Services Union, the Communications Workers’ Union and Mandate.
SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, speaking on behalf of the campaign, said it was time for new legislation to ensure that every worker can stand up for better terms and conditions without fear of victimisation or reprisals.
“It has been clear for years that Ireland has some of the weakest workers’ rights in Western Europe. Now, with this report, we can see the consequences.
“It is time for politicians to step up and commit to including protections for workplace representatives as part of a robust National Action Plan on Collective Bargaining.
“Injustice is rampant in Irish workplaces and, too often, when workers try to stand up for better, they are punished. That climate of fear must end.
“We’ll be speaking to workers across the country during this General Election campaign and making clear that we’re fighting for a new law to protect their rights.”
Sharon Gill, a 999 call centre worker who was subject to victimisation when she attempted to unionise her workplace, said the report showed that union busting is “rampant” across the country.
“As a 999 call centre worker, I tried to organise for the terms and conditions my colleagues deserved. It’s a disgrace that we had to speak in hushed tones in dark corridors about unions, but that’s the reality in Ireland today.
“We were told that unionising was an act of self-harm, that monkeys could take the calls. I was demeaned, left with crippling anxiety and low self-esteem because I tried to stand up for better for myself and my co-workers.
“Eventually, my family had to intervene, sit me down and ask me to leave the job. No one should have to go through that. Every worker should have a meaningful right to organise for decent pay and liveable conditions at work. And that right needs to be protected in law.”
Dr. Gareth Murphy, lead author of the report, highlighted the groundbreaking nature of the research.
“This research is unique in giving voice to local workplace reps and their experiences of how employers respond to unionising and organising activity. Sadly, for too many, it is not a good experience.
“The report’s findings dispel the myth that union busting doesn’t happen in Ireland. It happens and it happens a lot. Workers should feel safe and empowered to assist and support their colleagues at work. They should feel safe to join and be active in their trade union.
“Politicians need to listen to this damning report and address workers’ concerns.”