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2007
FÁS report shameful - O'Connor12/2007
19.12.2007SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor, has condemned proposals from a leading State agency that the National Minimum Wage should be cut.
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Industrial action may be the only response to HSE recruitment ban
13.12.2007SIPTU’s Nursing Council is calling on the HSE to rescind its ban on recruitment with immediate effect. “At this stage we cannot rule out industrial action as the only response which will be listened to by the HSE,” warned SIPTU’s National Nursing Official, Louise O’Reilly. “They seem oblivious to the detrimental effect the ban is having on both staff and patients.”
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Government has 'head-in-the-sand' approach to inflation
13.12.2007SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has condemned Government complacency over the 5% inflation rate and its failure to index tax credits and bands in the recent Budget. “This Government has such a head-in-the-sand approach to our current 5% rate of inflation that the Minister for Finance could not be bothered mentioning the Consumer Price Index, even once, during the recent Budget speech”, said Mr. O’Connor.
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Breast screening services abysmal - SIPTU's National Women's Committee
07.12.2007The fact that women in Ireland in 2007 have to hire a bus to take women to Belfast for breast screening - because there is no breastcheck service in the North West - is utterly abysmal, declared SIPTU’s National Women’s Committee.
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"Milestone for the Mushroom Industry"
09.12.2007On Wednesday December 12, 2007, Drimbawn Mushrooms Ltd, part of the Monaghan Mushrooms Group and SIPTU will formally lodge a Registered Employment Agreement (REA) with the Labour Court for a €150 million industry that employs 2,000 people and has attracted a lot of adverse publicity in recent years.
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Flexicurity: A Threat or a Promise for Workers?
26.09.2007SIPTU General President Jack O'Connor, who is also Vice Preisent of the ICTU, addressed an ICTU conference on 'Flexicurity'. The term refers to a combination of labour market flexibility and so-called security for workers. It has become a buzzword in political discussions about the future of work. Mr. O'Connor said he was concerned that the 'security' half of the term will be much talked about but will never really materialise into hard guarantees. "Any securities will focus solely on the most marginalised in the workforce and will be used to sell a message of deregulation desguised as flexibility", he said.
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Bus Eireann talks at the LRC in an effort to avert strike on Friday
04.12.2007Talks will take place at the Labour Relations Commission on Wednesday, December 5, in an effort to resolve the dispute at Bus Eireann over pay for part-time school bus drivers. Strike action was deferred for a week last Friday after progress was made in talks at the LRC on Thursday.
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Minister promised little and lived up to expectations
05.12.2007SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, said the Minister for Finance had promised very little in Budget 2008 and delivered accordingly. Mr. O’Connor was primarily critical of the failure to seize the opportunity to invest in adult education, training and skills enhancement. Noting that the Government had met its commitment to further increase mortgage income tax relief, he pointed out that the other income tax changes were minimalist and did not even match the rate of inflation. Indeed with to-day’s release of data showing that average industrial earnings last June came to €39,000 per annum, the Budget increase in the tax band to only €35,400 will have average earners well inside the top rate of tax.
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Budget fails working women - yet again!
05.12.2007SIPTU’s National Women's Committee has expressed its disappointment that “yet again, the government has failed working women by ignoring trade union proposals on childcare and pensions”.
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SIPTU to attend NIB talks on Aer Lingus dispute
14.11.2007SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny confirmed that the Union had accepted an invitation from the National Implementation Body to attend talks on the Aer Lingus dispute.
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Irish women demand quality cancer care
04.12.2007“Irish women demand the very best in cancer care services and will no longer accept anything less”, declared SIPTU’s National Campaigns’ Organiser, Anne Speed at the National Women’s Council’s protest outside the Dáil today.
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SIPTU Executive support Buy Irish call
22.11.2007The National Executive Council of SIPTU has welcomed the call by the Small Firms Association for people to ‘Buy Irish’ this Christmas. At its meeting today the NEC said, “Buying Irish made products for Christmas is especially important at a time of increasing economic uncertainty. Not alone is it imperative to help protect employment but it also maximises revenue to the State to help ensure the continued development of health, education and social services.
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More consultation needed on new taxi regulations
27.11.2007SIPTU's Taxi Branch has welcomed the decision of the Commissioner to require all newly registered vehicles to be wheelchair accessible from January 1. However organiser Jerry Brennan says clarification is urgently needed on when all taxis will have to meet this criteria. If the deadline is January 1, 2012, many older drivers would not be able to comply.
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School bus strike deferred for a week
29.11.2007SIPTU shop stewards representing over 200 Bus Eireann school bus drivers have deferred tomorrow’s strike and are seeking further talks at the Labour Relations Commission. Representatives of SIPTU and the NBRU met Bus Eireann management yesterday and held ten hours of talks. After hearing a report back on the talks today SIPTU shop stewards formed the view that considerable progress had been made but a number of issues required further clarification.
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Inequality of treatment of agency workers a major difficulty for the trade union movement
12.11.2007The failure to achieve equality of treatment for agency workers remains a major difficulty for the trade union movement, according to SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor.
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Talks on School Bus drivers' dispute adjourn
29.11.2007SIPTU and NBRU shop stewards are meeting separately today - November 29 - to hear progress reports on talks with Bus Eireann management at the Labour Relations Commission on improved pay and conditions for part time school bus drivers
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Time to expose the inequities in our tax system
27.11.2007“As Budget 2008 fast approaches, it is time to expose the way in which the Irish tax system produces inequity and unfairness in society”, said SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor. Announcing the publication of a pamphlet entitled Inequity in the Tax System: Who Benefits? Mr. O’Connor said that Budgets to date have reinforced a system whereby those who can afford to pay for private services are rewarded with tax reliefs while those on lower incomes must make do with poorly funded public services.
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SIPTU reckons official work related fatalities fall short of reality
24.09.2007SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn said that a conservative estimate of ireland’s total level of workplace deaths is at least 500 a year – compared to the official statistics of 60 per year (on average) Speaking at the launch of a new pocket guide on the role of the safety representative in Cork today, Mr. O’Flynn challenged the official statistics in relation to occupational fatalities. “If we are to improve workplace health and safety,” said Mr. O’Flynn, “we must first be in possession of all the facts. For example, my Union is convinced that the official statistics on workplace deaths do not reveal the true extent of work-related accidents.
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Low paid school bus drivers to strike on Friday
27.11.2007SIPTU has served strike notice on Bus Eireann for over 200 low paid school bus drivers seeking proper pay and conditions. The first, one day stoppage, is next Friday, November 30.
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LRC intervention in Bus Eireann dispute but SIPTU strike notice remains in place on behalf of low paid drivers
27.11.2007The Labour Relations Commission has invited both sides to talks in the Bus Eireann bus drivers’ dispute. SIPTU will be attending the talks, which have been scheduled for Wednesday.
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Gilroy McMahon appointed architects for SIPTU's Liberty Hall Project
22.11.2007SIPTU’s National Executive Council has appointed Gilroy McMahon as the architects for the development of the Liberty Hall Project. An invitation for expressions of interest attracted 34 architectural practices across European. A short list of six practices were then selected for interview. Announcing the appointment, SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn said he hoped the replacement building for Liberty Hall will become as familiar a part of the Dublin skyline as the existing building when it is completed in about four years.
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Harristown bus drivers agree a return to work formula
19.11.2007SIPTU members at the Dublin Bus garage in Harristown garage have agreed to accept a return to work formula put forward by the Labour Court. This followed a two-and-a-half hour meeting and ballot at Liberty Hall this afternoon.
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Exploitation of agency workers poses treat to Social Partnership
18.11.2007SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor told the Labour Party conference today that the growing use of agency workers by employers posed the most serious threat to the wages and living standards of ordinary people as we enter an increasingly uncertain economic climate. “We cannot overstate the importance of the issue”, he said, “and the reason is that it’s the means by which every syllable of employment protection legislation ever enacted in this country can be circumvented and rendered useless.
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SIPTU Shop Stewards agree to suspend industrial action
18.11.2007Following extensive discussions at a Special General Meeting of Aer Lingus Shop Stewards today, the Union has agreed to suspend industrial action planned for November 20 and 23, for the period of the NIB process; and pending the outcome of that process and a Special Shop Stewards’ meeting to be held not later than Tuesday, December 4 at 10.30 am in Dublin.
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SIPTU members to consider Labour Court proposals on Dublin Bus dispute
18.11.2007SIPTU members are to consider a Labour Court proposal to resolve the dispute over new routes and rosters at the Dublin Bus depot in Harristown tomorrow. The meeting has been called by branch organiser Willie Noone for 12 noon on Sunday, November 18 in Liberty Hall, Dublin.
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SIPTU shop stewards at Aer Lingus to meet tomorrow to consider NIB proposal
16.11.2007SIPTU shop stewards at Aer Lingus are to meet tomorrow morning, Saturday, November 16, to consider proposals from the National Implementation Body to address outstanding issues in the dispute at the airline. The Union’s National Industrial Secretary, Michael Halpenny, said “we are satisfied that sufficient progress has been made in discussions today with the NIB to bring back its proposals to our shop stewards in the morning.
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Workers shocked at extent of job losses in Clonmel
16.11.2007Around 150 jobs at their Bulmers plant in Clonmel, Co Tipperary and Dublin, are to be axed as part of a cost-cutting plan.
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Union welcomes Labour Court intervention in Harristown Depot bus dispute
16.11.2007SIPTU Branch Organiser, Willie Noone has welcomed the invitation from the Labour Court to talks on the Dublin Bus dispute on Saturday morning. “This is a positive development”, he said. “The fact that the Court has had an opportunity to discuss the issues with both sides and feels it can continue to play a useful role is hopeful. “SIPTU notes the Court’s requirement that there be no escalation of the dispute in the meantime, or recourse to unofficial action, and we will of course abide by this.”
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SIPTU welcomes intervention by Labour Court in Dublin Bus dispute
13.11.2007SIPTU Branch Organiser Willie Noone has accepted an invitation by Kevin Duffy, Chairman at the Labour Court, to talks tomorrow morning. "The speedy intervention of Mr Duffy is very much to be welcomed”, Mr Noone said. “We have accepted the invitation and would urge all the other parties to do so as well. This dispute needs to be resolved quickly in the interests of the general public as well as our members in Harristown.”
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SIPTU says Mannion letter to Aer Lingus Workers is a blatant attempt at intimidation
13.11.2007The letter issued by Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion to staff this afternoon informing them that legitimate industrial action next week ‘may constitute a very serious breach of participants obligations as employees’ is another example of the bullyboy tactics to which management is resorting to force through serious cutbacks in pay and conditions for employees”, SIPTU’s National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny said this evening in response.
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SIPTU calls for urgent action on pensions
22.10.2007SIPTU's National Equality Secretary, Rosheen Callender, said that “urgent action by Government was needed in order to address the pressing pensions problems confronting Irish society today."
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SIPTU says no need for disruption to North Dublin commuters
12.11.2007SIPTU Branch Organiser Willie Noone has rejected claims by Dublin Bus today that disruption to services on up to twenty routes tomorrow is inevitable. “SIPTU remains available to enter negotiations with Dublin Bus and is willing to explore ways of facilitating the introduction of new routes at Harristown garage”, he said.
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SIPTU serves strike notice on Aer Lingus for next week
12.11.2007SIPTU has served strike notice on Aer Lingus over management's decision to unilaterally downgrade the working conditions of employees by forcing vulnerable temporary workers to sign contracts with less pay and longer hours or face the termination of their employment. The strike action will consist of four hour stoppages on Tuesday, November 20 and Friday, November 23 at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. The Union is also seeking an all-out picket from ICTU.
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SIPTU says it will continue to seek resolution in Harristown dispute
12.11.2007SIPTU Branch Organiser Willie Noone apologised today to commuters for the disruption to services in North Dublin because of the dispute at Harristown garage over new Dublin Bus route rosters. He said, “We are striving the find a solution to the issues and help restore services as soon as possible.
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Health staff recruitment ban must end
09.11.2007The Health Service Executive (HSE) should end its recruitment freeze now and prioritise the welfare of patients and staff, according to SIPTU Nursing President, Padraig Heverin. “The ban on recruitment - which has been extended for another month - is having a severe detrimental effect on patient care and staff morale,” said Mr. Heverin.
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Union available for talks on Dublin Bus dispute
11.11.2007SIPTU Branch Organiser Willie Noone says the Union is willing to reopen negotiations with Dublin Bus on rosters for new routes at Harristown garage and that members are willing to work normally in the meantime. However they will not operate the proposed 4a and 128 routes which management propose to introduce unilaterally on Monday morning.
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Government should re-think proposed changes to Childcare Subvention Scheme
05.11.2007The proposed new Community Childcare Subvention Scheme will have a major detrimental effect on those using the service and those working in the service,” declared SIPTU’s Community Sector Branch Organiser, Gerry Flanagan.
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BIM workers still going nowhere
22.10.2007Only two employees at Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) have expressed an interest in moving to the new €20m office complex in Clonakilty - due for completion in 2009 - under the Government’s flawed decentralisation plan.
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Shock for workers as Coca Cola confirms it will axe 250 jobs
15.10.2007Coca Cola’s parent board has today endorsed the decision by local management to close their concentrate plant in Drogheda, Co. Louth with the loss of 250 direct jobs.
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Threat of industrial action at Iarnrod Eireann averted
15.10.2007The threatened industrial action by rail workers (line inspection and maintenance staff) in Iarnrod Eireann - which was to have begun on October 15 - has been averted, following several hours of talks at the Labour Relations Commission. SIPTU's interpretation of its 2000 agreement with management was upheld at those talks.
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Rail workers forced into one day stoppage over breach of agreement
12.10.2007SIPTU has served notice of industrial action on behalf of rail workers in Iarnrod Eireann to take effect from midnight on Sunday, October 14, until midnight Monday, October 15, in the South West region. “Rail workers (line inspection and maintenance staff) are being forced to take industrial action because management is continuing to forge ahead with plans which undermine existing working conditions without agreement,” said SIPTU Branch Organiser, Willie Noone.
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SIPTU response to statement by Brendan McGinty of IBEC
09.10.2007“Today’s comments by IBEC’s Brendan McGinty are hardly conducive to creating the conditions for reviewing the Towards 2016 agreement”, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor said today in response to a statement issued at the start of IBEC’s ‘HR Summit’ by the organisation’s Director responsible for Human Resources.
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SIPTU to consult with other unions on next move in Aer Lingus dispute over pay freeze
08.10.2007SIPTU representatives in Aer Lingus will be consulting other unions about the next move in the dispute over the company’s decision to impose a pay freeze on its 3,600 employees. The union’s National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny said after meeting with senior management today that his members, who comprise half of the airline’s staff, were not ruling out industrial action.
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SIPTU questions credibility of Government's plans to protect Cork-Dublin routes as it prepares to meet Aer Lingus tomorrow
07.10.2007SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny has characterised reports that the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, is to impose tighter controls on the Aer Lingus Board to protect Dublin and Cork’s connectivity with Heathrow as “too little, too late.
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SIPTU Conference passes motion calling for independent investigation of Bray fire tragedy where two members lost their lives
05.10.2007The following motion was passed unanimously at the SIPTU Biennial Conference in Tralee today: ‘Mindful of the recent tragedy in Bray, where two fire fighters, members of this Union, lost their lives while fighting a fire, SIPTU calls on the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley, to immediately arrange for a full independent investigation to examine all matters surrounding the deaths of these two courageous workers.’
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SIPTU attacks Government's appalling lapses of judgement on privatisation of Aer Lingus
05.10.2007SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny said today, in response to the news that BMI is not interested in providing a service from Shannon to Heathrow, that it was “further evidence of the absolutely appalling lapse of judgement by the Government in privatising Aer Lingus. The national carrier was created for a purpose, which was to provide a small, open, island economy with the air connections it needs to achieve balanced economic development.
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SIPTU highlights priorities in new round of pay talks
05.10.2007Jack O’Connor, General President of SIPTU; Ireland’s largest trade union, speaking at the concluding session of the Union’s Biennial Conference said: “It is undeniable that social partnership has been the key to the greatest enhancement in living standards achieved in our entire history. Business has done substantially better out of it than working people but ultimately everyone has profited.
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Universities or Knowledge Factories?
03.10.2007According to Article 12, of the Irish Universities Act, 1997, the functions of the Irish universities are, among other things, “to promote the cultural and social life of society, while fostering and respecting the diversity of the university’s traditions.” Universities are granted public funding for their activities on the basis that they serve the public good. Over the last decade, however, universities have been transformed increasingly into powerful consumer-oriented corporate networks, whose public interest values have been seriously challenged.
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SIPTU calls for security review after members are attacked in armed robbery of security van in Ballymun, Dublin
05.10.2007SIPTU Security Branch Organiser Kevin McMahon has condemned the attack on Union members working for Group Four Securicor during an armed robbery at Ballymun petrol station this morning. He has called for a joint review of cash-in-transit operations by the union, employers, Garda, the Private Security Authority and the industries main clients, including the banks.
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SIPTU says Aer Lingus management has no conception of social partnership or social responsibility in its new attack on workers' pay and conditions
03.10.2007SIPTU is calling a meeting of its workplace representatives from Dublin, Cork and Shannon in response to the pay freeze and ultimatum on cutbacks by Aer Lingus Chief Executive Dermot Mannion. Following this the union will be demanding a meeting with Mr. Mannion to challenge his decision and the basis on which it was made.
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SIPTU President says hospital co-location represents strategic shift against ordinary citizens and in favour of private enterprise
02.10.2007“The most dramatic strategic shift of the balance against ordinary citizens, especially the ill and infirm, in over a generation, has been the drive towards privatisation implicit in the move to co-locate hospitals”, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor told delegates at the opening of the Union’s Biennial Conference in Tralee today. Co-location had been marketed on the basis of freeing-up capacity in crowded general acute hospitals, but he warned that “the ruthless law of the market will ultimately prevail. The private side will flourish while public facilities will be gradually starved of resources because those who depend on them will not command the political influence to assert their interests.”
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SIPTU firefighters call for independent inquiry into fatalities
01.10.2007SIPTU firefighters are calling for an independent investigation into the fire that caused the deaths of their colleagues, Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy on Wednesday.
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Industrial action likely at Dublin Port Tunnel
01.10.2007Industrial action is extremely likely at Dublin Port Tunnel according to SIPTU Branch Organiser, Owen Reidy.
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SIPTU calls on Green party to ensure Government commitments are fulfilled
27.09.2007SIPTU has called on the Green Party to dissociate itself from the Government’s stand on the Aer Lingus decision to move its Shannon slots at Heathrow to Belfast.
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SIPTU leaders pay tribute to members who lost their lives in Bray fire today
26.09.2007SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor, the General Secretary Joe O’Flynn and Vice President Brendan Hayes paid tribute today to Brian Murray and Mark O’Shaughnessy, the two retained fire fighters who lost their lives in Bray this morning.
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SIPTU offers condolences to families of fire fighters killed in Bray today
26.09.2007SIPTU offered its condolences to the families of two courageous fire fighters were killed in Bray this morning while serving their community.
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SIPTU calls on elected representatives to act on Heathrow slots
25.09.2007Each and every elected representative should ensure that the Government’s commitment to protect the Heathrow slots in Shannon, Cork and Dublin is honoured. This was the message sent by SIPTU’s National Industrial Secretary, Michael Halpenny, in a letter to elected representatives in advance of the Dáil debate on the transfer of Aer Lingus’ Heathrow slots to Belfast tomorrow (September 26).
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SIPTU warns Government on 'Flexicurity'
26.09.2007SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor, has warned the Government today that the law must be reformed to protect vulnerable agency workers before any real progress can be made on ‘flexicurity’ proposals at national or EU level.
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Dundalk Racecourse threatens injunction over Bookmakers' protest picket
24.09.2007Dundalk Racecourse has threatened to obtain a High Court injunction to prevent the Irish National Bookmakers Association (INBA) and the Irish Racecourse Bookmakers’ Assistants (IRBA) - members of SIPTU – from picketing outside the racetrack on the official opening nights – September 27 and 28.
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Poland's Opposition Leader to visit Dublin
24.09.2007Donald Tusk, leader of Poland’s main opposition party Civic Platform - Platforma Obywatelska, (PO) - Donald Tusk has been invited to meet Polish workers in Ireland.
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Health Unions Welcome NIB statement on HSE Cut-backs
21.09.2007The Congress group of unions representing the vast majority of workers in the health service today welcomed the statement issued by the National Implementation Body on the HSE cut-backs.
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SIPTU Nursing backs NIB statement on talks
21.09.2007SIPTU’s National Nursing Council has welcomed the National implementation Body’s statement on the complaint from the Health Staff Panel that the HSE’s Financial Break-even Plan breached the terms of Towards 2016
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Bookmakers and Assistants to picket dundalk opening race nights
20.09.2007The Irish National Bookmakers' Association (INBA) and the Irish Racecourse Bookmakers’ Assistants (IRBA) - members of SIPTU - will place a joint picket at the newly built, all weather flood-lit racetrack in Dundalk on the official opening nights – September 27 and 28.
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SIPTU disappointed Gormley's water programme avoids privatisation issue
20.09.2007SIPTU has given a guarded welcome to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley’s €5.8 billion water service investment programme but is disappointed that the Minister chose not to deal with the issue of water privatisation.
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Government should withhold staffing grants from Drumlane Community Partnership - SIPTU
20.09.2007SIPTU has called on the Government - through Pobal and the Cavan County Childcare Committee - to withhold staffing grants from Drumlane Community Partnership until such time as proper consultation has taken place and agreement reached on re-structuring.
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Industrial action at Eye Cinema due to begin on Saturday, September 22, 2007
19.09.2007An initial one day strike will take place on Saturday, September 22, at Eye Cinema, Galway after management completely rejected their employees’ wishes to be represented by a trade union.
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Unions unite in response to HSE staff freeze
10.09.2007The trade unions represented on the Health Service Staff Panel, which include SIPTU, IMPACT, and the Irish Nurses Organisation (INO), have written to the HSE today (Friday, September 7) seeking assurances that the recent freeze on staff appointments will not be allowed to affect the provision of essential health services.
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SIPTU members call on Government to withdraw its decentralisation campaign for semi-state bodies
06.09.2007SIPTU delegates representing almost 1,600 members in 16 semi-state organisations have called for an end to the Government’s plans to decentralise them. They met in Liberty Hall today to hear a report back on the Labour Court Recommendation in the FÁS dispute last week. The Court had ruled that any relocation must be voluntary.
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Launch of new volunteer patient support programme - Cairde
10.09.2007Former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, and SIPTU National Industrial Secretary, Matt Merrigan are among those meeting the HSE tomorrow to finalise plans for the formation of a volunteer programme called CAIRDE which will provide patient support in Irish hospitals.
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SIPTU Firefighters critical of failure to equip fire service with defibrillators
14.09.2007SIPTU - the trade union representing Retained (part-time) Firefighters - has expressed criticism at the continued failure to equip the fire services with life saving defibrillators.
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Possible industrial action at Eye Cinema, Galway over pay and conditions
14.09.2007SIPTU members working in Eye Cinema at Wellpark in Galway have voted in favour of industrial action. Formal notice will be served today, unless management agrees to meet Union representatives to discuss terms and conditions of employment.
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SIPTU'S National Delegate Conference
31.08.2007Over 600 delegates, observers and guests will attend SIPTU’s National Delegate Conference in the Mount Brandon Hotel, Tralee, from Tuesday, October 2 to Friday, October 5. The delegates – who have been elected by Union Branches throughout Ireland – will make a number of important decisions during the Conference.
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SIPTU representatives to consider Finance Minister’s comments on Labour Court ruling in the decentralisation dispute at meeting next week
30.08.2007SIPTU workplace representatives in the 16 non-commercial semi-state agencies where it organises the employees are to meet next Thursday, September 6th, to consider the implications of the Labour Court recommendation in the FÁS dispute.
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Job Losses at Coca Cola Major Blow to Drogheda
29.08.2007The announcement by management at of Coca Cola that it is to close its Drogheda plant with the loss of 275 jobs is a devastating blow to the workers and the community, according to SIPTU’s North East Branch Organiser, John King
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Labour Court Recommendation on FÁS a major victory
28.08.2007SIPTU has welcomed the Labour Court's Recommendation in the dispute with the State training and employment agency FÁS, as a major victory. The Union’s Regional Secretary, Patricia King said this evening that, “the outcome has major implications for 2,500 SIPTU members in 23 semi-State agencies. The Court has accepted our argument that staff in these agencies - many of them highly qualified specialists - have different terms of employment to civil servants and that the same degree of inter-changeability does not exist.
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Planned robbery foiled - SIPTU congratulate Gardai
27.08.2007Security Branch Organiser, Kevin McMahon congratulated the Gardai in preventing a robbery at the Sandyford Business Park in Dublin last week (August 23, 2007), but warned that more needs to be done.
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Racecourse Bookmakers' Assistant boycott Dundalk race meeting
24.08.2007Racecourse Bookmakers' Assistants Section of SIPTU has decided to support the Bookmakers decision to boycott Dundalk’s inaugural race meeting on Sunday, August 26 2007, in a dispute over the allocation of ‘pitches’ at the track.
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SIPTU expresses its thanks to Pat Rabbitte on his role in defending workers' rights
23.08.2007The General Secretary of SIPTU, Joe O’Flynn, has paid tribute to Pat Rabbitte for his role as leader of the Labour Party in championing a fairer society and in particular workers’ rights. “As a former industrial group secretary in the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union, which became one of the main constituent parts of SIPTU, Pat Rabbitte had an intimate knowledge of the world of work and how progressive political policies could advance the interests and standard of living for ordinary people”, he said.
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Workers angry as Quinn Packaging axe 40 jobs in Newbridge
22.08.2007SIPTU members in Quinn Packaging are angry at the group’s decision to close its packaging plant in Newbridge, Co. Kildare with the loss of 40 jobs.
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Another blow to Dublin West as Smurfit Kappa announce job losses
22.08.2007A total of 55 people will lose their jobs at Christmas when Smurfit Kappa close their Killeen Corrugated Products plant in Ballyfermot, West Dublin.
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Lillian sells for €410,000 in New Ross auction
09.08.2007The mv Lillian has been sold for €410,000 to a Greek shipping company in New Ross today. This means that arrears of $96,000 (€70,347) owing to the nine man Russian crew can be paid. The purchaser was Ioannis N Nomkon of the Ola Maritime Company SA, Greece.
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Wicklow Bookbinders to consider settlement proposals tomorrow.
10.08.2007Fourteen employees of Reilly Bookbinders are to consider settlement proposals to their dispute tomorrow. This follows over three hours of talks at the Labour Relations Commission in Dublin this afternoon
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Irish Government must open discussions with Belfast and London on maintaining Heathrow slots and connectivity for Mid-West
13.08.2007The Irish Government must explore the option of new Heathrow slots for the proposed Aer Lingus flights schedule from Belfast with its London and Belfast counterparts, SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn said today. “The decision to open a new service from Belfast to Heathrow by Aer Lingus was as much a political issue as a commercial one and the political consequences need to be addressed as fully as the economic ones”, Mr O’Flynn said today.
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Wicklow bookbinders accept settlement terms to dispute and end four week occupation
10.08.2007The 14 staff of Reilly Bookbinders ended their four week occupation of the plant on the Murrough Industrial Estate, Wicklow Town, this afternoon. They did so after accepting settlement terms to their dispute agreed at the Labour Relations Commission.
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SIPTU to meet IDA and business leaders on future of Shannon and Mid-West
09.08.2007SIPTU’s Western Regional Secretary, Joe Cunningham is to attend the meeting convened by Shannon Development tomorrow to build a broad based coalition and deal with the threat posed by Aer Lingus management plans to withdraw from the Region
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Labour Court backs pay rise in Novartis
09.08.2007“SIPTU members in Novartis Novartis, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, are to meet shortly to consider a Labour Court Recommendation, which if accepted, will increase the pay of laboratory analyst up to a maximum of €49,350 per annum.
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New talks on bookbinders dispute as assessor completes report and occupation of plant continues
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SIPTU rejects Aer lingus decision to abandon Shannon Airport
07.08.2007SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor said that if the decision of Aer Lingus to withdraw services from Shannon would have very serious consequences for employment and industry in the West of Ireland.
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Wicklow bookbinders agree to Labour Relations Commission proposal but will continue occupation until assessor reports
31.07.2007The 14 employees of O’Reilly’s Bookbinders in Wicklow have agreed to accept a Labour Relations Commission proposal to resolve their dispute, but have also decided to continue their occupation of the plant until the Assessor reports. The Assessor, Brian Aylward, is expected to report back to the LRC by Friday on the viability of the company. The workers are hoping he will find it has a viable future under new management.
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Proposals to save Wicklow Bookbinders' company to be put to workers
30.07.2007The 14 Union members in Reilly’s Bookbinders in Wicklow, who have been occupying the plant for almost two weeks after being told they are losing their jobs, are to be given new proposals to end the dispute.
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SIPTU to campaign for move from ERO to Registered Employment Agreement for mushroom industry to curb continued exploitation
30.07.2007SIPTU has decided to begin a process to implement legally binding Registered Employment Agreements with individual mushroom farmers. SIPTU had reached an agreement with the Mushroom Employers Group on new terms and conditions for a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Industry. However, SIPTU is not prepared to subscribe to a new ERO due to the failure of the Employers Group to live up to previous commitments.
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SIPTU calls for liquidator to be appointed to save jobs at Wicklow bookbinders factory where workers are sitting in
27.07.2007The appointment of a liquidator to Reilly Bookbinders could lead to jobs being saved, says Shane McKean of the Irish Print Group division of SIPTU, who represents the 14 workers currently occupying the plant. “This is a company which had a long and profitable history, but has been asset stripped over the past few years..”
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SIPTU bookbinders occupy insolvent factory in Wicklow
27.07.2007Ten women and four men have been occupying Reilly Bookbinders in Wicklow Town since Wednesday, July 18, after learning that the company was insolvent and was not going to pay them even statutory redundancy. Most of the workers affected have between 15 and 20 years' service. Some have between 25 and 28 years' service.
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SIPTU firefighters concerned at extra risk to life caused by local authority cost cuts
26.07.2007SIPTU, the trade union representing the country’s Retained (part-time) Firefighters, is concerned at the failure of local authorities to respond to emergencies in their functional fire authority areas by deploying emergency fire crews in the early stages of serious incidents such as traffic accidents.
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Government must act to protect construction jobs
24.07.2007The forecast by Davy Stockbrokers that 35,000 jobs may be lost in the construction industry over the next eighteen months has provoked an angry response from SIPTU’s Construction Sector Organiser, Eric Fleming.
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Premier Foods to consider meeting SIPTU at group level over proposed job cuts at Chivers and RHM subsidiaries
23.07.2007Premier Foods is to consider meeting the demand by SIPTU that talks over its plans to shed jobs in its Chivers and RHM subsidiaries, take place at group level. It has been proposing that talks take place at local level. SIPTU Assistant Branch Organiser Brendan Carr says, “We are hopeful Premier will agree. The issues can most productively be discussed at group level, as this is the level at which decisions over the redundancies are being taken.”
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McGrath gets school guarantee - workers get ignored
06.07.2007Education Minister Mary Hanafin TD, should meet worker representatives of Integrate Ireland Language & Training Centre to discuss her future plans for the Training Centre, declared SIPTU Education Branch Organiser, Chris Rowland.
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Call for an all island economy
05.07.2007The circumstances are right for the establishment of an economic strategy which can guarantee prosperity, quality of life and equality of opportunity for all on the island of Ireland, according to SIPTU’s National Campaigns’ Official, Anne Speed.
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Integrated social and economic growth a priority if Ireland is to sustain its current prosperity
05.07.2007The potential for continued growth or recession are both present in our economy, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor told delegates to the ICTU biennial conference in Bundoran today. Crucial decisions now had to be taken to move away from our over dependence on construction and borrowing to upskilling the workforce and curbing the greed of wealthy groups such as developers, who threatened to undermine our competitiveness.
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End pussyfooting and procrastination on pensions now
04.07.2007Vice President of ICTU, Rosheen Callender said it’s time to end pussyfooting and procrastination on pensions.
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Implementing Gender Equality
03.07.2007ICTU Vice-President Rosheen Callender called on Congress to re-dedicate itself to the task of fully implementing its "comprehensive, holistic and long-standing policies on gender equality", by more effective use of all the instruments available at national, sectoral and workplace level.
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Jack O'Connor says Harney's comments send subliminal message that substandard health service is acceptable.
28.06.2007Controversial comments by the Minister for Health, Mary Harney, on the acceptability of the widespread use of trolleys to compensate for lack of beds in our general hospitals have been strongly criticised at today’s meeting of SIPTU’s national executive. SIPTU is the country’s largest health service union, representing paramedics, nurses and non-nursing grades such as care assistants, caterers, porters and cleaners.
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Jobs shock for Lapple workers
18.06.2007"The decision by Lapple management to close their plant in Carlow with the loss of 140 jobs comes as a real blow to workers," said SIPTU Branch Organiser, Michael Browne
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SIPTU agrees new deal for 27,500 contract cleaners
14.06.2007SIPTU has negotiated a new deal for contract cleaners which gives them minimum pay and conditions of employment, as well as a death in service benefit worth €5,000, with effect from June 1, 2007.
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Dispute at Aer Arann resolved
12.06.2007The dispute over staff transfers at Aer Arann has been resolved, following negotiations between SIPTU’s Aer Arann section and management this afternoon.
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SIPTU leader wants talks on a new pay agreement brought forward
07.06.2007The General President of SIPTU, Jack O’Connor, has called for control “of the unacceptably high level of inflation to be placed at the top of the political agenda.
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Pensions time bomb can no longer be ignored in light of latest OECD survey
07.06.2007The latest OECD report on pensions highlights the need to address deficits in the Irish system when talks begin on a successor to ‘Towards 2016,’ according to SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor.
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Vote for fairness at work and justice in society - NEC
04.05.2007The best way of correcting the increasing imbalance in public policy is by voting for Labour Party candidates and by using the PR system to the full to continue preferences to other parties and individuals who are publicly committed to the principles of economic and social solidarity, according to SIPTU's National Executive Council.
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The Key Election Issues: How the parties responded
08.05.2007The views of the political parties represented in the Dáil were sought by SIPTU on a number of key issues of importance to Union members.
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Baggage handlers agree terms for working new check-in area
28.05.2007SIPTU members have agreed to work in the new check in area at Dublin Airport, known as ‘Area 14’ following talks between Union representatives and Aer Lingus management.
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SIPTU calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards
25.05.2007SIPTU Sectoral Organiser, Eric Fleming called for stronger enforcement of safety standards in the building industry after the Dublin District Court fined G T Crampton €50,000 yesterday, following the death of building worker, Terence O’Neill in 2002, when a concrete stair collapsed at the site where he was working in Ringsend, Dublin.
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Advocate General's ruling in two landmark cases could pave way to end gross exploitation of agency workers and seafarers.
23.05.2007“The opinions by Advocate General Mengozzi in the Laval case on the right of unions to protect workers and by Advocate General Maduro in the Viking Line dispute on the rights of seafarers are very welcome”, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor said today.
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SIPTU to name employment agencies who exploit workers
23.05.2007Employment agencies who are exploiting vulnerable migrant workers will be named and shamed, according to SIPTU Branch Organiser, John Dunne
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SIPTU calls for the establishment of a JLC for domestic workers
18.05.2007SIPTU has called for the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) to set minimum pay and conditions of employment for domestic workers.
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Hayes welcomes peace formula for nurses' dispute
16.05.2007SIPTU has welcomed the initiative from the National Implementation Body in the dispute involving the Irish Nurses Organisation, the Psychiatric Nurses Association and the Health Services Executive.
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SIPTU welcomes Labour Party's policy document on ‘Fair Place to Work’
09.05.2007SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has welcomed the Labour Party’s policy document, ‘A Fair Place to Work: Labour’s Plan for Better Workplace Standards’. He described it today as, “an imaginative initiative which sets out a framework for reconciling people’s rights at work with enhancing the competitiveness of our economy."
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SIPTU regrets breakdown in nurses talks but says its members must be paid increases due under Towards 2016
09.05.2007SIPTU regrets it has not been possible to make progress in the current talks on reforms, and the related industrial relations agenda, aimed at introducing a reduced working week and a 10.6 per cent pay increase for the nursing profession in a transformed and modernised health service.
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SIPTU welcomes formation of new union
09.05.2007SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor has welcomed the formation of UNITE, the new union formed from the merger of the British based AMICUS and the Transport and General Workers’ Union, which is known as the ATGWU in Ireland.
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Name and Shame - SIPTU lobbies for protection of shop stewards
25.04.2007SIPTU is going to name and shame employers who are victimising shop stewards for union activity, declared Union Sectoral Organiser, Eric Fleming.
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Government should abandon hospital co-location plans
19.04.2007SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn has called on the Government to abandon its plans to give private developers tax breaks and public land to build hospitals on state health care campuses. Speaking at the union's Nursing Convention in Castlebar, he said that the “almost continuous attack” on public services by some politicians and media commentators was “part of the softening up process to sell off important parts of our hard won social and physical infrastructure at knock down prices to private operators.
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SIPTU campaigns for better deal for nurses
23.04.2007In order to correct various misunderstandings which have emerged in the media about SIPTU's role in the current campaign to improve the pay and conditions of nurses in the public health service, we wish to point out:
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National Implementation Body should intervene in nurses dispute now
22.04.2007Vice President, Brendan Hayes has once again called for the National Implementation Body to intervene in the nurses dispute to see if a resolution can be found.
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SIPTU nurses expect progress through Benchmarking
18.04.2007“Although there is a great deal of unrest in the health service at the present time, SIPTU is expecting significant progress to be delivered for nurses through the Benchmarking process,” said SIPTU Nursing President, Mary Durkin.
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Nurses want reward and recognition
16.04.2007“Through Benchmarking, SIPTU has made a case for the appropriate reward and recognition of nurses and midwives, based on their delivery of quality public health services,” stated SIPTU’s National Nursing Organiser, Louise O’Reilly.
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Union clarifies reports of claims for 35 hour week
15.04.2007In response to inaccurate news reports regarding claims for a 35 hour week for non-nursing personnel, SIPTU wishes to record that it has served no new claims for a 35 hour week in the health service. SIPTU has been pursuing a claim for a 35 hour week for nurses since 1980 and in recent times has made a submission to the Benchmarking Body, setting out a very strong case on behalf of its members for such a reduction.
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Industrial action at Liebherr deferred as Union and management agree talks
10.04.2007Industrial action at Liebherr Container Cranes will be deferred for one week from Wednesday, April 11, 2007, following agreement between SIPTU and management to enter talks.
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SIPTU leader calls for 300 more buses for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann
28.03.2007SIPTU Vice President Brendan Hayes has called on the Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, to provide another 300 buses Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann in line with policy commitments given in Transport 21 last year. While commending Mr. Cullen for buses already supplied Mr. Hayes says he is seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister to ensure public transport investment targets are fully met before the election.
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Union calls for reflection by all sides in nurses dispute
01.04.2007“Some progress was made at talks with the National Implementation Body on nursing issues over the weekend but unfortunately the gap between the parties remains too great to be resolved at this stage”, said SIPTU Vice President Brendan Hayes after talks adjourned this afternoon.
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Unions win claim for compensation for psychological trauma
30.03.2007Both SIPTU and the Psychiatric Nurses’ Association (PNA) have welcomed a Labour Court Recommendation issued yesterday which upheld their claim that psychiatric nurses have an entitlement to be assessed – and if appropriate – compensated, for any psychological trauma following a workplace assaulted.
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SIPTU and TEEU welcome resolution of Irish Sugar/Greencore Dispute
26.03.2007SIPTU and the TEEU welcome the resolution of the long running dispute with Irish Sugar/Greencore over redundancy terms following the closure of the company’s Mallow plant and management’s decision to altogether cease sugar production in Ireland.
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Progress in dispute over employment abuses of Polish security guards
27.03.2007Representatives of the Polish trade union, Solidarnosc, met senior representatives of AIB management - supported by SIPTU - in Liberty Hall today. The meeting was arranged so that AIB would hear the concerns of Solidarnosc regarding the working conditions of security guards employed by Solid Security which provides security services to Bank Zachodni (BZWBK) in Poland - in which AIB has a majority shareholding.
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AIB to discuss abuse of Polish security workers
26.03.2007SIPTU is to meet the Head of Industrial Relations at Allied Irish Banks, to discuss poor pay and working conditions of employees of a Polish security firm which provides services to Bank Zachodni WBK - which is 80% owned by AIB.
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Government must tackle inflation by bringing down energy prices
20.03.2007Not enough is being done to bring down inflation rates, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor said today, commenting on the Consumer Price Index figures (CPI) for February. He warned against Government complacency or any attitude of being thankful for small mercies just because the annualised rate of inflation had eased back from 5.2 per cent to 4.8 per cent.
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Proposal to break up ESB contrary to Union Agreements
20.03.2007SIPTU says White Paper proposing the break up of the ESB is completely contrary to Union agreements with both management and Government.
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Industrial action at TDG averted following settlement
20.03.2007Industrial action at TDG (distributing for Londis) has been averted following the acceptance by SIPTU members of an improved offer from management according to Assistant Branch Organiser, Frank Jones.
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SIPTU signs International Project aimed at protecting migrant workers
20.03.2007SIPTU has joined an international project which is aimed at protecting the rights of migrant workers. “The project will provide training and information on workplace rights to migrant workers before they leave their native country,” explained the Union’s Regional Secretary for the Midlands and South East, Mike Jennings.
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Iretex closure a blow to Ireland's manufacturing base
20.03.2007The liquidation of Iretex and the loss of approximately 60 jobs in Leixlip is another blow to Ireland's manufacturing base, said SIPTU Branch Organiser Adrian Kane. "The veneer is coming off this fragile, speculator lead economy," he said.
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Undocumented workers in Ireland also deserve due process
14.03.2007As the Taoiseach and other Government representatives engage with US officials this week over the plight of undocumented Irish people living and working in America, the Irish authorities should show similar concern for the plight of undocumented migrants working in this country, according to SIPTU.
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Jack O'Connor welcomes initiative in nurses' dispute and says SIPTU members will participate in talks
09.03.2007SIPTU welcomes today’s announcement of an initiative under the aegis of the National Implementation Body to address issues underpinning the current nurses dispute, the union’s President Jack O’Connor said this afternoon.
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Unions case for former disabled workers at Tara Mnes upheld by High Court
09.03.2007The High Court has today found in favour of SIPTU and TEEU’s claim that disabled workers who left Tara Mines before 1998 - due to occupational injuries and illness - should be given the benefits of an improved index-linked pension negotiated in 1998.
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Job Losses at Proctor and Gamble
08.03.2007SIPTU members in Procter & Gamble in Nenagh were advised on Wednesday, March 07, 2007, that 280 jobs would be shed under an 'Outsourcing Study' which management has been engaged in for over a year. The job losses will not happen until 2009.
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SIPTU condemns downgrading of security operations
09.03.2007The decision by the Reception and Integration Agency within the Department of Justice to downgrade security and safety standards at the Athlone Asylum Seekers’ Accommodation Centre, has been condemned by SIPTU’s Security Services Branch Committee.
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Aer Lingus management agrees to SIPTU offer of talks on Monday to discuss Labour Court Recommendation
09.03.2007Aer Lingus management has agreed to meet SIPTU National Industrial Secretary Michael Halpenny and the union’s shop stewards on Monday to discuss the Labour Court recommendation on the Programme for Continuous Improvement (PCI-07). SIPTU is entering the talks without prejudice.
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'For Profit' health care in Ireland will not solve our problems
02.03.2007The public health sector is in urgent need of targeted funding to address the lack of clinical staff and essential equipment, according to Orla Hardiman, Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital. “Inefficiencies are caused by poor management, excessive bureaucracy and outdated equipment,” she said.
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SIPTU advise nursing members of dispute protocol
07.03.2007SIPTU has advised its nursing members that the health, safety and welfare of patients should be their primary concern while the INO work-to-rule is ongoing.
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Industrial action at TDG Ireland Ltd., Kildare
07.03.2007SIPTU members have voted in favour of industrial action at TDG Ireland Ltd., - suppliers to Londis stores nationwide - in a dispute over pay.
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Tricolour a flag of convenience for low pay employers
05.03.2007Unscrupulous employers are carrying out a campaign of exploitation against millions of vulnerable migrant workers, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor told the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Dublin this evening. Mr. O’Connor said that the victims had little choice but to accept whatever wages were offered.
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Vulnerable workers ripe for exploitation
02.03.2007Irish workers are facing a serious crisis, as ruthless business interests pursue an agenda of maximising profits by driving down labour costs, declared SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn.
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Union members vote for industrial action at Keelings (Distributors) Ltd.
02.03.2007SIPTU members in Keelings (Distribution) Ltd., have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute over management’s arbitrary breaches of policies, procedures and agreements, reportedSiptu’s AGEMO Branch Organiser, Pat Ward.
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Irish workplaces should facilitate flexible working arrangements
01.03.2007All workers should unite in support of the idea that the modern Irish workplace should facilitate flexible working arrangements that enables parents to combine work, family and other interests and commitments; and allow all workers, of whatever age, to achieve a good balance between paid work and other interests in their, lives, according to SIPTU’s National Equality Secretary, Rosheen Callender on this Work Life Balance Day.
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SIPTU offers condolences to families of Fire Fighter and Garda
26.02.2007SIPTU offered its condolences to the families of two brave men who were killed this week-end while serving their community.
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Ballot for industrial action at Keelings (Distributors) Ltd.
28.02.2007SIPTU is balloting for industrial action – up to and including strike action - in Keelings (Distribution) Ltd., following management’s arbitrary breaches of policies, procedures and agreements, declared SIPTU’s AGEMO Branch Organiser, Pat Ward.
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SIPTU welcomes outcome of exploratory talks at Labour Court on Aer Lingus Dispute
27.02.2007Following exploratory talks in the Labour Court this afternoon, the Court has undertaken to begin an investigation into the dispute at Aer Lingus, starting Thursday evening, March 1 and working through to Friday, March 2, with a view to issuing a recommendation on Monday, March 5, 2007.
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SIPTU will attend Labour Court talks but warns that stoppages may go ahead if Aer Lingus tries to force through cutbacks
27.02.2007In a statement after a two-and-a-half hour meeting of SIPTU’s Aer Lingus shop stewards at Dublin Airport today, the Union’s National Industrial, Secretary, Michael Halpenny issued the following statement.
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SIPTU condemns deletion of employment protection clause
27.02.2007SIPTU has condemned the decision by the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, to delete an employee protection clause from its new operating contract on the Cape Clear ferry.
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Labour Court intervenes in Aer Lingus Dispute
27.02.2007The Labour Court has intervened in the Aer Lingus dispute, inviting SIPTU and the company to attend talks tomorrow. The company has threatened to introduce new work practices from Thursday, despite a warning from SIPTU that it will respond with industrial action if members conditions of employment are changed unilaterally.
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SIPTU tells Aer Lingus to stop breaking agreements to allow for talks
23.02.2007SIPTU completely rejects the latest attempts by Aer Lingus management to spin themselves out of the hole they have dug for the airline, the workers and the traveling public by trying to load all the blame onto the Union.
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Regulations covering transfer of employees need tightening
23.02.2007The dispute between SIPTU and Whelan’s has ended following intensive negotiations between SIPTU and management.
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Labour Relations Commission should intervene in DAA Shannon dispute
22.02.2007SIPTU is repeating its call for the Labour Relations Commission to intervene in the dispute at Shannon airport.
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Government must counteract the unacceptably high increases in cost of living
22.02.2007SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor has spoken out strongly about the fact that the annual rate of inflation has now passed another threshold at 5.2% in January.
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SIPTU available for LRC talks on Shannon Airport
21.02.2007SIPTU has confirmed its willingness to engage realistically with Shannon Airport at the Labour Relations Commission.
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SIPTU leader calls on all involved in the nurses' dispute to enter talks immediately before services to patients are hit
19.02.2007SIPTU, the largest union in the Health Service and a member of the National Nursing Alliance today (Sunday, February 18) said that it supports the claims being made by the Psychiatric Nurses Association and Irish Nurses Organisation against the Health Service Executive. SIPTU has itself made similar claims on behalf of its nursing members to the Benchmarking Body.
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Media reports of Aer Lingus workers' pay and conditions remain unconfirmed
19.02.2007Recent media reports of Aer Lingus workers’ pay and conditions remain unconfirmed, according to SIPTU’s National Industrial Secretary, Michael Halpenny.
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No easy solutions to pension reform but Government should act now
15.02.2007The Government should start planning now to introduce reform of our pension policy to make it fully inclusive, declared ICTU Vice President, Rosheen Callender.
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No Discussion on Decentralisation - Despite Dáil Statement by Cowen
14.02.2007In response to a question in the Dáil about decentralisation on February 7, Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen wrongly gave the impression that his Department was actively engaged with officials in the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on this issue.
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Aer Lingus workers vote in favour of industrial action
12.02.2007SIPTU members at Aer Lingus have voted by an overwhelming majority for industrial action up to and including strike action. The Union's National Industrial Secretary, Michael Halpenny, said “this shows a very clear determination on the part of Union members to defend their agreements and to defend themselves against unilateral attacks by the Aer Lingus management on their agreed pay and conditions.”
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SIPTU calls for integrated rail service for Midlands and South East
12.02.2007SIPTU wants an integrated rail service to connect towns within the Midlands and South East Region, using existing and disused tracks.
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Government roll out of protection of employment standards too slow to stop exploitation
12.02.2007SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has “noted the announcement by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mr. Micheal Martin, today of his plans to introduce employment protection measures agreed in the national agreement Towards 2016. This represents an important step in combating exploitation and maintaining workplace standards in our economy but it should have been implemented in the spring of 2004, when we first opened out borders to the new EU accession states
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Pfizer workers shocked at job losses
09.02.2007Workers in Pfizers in Little Island, Loughbeg and Ringaskiddy in county Cork are shocked at management’s announcement on proposed job losses today.
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Labour Party committed to reviewing decentraliasation
02.02.2007“Labour in government will certainly ensure that the plan goes back to the drawing board”, Joan Burton, the party’s TD for Dublin West told the SIPTU meeting on decentralisation in Liberty Hall this evening. “We will ensure that a full review takes place with particular reference to the potential damage that will be done to specialist state agencies by forcing them to relocate.”
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Government parties fail to attend decentralisation meeting
02.02.2007SIPTU Dublin Regional Secretary Patricia King has condemned the failure of any Dublin TDs from Fianna Fail or the Progressive Democrats to accept invitations to last night’s meeting on decentralisation. Representatives of all the other Dail parties gave commitments to the union that they would review the decision to relocate specialist state agencies if they were in power after the next election. The representative of the Independent group in the Dail, Finian McGrath, said the group would also support SIPTU’s position in the Dail.
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Court rules temporary workers should get permanent contracts with fixed hours
01.02.2007The Labour Court has ruled that temporary employees in the HSE West, should be given contracts of ‘indefinite duration’ or permanent contracts.
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Jack O'Connor calls for a radical alliance to make life-long learning a reality for all
01.02.2007SIPTU President Jack O’Connor has called for a radical alliance to make life-long learning accessible to all. The recent colonisation of third level education by wealthy businessmen and corporations has created a real danger of some institutions and professions becoming the exclusive preserves of wealthy elites. He was speaking at the Michael O’Brien Memorial Lecture on the Waterford Institute Campus this evening.
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Call for accelerated progress on funding for Domestic Violence Agency
01.02.2007SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn has welcomed today’s indications from Government that funding for the National Domestic Violence Intervention Agency (NDVIA) will be extended for a number of months pending completion of a major evaluation of this area of work. The Agency was on the verge of closure when the last-minute offer was made, just prior to a press conference called for on January 31.
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Inequalities still haunting Ireland - 100 years after Larkin's arrival
30.01.2007Jim Larkin would not be entranced by Ireland’s new found prosperity, rather he would be angered by the inequalities that still haunt our society 100 years after he first arrived in Ireland, said SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor.
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Possibility of industrial action at Westmeath County Council
30.01.2007Around 170 SIPTU members in Westmeath County Council will ballot for industrial action next week if the Council goes ahead with proposals to outsource core work, without agreement.
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Workers angry at Burlington Hotel closure
25.01.2007"There’s a real sense of anger at the announcement by Jury's that they plan to sell off the Burlington Hotel," said SIPTU's Hotels and Restaurant Branch Organiser, Kieran Connolly.
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Failte Ireland disputes ends with deal brokered by LRC
25.01.2007The dispute over relocation at Failte Ireland ended after SIPTU members voted to accept the terms of a deal brokered by the Labour Relations Commission in respect of a transfer to a new location.
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Notice of industrial action served on Whelan's
24.01.2007SIPTU has served notice of industrial action on Whelan’s in a dispute over redundancies and transfer of undertakings, to expire at midnight Thursday, January 25, 2007.
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Security workers plan withdrawl of services on health and safety grounds
24.01.2007Security workers employed by cash-in-transit (CIT) companies may refuse to service high risk delivery and collection locations where secure parking and other protective measures are not being met.
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SIPTU demands construction sites be made safe during stormy weather
19.01.2007The Health and Safety Authority should give a clear signal to construction employers to ensure building sites are made safe during stormy weather, demanded SIPTU’s Sectoral Organiser, Eric Fleming in the wake of yesterday’s tragic accident at the huge Charlestown building site in Finglas, Dublin.
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SIPTU welcomes compensation scheme for psychiatric nurses
18.01.2007Both SIPTU and the PNA welcomed the Government’s approval of the introduction of an injury compensation scheme for psychiatric nurses but warned that a number issues remain outstanding.
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Government responsible for rise in inflation
18.01.2007SIPTU has condemned Government policy for being responsible for an increase in December’s year-on-year rate of inflation to 4.9 percent from November’s rate of 4.5 percent.
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Unions opposed to Greencore's Property Development Plan
16.01.2007SIPTU’S National Industrial Secretary, Gerry McCormack has again accused Greencore of trying to use money available from the European Union to develop a €500 million property site in Mallow, just months after their bid to develop a €1.1 billion property site in Carlow.
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Lock-out at Fáilte Eireann
15.01.2007In a row over relocation, Fáilte Ireland - the National Tourism Development Authority – has locked SIPTU members out of their offices at Pembroke Row, Dublin, according to SIPTU Branch Organiser, Owen Reidy.
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Establishment of ODERC is a milestone in enforcing workers' rights
11.01.2007SIPTU notes the appointment of Mr. Ger Deering to the post of Director of the Office of Employment Rights Compliance. “The establishment of the Office represents an important milestone in the development of a proper infrastructure for the enforcement of people’s rights at work in this country, said SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor.
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SIPTU welcomes Health & Safety Authority's commitment to clean up the mushroom industry
11.01.2007The commitment by the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) to carry out at least 100 inspections of mushroom farms during 2007, has been welcomed by SIPTU’s Regional Secretary, Mike Jennings.
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SIPTU pays tribute to the late Progressive Unionist Party Leader, David Ervine
09.01.2007SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has paid tribute to the late Progressive Unionist Party Leader David Ervine and extended his sympathy to Mr Ervine’s wife Jeanette and her family.
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Shannon Airport Workers Reject Deal
09.01.2007The Dublin Airport Authority’s proposals for restructuring and redundancy at Shannon Airport have been overwhelmingly rejected by eighty percent of SIPTU members across all sections.
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