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VEC TUTORS

BASIC EDUCATION, BASIC RIGHTS


SIPTU is Ireland’s largest trade union representing workers in the public, private and community sectors. Since its creation in 1909, it has had one simple aim, to organise workers so that they may achieve fairness in work and justice in society.

The strength of SIPTU comes from the strength of its members standing together. Since the early days of Jim Larkin and James Connelly, our union has been built by its members. Getting involved, talking to our colleagues and campaigning for better pay, term and conditions is the responsibility of everyone. These are the tools that hundreds of thousands of workers have used over the past 100 years to achieve dignity in the work place.

Where are we now?

Over the past year, Basic Education Tutors and Resource Workers have been organising with SIPTU. We are facing many issues, but good progress has been made so far. A committee made up of workers has been established to coordinate the efforts of our Union. This includes talking to colleagues and keeping them up to date, identifying issues and planning actions to build our Union to deliver results.

Our first aim is to talk to the decision makers. A case has been refereed to the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) so that we may discuss our pay, term and conditions with the VEC’s nationally. Coming out of that, the IVEA have agreed to enter into negotiations with SIPTU in early 2009, and a delegation of tutors will be in attendance.

Importance of being organised

A union is only as strong as its members. While we have made good progress with the establishment of a committee and start of a negotiation process, we are a long way off a final agreement that tutors deserve.

The strength we have at the negotiating table is directly related to the number of members we have. Becoming a member of your union is a small step to improving the working life of all tutors.

But getting organised is more than just filling out a form; it is becoming a part of a campaign that fights for the recognition of the important work that you do, day in, day out.

The details of how to join are set out below, but if you want to become active in the campaign, please contact a member of the Basic Education Committee or Darragh O’Connor, SIPTU Organiser at doconnor@siptu.ie or 01 – 858 6365.

What can I do?

The first step is becoming a member of your union, but after that there are a number of ways you can help the campaign. Here are some simple questions to get you thinking:

  • Do all your colleagues know about the issues tutors are facing and that we are campaigning to improve them?
  • Has every tutors been asked to join SIPTU?
  • Are all tutors informed of development in the campaign?
  • How can we contact all the tutors we work with?
  • Has everyone subscribed to the SIPTU e-mail list?

The answer to there question yield some practical steps we can take to build the campaign. If you want to know more, contact Darragh at doconnor@siptu.ie or 01- 858 6365.

Join SIPTU

Applications forms are available here:  Literacy Tutors DD Application Form

Just fill out the form and return it Free Post to:

SIPTU Organsing, Free Post, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1


Contribution Rates

As tutors do not work during the summer, the subscriptions are based on your annual income and paid via Direct Debit. When you are returning your form please state clearly your annual income.

Annual Income
Weekly Contribution
Up to €6,604
 €1
€6,604 - €10,400
 €1.90
€10,400 - €16,900
 €2.80
€16,900 - €26,000
 €4.00
Over €26,000
 €4.70






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