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Irish Trade Union Trust

Solidarity Forever

ITUT Logo Irish Trade Union Trust – SIPTU’s social solidarity service – plays key role in developing the Union’s response to the threat of unemployment. Its services have proven to be invaluable to Union members in many workplaces throughout the country.

Based in Dublin, ITUT has helped to prepare feasibility studies and business plans for workers whose employment has been under threat of closure – including the creation of worker co-operatives. ITUT also continued to offer a range of advisory services for both unemployed members and members facing redundancy on issues like welfare rights and advice on education and training opportunities as well as providing information on job seeking and interview skills and preparing a curriculum vitae.

The Trust has also undertaken important work in relation to adult literacy, facilities for retired members, developing new employment opportunities for workers with disabilities and most recently undertaking special initiatives to combat various forms of prejudice – including racism and sectarianism.

Recent developments have included the following.

  • Redundancy Service - the Trust’s redundancy outreach service is availed of by workers at fourteen different locations throughout Ireland. The Trust periodically produces a Redundancy Guide to help workers find out their entitlements if they are made redundant.
  • Basic English Scheme - the Scheme is very much in demand, and Liberty Hall is an ideal location for participants. As a spin-off from the Basic English Scheme the Trust has devised a workplace literacy programme – which has been successfully rolled out in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, and at the University College Hospital in Cork. A detailed evaluation of the project has been forwarded to the Health Service National Partnership Forum, with a view to developing similar schemes in other venues. The English as a Second Language (ESL) service – provided through the Basic English Scheme – is the subject of increasing demand from migrant workers.
  • Multiculturalism  - the number of people of different nationalities availing of the Trust's advice and help continues to increase.

ITUT  is also involved in a number of projects relating to issues like racism, sectarianism, cross-border development and support for disadvantaged communities, such as the City Bridges project, as well as action on behalf of retired workers and people with disabilities.

e-mail: ITUT


File icon  SIPTU Redundancy Information Guide (February 2009) (doc, 2,175 kb)

Being made redundant is one of the most traumatic events which can occur in a worker’s life. Just as SIPTU represents members at work and negotiates decent redundancy terms, so we will do all we can to help you minimise the difficulties you face on leaving your job and assist you in planning positively for the future. This short, easy to use Guide, has been compiled for SIPTU by Irish Trade Union Trust, the Social Solidarity Arm of SIPTU. Currently in its twelfth edition, it has been compiled and continues to be updated in response to the queries we receive from members who were and are facing redundancy. Click on the file icon to read the full Guide.



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