Press Releases 2011SIPTU calls on NAMA to unfreeze funds to pay Vita Cortex workers redundancy
13 December 2011
SIPTU has called on the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) to unfreeze funds it controls in order to pay 40 Vita Cortex workers their redundancy entitlements when the company’s Cork plant closes this Friday (16th December).
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SIPTU Community Protest Rally at Dáil
09 December 2011
SIPTU is organising a protest rally at Daíl Eireann today Friday 9th December at 2pm to protest against proposed Budget cuts to Community Employment Schemes. The protest rally is being supported by a range of organisations including INOU, OPEN, Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign, North Inner City CE Network, ICTU Community Committee, Congress Centre Network, and Lone Parents Campaign for Change and Mental Health Ireland.
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SIPTU Home Helps to protest at under-resourcing outside Tullamore Health Centre
30 November 2011
SIPTU members will hold a protest outside Tullamore Health Centre on Friday (2nd December) to highlight the under-resourcing of the local Home Help service.
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SIPTU condemns HSE decision to withhold travel expenses
29 November 2011
SIPTU Health Division organiser Paul Bell has condemned the decision by the HSE to withhold travel and other expenses from staff. "The HSE has today instructed that Health Workers in the community will not be paid outstanding monies incurred through travel and subsistence costs from the month of November and will have to wait until January 2012 at the earliest," Paul Bell said.
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SIPTU fire-fighters reject Dublin City Council plan to introduce charge for fire service
28 November 2011
SIPTU fire-fighters have expressed their opposition to a plan by the management of Dublin City Council (DCC) to charge householders for the cost of calling the emergency fire service. Council members are due to meet tonight (28th November) to discuss a management proposal to charge a first hour rate fee of €500 for call outs to domestic fires and €610 for chimney and vehicle fires.
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SIPTU fire-fighters reject Dublin City Council plan to introduce charge for fire service
18 November 2011
SIPTU fire-fighters have expressed their opposition to a plan by the management of Dublin City Council (DCC) to charge householders for the cost of calling the emergency fire service.
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SIPTU President proposes initiative to develop manufacturing sector
24 November 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has today (24th November) proposed a new initiative to bring unions, employers and government together to develop Ireland’s manufacturing sector.
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SIPTU calls for LRC intervention at B. Braun Hospicare
22 November 2011
SIPTU has called for the assistance of the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) following an announcement by management at B. Braun Hospicare, Collooney, county Sligo, that the company intends to temporarily lay off 11 staff from this Friday (25th November).
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Tara Pensioners protest against levy at the Dáil
22 November 2011
Over 100 Tara Mines pensioners and their supporters protested outside Leinster House today (22nd November) to highlight the impact of the Government’s 0.6% pension levy on their incomes.
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Programme for Government’s commitment to inclusion of social clauses welcomed
21 November 2011
SIPTU has welcomed the publication by the Northern Ireland Executive of the Draft Programme for Government 2011-15, and in particular its pledge to “include social clauses in public procurement contracts for supplies, services and construction.”
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Gilmore says Labour role in struggle for independence should be acknowledged
17 November 2011
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, has said that the role of the Irish labour movement should be properly acknowledged over the coming decade of commemorations which will centre around the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.
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SIPTU President says Government must legislate to ensure employers pay sick pay
16 November 2011
Responding to the reports that the Government intends to discontinue sick pay for the first four weeks of an employee’s illness, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor has said the Government must legislate to ensure that employers are required to pay the amount.
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SIPTU meets management to try and save jobs at Dawn Foods
11 November 2011
SIPTU representatives met with the management at Dawn Fresh Foods Ltd., in Fethard, County Tipperary, today (11th November) following the announcement by the company that it intends to restructure the business with the possibility of significant job losses.
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Major victory for US trade unions in Ohio
10 November 2011
The US trade union movement won a major victory on Tuesday (8th November) when the people of Ohio voted overwhelmingly to back workers right to collective bargaining in a State wide referendum.
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Israeli authorities must immediately release remaining ‘Ship to Gaza’ detainees
10 November 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has expressed concern at the treatment by the Israeli authorities of SIPTU College tutor, Mags O’Brien, and her colleagues who were forcibly intercepted in international waters as they travelled to Gaza on the MV Saoirse and illegally held by Israeli authorities on Friday (4th November).
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Demonstrate for change
09 November 2011
SIPTU is supporting two upcoming public demonstrations which will demand that the Government adopts a strategy to generate jobs and growth.
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Seminar: Ireland’s Pension Crisis
08 November 2011
12pm – 2pm Thursday 10th November 2011
Conference Centre, Liberty Hall, Dublin
A Conference which will contribute to the debate on the future of pension provision in Ireland. The speakers will give us their views on the current state of play and there will be opportunity for questions and answers following the presentations.
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SIPTU calls for details of how extra funding for hospitals in North East will be utilised
07 November 2011
SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, has called for details to be provided of how additional Department of Health funds provided to the Louth-Meath Hospital Group will be utilised to ensure adequate standards of patient care in Emergency Departments.
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SIPTU President condemns Israeli forces act of piracy
04 November 2011
SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor has strongly condemned what he described as an illegal act of piracy by Israeli forces when they boarded two boats including the Irish MV Saoirse in international waters off Gaza today.
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SIPTU President says Government strategy is wrong approach
04 November 2011
The strategy contained in the Government’s Fiscal Statement is the “wrong approach” and will not succeed in achieving the jobs and growth needed for Ireland’s economic recovery, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has said.
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with receiver appointed to the Mr Binman Group
28 October 2011
SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with a KPMG receiver who was today (28th October) appointed to the Mr Binman Group.
SIPTU members working with the Mr Binman Group have expressed deep concern for hundreds of jobs across the south of the country following the appointment of a receiver to the waste collection company.
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SIPTU pays tribute to flood victims and emergency workers
26 October 2011
SIPTU has extended its condolences to the families and friends of former union member Celia Ferrer De Jesus and Garda Ciaran Jones who tragically lost their lives in the floods that inundated eastern parts of the country on Monday (24th October).
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SIPTU pays tribute to flood victims and emergency workers
26 October 2011
SIPTU has extended its condolences to the families and friends of former union member Celia Ferrer De Jesus and Garda Ciaran Jones who tragically lost their lives in the floods that inundated eastern parts of the country on Monday (24th October).
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SIPTU calls for rigorous enforcement of construction industry regulations
25 October 2011
SIPTU has called for the rigorous enforcement of construction industry regulations in the wake of the Priory Hall scandal which, according to media reports today (25th October), is set to cost Dublin City Council hundreds of thousands of euros in alternative accommodation and fire cover costs.
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SIPTU to hold forum in Sligo on “Defending the Community Sector”
24 October 2011
As part of a series of nationwide events, SIPTU will hold an open forum for community sector workers on Thursday 27thth October at 11 a.m. in The Best Western Hotel, Sligo. The forum will discuss the challenges facing the community sector in light of continued government funding cuts, and how workers and communities can best defend local services and projects.
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SIPTU to negotiate over threatened job losses at MSD in Wicklow
20 October 2011
SIPTU is to commence negotiations with management at MSD (formerly Schering Plough) which has announced that it is to make 40 workers redundant at its plant in Avondale, county Wicklow by December 2012.
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SIPTU President says Aviva disaster highlights need for growth strategy
19 October 2011
The announcement that 950 workers are to lose their jobs at the insurance company, Aviva, in Dublin highlights once again the urgent need for a Government strategy to protect employment and promote economic growth, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor has said.
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Industrial action at Mid-Western Hospital suspended for four weeks
19 October 2011
Following 12 hours of talks yesterday (18th October) under the chairmanship of Kevin Foley, Director of Conciliation at the Labour Relations Commission, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and SIPTU have agreed to suspend all industrial action at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital for a four week period to allow for:
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Protest against the privatisation of waste collection
18 October 2011
SIPTU and IMPACT trade union members will hold a public demonstration against the privatisation by Fingal County Council of local authority waste collection services on Thursday 20th October at 5.00 p.m.at the Pavilion Centre in Swords Village, county Dublin.
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Successful Liberty Hall concert in aid of Somalia
14 October 2011
Cheers and applause rang out around Liberty Hall last night (13th October) for the rousing performance by singer Damien Dempsey during a highly successful ‘The Forgotten Famine’ benefit concert in aid of the victims of the famine in Somalia. The night began with a an address from former President of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson who spoke movingly of her visits to Somalia this year and in 1992, when that country last experienced a major famine.
Concern Worldwide's chairperson, Frances O'Keeffe also outlined her work with the Irish charity in East Africa.
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SIPTU condemns HSE attempt to create smoke screen regarding patient safety
14 October 2011
The release of a HSE document on proposed rosters for nursing grades has been criticised by SIPTU as an attempt to distract from the very serious issues of hospital overcrowding and under staffing which are a major threat to patient safety in many health facilities around the country.
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SIPTU members concern over appointment of examiner to Mr Binman Group
12 October 2011
SIPTU members working with the Mr Binman Group have expressed deep concern for hundreds of jobs across the south of the country following the appointment of an interim examiner to the waste collection company. Earlier today (Wednesday 12th October), the examiner, Billy O’Riordan, of PriceWaterhouse Cooper, was appointed by the High Court to the waste collection and recycling company and to its subsidiaries.
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Congress says call for deeper budget cuts is 'Reckless'
12 October 2011
Congress has described as ‘reckless’ the proposal from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council that Government should impose deeper cuts in the forthcoming budget. According to Congress Chief Economist, Paul Sweeney, the call for deeper austerity at a time when this policy was clearly failing was “reckless and could threaten a possible recovery.”
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SIPTU welcomes Dáil motion by Sinn Fein in support Community sector
12 October 2011
SIPTU has welcomed the tabling of a Dáil motion by Sinn Fein calling on the Government to end cutbacks to the Community and Voluntary sector. The motion, which is being debated in the Dáil today, makes a specific call for collective bargaining rights for community and voluntary sector workers which is the key demand behind the new “Road to Recognition” campaign for the sector which is to be launched shortly by Ireland’s largest trade union.
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Mary Robinson, Damien Dempsey and Donal Lunny to appear at SIPTU benefit for Somalia
12 October 2011
Former President of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson and musicians Damien Dempsey and Donal Lunny are to appear at a benefit concert organised by SIPTU for famine victims in Somalia.
The Forgotten Famine concert, due to take place at 8.00 p.m. in the Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin on Thursday 13th October will also feature Frances O’Keeffe who worked for many years with Concern in Somalia and visited the famine stricken country with Mary Robinson earlier this year.
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Patient Safety Express coming to Dublin
11 October 2011
Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO)and SIPTU will take their campaign for patient safety at the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick to Dublin tomorrow (12th October). Nurses are engaged in a campaign of action aimed at highlighting the unacceptable clinical risk, and their grave concern for patient care, which continues on a daily basis, arising from increased demand, overcrowding, and inadequate bed capacity at that hospital.
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“Defending the Community Sector” forum in Dublin on 13th October
11 October 2011
As part of a series of nationwide events, SIPTU will hold an open forum for community sector workers on Thursday 13th October at 11 a.m. in Liberty Hall, Dublin. The forum will discuss the challenges facing the community sector in light of continued government funding cuts, and how workers and communities can best defend local services and projects.
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SDU report on Mid-Western Hospital addresses nurses concerns
05 October 2011
The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and SIPTU were today (5th October) issued with the Performance Diagnostic Recommendations on the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, from the Minister for Health’s Special Delivery Unit. The report was issued to the Unions at a Labour Relations Commission’s conciliation conference which is on-going in Limerick.
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Campaign for patient safety at Mid-Western Regional Hospital coming to Dublin
08 October 2011
The campaign by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) and SIPTU to secure safe patient care at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, will continue with a protest in Dublin on Wednesday (12th October).
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Credit Union Sector needs appropriate regulatory regime
07 October 2011
SIPTU Insurance and Finance Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane, has welcomed the Government’s decision to increase the fund available to re-capitalise the Credit Union sector.
SIPTU, which represents thousands of workers in the sector, believes that equally important as ensuring that Credit Unions who need access to capital can do so, is appropriate regulatory reform.
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HSE intransigent on patient safety at Mid-Western Regional Hospital
06 October 2011
Following eleven hours of talks between the INMO, SIPTU and the HSE, under the chair of the Labour Relations Commission, yesterday (5th October) no agreement was reached on the serious patient safety concerns at the Emergency Department in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital Limerick.
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Government must launch investment programme to maintain prospects for growth - SIPTU
23 September 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, said the Government must now launch an investment programme to seize the initiative for jobs and growth.
O’Connor said, “It is now critical that the Troika’s insistence on a further deficit cutting budget is not allowed to extinguish this small flicker of light which may be appearing at the end of the tunnel. The Government must find an innovative way to launch a major investment programme to promote jobs and growth. It must at least offset the effect of deficit reductions in Budgets 2012 and 2013
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Address by Jack O’Connor, General President, SIPTU to the SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference
03 October 2011
A great deal has occurred since our last Biennial Delegate Conference in Tralee in October 2009. Working people on this island have suffered a great deal in the interim. The context was already set by the global collapse of 2008 and in this jurisdiction the implosion of our own domestic property bubble. The course had already been set, as well, with the Government’s declaration in August of that year of its intention to impose a €4bn ‘adjustment’ in the budget deficit entirely through public spending cuts. In other words, entirely at the expense of working people and those who depend most on public services while the wealthy would contribute nothing at all.
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Investing for Jobs and Growth
23 September 2011
1. The austerity programme imposed over the last four years has taken €20.6bn out of the economy. The plan is only working to the degree that it is doing what it was designed to do i.e. recover losses incurred as a result of reckless lending by major continental banks during the bubble years. It is not working by reference to any other criteria. We are almost certainly approaching a tipping point both socially and economically beyond which we will be irretrievably condemned to years of stagnation and mass unemployment and emigration, or worse. The Government must seek to minimise the extent of retrenchment and outline a plan which offers hope and begins to rebuild confidence. Any further deficit reduction must be offset by an imaginative, innovative, investment programme.
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Unions demand release of report into conditions at Mid-Western Regional Hospital
04 October 2011
SIPTU and the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation are calling upon the Minister for Health, James Reilly, to immediately publish a report by the HSE Special Delivery Unit (SDU) into the unacceptable conditions currently endured by patients in the Emergency Department of the Mid Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
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Pension funds could generate 80,000 jobs
03 October 2011
Between 60,000 and 80,000 new jobs could be created and economic growth rekindled if the Government exempted pension funds used for productive investment from the private pension levy. Private pension funds control estimated assets of €70 billion a portion of which could be accessed for a programme of investment in much needed infrastructure projects creating tens of thousands of skilled jobs and reviving economic growth.
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SIPTU members back industrial action at Central Mental Hospital
30 September 2011
SIPTU care officers and nurses at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin, have today voted in favour of industrial action. Following the ballot, notice of intention to take industrial action was served on the HSE.
The ballot follows an ultimatum from HSE management that it intends to impose changes to staff terms and conditions in breach of the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.
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SIPTU receives assurances from Covidien management
29 September 2011
Following a meeting today (29th September) between SIPTU representatives and the management of medical device manufacturer Covidien, the union has accepted assurances that there will be no redundancies at the company’s Athlone plant prior to the summer of 2012.
SIPTU Organiser Frank Jones said; “After meeting management we received assurances that there will be no redundancies at the company before the end of next summer. This gives the union time to fully explore with the company all possibilities for maintaining the maximum number of jobs at the Covidien facility in Athlone.”
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SIPTU Nurses to undertake a third work stoppage in Mid-Western Regional Hospital
28 September 2011
SIPTU Nursing members working in the A and E department in the Mid-West Regional Hospital Limerick will undertake a work stoppage, next Tuesday (4th October) between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. The industrial action is being taken to highlight the unacceptable conditions that have resulted for patients in the A and E department due to HSE underfunding and understaffing.
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Ballot for industrial action at Central Mental Hospital
27 September 2011
SIPTU members at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin, are to commence a ballot on conditional industrial action following an ultimatum from HSE management that they intend to impose changes to staff terms and conditions in breach of the terms of the Croke Park Agreement.
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SIPTU lodges claims concerning CHM's non-payment of wages
27 September 2011
SIPTU members have made a substantial number of claims to the Rights Commissioner concerning the non-payment of wages by the road maintenance sub-contractor Complete Highway Maintenance (CHM). The claims refer to the failure by CHM to pay over 20 workers their full wages over the last five weeks.
In some cases instead of receiving a net weekly wage payment of €500 due to them the company has only deposited €200 into workers bank accounts. Despite the underpayment the members concerned have received payslips which indicate that the full amount has been paid.
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SIPTU calls on GE Healthcare to honour Labour Court recommendation
27 September 2011
SIPTU has called on the management of GE Healthcare, Cork, to honour a Labour Court recommendation granting workers at the multi-national company a right to trade union representation.
The Labour Court recommendation granted workers the right to collective bargaining and stated that the company should meet with the union to agree a dispute resolution mechanism. Although the recommendation was made a number of months ago company management has yet to meet with SIPTU representatives.
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SIPTU forum on “Defending the Community Sector” in Galway
26 September 2011
As part of a series of nationwide events, SIPTU will hold an open forum for community sector workers at 11. a.m on Thursday 29th September in the Carlton Hotel, Galway. The forum will discuss the challenges facing the community sector in light of continued government funding cuts, and how workers and communities can best defend local services and projects.
The community sector has become a crucial pillar in the provision of a range of vital services and programmes such as childcare, youth projects, social inclusion, eldercare, education, and training to name just a few. Over 2000 people are employed in the sector across counties, Galway, Clare and Limerick.
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Nurses to undertake further work stoppage in Mid-Western Regional Hospital
22 September 2011
SIPTU Nursing members working in A and E in the Mid-West Regional Hospital Limerick will undertake a work stoppage, next Wednesday (28th September) between 8.30 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. The industrial action is being taken to highlight the unacceptable conditions that have resulted for patients in the A and E department due to HSE underfunding and understaffing.
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Cyclists mark 75th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades
22 September 2011
Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Andrew Montague, will see off the Clarion Cycling Club on the Dublin stage of their cycle ride to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades at a ceremony outside Liberty Hall at 9.15 a.m. on Saturday (24th September).
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SIPTU cannot rule out further action at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital
21 September 2011
SIPTU members are pleased to confirm that contingency plans put in place for the duration of a work stoppage in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick, ensured that patients received a professional and adequate service.
The industrial action, undertaken today (21st September) between 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m., highlighted the failure by the HSE to provide adequate funding which has resulted in dangerous levels of patient overcrowding and understaffing in the Accident and Emergency Department.
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Contingency cover agreed for duration of Mid-Western Regional Hospital work stoppage
21 September 2011
SIPTU members have agreed with HSE management adequate levels of staff cover for the duration of today’s (21st September) work stoppage in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick.
The work stoppage will take place between 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. and is being undertaken to highlight a lack of adequate funding from the HSE which has resulted in dangerous levels of patient overcrowding and understaffing in the Accident and Emergency Department.
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SIPTU refutes HSE claim concerning Mid-Western Regional Hospital work stoppage
20 September 2011
SIPTU members have completely refuted claims by HSE Mid-West management that they have been unavailable to discuss contingency safety plans for the duration of a work stoppage in the Accident and Emergency Department of the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick. The work stoppage will take place tomorrow (21st September) between 1.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.
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Former President Mary Robinson to speak at SIPTU benefit for Somalia
20 September 2011
Former President of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson, is to speak at a benefit concert organised by SIPTU for famine victims in Somalia.
The Forgotten Famine concert, due to take place in the Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin on Thursday 13th October will also feature Frances O’Keeffe who worked for many years with Concern in Somalia and visited the famine stricken country with Mary Robinson earlier this year.
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SIPTU meeting to defend community sector in Limerick
19 September 2011
As part of a series of nationwide events, SIPTU will hold an open forum for community sector workers on Friday 23rd September at 11 a.m. in Pery’s Hotel, Limerick. The forum will discuss the challenges facing the community sector in light of continued government funding cuts, and how workers and communities can best defend local services and projects.
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Community workers call on Minister to protect Gaeltacht jobs
16 September 2011
The Defending Irelands Communities campaign has called upon the Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, to immediately intervene to safeguard community services and over 150 jobs which have been threatened by the closure of the Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG Teo) development company. The company provides a wide range of social services to vulnerable and isolated communities in the Gaeltacht.
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SIPTU opposes Government plan to sell minority stake of ESB
15 September 2011
SIPTU has said that the Government should seek to re-negotiate the agreement with the EU/ECB/IMF troika rather than engage in a fire-sale of strategic state assets. SIPTU Energy Sector Organiser, Greg Ennis, said that the Minister for Communications, Energy and National Resources, Pat Rabbitte, had earlier this year made an important and strategic decision to retain the transmission assets within the ESB which is now being undermined by the latest announcement to sell a minority stake in the semi-state company.
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SIPTU to meet Allied Logistics management
15 September 2011
Allied Logistics management will meet with SITPU Organiser, John White, tomorrow (Friday 16th September) to discuss the company’s proposal to implement 175 redundancies at its facility in Tallaght, Dublin.
John White said; “At the meeting I will be bringing the concerns of the workers directly to management. The meeting will seek to access the possibility of retaining jobs and what the implications will be of any move towards redundancies.”
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with Allied Logistics to discuss proposed redundancies
14 September 2011
SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting to discuss alternatives to a proposed 175 redundancies at Allied Logistics in Dublin.
Workers were today (14th September) informed by management at Allied Logistics, a subsidiary of Allied Foods Ltd, that they are seeking to reduce the workforce at the company’s facility in Tallaght, Dublin, from 250 down to 75.
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SIPTU President says protection of water resources is a significant national challenge
14 September 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has said that the protection of water as a vital national resource is a significant challenge for the Irish people. He was speaking at a seminar “Water - A Resource for the People” organised by the union’s Public Administration Division which took place in Liberty Hall today (14th September).
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Remembering those who died in the 9/11 attacks
11 September 2011
To mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US, Davy Kettyles wrote a song in memory of the courageous New York fire fighters who lost their lives or were badly injured while trying to rescue people from the flames of the Twin Towers.
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Remembering those who died in the 9/11 attacks
11 September 2011
To mark the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US, Davy Kettyles wrote a song in memory of the courageous New York fire fighters who lost their lives or were badly injured while trying to rescue people from the flames of the Twin Towers.
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SIPTU condemns disgraceful treatment of MFG workers by management
09 September 2011
SIPTU has written to the management of Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo. (MFG Teo.) requesting an immediate meeting to discuss the reported closure of the community development company.
Following a meeting of the MFG board on Wednesday (7th September) the company management announced that it would cease business with immediate effect. The management did not formally notify this decision to its 35 full time staff and approximately 100 others employed in community schemes and programmes in counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork and Waterford.
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SIPTU welcomes Labour Court recommendation at MFG Teo.
05 September 2011
The Labour Court has recommended that staff laid off by Meitheal Forbatha Na Gaeltachta Teo (MFG Teo.) in Connemara earlier in June be reinstated.
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Labour Court says no to further cuts at Dublin Fire Brigade
06 September 2011
The Labour Court has said that management at Dublin Fire Brigade/Dublin City Council is precluded from seeking further employment cost reductions from union members at Dublin Fire Brigade in 2011.
SIPTU and Impact the two representative Unions of fire fighters in Dublin Fire Brigade concluded an agreement for €3.5 in budget cuts with management under the auspices of Croke Park agreement for 2011. The membership of both Unions endorsed the cuts in a secret ballot only to have the employer seek additional cost savings of €1.7m just two months later.
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SIPTU warns the health minister over impact of retirements
05 September 2011
SIPTU’s Nursing Sector Committee has today (Monday 5th September) written to the Minister for Health, Dr James Reilly, to warn of the potentially catastrophic impact which will result from the number of health service staff planning to retire early next year.
”As nursing provides the largest number of hours to the health service it is logical that nursing will be hardest hit. Frontline nurses and midwives are already struggling to cope from the impact of the moratorium which has had a disproportionate impact on nursing care and they simply cannot take another dramatic cut in numbers,” the letter states.
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SIPTU supports Bank of America employees
05 September 2011
SIPTU will hold an information meeting for employees of Bank of America on Tuesday 13th September in The Bush Hotel, Carrick-On-Shannon between 5.00 p.m. and 8.00 p.m. SIPTU has received enquiries from employees of Bank of America concerning employment rights and workers have also expressed fears over future employment prospects.
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Abuse of agency workers must end
05 September 2011
SIPTU and other unions have told the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Employment, Richard Bruton, that he must fully implement an EU Directive granting equality of pay and conditions to agency workers.
The EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work comes into effect in December and will finally guarantee that agency workers will be entitled to the same wages and conditions as those directly employed. It will also end the practice of using them as a source of cheap labour to undermine agreed conditions.
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SIPTU demands an end to the exploitation of agency workers
02 September 2011
SIPTU Acting Health Division Organiser Paul Bell has warned the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, that the union will reject any attempt to negotiate a derogation from the EU Directive on Temporary Agency Work.
The Directive is due to come into effect on 5th December and would ensure agency workers are entitled to the same pay and conditions as their directly employed colleagues.
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ESRI austerity plan ‘would be the worst thing we could do’ warns SIPTU President
01 September 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has strongly criticised the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) for proposing further cuts in the forthcoming budget. He said it was incredible that “in the same week as the Central Bank reported a 26% increase in distressed mortgages over the past year and a day after the Central Statistics Office reports that the Live Register continues to rise inexorably, the ESRI is calling for intensification of the austerity programme beyond even the draconian provisions of the EU/ECB/IMF plan, which has already inflicted so much misery on our citizens.
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HSE West Hospitals could face temporary closure
29 August 2011
SIPTU's Acting Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, has condemned the HSE West for the sudden cancellation of a meeting scheduled for next Tuesday in Galway, at which it was expected that the HSE would confirm their budgetary plans for the last quarter of 2011. He predicts that without contingency funding there will be temporary hospital closures in the West of Ireland.
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SIPTU hosts forum in Cork on “Defending the Community Sector”
31 August 2011
As part of a series of nationwide events, SIPTU will hold an open forum for community sector workers at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 8th September in the SIPTU offices, Lapps Quay, Cork.
The forum will discuss the challenges facing the community sector in light of continued government funding cuts, and how workers and communities can best defend local services and projects.
The community sector has become a crucial pillar in the provision of a range of vital services and programmes such as childcare, youth projects, social inclusion, eldercare, education and training, to name just a few.
“The community sector has suffered disproportionate cuts over the past three years with many vital services stretched beyond capacity while others like Community Development Programmes have been forced to close” said SIPTU activist, David Connolly.
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Jack O’Connor says Central Bank report underlines need to protect family homes
29 August 2011
Commenting on the latest Quarterly Report from the Central Bank, published today, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, said:
“The continuing rise in the number of people unable to meet repayments on their residential mortgages makes the need for decisive action by the Government a matter of urgency. As a first step it should declare clearly and unequivocally that no one who is doing their best to make payments will ever lose their home.
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SIPTU concern over threatened cuts to Dublin Fire Brigade service
24 August 2011
SIPTU is extremely concerned that a further round of cuts proposed by management at Dublin Fire Brigade could lead to a reduced fire service to the population of the greater Dublin area.
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New air ambulance service must be about patients not politics
22 August 2011
SIPTU Acting Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, has said that any new emergency air ambulance service must be an integral part of the existing National Ambulance Service and placed under the control of its command system.
“SIPTU has called for the provision of a dedicated air ambulance service which must be an integral part of the National Ambulance Service and controlled by the officers and command system already in place,” Paul Bell said.
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SIPTU to discuss Wexford Creamery rationalisation plan
16 August 2011
SIPTU has agreed to commence negotiations with the Wexford Creamery on the company’s plans to rationalise the operation of its plant in Wexford town. Speaking after the company announced its intention to rationalise the plant, which will involve job losses, today (16th August), SIPTU Assistant Industrial Organiser, Terry Bryan said;
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SIPTU will study closely employment rights and industrial relations reform document
15 August 2011
SIPTU will closely examine the consultation document published today by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, on the reform of the State’s Employment Rights and Industrial Relations structures and procedures.
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SIPTU calls for urgent clarification on threat to pay from HSE management
15 August 2011
SIPTU’s Acting Health Division Organiser Paul Bell has written to the HSE asking that it clarify the situation regarding the payment of wages to staff at most of the state’s major acute hospitals as a matter of urgency. The threat to payments arose following an internal memorandum to staff in St Luke’s hospital in Kilkenny last week. “Since then I have been contacted by members in every hospital with an accrued deficit who have told me they face similar uncertainty.
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Monthly lull in inflation masks underlying social crisis
12 August 2011
SIPTU has warned that despite Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures indicating a levelling off in the rate of inflation financial pressures on working families are likely to increase over the coming months.
“Despite the Consumer Price Index (CPI) exhibiting overall stability in the month of July and the annual rate of inflation remaining constant at 2.7%, consumers continue to experience price pressures at a time when incomes are being squeezed by tax and other factors,” said SIPTU Policy Analyst Loraine Mulligan.
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SIPTU not involved in Youghal ambulance decision
08 August 2011
SIPTU Organiser Ted Kenny has strongly rejected media reports that the union was involved in agreeing to the withdrawal of ambulance services from Youghal by the HSE.
“The HSE was reported in the Irish Examiner today as saying that its proposal to replace the ambulance service in Youghal with an advanced paramedic responder car had SIPTU approval, thus giving the impression that the union was somehow involved in making this decision. This is not so,” Ted Kenny said.
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SIPTU not involved in Youghal ambulance decision
08 August 2011
SIPTU Organiser Ted Kenny has strongly rejected media reports that the union was involved in agreeing to the withdrawal of ambulance services from Youghal by the HSE.
“The HSE was reported in the Irish Examiner today as saying that its proposal to replace the ambulance service in Youghal with an advanced paramedic responder car had SIPTU approval, thus giving the impression that the union was somehow involved in making this decision. This is not so,” Ted Kenny said.
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Health Services facing meltdown
05 August 2011
The health service is facing a possible meltdown SIPTU acting Health Division organiser Paul Bell has warned.
In response to media reports today (5th August) that recruitment plans to fill 1,400 front line posts will be put on hold and not exempted from the general moratorium on staff appointments Paul Bell said; “We have a genuine fear that public health services are facing a meltdown”.
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HSE says cuts needed because staff treated too many patients
05 August 2011
Following talks with the Health Service Executive this afternoon (5th August) SIPTU Acting Health Division Organiser Paul Bell stated that management have confirmed that over 1,000 front line posts will not be filled.
“Anyone with a signed contract in their hand will have their appointments honoured but anyone who only has a letter of appointment will have to wait until their position is reviewed in September,” Paul Bell said.
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HSE says cuts needed because staff treated too many patients
05 August 2011
Following talks with the Health Service Executive this afternoon (5th August) SIPTU Acting Health Division Organiser Paul Bell stated that management have confirmed that over 1,000 front line posts will not be filled.
“Anyone with a signed contract in their hand will have their appointments honoured but anyone who only has a letter of appointment will have to wait until their position is reviewed in September,” Paul Bell said.
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Government must focus on assisting the long term jobless
04 August 2011
The Government must accelerate the roll out of initiatives promised in the Jobs Plan to help tackle the growing crisis of long term unemployment according to SIPTU economist Marie Sherlock.
According to Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures released today (Thursday, 4th August) the standardised unemployment rate rose by 0.1% to 14.3% in July as an additional 1,500 people signed on to the Live Register. Overall, there were 470,284 people on the Live Register during July, up by 0.7% or 34,600 individuals over the year.
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SIPTU calls for recognition of FAS workers essential role
03 August 2011
SIPTU has called for the recognition of the essential work carried out by its members in FAS and the correct reporting of on-going negotiations concerning the Pre-Retirement Leave scheme at the state training agency.
SIPTU Industrial Organiser Brendan O’Brien said; “We are disappointed that yet again the media commentary has failed to recognise the essential and professional public services being delivered by our members to those most affected by the current economic crisis.”
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SIPTU welcomes frankness of HSE Childcare Chief on effects of moratorium
01 August 2011
SIPTU’s Health Division Organiser Paul Bell has welcomed the admission by the HSE Childcare Chief Gordon Jeyes that the Government imposed staff moratorium is “daft” and is inhibiting the efficient working of the HSE as the provider of childcare and other vital services.
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Proposed legislation must provide maximum protection for low paid workers
28 July 2011
SIPTU has said that legislation proposed by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, to reform the Employment Regulation Order wage setting mechanism must provide the maximum protections for low paid workers.
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SIPTU says new ‘household charge’ not progressive as proposed
27 July 2011
The announcement of a new ‘temporary household charge’ of €100 per household per year is not a progressive development, SIPTU President Jack O’Connor has said.
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SIPTU members dismissed after raising concerns at Avondale nursing home
22 July 2011
A number of SIPTU members at the Avondale Private Nursing Home in Callan, county Kilkenny, were dismissed after they consistently raised concerns over the ill-treatment of patients.
It was reported today (Friday 22nd July) that the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was granted a court order seeking the closure of the home following concerns over patient welfare. In 2009, five members of SIPTU were constructively dismissed after they raised concerns over the welfare of elderly patients at the home.
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SIPTU members agree to suspend Cliffs of Moher picket and attend LRC talks
22 July 2011
SIPTU members on strike at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre have suspended industrial action following an invitation to talks from the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
The LRC invitation comes after nine days of picketing at the tourism venue and after SIPTU had served notice of its intention to carry out secondary picketing on Clare County Council which owns the Cliffs of Moher company.
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Government must boost economy to make revised ‘bail out’ work
22 July 2011
The revised ‘bail out’ repayment terms agreed in Brussels yesterday will mean nothing unless the Government uses the opportunity to promote job generating growth says SIPTU’s Jack O’Connor.
“Yesterday’s announcement is good enough, as far as it goes, although it would be better if the facility to buy back debt at discounted rates were extended to Ireland.
However, it will mean nothing if the Government continues with the projected €3.6 billion deficit reduction in Budget 2012 without offsetting measures’, said Jack O’Connor.
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SIPTU concern for jobs of Superquinn workers
19 July 2011
SIPTU has expressed its concern for the future of its members working in the Superquinn retail chain which was placed in receivership on Monday (18th July). SIPTU Organiser, Graham Macken, said that the priority of the union is to protect the jobs of its members and their existing terms and conditions of employment.
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Ireland’s top priority must be job generating growth, O’Connor tells ICTU conference
05 July 2011
The real issue for Ireland is how “to achieve a resumption of job generating growth” SIPTU president Jack O’Connor told the Congress Biennial Delegate Conference in Killarney on 5th July.
Addressing over 600 delegates Jack O’Connor said that the current economic austerity approach being imposed on Ireland by the ECB/EU/IMF “Troika” was not only destroying any possibility of economic recovery here but also endangering the “entire European project.”
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SIPTU commences strike action at Cliffs of Moher centre
14 July 2011
SIPTU members at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre in county Clare commenced strike action today (Thursday 14th July) after they rejected the latest pay proposals by management. Pickets were placed at the coach park and at the pedestrian entrance to the Cliffs of Moher centre. A static protest took place at the car park entrance. Many tourist buses did not enter the coach park as the result of a picket.
Describing the proposals as “seriously deficient” SIPTU Organiser, Tony Kenny said that staff had overwhelmingly rejected them in a ballot on Wednesday (13th July).
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with Creevelea Nursing Home manager
08 July 2011
SIPTU has written to the manager of the Creevelea Nursing Home in Laytown, County Meath, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the closure of the facility and staff redundancies.
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SIPTU to commence strike action at Cliffs of Moher centre
13 July 2011
SIPTU members at the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre in county Clare are to commence strike action tomorrow (Thursday 14th July) after they rejected the latest pay proposals by management.
Describing the proposals as “seriously deficient” SIPTU Organiser, Tony Kenny said that staff had overwhelmingly rejected them in a ballot earlier today.
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SIPTU to ballot workers again at Cliffs of Moher company
12 July 2011
SIPTU will ballot its members at the Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd on an amended proposal presented by management in a letter sent to workers at the county Clare visitor facility on Monday (11th July).
In the letter the Director of the Cliffs of Moher Centre, Katherine Webster, outlines slight adjustments to the company’s proposal in relation to pay and conditions at the facility. She also states that the company “very much regrets” the proposed strike action at the centre but “does however recognise the right of a union to engage in such action.” The adjustments include changes to sick day and premium payment entitlements.
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SIPTU says Cliffs of Moher dispute can be resolved at Labour Court
08 July 2011
Responding to comments by a Clare County Council appointed Director of the Cliffs of Moher Centre on the long running dispute over the non-implementation of a Labour Court recommendation granting parity of pay, sick pay and premium pay to workers at the world famous visitor site with local authority workers, SIPTU Industrial Organiser Tony Kenny said;
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SIPTU serves notice of industrial action at Cliffs of Moher company
07 July 2011
SIPTU has served seven days notice of industrial action on the company which runs the Cliffs of Moher tourism facility in county Clare. The union has been involved with the wholly owned subsidiary of Clare County Council in a long running dispute over the non-implementation to staff of a Labour Court recommendation granting parity of pay, sick pay and premium payments with local authority workers. Initial notice of Industrial Action was notified for early June but was suspended by SIPTU to allow for meaningful engagement at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC). No resolution was found in the LRC process, despite two conciliation hearings.
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SIPTU Vice-President says Government must urgently legislate to protect JLC system
07 July 2011
Responding to the High Court ruling today (Thursday 7th July) that the Joint Labour Committee wage setting mechanism is unconstitutional, SIPTU Vice-President, Patricia King, has said;
“Today’s High Court judgement removes the only protection low paid workers had on their wages and conditions and is absolutely devastating news for them. It will also be very bad news for good employers whom have tried to the right thing by their employees. It’s the case of all their birthdays coming at once for the most unscrupulous employers in the State who are now free to plunder the wage packets of poorly paid workers.
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SIPTU condemns curtailment of services at Roscommon Hospital
06 July 2011
SIPTU has condemned the decision by the Minister for Health, James Reilly and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to close the accident and emergency department at Roscommon County Hospital and replace the service with an urgent call centre which will operate restricted hours of 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. A ‘doctor on call’ service will operate during the night hours with one additional ambulance resource for the wider Roscommon, Leitrim, south Donegal and East Sligo area.
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SIPTU supports GRA’s call for higher penalties for those who attack front line workers
04 July 2011
SIPTU has backed calls from the Garda Representative Association (GRA) for higher penalties for those found guilty of attacking front line service workers in the line of duty.
SIPTU represents thousands of fire fighters, nurses and paramedics among other emergency personnel across the country, workers who provide critical emergency services to the public.
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SIPTU condemns lock out of AA workers in Cork
04 July 2011
SIPTU members at the Automobile Association (AA) office in South Mall, Cork City were called to a meeting in a nearby hotel on Friday (1st July) and told that their jobs had been terminated with immediate effect. Nine women and 3 men, including one with 33 years service at the company, were informed by management that they were not required to return to work.
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SIPTU condemns attack on Derry community worker’s car
01 July 2011
SIPTU has condemned as “sickening” an attack on a Derry community worker’s car.
The attack occurred on Wednesday (29th June) night on a vehicle owned by Sean McMonagle, a well-known community activist and SIPTU member. The vehicle was parked outside Sean’s home in Rinmore Drive in the Creggan area of Derry city.
On Thursday (30th June) evening hundreds of people protested in the Creggan estate against the attack and in solidarity with Sean.
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SIPTU calls for moratorium on oil and gas licenses until Oireachtas review is completed
30 June 2011
A moratorium should be placed on the issuing of oil and gas exploration licences until the completion of a promised Oireachtas review of the licensing system, a wide-ranging SIPTU report on the development of Ireland’s hydrocarbon resources has recommended.
“Optimising Ireland’s Oil and Gas Resources”, a report produced by the SIPTU Oil and Gas Review Group, concludes that, if managed correctly, the country’s hydrocarbon reserves could provide the basis for a major indigenous industry which could generate long term employment and significant revenues for the State.
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SIPTU expresses serious concern for waste collection service in Fingal
29 June 2011
SIPTU has expressed its serious concern at the findings of a Review of the bin collection service in Fingal County Council. The Review published today (Wednesday 29th June) threatens the direct bin collection service provided by the Council, according to SIPTU Organiser, Ramon O’Reilly. He said he did not accept the Review’s claim that the bin collection service provided by direct labour in Fingal is not viable.
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CG Power Systems workers in Cavan placed on three day week
28 June 2011
The majority of workers at manufacturer CG Power Systems in Cavan town, Co. Cavan, have been placed on a three day working week due to adverse trading conditions.
The company, which manufactures electric transformers for the Irish and export markets, announced on Tuesday (21st June) that it intends to place the majority of the workforce on a three day working week due to a downturn in sales. The three day week will commence on Tuesday (5th July).
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ILO Committee Adopts Convention on Decent work for Domestic Workers
28 June 2011
The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) and SIPTU have welcomed the adoption by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at its most recent meeting held in Geneva, of a Convention on Decent Work for Domestic Workers.
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SIPTU and ICTU President says Cabinet should prioritise price cuts over wage cuts for low paid
28 June 2011
If the Cabinet is really interested in creating jobs its time would be better spent prioritising legislation to end upward only commercial rent reviews and banning profit taking at major public events by the tourist industry than in crucifying low paid workers by dismantling wage protection systems, ICTU and SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has said. He also called on the Government to make it clear that the generous VAT reductions to the tourist sector would be withdrawn if these were not passed on to the consumer.
“The Cabinet should not waste time working out ways to crucify the lowest paid 20% of the workforce through further cutting their pay. Reducing basic wages and employment rights will make no contribution to job creation, as the Government’s own independently commissioned Duffy-Walsh report has established,” Jack O’Connor said.
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SIPTU official slams DAA chief’s pay and bonus package
24 June 2011
SIPTU Aviation Sector Organiser, Dermot O’Loughlin, has described as ‘disgraceful’ the remuneration package received by Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) chief executive, Declan Collier, last year. It emerged in the DAA annual report published on Friday (24th June) that Mr Collier received a total package worth €612,500 in 2010, up from just over €568,000 in 2009.
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SIPTU President says Government must move to abolish upward only rent reviews
24 June 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has called on the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, to proceed with commitments to abolish upward only rent reviews.
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SIPTU President says latest CSO figures highlight nonsense of austerity approach
23 June 2011
Commenting on the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which show that Gross National Product (GNP) fell by 4.3% in the first three months of this year, SIPTU General President, Jack O’ Connor, said they highlighted the “nonsense of the austerity approach” to resolving the country’s economic difficulties.
The CSO also reported that domestic demand fell by almost €3 billion or 3.1% in the year to the end of the first quarter of 2011.
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Bruton questioned by Labour TDs and senators on his wage proposals
23 June 2011
Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, was questioned by Labour TDs and senators on his proposals to dismantle long established wage setting mechanisms at a special meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) on Thursday (23rd June).
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Funding threat to intellectual disability services in HSE West
23 June 2011
A worker delegation from the Brothers of Charity Services Limerick made a visit to the HSE West Regional Health Forum at Merlin Park, Galway, on Tuesday (21st June) to brief local councillors from the city and county about the crisis faced by the intellectual disability service. A combination of underfunding by the Health Service Executive and misallocation of resources by Brothers of Charity management has led to a €3.6m deficit for 2011. According to the Brothers of Charity, the elimination of the deficit over a single year would require the discharge of 50 residential service users back into the care of the families or the removal of day and respite services from another 200 people.
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Rostrevor House staff assured of payment
22 June 2011
A sit-in by staff at the Rostrevor House nursing home concluded late on Tuesday (21st June) following assurances by the facility’s manager, Sarah Lipsett, that they would be paid their redundancy entitlements and all outstanding money owed to them.
The home in Rathgar, county Dublin, was closed down and the last resident moved out yesterday after it was taken over by the HSE following allegations of serious elder abuse.
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Statement from workers of Rostrevor Nursing Home
21 June 2011
We, the employees, appeal for our voices to be heard, regarding the situation at Rostrevor Nursing home. We are devastated by what has happened at the Nursing home over the past weeks to residents and staff alike. The health and well-being of the people in our care has been the most important thing in our work. We feel that we have provided an excellent standard of care to the residents and have developed good relationships with them and their extended families. Elderly residents in a nursing home are vulnerable.
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Congress Briefs Dutch Unions on Crisis
21 June 2011
A senior delegation from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will meet with their Dutch counterparts today (June 21) for talks about the Irish and European debt crisis and the response of unions. The Congress delegation will meet key figures from the leadership of the FNV – the Federation of the Dutch Labour Movement - at their headquarters in Amsterdam. The FNV represents some 1.4 million unionised workers across all sectors of Dutch society.
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IBEC wrong to approach EU Commission on Irish wage setting mechanisms
15 June 2011
IBEC has shown an “opportunistic” disregard for the legal institutions of the Irish state by attempting to lobby the EU Commission concerning the Joint Labour Committee/Employment Regulation Order (JLC/ERO) and the Registered Employment Agreement (REA) wage setting mechanisms, SIPTU Divisional Organiser John King has stated.
He was speaking following reports that representatives of the business lobby group had travelled to Brussels on Wednesday (15th June) to ask the EU Commission to interfere with the wage setting mechanisms.
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Bruton’s proposals will result in displacement of thousands of workers
15 June 2011
Thousands of workers will be displaced from their jobs and more families confined to poverty if proposals by Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation, Richard Bruton, to effectively dismantle the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) and Registered Employment Agreement (REA) wage setting mechanisms are accepted, the SIPTU Services Division Committee has warned.
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Protest against pay cuts on International Justice Day for Cleaners
13 June 2011
The Fair Deal for Cleaners campaign will mark International Justice Day for Cleaners with a protest outside the offices of the Department of Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation at 3.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 15th June.
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SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, expresses condolences on death of Brian Lenihan
10 June 2011
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Brian Lenihan T.D.
He assumed office as Minister for Finance faced with the most serious economic and financial problems in the history of the State.
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ECB head must not interfere with Irish workers’ rights – SIPTU
10 June 2011
SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has demanded that President of the European Central Bank Jean-Claude Trichet desist from interfering with Irish workers’ rights.
On Thursday (9th June) Trichet encouraged the Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton to give priority to measures which “enhance wage flexibility and incentives to work, and to remove labour market rigidities” comments echoed by unnamed senior ECB officials.
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Agricultural Joint Labour Committee agrees to defer pay increase
07 June 2011
At its meeting on Friday (3rd June) the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the Agricultural Industry agreed to defer an increase in pay rates under the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the sector. The increase, which was due to take effect from 1st July 2011, would have increased the Experienced Adult Rate from €9.10 per hour to €9.33 per hour. The increase will now apply from the 1st January 2012.
The ERO affects all agricultural workers including farm workers, gardeners, horticulture workers, sports grounds workers and workers involved in the rearing and training of animals.
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Labour Relations Commission intervenes in Old Darnley Lodge Dispute
03 June 2011
A SIPTU picket on the Old Darnley Lodge Hotel in Athboy, Co Meath, Saturday 4th June, has been deferred following the intervention of the Labour Relations Commission in the dispute. Union members were due to place the pickets in pursuit of the restoration of a unilateral 20% pay cut imposed by hotel management on the 4th April. They are also demanding that management comply with the legal entitlements of workers under the Employment Regulation Order for the hotels sector.
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Industrial action by SIPTU members at Cliffs of Moher suspended
02 June 2011
Industrial action by SIPTU members at the Cliffs of Moher tourism centre in county Clare has been suspended following an agreement by the company to enter talks with union representatives at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC).
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SIPTU members in battle to defend Employment Regulation Order wage rates at Athboy hotel
02 June 2011
SIPTU members are to picket the The Old Darnley Lodge Hotel in Athboy, Co Meath from Saturday (4th June) following the imposition of a pay cut on staff without their consent or agreement.
Within a month of taking over the hotel in March 2011 the new owners, Mitrespor Ltd, advised staff by way of a memo attached to their payslips that with effect from the 4th April 2011 they were cutting their workers’ pay by 20%. The company claimed that “this will not leave any employee below the €7.65 minimum wage”.
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SIPTU President slams employer lobby over use of unemployment figures to cut wages
01 June 2011
SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has rejected calls by the employer lobby to dismantle the wage protection mechanisms on foot of today’s live register figures which show an increase in the level of unemployment from 14.7% to 14.8%.
He described the calls as a cynical exploitation of the plight of people who have been deprived of employment in order to enhance the position of some in the business community.
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Jobless rise confirms failure of austerity programme
01 June 2011
The latest rise in the jobless rate is confirmation of the failure of the austerity programme and clear proof of the need for a policy change, at both the European and domestic levels, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today (Wednesday 1st June).
New figures show that unemployment is now at its highest level so far this year, rising from 14.7% to 14.8%.
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New Lord Mayor of Belfast to visit cross community disability project
01 June 2011
In one of his first public engagements the new Lord Mayor of Belfast will today (Wednesday 1st June) visit a community project for children and young adults with disabilities in East Belfast.
Sinn Fein councillor, Niall Ó Donnghaile, visit the Art Ability project in Agnes Street, just off the Shankill Road on Wednesday (1st June) where he will meet users and staff of the project which provides respite for parents and young adults with disabilities. Funding for the project was halted by the health department just two months ago.
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Prime Time programme highlights need for Home Help Services
31 May 2011
The ‘Prime Time Investigates’ programme broadcast by RTE on Monday (30th May) highlights the need for the Health Service Executive (HSE) to maximise the hours for existing home helps working for not-for-profit agencies and directly for the HSE. The programme showed the distress under which some 82% of carers, mainly parents, are suffering from cut backs in the health budget.
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SIPTU says Government needs to focus on job retention following job losses at FEXCO
27 May 2011
SIPTU Insurance and Finance Organiser, Adrian Kane, has said that the Government needs to focus on job retention measures in the wake of a loss of 60 jobs in FEXCO in Cahirciveen, south Kerry.
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SIPTU serves notice of industrial action on Cliffs of Moher Centre Ltd.
27 May 2011
SIPTU has served notice of official industrial action on the company which runs the Cliffs of Moher tourist centre in county Clare. The dispute arose from the refusal of the company, which is owned by Clare County Council, to uphold a Labour Court recommendation to grant parity of pay for workers in the centre with other local authority employees.
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SIPTU will resist any assault on wages of lowest paid workers
25 May 2011
SIPTU is willing to participate in discussions on the reform of Employment Regulation Orders (ERO’s) and Registered Employment Agreement (REA) wage setting mechanisms but will strongly resist any attempt to cut the wages of the lowest paid, and most vulnerable, workers in the country.
While welcoming many of the proposals in the Report of the Independent Review of the ERO’s and REA wage setting mechanisms, SIPTU Vice President, Patricia King, said she was very concerned that the Government was intending to use it as the basis for an assault on the wages of workers in the retail, catering, hotel, restaurant and other low paid sectors of the economy.
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Wages under threat from EU/IMF
09 May 2011
There is growing concern among trade unionists that the statutory protection mechanisms which set the wage levels for more than 300,000 Irish workers could be dismantled. For decades, Joint Labour Committees, involving unions and employers, have set out the Employment Regulation Orders (ERO’s) which regulate wages for mainly low paid workers. The ERO’s and Registered Employment Agreements (REA’s) set wage levels in the construction, retail, catering, security, hotel and tourism sectors of the economy.
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Inflation rate at three year high
13 May 2011
The cost of living is continuing to climb due mainly to higher mortgage costs and increasing fuel prices.
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EU-IMF did not demand dismantling of JLC system
20 May 2011
Commenting on this morning’s coverage of the review of employment protection mechanisms (EROs and REAs), ICTU and SIPTU president Jack O’Connor said, “Assertions to the effect that the Troika agreement provides for the abolition of these mechanisms are utterly groundless, disingenuous and untrue.
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SIPTU taxi members criticise new National Transport Authority proposals
13 May 2011
The decision announced today (Friday 13th May) by the National Transport Authority (NTA) will deepen the financial difficulties facing wheelchair taxi providers, SIPTU has said. The NTA announced that it intends to revoke the regulations affecting existing wheelchair vehicles which are required to be upgraded on the renewal of their licence in 2012. The NTA is offering a limited grant scheme from existing accessible funding to assist a proportion of existing drivers to upgrade their vehicles and to allow new vehicles to enter the market. This fund of €1.5 million will be split into two categories - €1 million for existing wheelchair vehicles and €500,000 for new applicants.
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Gavin O’Reilly takes 18% pay increase
12 May 2011
Independent News and Media chief executive, Gavin O’Reilly, was awarded an 18% pay increase by his board last year while staff in the companies he runs faced closures and cut-backs.
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Remembering James Connolly
13 May 2011
SIPTU Vice President Patricia King will address the Annual Labour Party James Connolly Commemoration in Arbour Hill at 12.00 noon on Sunday, 15th May.
Tánaiste and Labour Party Leader, Eamon Gilmore, will also address the event when wreaths will be laid on behalf of the Labour Party, SIPTU and the Connolly family.
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SIPTU Home Helps launch Petition
13 May 2011
SIPTU is circulating a petition so that Home Helps, their clients and members of their communities can show their support for the campaign against the creeping privatisation of the service.
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SIPTU welcomes Bord Na Mona pay award
12 May 2011
Bord na Móna workers are due a 3.5% pay rise dating back to 2009 according to a Labour Court recommendation.
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Very wealthy must not be allowed to escape pension levy
12 May 2011
SIPTU General President Jack O'Connor has criticised a suggestion that Approved Retirement Funds (ARF's) will not be included in the Government’s pensions levy.
An ARF is a fund to which some, mainly very wealthy people, can transfer pension assets on retirement rather than buying an annuity that pays a set annual pension.
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Home Helps protest against HSE outsourcing
28 April 2011
Around 150 Home Helps took to the streets of Dublin on Tuesday (26th April) to voice their concern at the “veil of secrecy” surrounding the on-going tender process for home helps by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
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Jack O'Connor calls for radical thinking in May Day speech
03 May 2011
In a May Day address given at the Jim Connell festival in Crossakiel, Co Meath, Congress and SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor called for radical thinking ‘outside the box’ if economic and social catastrophe is to be avoided.
He described the debate about default as “largely academic” and “only a question as to whether we default now or obtain an agreed restructuring later, which is default by another name.”
“The Trade Union Movement always argued against deflationary austerity as a route to solvency. We were dismissed and ridiculed on the basis of the firmly held belief in the ‘expansionary fiscal contraction’ experience of the totally different circumstances applying in the late 1980’s and early ‘90’s. This also recommended itself in that it happily coincided with the interests of the better off.
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SIPTU Health Division meets health Ministers over Home Help Privatisation
10 May 2011
Members of the SIPTU health division staff and representatives working in the Home Help service today (Tuesday 10th May) met with Roisin Shortall, Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care, and Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State with responsibility for Older Persons, to highlight concerns over the on-going threat to jobs and services from privatisation of the service by the HSE.
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Very wealthy must not be allowed to escape pension levy through ARF schemes says SIPTU President
12.05.2011Referring to a report in today’s Irish Times that Approved Retirement Funds are not included in the Government’s pensions levy, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor said, “The idea that ARFs, a money laundering device for the wealthy conjured up by the PD/Fianna Fail coalition, should escape the levy could utterly destroy any prospect of the Government securing the kind of societal co-operation that is needed to weather the economic crisis.
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SIPTU Health Division meets health Ministers over Home Help Privatisation
10.05.2011Members of the SIPTU health division staff and representatives working in the Home Help service today (Tuesday 10th May) met with Roisin Shortall, Minister of State with responsibility for Primary Care, and Kathleen Lynch, Minister of State with responsibility for Older Persons, to highlight concerns over the on-going threat to jobs and services from privatisation of the service by the HSE.
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Wages under threat from EU/IMF
09.05.2011There is growing concern among trade unionists that the statutory protection mechanisms which set the wage levels for more than 300,000 Irish workers could be dismantled. For decades, Joint Labour Committees, involving unions and employers, have set out the Employment Regulation Orders (ERO’s) which regulate wages for mainly low paid workers. The ERO’s and Registered Employment Agreements (REA’s) set wage levels in the construction, retail, catering, security, hotel and tourism sectors of the economy.
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Jack O'Connor calls for radical thinking to bring about jobs, growth and economic recovery in May Day speech at Crossakiel, Co. Meath
03.05.2011In a May Day address given at the Jim Connell festival in Crossakiel, Co Meath, Congress and SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor called for radical thinking ‘outside the box’ if economic and social catastrophe is to be avoided. He described the debate about default as “largely academic” and “only a question as to whether we default now or obtain an agreed restructuring later, which is default by another name.”
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Jack OConnor says trade union movement will resist dismantling of wage setting mechanisms
14 April 2011
Commenting on speculation surrounding the future of the statutory pay and conditions protection mechanisms i.e. Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements, SIPTU and Congress president, Jack O’Connor, has said he suspects that the previous government actually indicated to the EU/IMF/ECB troika that they would be eliminated.
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SIPTU condemns staggering payments to former AIB Managing Director and Nyberg revelations
20 April 2011
SIPTU’s Insurance and Finance Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane, has described as “truly staggering” the scale of payments made to former Allied Irish Bank Managing Director, Colm Doherty.
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State asset stripping threat
21.04.2011A review of state assets headed by economist Colm McCarthy has laid out a blueprint for stripping the State of assets valued at €5 billion. Among the strategic resources the review wishes to see sold to private interests are sections of the ESB, RTÉ and CIÉ as well Bord na Móna and State forestry company Coillte. SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor described the report as a recipe for disaster.
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SIPTU condemns staggering payments to former AIB Managing Director and Nyberg revelations
20.04.2011SIPTU’s Insurance and Finance Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane, has described as “truly staggering” the scale of payments made to former Allied Irish Bank Managing Director, Colm Doherty.
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A Challenging Job
SIPTU is currently recruiting committed people to a panel from which vacancies as full-time trade union organisers will be filled.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals who have a good general standard of education with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience in trade union organising/trade union representation/community involvement and/or campaigning for social solidarity, is desirable.
A letter of application together with a current C.V. should be sent to the Head of Finance and Administration, SIPTU, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 to arrive not later than Friday 29th April 2011.
SIPTU is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Empty Ballincollig unit shows that HSE moratorium on recruitment is not working
20 April 2011
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, has said that the continuing failure to open the Community Nursing Unit in Ballincollig, county Cork, highlights the fact that the HSE moratorium on recruitment is a crude instrument which is serving to impede the delivery of healthcare.
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SIPTU calls on HSE to protect quality of home help services
18 April 2011
SIPTU has written to the HSE to request that it lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the tendering for home help services and give a clear commitment to protect wages and maintain quality services.
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Home Helps protest against HSE outsourcing
28.04.2011Around 150 Home Helps took to the streets of Dublin on Tuesday (26th April) to voice their concern at the “veil of secrecy” surrounding the on-going tender process for home helps by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
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Empty Ballincollig unit shows that HSE moratorium on recruitment is not working
20.04.2011SIPTU Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, has said that the continuing failure to open the Community Nursing Unit in Ballincollig, county Cork, highlights the fact that the HSE moratorium on recruitment is a crude instrument which is serving to impede the delivery of healthcare.
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SIPTU calls on HSE to protect quality of home help services
18.04.2011SIPTU has written to the HSE to request that it lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the tendering for home help services and give a clear commitment to protect wages and maintain quality services. SIPTU was not consulted prior to the HSE recently tendering for home help services and neither were representative groups for older persons.
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Jack O’Connor says trade union movement will resist dismantling of wage setting mechanisms
14.04.2011Commenting on speculation surrounding the future of the statutory pay and conditions protection mechanisms i.e. Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements, SIPTU and Congress president, Jack O’Connor, has said he suspects that the previous government actually indicated to the EU/IMF/ECB troika that they would be eliminated.
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Home Helps protest against HSE outsourcing
28.04.2011Around 150 Home Helps took to the streets of Dublin on Tuesday (26th April) to voice their concern at the “veil of secrecy” surrounding the on-going tender process for home helps by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
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State asset stripping threat
21.04.2011A review of state assets headed by economist Colm McCarthy has laid out a blueprint for stripping the State of assets valued at €5 billion. Among the strategic resources the review wishes to see sold to private interests are sections of the ESB, RTÉ and CIÉ as well Bord na Móna and State forestry company Coillte. SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor described the report as a recipe for disaster.
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Empty Ballincollig unit shows that HSE moratorium on recruitment is not working
20.04.2011SIPTU Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, has said that the continuing failure to open the Community Nursing Unit in Ballincollig, county Cork, highlights the fact that the HSE moratorium on recruitment is a crude instrument which is serving to impede the delivery of healthcare.
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SIPTU condemns staggering payments to former AIB Managing Director and Nyberg revelations
20.04.2011SIPTU’s Insurance and Finance Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane, has described as “truly staggering” the scale of payments made to former Allied Irish Bank Managing Director, Colm Doherty.
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SIPTU calls on HSE to protect quality of home help services
18.04.2011SIPTU has written to the HSE to request that it lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the tendering for home help services and give a clear commitment to protect wages and maintain quality services. SIPTU was not consulted prior to the HSE recently tendering for home help services and neither were representative groups for older persons.
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Jack O’Connor says trade union movement will resist dismantling of wage setting mechanisms
14.04.2011Commenting on speculation surrounding the future of the statutory pay and conditions protection mechanisms i.e. Employment Regulation Orders and Registered Employment Agreements, SIPTU and Congress president, Jack O’Connor, has said he suspects that the previous government actually indicated to the EU/IMF/ECB troika that they would be eliminated.
Read Full Story...
A Challenging Job
SIPTU is currently recruiting committed people to a panel from which vacancies as full-time trade union organisers will be filled.
Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals who have a good general standard of education with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience in trade union organising/trade union representation/community involvement and/or campaigning for social solidarity, is desirable.
A letter of application together with a current C.V. should be sent to the Head of Finance and Administration, SIPTU, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 to arrive not later than Friday 29th April 2011.
SIPTU is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
SIPTU to meet council management over under-resourced fire service in Wicklow
13.04.2011SIPTU is to meet with the management of Wicklow County Council on Monday (18th April) to discuss its failure to adequately resource the fire service in the county. At a meeting of SIPTU Fire Fighters in Wicklow on Monday last (11th April) it was agreed that union officials would meet with council management to raise urgent concerns over the operation of the fire service.
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SIPTU members welcome Labour Court recommendation on MFG Teo dispute
11.04.2011SIPTU members at Meitheal Forbatha na Gaeltachta Teo (MFG Teo) in Connemara are to return to work following a Labour Court recommendation in the dispute today (Monday 11th April). Ten staff members have been on strike for four weeks over proposed pay cuts and threatened redundancies.
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SIPTU claims that restructured AIB does not have to lead to mass redundancies
12.04.2011SIPTU’s has said that staff in Allied Irish Bank are genuinely taken aback at the scale of redundancies proposed by its chairman, David Hodgkinson, yesterday (Monday 11th April). SIPTU represents over 300 security guards, porters and catering staff at AIB.
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Portugal seeks latest bailout
08.04.2011Portugal has announced that it is to seek a loan of up to €75 billion from the EU-IMF following months of pressure on its public finances and the recent collapse of its Government over its failed attempt to impose more austerity measures.
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No ‘bondholder burning’ as banking bill hits €70bn
01.04.2011The injection of an additional €24bn into the surviving Irish banks over the coming months brings the running total of the bank recapitalisation programme to €70bn. With the potential losses from the Nama operations the total cost could reach well in excess of €100b. Ireland is in firm contention for the most expensive banking bailout in the world. While there is some sense that the bottom of the banking crisis is being reached and that €21bn in plugging future losses and €3bn for a contingency fund appear to be realistic, the announcements on Thursday (31st March) only deal with part of the country’s banking problem.
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SIPTU repeats call for independent inquiry into deaths of fire fighters in Bray
30.03.2011SIPTU has repeated its call for an independent inquiry into the deaths of two fire fighters in Bray, county Wicklow, in September 2007. Brian Murray (46) and Mark O’Shaughnessy (26) died when a roof collapsed on them as they were fighting a blaze at a disused factory in the town.
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SIPTU serves strike notice on Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo
10.03.2011SIPTU has served notice of industrial action and strike action on Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltacta Teo (M.F.G. Teo) in County Galway to commence from Wednesday 16th March. Pickets will be placed on the company’s premises in Rosmuc and Inverin in Connemara from Wednesday morning next.
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SIPTU and management at Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo to enter LRC talks
23.03.2011SIPTU and management at Meitheal Forbatha na Gaeltachta Teo. (MFG Teo.) in Galway are to enter talks at the Labour Relations Committee on Thursday (24th March). Ten union members have been on strike at the company since Wednesday, 16th March as part of their campaign to save the jobs of four colleagues who were issued with redundancy notices.
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REPORT ON HSE SKILLS FUND
26.03.2011SIPTU has published the Report by the Union’s National Trustees Sub-Committee on its enquiry into assertions made by the Health Service Executive
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Workers protest against Fast Food industry’s High Court attempt to reduce wages
16.03.2011The Restaurant and Catering Workers Forum, established by SIPTU and the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI), is staging a public protest today outside Burger King, Supermac’s and Eddie Rocket’s outlets in O’Connell Street in Dublin’s city centre at 1.00 p.m. today.
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AGENCY CONTRACTS
14.03.2011Dear Colleagues Understandably you have been making enquiries about SIPTU’s position re the signing of agency contracts, which allows for a decrease in the hourly pay of Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Radiographers, Radiation Therapists, Phlebotomists, Clerical and Support Staff grades.
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SIPTU welcomes purchase by Amgen of Pfizer plant in Dun Laoghaire
11.03.2011SIPTU welcomes confirmation that Amgen, the world’s largest biotechnology company, is to buy Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Pottery Road, Dun Laoghaire. About 240 people will transfer to Amgen with about 40 staff staying with Pfizer. SIPTU has 200 members at the Pottery Road site. Amgen is to produce Pfizer products in Pottery Road for an interim period.
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Statement by the RTÉ Trade Union Group and RTÉ management
11.03.2011Representatives of the RTÉ Trade Union Group and management met this morning as part of our on-going series of meetings to discuss the financial situation at the organisation.
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Government Programme better than it might have been
10.03.2011The Programme for Government represents a compromise between the very different outlooks of the two largest parties following the election.
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Davenport hotel workers win Labour Court case against minimum wage cut
07.03.2011The Labour Court has recommended that five SIPTU members in dispute with the operators of the Davenport Hotel in Dublin after refusing to accept a cut in their minimum wage should be reinstated and that their previous pay rates be restored.
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Efforts continue to form a Government
03.03.2011As efforts continue between the Labour Party and Fine Gael to agree a Programme for Government, SIPTU president, Jack O’Connor, insisted that growth must replace austerity as the key strategy for any new administration. “The austerity programme of the outgoing government has not worked. A growth strategy based on investment for jobs is the only way forward. That is the key issue but there are others including the protection of public services and those who depend on them,” Jack O’Connor said.
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SIPTU workers to strike over compulsory redundancies at Ballymun distribution centre in Dublin on Monday
27.02.2011SIPTU has served notice of industrial action on Pullman Fleet Services at its plant in Ballymun, Dublin, in a dispute over compulsory redundancies. Pickets will be placed tomorrow (Feb 28th) and Industrial Action is due to begin at 8 am at the depot, which is located in the Tesco/Keelings Distribution Centre.
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Abolition of Employment Rights Orders could mean 20 per cent pay cut for contract cleaners
24.02.2011“If Employment Rights Orders are abolished or opt-outs allowed by individual companies it could mean a 20 per cent cut in pay rates, plus the loss of important benefits such as sick pay, overtime and Sunday work premiums”, SIPTU Organiser Michael Whelan said today as a deputation from the union made its way up to lodge a petition with the Government’s Independent Review body into sectoral employment agreements. The deputation brought copies of a petition signed by 2,000 members and their families which says, ‘We believe our ERO is a valuable mechanism for determining our terms and conditions of employment and that the integrity of it should be protected’.
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SIPTU responds to statement to Stock Exchange by Aer Lingus on redundancy scheme
24.02.2011“SIPTU acknowledges the statement which Aer Lingus has issued today to the stock exchange in relation to the 2008 Alternatives to Outsourcing Plan. We are satisfied with the company’s confirmation that it does not intend to seek to recover any amounts arising from the plan from SIPTU members. This complies with our previously stated position that the 2008 Agreement involved legitimate redundancies of our members in Aer Lingus. This plan is a Registered Employment Agreement (REA) with the Labour Court.”
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‘Workers Roll of Honour’ Announced
24.02.2011Candidates who have pledged to protect the lowest paid named The Coalition to Protect the Lowest Paid has released a list of candidates who, if elected, have made a pledge to protect the lowest paid workers in Ireland. The Workers’ Roll of Honour includes over 153 candidates who have pledged to reverse the cut to the minimum wage within six months of taking office, and to ensure that the government’s review(1) of minimum wage agreements for up to 300,000 workers in specific sectors such as contract cleaning, security, catering and retail, is fair and transparent.
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SIPTU to ballot for action over loss of community sector jobs in Connemara
23.02.2011SIPTU is to ballot its members employed at Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta Teo.(M.F.G.) in Galway for Industrial Action/Strike Action after the lay-off of four of its longest serving employees. The four staff, working out of the company’s office in Ros Muc, Connemara, were issued with RP50’s notice this morning despite attempts by SIPTU to engage in negotiations and find alternatives to redundancy.
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SIPTU women workers in battle to defend minimum wage
23.02.2011The hearing of the High Court injunction against SIPTU and members on strike at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin over cuts in the minimum wage has been adjourned until next Tuesday. A temporary injunction was granted to Persian Properties, owners of the O’Callaghan Hotels group by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy on Tuesday.
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Contract Cleaners Wheelie Bin Protest
23.02.2011At 2.00pm tomorrow, February 24th, 2011, SIPTU Contract Cleaners will be handing in a petition signed by 2,000 of their colleagues and their supporters to the EROs Independent Review at Davitt House, 65a Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, calling for the preservation of the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) which protects their pay and conditions of employment.
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SIPTU to respond to High Court injunction tomorrow in O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel dispute
22.02.2011SIPTU is to respond to Persian Properties, owners of the O’Callaghan Hotels group in the High Court before Ms Justice Mary Laffoy tomorrow at 10.30am. On Monday Persian Properties secured an interim injunction restricting the number of pickets at the company’s O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel and O’Callaghan Mont Clare Hotel in Dublin.
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Joan Burton joins most popular union picket with politicians in country outside Davenport Hotel in Dublin
21.02.2011Labour’s finance spokesperson Joan Burton addressed the O’Callaghan Davenport Hotel workers from the steps of the premises this afternoon promising them that her party would restore the national minimum wage to €8.65c an hour if returned to office. This morning Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny visited the pickets and made a similar pledge.
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SIPTU women win support of Fine Gael and Labour leaders in battle to defend minimum wage
21.02.2011Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny visited SIPTU members on strike at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin this morning to reassure them that his party would restore the national minimum wage to €8.65c an hour if he forms the next government. The SIPTU members, all women, went on strike after being taken off the roster for refusing to sign new contracts reducing their national minimum wage rate by almost €1 an hour.
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Aengus O Snodaigh of Sinn Fein joins most popular union picket with politicians in country outside Davenport Hotel in Dublin
21.02.2011Sinn Fein’s spokesperson on equality Aengus O Snodaigh joined SIPTU members on strike at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin this morning with his team of election workers. He is the third prominent politician within three hours to pledge support to the picketers. The strikers, all women, went on strike after being taken off the roster for refusing to sign new contracts reducing their national minimum wage rate by almost €1 an hour.
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SIPTU hotel workers in battle to defend minimum wage
17.02.2011SIPTU members at the Davenport Hotel in Dublin mounted pickets this morning after being taken off the roster for refusing to sign new contracts reducing their national minimum wage rate by almost €1 an hour. When the legislation was being passed, the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan, gave assurances that existing employees of companies on €8.65 an hour could not have it reduced without their consent. However, the workers concerned, all women from Eastern Europe, have been brought into three meetings over the past three weeks and repeatedly told they must sign the new contracts or face being taken off the roster. They were not given a copy of the new contract, either in English or in their own languages.
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SIPTU seeks a commitment from Politicians on Student Nurse and Midwife Pay
16.02.2011Speaking ahead of today’s demonstration against the elimination of pay for pre-registration student nurses and midwives SIPTU’s National Nursing Official, Louise O’Reilly said; “We cannot and we will not allow the elimination of pay for men and women who are providing vital frontline services. Our Union SIPTU is 101 years old – we have fought many battles with employers who have sought to downgrade the terms and conditions of our members but I have to tell you it is a new low for the Government to attempt to force men and women to work for nothing.”
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Jesse Jackson Signs Pledge to Defend Low Paid
15.02.2011American Civil Rights activist, Reverend Jesse Jackson, met with a delegation of contract cleaning workers and signed a pledge last night on behalf of the Coalition to Protect the Lowest Paid, a group representing a combination of trade union and civil society organisations.
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ICTU President Jack O'Connor calls on politicians to refrain from turning proposed Croke Park Agreement 'into political football'
31 May 2010
The President of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, and General President of SIPTU, Jack O'Connor, has appealed to politicians in all parties "to refrain from commenting on the proposed Croke Park Agreement in order to allow trade union members time to focus on the intrinsic merit, or otherwise, of the proposals during the balloting period".
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Wage Review must not be used to cut low pay
10.02.2011The review of Employment Regulation Orders (ERO’s) and Registered Employment Agreements (REA’s) must not be used as a means of further cutting the incomes of low earners, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has said. The Government said on Wednesday (9th February) that it had established an independent review of the framework of statutory wage setting mechanisms for workers in mainly low paid employments.
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Health Department refusing to give reasons for decision to introduce ‘slave labour’
10.02.2011As Pre-Registration Nurses and Midwives protested outside hospitals across the country officials of the departments of Finance and Health insisted that EU law on information and consultation did not apply to decisions of the Irish Government.
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SIPTU demands meeting with Waterstone’s over Dublin shop closures
10.02.2011SIPTU officials have met with union members facing redundancy in the Waterstone’s book stores in Dawson Street and in the Jervis Centre in Dublin.
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FF and FG election plans threaten to destroy health service
07.02.2011SIPTU’s Acting Head of Health Division, Paul Bell, has said that both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are committed to the destruction of the national health service as both parties have outlined proposals to dismantle the Health Service Executive (HSE) if they are elected to Government.
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Threat to Swords ambulance service averted
03.02.2011SIPTU and IMPACT have been advised that considerable progress has been made on proposals to maintain the Swords ambulance service.
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Talks begin to try and save jobs at Cappoquin Poultry
03.02.2011SIPTU has opened negotiations with management at Cappoquin Poultry Ltd., in County Waterford, following the company’s announcement to restructure the business with the possible loss of up to 50 jobs.
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SIPTU wants answers as 170 jobs at Gallaghers, Ardara, on the line
04.02.2011SIPTU has said it is concerned that up to 170 jobs remain at risk at Gallagher’s Bakery in Ardara Co. Donegal and that management has failed to engage with the union on the future of the workforce. The union also claims there are “a lot of unanswered questions” in relation to the future of the business and possible changes which may help to save some jobs.
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SIPTU calls for vote for Labour and parties that support principles of social solidarity
03.02.2011With a General Election due to take place on Friday, 25th February the political parties, candidates and canvassers have hit the ground running. At its monthly meeting in January the SIPTU National Executive Council called on members to support the Labour Party and those parties and candidates that support the principles of social solidarity. The commitment by Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore to legislate for the right of all workers to collective bargaining if involved in the next government and the importance for working people of a strong left wing component in any future Coalition strongly influenced the recommendation.
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GENERAL ELECTION 2011 - STATEMENT TO UNION MEMBERS
01.02.2011The General Election has been called for February 25th. The key issue is who are we going to put in to Government not who is going to be in opposition. It is the make up of the Government that determines the issues which crucially affect all our lives.
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CHANGE IS IN YOUR HANDS
01.02.2011The National Executive of SIPTU (NEC) has urged union members to vote for the Labour Party and transfer to other parties and candidates that support the principle of social solidarity in the forthcoming general election.
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SIPTU concern at appointment of receiver to two Lynch hotels
28.01.2011SIPTU has expressed concern at the appointment of a receiver to two hotels in the Lynch Group. Accountancy firm, Grant Thornton, has been appointed by Bank of Scotland (Ireland) as receiver to the Clare Inn Hotel in County Clare and the Breaffy House Resort in county Mayo. There is a combined staff of 100 at the two hotels.
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SIPTU members vote for strike over privatisation of South Dublin waste service
25.01.2011SIPTU members in the waste collection service of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over plans to privatise the bin collection service.
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SIPTU Fire Brigade members welcome new HIQA emergency 'call out' standards
21.01.2011SIPTU Dublin Fire Brigade Convenor Gerry Harris has welcomed new HIQA ‘call out’ standards for responses to medical emergencies. It says services must meet a response time of eight minutes. However he warned that the necessary resources must be available to meet them.
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SIPTU welcomes announcement of General Election and criticises unfairness of Universal Social Charge
20.01.2011At its first meeting today, the new National Executive Council (NEC) of SIPTU hit out at the regressive and unfair nature of the new Universal Social Charge (USC) that was introduced by the Government in its December budget. The NEC also welcomed the announcement that a General Election will take place on 11th March.
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Speech by SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn, at the stone laying ceremony of the South Gloucester Street Co-operative Development, Dublin 2 on Tuesday 18th January.
18.01.2011“Minister, friends and colleagues, I am very pleased to have been invited to speak at this stone laying ceremony for the construction of 19 badly needed units of social housing on this site. I am particularly proud to be here today because some years ago the site was provided by SIPTU to the National Association of Building Co-operatives (NABCo). The Union gave over the site to NABCo and the City Council as part of an agreement in respect of planning for car parking on the site.
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SIPTU to meet DFDS over closure of ferry services
14.01.2011SIPTU is to meet with its members in DFDS which has announced that it is to terminate its ferry services from Dublin port on 31st January. SIPTU Official, Ken Fleming, described the closure of the company’s operations as a most serious development for the Dublin Port and Docks and its workforce and for the crews and other employees of DFDS.
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SIPTU says Aer Lingus redundancy deal was legally endorsed by company
12.01.2011SIPTU has stated that the redundancy agreement made with Aer Lingus in 2008 was a genuine scheme which involved payments to 715 employees many of whom returned to work with the company in positions with significantly altered job descriptions and reductions of up to 20% in pay rates.
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EU Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, to address SIPTU conference
22 November 2011
EU Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan Quinn and Minister of State for Research and Innovation, Seán Sherlock will address a conference on “Innovation and Manufacturing – a Driver for Jobs and Growth” in the Gresham Hotel on Thursday 24th November.
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SIPTU accepts offer of exploratory talks at LRC to avert strike at Stewarts Hospital
06.01.2011SIPTU has accepted an invitation from the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to attend talks on Friday (7th January) in an effort to avert a serious strike at the Stewarts Hospital site in Palmerstown in Dublin which is due to commence in Monday, 10th January.
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SIPTU Head Office 
Liberty Hall
Dublin 1
Tel: 01-8586300
Fax: 01-6865567