Press Releases 2012

SIPTU Home Help members to march in Cork on Saturday, 26th May

14 May 2012

SIPTU members in the Home Help service will march through Cork city centre on Saturday (26th May) at 2.00 p.m. as part of their campaign against the outsourcing of the service by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Marchers will assemble at 1.30 p.m. at Connolly Hall, Lapps Quay, and from there march to Grand Parade.
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Speech by Jack O’Connor, General President at the Connolly Commemoration 2012

14 May 2012

We come here today to honour James Connolly, unquestionably Irish Labour’s greatest martyr. He was a product of an economic, social and political system that condemned him to spend his life in grinding poverty but rather than buckle to it, he unflinchingly criticised and, more importantly, analysed its flaws more intelligently and accurately than any of his compatriots. He was arguably the greatest Irish intellect of his generation.
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Health workers spend worth over €100 million in Waterford economy

10 May 2012

Health service workers were informed that their spending was estimated to be worth over €100 million to the local economy in Waterford at a meeting of the SIPTU Better Health Care, Better Jobs campaign earlier this month. Addressing the event in the Granville Hotel, Waterford, on Thursday, 3rd May, SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said; “The take home pay of over 3000 workers employed full-time and part-time in the health service in Waterford amounts to approximately €143 million.”
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Irish Cement workers protest at CRH Group AGM in Dun Laoghaire

08 May 2012

Irish Cement workers are protesting outside the CRH Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, today (Wednesday, 9th May) as part of their campaign to secure monies which are owed to them. The workers, from the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath, are in their sixth week of strike action. Irish Cement Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRH.
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Lagan Brick workers and management accept LRC proposals

18 January 2012

Workers and management at Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, county Cavan, have accepted Labour Relations Commission (LRC) proposals aimed at bringing a resolution to the month long dispute. The proposals were presented following a nine hour meeting between SIPTU and Lagan Brick management at the LRC on Monday (16th January). They include the immediate appointment of an independent assessor to examine the company’s trading position and an assessment of the viability of continuing manufacturing at the Kingscourt facility.
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Dublin Dockworkers photographic exhibition launch in Liberty Hall

08 May 2012

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, will launch the Dublin Dockworkers’ Preservation Society photographic exhibition in Liberty Hall on Wednesday, 9th May, at 7.00 p.m. SIPTU is hosting the photographic exhibition as part of the 2012 May Day celebrations in Liberty Hall Theatre, Dublin, from Wednesday 9th May to Wednesday 16th May.
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Lagan Brick workers to march in Belfast on May Day

04 May 2012

Lagan Brick workers from the manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, will be at the forefront of the May Day march in Belfast on Saturday (5th May) as part of their long running campaign to secure established redundancy terms. SIPTU Organiser John Regan said; “The workers have been in dispute with the company for more than 140 days. They believe a just settlement is possible but have met with a complete refusal by the company’s owners to enter a meaningful negotiation process.”
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Vita Cortex workers vote to endorse resolution proposals

02 May 2012

SIPTU members at Vita Cortex voted on Wednesday (2nd May)to accept proposals agreed between the company, its shareholders and worker representatives which provide for an equitable conclusion to the long running dispute.
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Irish Cement workers campaign reaches the Dáil and CRH head offices

02 May 2012

Over 40 Irish Cement workers travelled to Dublin on Wednesday (2nd May) to meet with Government and opposition elected representatives and to protest outside the head offices of the CRH Group.
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ILO report proves austerity is failing

30 April 2012

Unemployment is continuing to rise in most European countries as austerity policies continue to hit growth and jobs, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has warned.
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Vita Cortex workers disgusted at owners rejection of resolution proposals

27 April 2012

SIPTU members at Vita Cortex have reacted with disgust to the refusal by the company to accept guidance, provided by independent mediators, which could have brought an equitable end to the long running dispute.
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SIPTU leader outlines economic stimulus plan to Oireachtas Committee

27 April 2012

An economic stimulus package is urgently needed, whichever way Ireland votes on the Fiscal Compact referendum, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor told the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on the Intergovernmental Treaty on Friday (27th April). He outlined the steps the Government should take to promote growth.
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Irish Cement workers to vote against CRH directors at AGM

25 April 2012

Irish Cement workers will use their voting rights as shareholders in the building material supply group, CRH, to oppose the re-election of the company’s existing directors at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for Wednesday, 9th May. The workers are in the fourth week of their strike action at production plants owned by Irish Cement Ltd which is a wholly owned subsidiary of CRH.
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SIPTU Better Health Care, Better Jobs campaign to hold meeting in Waterford

24 April 2012

The SIPTU Better Health, Better Jobs campaign is holding a meeting in the Granville Hotel, Waterford, on Thursday, 3rd May, at 6.30 p.m. The event is open to all SIPTU Health workers and members of the public interested in the development of a better health service.
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SIPTU Community Campaign joins lone parents to say “7 is too young”

24 April 2012

The SIPTU Community Campaign joined with SPARK, and other lone parent organisations, at a press conference today (24th April) in Dublin to say that “7 is too young” and call for a review of Section 4 of the Social Welfare Bill 2012 restricting Lone Parents Allowance for families whose youngest child is over seven years of age.
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New draft Code of Practice to end unsafe work practices in Irish ports

23 April 2012

The Health and Safety Authority has agreed a draft Code of Practice for Dock Work, which will now be presented to the Government. It is aimed at tackling the gross exploitation of seafarers on some ships visiting Irish ports, as well as protecting jobs on shore.
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Guidance issued by mediators in Vita Cortex dispute

21 April 2012

Following the agreed mediation process in the Vita Cortex dispute, Kevin Duffy and his colleagues, Jack Nash and John Doherty have concluded that there is no basis for a mediated settlement.
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SIPTU NEC calls for jobs and growth plan as condition of support for Fiscal Treaty

19 April 2012

The National Executive Council (NEC) of SIPTU has decided it will recommend in favour of the Fiscal Treaty referendum proposal if the Government commits to an off balance sheet stimulus plan to create “tens of thousands of jobs” – but only if it does so.
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Vita Cortex mediation talks convene

19 April 2012

Labour Court chairman, Kevin Duffy, led mediation discussions with SIPTU representatives and the owners of Vita Cortex in the latest effort to resolve the long running dispute at the former foam manufacturing in Cork. Duffy, who is assisted by former Labour Court officials, Jack Nash and John Doherty, convened the talks in Dublin on Thursday (19th April) which will centre on the demand by the Vita Cortex workers for their agreed redundancy payments from the company.
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SIPTU welcomes statement by Minister for Social Protection on affordable childcare

19 April 2012

The SIPTU Community Sector Campaign has welcomed a statement by the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, that a proposal to restrict the one parent family payment will be abandoned if adequate affordable childcare provisions are not announced in next December’s budget.
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SIPTU supports Abbeyleix Hospital protest march

18 April 2012

SIPTU is supporting a protest march organised by the Abbeyleix Hospital and District Action Group which is taking place at 2.00 p.m. on Sunday (29th April) in Abbeyleix, Co. Laois. The march by Abbeyleix Hospital nursing unit residents, their families and supporters will begin at the Manor Hotel in Abbeyleix and conclude at the hospital.
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Unions and Balfour Beatty CLG agree cost savings plan

17 April 2012

SIPTU and TEEU representatives signed a cost saving agreement with the management of Balfour Beatty CLG Limited on Monday (16th April) which protects the terms and conditions of employment of over 250 employees at the construction company.
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Irish Cement strike enters its third week

16 April 2012

Strike action by workers at the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath, has entered its third week. Workers are calling on the company to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees. Pickets were placed on the entrances to the two plants on the 3rd April following a decision to take industrial action by the Irish Cement Group of Unions which includes SIPTU, TEEU and Unite.
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Strike action at Musgrave warehouse in Cork on Wednesday

16 April 2012

SIPTU members in the Musgrave Group have served strike notice on the company in Cork to commence on Wednesday (18th April) in a dispute concerning changes to their conditions of employment.
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Irish Cement workers demand end to company ‘hypocrisy on pay’

11 April 2012

Workers are continuing their strike action at the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath, in a dispute over the company’s failure to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees.
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Labour Court chairman to lead mediation effort in Vita Cortex dispute

10 April 2012

The Labour Relations Commission has confirmed that a three person mediation team, headed by Labour Court chairman, Kevin Duffy, has been appointed to lead discussions aimed at finding a resolution to the long running Vita Cortex dispute.
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Strike action continues at Irish Cement Ltd

10 April 2012

Workers are continuing their strike action at the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath, in a dispute over the company’s failure to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees.
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Lagan Brick workers occupy the Lagan Group headquarters in Belfast

04 April 2012

Lagan Brick workers occupied the company’s Belfast headquarters Wednesday (4th April) in protest at the owners failure to agree to negotiations aimed at achieving a just resolution to the long running dispute at the brick manufacturer’s facility in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan.
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Vita Cortex workers welcome agreement by owners to enter mediation talks

04 April 2012

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has informed SIPTU that the owners of Vita Cortex are prepared to enter mediation talks. SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, said that the workers, who have been occupying the former foam manufacturing plant at Kinsale Road Cork for 111 days, have welcomed the latest development.
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SIPTU calls on Vita Cortex owner to respond to NAMA offer

03 April 2012

SIPTU has called on the owner of Vita Cortex, Jack Ronan, to respond to media reports that NAMA has offered to release funds which would allow him to fund his entire redundancy obligations to his former employees.
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Strike action at Irish Cement Ltd

03 April 2012

Workers have commenced strike action at the Irish Cement Ltd production plants in Castlemungret, Co. Limerick and Platin, Co. Meath, in a dispute concerning the company’s failure to honour a Labour Court recommendation relating to the payment of outstanding monies to its employees.
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SIPTU disappointed that HSE has no plan for displaced home helps

30 March 2012

SIPTU Health Division representatives today (30th March) met with Health Service Executive (HSE) officials to discuss concerns arising from the awarding of contracts for the provision of Home Care services to private ‘for profit’ companies.
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SIPTU dismisses Lagan Brick claim concerning redundancy offer

29 March 2012

SIPTU has categorically dismissed a claim by the management of Lagan Brick that it offered redundancy payments which equated to around two years net pay to most of the 25 workers involved in the dispute at the company’s Kingscourt Brick manufacturing plant, Co. Cavan.
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SIPTU members accept LRC offer in Lagan Brick dispute

03 January 2012

SIPTU members at Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, who lost their jobs due to the sudden closure of the construction material manufacturing plant last month, have decided to accept an offer to attend for talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on Friday, 6th January.
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SIPTU to mobilise home helps in protest against privatisation

26 March 2012

SIPTU will mobilise up to 3,000 members in the Home Help service as part of a major campaign to highlight the threat to jobs in the sector that has resulted from the granting of contracts to a private ‘for profit’ company.
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Lagan Brick workers mark 100th day of dispute

23 March 2012

The Lagan Brick workers marked the 100th day of their dispute at the brick manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, on Friday (23rd March). Workers at the Lagan Brick manufacturing plant were informed it was closing only hours before it ceased operation on Friday, 15th December. Since then 25 SIPTU members employed at the plant have been in dispute with the management of Lagan Brick over their failure to pay established redundancy terms.
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Vita Cortex workers mark 100th day of dispute

23 March 2012

The Vita Cortex workers marked the 100th day of their sit-in at the former foam manufacturing plant on the Kinsale Road in Cork on Saturday (24th March). At a general meeting of SIPTU members at Vita Cortex on Friday (23rd March) morning a proposal from the Director of Conciliation Services at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), Kevin Foley, for both sides in the dispute to engage in meaningful negotiations was accepted by the workers.
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SIPTU members satisfied with industrial action at Eddie Stobart

22 March 2012

SIPTU members have expressed satisfaction with an official 24-hour work stoppage at distribution company Eddie Stobart, which was supported by a majority of the company’s drivers.
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SIPTU members at Eddie Stobart take industrial action

20 March 2012

Drivers employed by Eddie Stobart are taking a second day of industrial action on Wednesday (21st March) following the continued refusal by the company to engage with union representatives on their legitimate grievances over excessive working hours and health and safety issues.
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SIPTU told there is no basis for direct talks on Vita Cortex at LRC

16 March 2012

The Labour Relations Commission (LRC) has informed SIPTU representatives involved in the talks on the Vita Cortex dispute that there is, as yet, no basis for direct discussions between the parties.
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SIPTU is co-operating fully with PAC and C&AG enquiries into HSE/Skills fund

15 March 2012

SIPTU has asked, Matt Merrigan, the administrator of the ‘SIPTU Health and Local Authority Levy Fund’ account to provide all information in his possession to the Comptroller and Auditor General, including a report by accountants Grant Thornton which was commissioned by his legal advisors. At the request of SIPTU, the C&AG is currently preparing a detailed audit of the account.
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SIPTU members in Cork Institute of Technology to take strike action

13 March 2012

SIPTU members in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) will engage in a one-day strike next Wednesday (21st March) to demand the reinstatement of six workers made redundant by the institute's catering company last week.
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SIPTU meeting with LRC on Vita Cortex dispute

13 March 2012

SIPTU representatives met with the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in Dublin today. The Commission briefed SIPTU on its contacts with all the parties to the dispute over the last number of weeks.
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SIPTU calls for legal threats made against Lagan Brick workers to be withdrawn

12 March 2012

SIPTU has called for the immediate withdrawal of legal threats made against the union and its members participating in industrial action at Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, Co. Cavan. SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said; “SIPTU members in Lagan Brick voted to take strike action at the company’s premises in Kingscourt in early March. The move followed the company’s refusal to attend a Labour Court hearing aimed at resolving the long running dispute at the brick manufacturing plant.
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SIPTU priority is to minimise redundancies at AIB

08 March 2012

SIPTU Insurance and Finance Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane, has said that the number of redundancies being sought by Allied Irish Bank (AIB) was unacceptably high. The bank has said it intends to make 2,500 of its staff redundant.
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SIPTU seeks adequate redundancy terms for FOSROC workers

08 March 2012

SIPTU members placed an official picket on the FOSROC Depot in Bluebell, Dublin, this afternoon (8th March) in a dispute to secure adequate redundancy terms for seven workers who have lost their jobs as part of a company restructuring process.
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SIPTU calls on RehabGroup Chief Executive to review Galway job cuts

07 March 2012

SIPTU has called on RehabGroup Chief Executive, Angela Kerins, to review the decision by Rehab Enterprises to make 18 workers redundant at its recycling facility in Galway.
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Vita Cortex workers call for meaningful talks aimed at reaching a just conclusion to dispute

06 March 2012

The Vita Cortex workers have acknowledged an acceptance by the company’s owners to finally engage in meaningful talks aimed a reaching a just conclusion to the long running dispute.
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National Women’s Council of Ireland and SIPTU call for action on the Gender Pay Gap in Ireland on EU Gender Pay Gap Day

02 March 2012

The Gender pay gap in Ireland is 17.1% according to a new publication launched by the EU Commission on the Gender Pay Gap today. Young women earn more than 90% of male wages but this falls to 71.5% in the 35-44 age and to only 61.4% group for women aged 55-64yrs. In Ireland only 123,000 women earn more than 50,000 per year in comparison to 254,000 men.
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SIPTU members in Lagan Brick vote for strike action

02 March 2012

SIPTU members in Lagan Brick have voted to take strike action at the company’s premises in Kingscourt, Co Cavan. The move follows the company’s refusal to attend a Labour Court hearing aimed at resolving the long running dispute at the brick manufacturing plant.
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SIPTU rejects derisory offer in Vita Cortex dispute

29 February 2012

Contacts between SIPTU representatives and various parties have taken place over recent days in an effort to resolve the dispute over redundancy payments for the workers occupying the Vita Cortex factory in Cork.
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SIPTU criticises Lagan Brick over failure to agree to Labour Court intervention

28 February 2012

SIPTU has criticised a decision by the management of Lagan Brick not to attend a Labour Court hearing aimed at resolving the dispute at the company’s manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, Co. Cavan, is in breach of the Private Sector Protocol agreed by the social partners.
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SIPTU to meet with Rehab Enterprises to discuss threatened redundancies at Galway facility

27 February 2012

SIPTU representatives will meet with the management of Rehab Enterprises on Friday (2nd March) to discuss threatened redundancies at the company’s Galway recycling plant. Eighteen workers at the Galway facility, many of them with disabilities, are to be made redundant during March in a selection process which takes no account of their disabilities.
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SIPTU drivers pleased with industrial action at Eddie Stobart

24 February 2012

SIPTU members have expressed their satisfaction with the success of their industrial action at distribution company Eddie Stobart, which was supported by a large majority of the company’s drivers. Drivers at the company undertook a thirty-six hour work stoppage from 6.00 a.m. on Thursday (23rd February) until 6.00 p.m. on Friday (24th February). The work stoppage was aimed at highlighting the refusal of the company to deal with drivers concern’s over roster and fatigue issues.
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ESRI’s sycophantic report that austerity is working contradicted by its own findings

24 February 2012

SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has described the assertion in today’s report from the Economic and Social Research Institute that austerity is working as “a contradiction of itself.
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Majority of drivers at Eddie Stobart support SIPTU industrial action

23 February 2012

The majority of drivers at distribution company, Eddie Stobart, are supporting the industrial action by SIPTU members who are seeking discussions with the company over inadequate rest and sub-standard conditions of employment. Drivers at the company have undertaken a thirty-six hour work stoppage from 6.00 a.m. on Thursday (23rd February) until 6.00 p.m. on Friday (24th February) in protest at the refusal of the company to deal with roster and fatigue issues.
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SIPTU dismisses ‘inaccurate’ claims by IBEC over Vita Cortex

22 February 2012

SIPTU has dismissed claims by IBEC that the owners of Vita Cortex had not committed to redundancy terms of 2.9 weeks per year of service for its former employees who have been occupying the factory on the Kinsale Road in Cork for over 70 days. IBEC made this incorrect assertion in a letter sent by its regional director, Helen Barry to SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Gerry McCormack, and circulated to the media on Tuesday (21st February).
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RehabGroup workers to hold protest in Cork on Friday

22 February 2012

Workers in the RehabGroup will hold a lunchtime protest outside the organisation’s regional headquarters in Cork on Friday 24th February at 12.30 p.m. The protest will highlight the failure of RehabGroup management to honour two outstanding Labour Court recommendations.
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Sad day for Irish people and Labour Party

22 February 2012

SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor, commenting on the Government’s proposals to dispose of state assets, said that, “Today’s announcement regarding the sale of some public enterprises is a sad day for the Irish people and a tragedy for the Labour Party. Doubtless Labour has managed to keep the proposed sell-off to a minimum. However to call a spade a spade, there is no justification for selling these assets, especially in the present depressed market conditions.
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Vita Cortex workers disgusted at personal attack by company owner

21 February 2012

SIPTU members at Vita Cortex have reacted with disgust to the attack on their characters contained in a letter sent to the media by a director of the company. In a letter sent to newspapers on Monday (20th February) company director and shareholder, Sean McHenry, accused the Vita Cortex workers of “blackmail designed to secure additional ex gratia [redundancy] payments from [the] personal funds of the directors.”
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SIPTU lodges complaint to Health and Safety Authority over conduct of Stobart

21 February 2012

SIPTU last night lodged a complaint to the Health and Safety Authority over the conduct of Stobart Ireland Drivers Services in coercing drivers to participate in a hastily arranged ballot on Monday (20th February).
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SIPTU meets with Balfour Beatty CLG to discuss proposed redundancies

21 February 2012

SIPTU representatives met with the management of Balfour Beatty CLG Limited on Monday, 20th February to discuss a proposal by the construction company to implement up to 76 redundancies.
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Launch of Congress report on down-sizing of community sector

20 February 2012

A major new report has been published by the Community Sector Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions which shows significant cuts imposed on local community based services and activities that have resulted in job losses and closures of local projects.
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SIPTU calls on Eddie Stobart to end its intimidation of drivers

20 February 2012

SIPTU has called on the management of the distribution company Eddie Stobart to end its attempts to coerce drivers from taking a day of industrial action on Thursday (23rd February), which is aimed at highlighting legitimate health and safety grievances.
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SIPTU reaches interim agreement with Cloverland Healthcare Ltd on workers wages

17 February 2012

SIPTU has secured an interim agreement with the management of Cloverland Healthcare Ltd that workers at the company’s Cloverlodge nursing homes in Athy, Co Kildare, and Shinrone, Co Offaly, will be paid in full by next Friday (24th February).
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SIPTU drivers at Eddie Stobart to take industrial action

17 February 2012

SIPTU members at Eddie Stobart, the distribution company are to take one day industrial action on Thursday (23rd February) in protest at the company’s refusal to discuss their grievances over excessive working hours and health and safety issues.
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SIPTU NEC calls for suspension of proposed Household Charge

17 February 2012

The National Executive Council (NEC) of SIPTU has called on the Government to suspend the proposed Household Charge on the basis that it is unfair and regressive.At its monthly meeting today (Friday, 17th February) the NEC unanimously supported a motion stating that;
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with Cloverland Healthcare Ltd over non-payment of workers

16 February 2012

SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Cloverland Healthcare Ltd to discuss the non-payment of wages to up to 72 staff in the company’s Cloverlodge nursing homes in Athy, Co Kildare, and Shinrone, Co Offaly.
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SIPTU to meet with Balfour Beatty CLG Limited over proposed redundancies

16 February 2012

SIPTU representatives will meet with management at Balfour Beatty CLG Limited on Monday (20th February) following the announcement that the company intends to restructure the business with the possibility of up to 76 job losses.
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SIPTU Community Campaign joins S.P.A.R.K. to support lone parents

16 February 2012

The SIPTU Community Campaign joined S.P.A.R.K. at a press launch on Thursday (16th February) to highlight the effect of Budget 2012 on lone parents.
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Vita Cortex workers to protest at IBEC offices in Cork

15 February 2012

The Vita Cortex workers, on their 62nd day of a sit-in over unpaid redundancy entitlements, are to hold a protest outside the offices of Irish Business and Employer’s Confederation (IBEC) on Douglas Road in Cork on Thursday (16th February). The workers have organised the protest over what, they believe, is the failure of IBEC to use its influence to get their former employer, Jack Ronan, to pay the 0.9 weeks in outstanding redundancy payments owed to them.
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Disruption to Tesco likely as distributor strike looms

15 February 2012

SIPTU members driving for the British based distribution company, Eddie Stobart, have voted for strike action to highlight a number of grievances over their working conditions. The industrial action by the Eddie Stobart drivers will, most likely, disrupt the business of the Tesco retail chain, said SIPTU Sector Organiser, Karan O’Loughlin.
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SIPTU welcomes jobs plan which will be judged on results

13 February 2012

SIPTU has welcomed the launch, today (Monday, 13th February), of the Government’s multi-annual jobs plan but cautioned that it’s success can only be judged in terms of the extent to which it revives the domestic economy and creates employment opportunities in Ireland.
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Tesco fails to meet commitments on Ethical Trading

13 February 2012

Tesco is a founder member and participant in the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) which was set up to provide core basic labour standards for workers but SIPTU members are questioning the actual level of commitment from the retail chain.
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SIPTU members at RehabGroup to protest over its failure to implement Labour Court rulings

11 February 2012

SIPTU members will hold a protest at the headquarters of the RehabGroup in Sandymount, Dublin on Monday (13th February) at 12.30 p.m. in protest at the failure of the company to honour two outstanding Labour Court recommendations.
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Public Accounts Committee hearing on ‘Skills Fund’ postponed

10 February 2012

A meeting of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on 1st March to discuss issues surrounding the Skills Training Programme Fund (known as the ‘Skills Fund’) administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and at which SIPTU was due to attend, has been postponed.
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Vita Cortex workers welcome Dáil statement of support by Taoiseach

09 February 2012

The workers at Vita Cortex have strongly the statement by Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, that he has invited the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to become involved again in their long running battle for their agreed redundancy payments.
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Jack O’Connor describes Finance Bill as ‘deeply disappointing and a lost opportunity’

08 February 2012

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has described today’s Finance Bill as “deeply disappointing and a lost opportunity”. The supports to new starts ups, to indigenous exporters, to FDI, to the international financial services industry and to R&D activities in SME’s may well provide a boost to all these sectors, but the impacts are likely to be very small in scale and are narrowly targeted, he said.
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Bord na Móna workers to ballot on industrial action

06 February 2012

The Bord na Móna group of unions will ballot members on industrial action later this month due to the refusal of management at the semi-state company to honour pay increases due to workers under the Towards 2016 transitional agreement.
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SIPTU seeks Labour court intervention in Lagan Brick dispute

06 February 2012

SIPTU is to seek the intervention of the Labour Court in a dispute concerning the payment of redundancy terms at the Lagan Brick manufacturing plant in Kingscourt, county Cavan. The union’s move follows the breakdown of talks with Lagan Brick management at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on (Monday, 6th February) without agreement on redundancy terms for 25 SIPTU members employed at the manufacturing plant.
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SIPTU welcomes agreement for the Contract Cleaning Industry

03 February 2012

SIPTU has welcomed the registration of an industry wide national agreement for the Contract Cleaning Industry which comes into effect today (Friday 3rd February). The agreement between the Irish Contract Cleaning Association (ICCA), IBEC and SIPTU restores with legal effect the rates of pay and other associated conditions of employment which existed under the previous Employment Regulation Order.
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Council workers to march on Dun Laoghaire Town Hall tomorrow

02 February 2012

SIPTU members in Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council will be holding a march to Dun Laoghaire Town Hall tomorrow (Friday 3rd February) in protest against recent attacks on the Croke Park Agreement. “The decision to hold this march was made by the SIPTU Shop Stewards representing worker in the Council” according to SIPTU Organiser Conor O’Gorman.
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Vita Cortex workers welcome statutory redundancy payments but dispute owners latest claims

01 February 2012

The workers occupying the Vita Cortex manufacturing plant in Cork have welcomed the expedition of their statutory redundancy entitlements by the Department of Social Protection.
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SIPTU members concerned with unethical behaviour of Tesco contractor

01 February 2012

SIPTU has asked the retail giant, Tesco, to examine its commitment to ethical trading. Tesco is a founder member of, and participant in, the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) which was set up to provide core basic labour standards for workers.
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ITF calls on Governments to ratify Fishing Industry Convention to protect seafarers

31 January 2012

The International Transport Workers Federation co-ordinator for Ireland and Britain, Ken Fleming, has welcomed the decision of that body to publish a Guide to the International Labour Organisation’s Fishing Convention and its call on governments to ratify it.
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SIPTU members meet to discuss plans for water services

30 January 2012

SIPTU members employed in local authority water services will meet on Wednesday (1st February) in Liberty Hall, Dublin, to consider proposals contained in a Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government discussion document on the reform of the water sector.
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SIPTU welcomes Law Reform Commission recommendations on home care standards

30 January 2012

SIPTU has welcomed a call by the Law Reform Commission for the Health Service Executive (HSE) to engage meaningfully with all relevant stakeholders to agree standards of home care provision. The recommendation is contained in a Law Reform Commission report, “Legal Aspects of Professional Home Care”, published today (30th January).
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SIPTU accepts deferral of LRC meeting concerning Lagan Brick dispute

27 January 2012

SIPTU members have accepted a request from the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to defer a conciliation conference concerning the dispute at Lagan Brick, Kingscourt, co Cavan, from Monday, 30th January until Monday, 6th February.
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SIPTU and BFWAU seek immediate meeting with Spicers Bakery to discuss job losses

26 January 2012

SIPTU and the Bakery and Food Workers Amalgamated Union (BFWAU) have requested an immediate meeting with the management of Spicers Bakery, Navan, Co Meath, to discuss recent redundancies at the food manufacturer. BFWAU and SIPTU members at Spicers Bakery held a meeting with union organisers on Tuesday (24th January) to discuss a management announcement of 15 staff redundancies and the temporary layoff of a further 12 workers.
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SIPTU says catering staff levels at Tallaght Hospital at crisis point

24 January 2012

SIPTU members in the catering department of Tallaght Hospital are concerned about low staffing levels and their ability to feed patients and other employees without additional recruitment. According to SIPTU Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly, there are already unacceptably long queues for nursing and other staff on their breaks which could potentially have an impact on the quality of care in the wards.
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SIPTU blames Vita Cortex owner for impasse in LRC talks

21 January 2012

After 12 hours of discussions involving SIPTU and the management of Vita Cortex at the Labour Relations Commission on Friday (20th January) in Cork talks were adjourned without agreement.
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SIPTU secures agreement with HSE on cleaning services at Mayo hospitals

21 January 2012

SIPTU has reached an agreement with HSE management on the provision of cleaning services at Mayo General Hospital (Castlebar) and Ballina District Hospital which removes a threat by the agency to outsource support staff work to private contractors.
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Renowned human rights activist Noam Chomsky backs Vita Cortex workers

20 January 2012

As talks aimed at bringing a just resolution to the Vita Cortex dispute resume today (20th January) the 32 workers maintaining a sit-in for five weeks at the company’s plant on the Kinsale Road, Cork, received the backing of veteran US human rights campaigner Noam Chomsky.
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Joan Burton gives commitment on CE scheme funding for first quarter of 2012

18 January 2012

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, has given a commitment that no Community Employment (CE) schemes will be forced to close due to funding cutbacks until a full financial review of the sector has been completed.
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Congress delegation to meet Minister Joan Burton to discuss CE scheme crisis

17 January 2012

A high level ICTU delegation will meet with the Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, at 4.00 p.m. today (17th January) in Dáil Eireann to discuss the developing crisis in the Community Sector and the government’s proposed review of Community Employment (CE) schemes funding.
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SIPTU condemns cutting of Home Help hours in HSE Plan

17 January 2012

SIPTU has said that the 4.5% reduction in home help hours proposed in the Health Service Executive (HSE) Service Plan published yesterday flies in the face of the Government’s stated commitment to primary care.
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ITF salutes heroism during Italian ship rescue

16 January 2012

ITF general secretary David Cockroft stated: “This is a human tragedy that came close to being even worse than it was. We understand that six people are currently known to be dead and ten missing, six of them seafarers. The wellbeing of their families and of the passengers and crew who went through this harrowing experience is at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts today.”
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Wicklow Community Employment Scheme Facing Closure

13 January 2012

An award winning Community Employment scheme in Aughrim, Co Wicklow is facing closure with the loss of 23 jobs and a severe curtailment of local tourism amenities. The National Disabled Angling Park FAS scheme is based on a 4 acre lake within an 8 acre riverside park with panoramic views overlooking the surrounding Wicklow hills.
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Test

02 May 2012

Test
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SIPTU agrees to attend LRC talks on Vita Cortex dispute

08 March 2012

SIPTU has agreed to attend discussions at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) in Dublin on Tuesday (13th March) in a renewed effort to resolve the long running dispute over redundancy payments at the Vita Cortex foam manufacturing plant in Cork.
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Sad day for Irish people and Labour Party

22 February 2012

“Today’s announcement regarding the sale of some public enterprises is a sad day for the Irish people and a tragedy for the Labour Party. Doubtless Labour has managed to keep the proposed sell-off to a minimum. However to call a spade a spade, there is no justification for selling these assets, especially in the present depressed market conditions. “This measure is coming about at the insistence of the EU-ECB-IMF Troika, which is committed to the nonsensical policies that reflect the outlook which caused the economic crisis in the first place.
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Joan Burton gives commitment on CE scheme funding for first quarter of 2012

18 January 2012

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, has given a commitment that no Community Employment (CE) schemes will be forced to close due to funding cutbacks until a full financial review of the sector has been completed.
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SIPTU members to attend LRC talks on Vita Cortex dispute

11 January 2012

SIPTU has agreed to attend exploratory talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) with a view to finding a resolution to the dispute over redundancy payments at the Vita Cortex manufacturing plant in Cork.
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SIPTU members to attend LRC talks on Vita Cortex dispute

11 January 2012

SIPTU has agreed to attend exploratory talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) with a view to finding a resolution to the dispute over redundancy payments at the Vita Cortex manufacturing plant in Cork.
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