Media

Press Releases 2021

SIPTU call for unions to adapt to new ways of working adopted by ICTU Biennial Conference

27 October 2021

The ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference in Belfast has endorsed a motion calling for a major reappraisal of the policy and operation of the trade union movement so it can better represent its members in workplaces redefined by technological change and the climate crisis.
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SIPTU members seek engagement with FAI management on industrial relations issues

18 October 2021

SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the continued refusal of the organisation to engage with the union in order to resolve a number of industrial relations issues.
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SIPTU and CRH sign agreement on establishing works councils across Europe

13 October 2021

SIPTU representatives have signed an agreement with the management of international building materials group, CRH, which will see the establishment of works councils representing all its employees in its operations across Europe.
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with Lufthansa Technic concerning redundancies

12 October 2021

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Lufthansa Technic Shannon Ltd (LTSL) in county Clare, following the announcement today (Tuesday, 12th October) of its intention to implement up to 180 redundancies.
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Government drive to a balanced budget is premature and damaging to economy

12 October 2021

SIPTU economist, Michael Taft, has criticised government plans to achieve a balanced budget by 2024 as ‘premature, unnecessary and potentially damaging’ to the economy.
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SIPTU welcomes announcement of increased investment in childcare in Budget 2022

12 October 2021

SIPTU has welcomed an increase of €69 million in investment targeted at improving the conditions of workers in the childcare and Early Years education sector announced, today (Tuesday 12th October), by the Government as part of Budget 2022.
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SIPTU warns that raising pension age from 2028 will make it an issue at next election

08 October 2021

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham, has said that the report of the Pensions Commission has vindicated the union’s campaign against the increase in the state pension age to 67 years from 1st January, 2021.
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SIPTU report shows one in five workers are low paid

07 October 2021

Research into the low pay crisis in Ireland has revealed that one out of every five, or approximately 370,000, employees are earning less than €12.00 an hour. The report entitled ‘Low Pay Republic’, and compiled by SIPTU Economist, Michael Taft, shows that the low pay rate in Ireland is significantly above the EU average. Ireland ranks 8th out of the 27 member states for those on low rates of pay and second highest among the wealthier members.
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SIPTU warns politicians of mass exodus of childcare staff if Budget 2022 fails on pay crisis

05 October 2021

SIPTU representatives will tell the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, today (Tuesday, 5th October) that the pay crisis for childcare professionals, if not adequately addressed in Budget 2022, will lead to many leaving the sector.
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SIPTU members outraged at potential closure of Shannon Heritage sites

01 October 2021

SIPTU members are outraged at the prospect that the historic sites operated by Shannon Heritage may close on 1st January 2022, as was implied at an internal webinar for employees yesterday (Thursday, 30th September).
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SIPTU says Living Wage increase confirms urgent need for collective bargaining rights

29 September 2021

SIPTU has said that the rise in the Living Wage, which provides for a minimal and socially acceptable standard of living, to €12.90 per hour, confirms the urgent need to give workers the right to collective bargaining. Announcing the increase, the Living Wage Technical Group, of which SIPTU is a member, said today (Wednesday, 29th September) that the increase was due to the steep rise in rental costs for working people over recent years.
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Unions to attend Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection to discuss growing crisis in local employment services and jobs clubs

29 September 2021

SIPTU and Fórsa representatives will attend a meeting with the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection today (Wednesday, 29th September) to discuss the growing crisis in local employment services and jobs clubs.
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Union representatives roundly reject water worker criticism

24 September 2021

Unions representing thousands of water workers in local authorities have today (Friday, 24th September) roundly rejected Irish Water’s claims that recent service shortcomings in Dublin and Wexford occurred because of the lack of a single national water utility.
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SIPTU members reject Aer Lingus proposals for cuts and work practice changes

21 September 2021

SIPTU members employed by Aer Lingus in ground operations at Dublin airport have voted by 82% to reject proposals by the company to reduce costs and change work practices in order to offset losses incurred by the airline due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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SIPTU welcomes payment to be made to redundant workers laid off due to pandemic

21 September 2021

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the announcement, today (Tuesday, 21st September), that the Government will make a special payment to workers made redundant who lost reckonable service due to being laid off or put on short-time work during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Labour leader backs Galway Local Employment Services workers fight against privatisation

13 September 2021

SIPTU members employed in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs in Galway met with the Labour Party leader, Alan Kelly, and Labour Galway County Councillor, Níall Mc Nelis, on Friday (10th September), to discuss the threatened privatisation of the vital community resource.
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SIPTU says it has legal means to end workplace discrimination against disabled people

13 September 2021

SIPTU representatives have marked International Disability Awareness Day (Sunday, 12th September) to remind workers of the strong legal protections that have been secured to prevent discrimination in the workplace, due to a worker’s permanent or temporary disability.
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SIPTU members in local employment services to protest outside Fine Gael think-in on Monday

10 September 2021

SIPTU members working in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs, will stage a protest outside the opening of the ‘think-in’ of the Fine Gael parliamentary party in Trim Castle, county Meath, on Monday, 13th September at 9.00 a.m., to highlight their opposition to the privatisation of the sector.
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Survey reveals childcare facilities face reducing services and potential closures due to staffing crisis

09 September 2021

A survey of more than 3,000 managers and staff in the childcare sector has indicated that many facilities face reducing services or potential closure over the coming months due to an inability to recruit the necessary qualified professionals required to run them.
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Unions demand Taoiseach intervenes to save Local Employment Services

06 September 2021

SIPTU and Fórsa members, working in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs, have today (Monday, 6th September) delivered a letter to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, calling on him to immediately intervene and save the vital services they provide.
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Unions voice serious concerns about return to 100% capacity on public transport

01 September 2021

SIPTU and the National Bus and Rail Union (NBRU) have voiced serious concerns for their members health and safety with the return to 100% passenger capacity on public transport which was implemented today (Wednesday, 1st September).
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Workers in Local Employment Services and Job Clubs announce a national day of protest

01 September 2021

SIPTU and Fórsa members, working in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs, have today (Wednesday, 1st September) announced the details of a national day of protest, including an action outside the Department of the Taoiseach, for Monday 6th September.
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SIPTU to meet with News UK & Ireland Ltd to discuss threatened closure of Kells Plant

31 August 2021

SIPTU representatives will meet with management from News UK & Ireland tomorrow (Wednesday, 1st September) following an announcement by the company that it intends to close its printing plant in Kells, county Meath.
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SIPTU welcomes international footballers agreement on pay and calls for similar action elsewhere in sport

31 August 2021

SIPTU representatives have welcomed an agreement that footballers representing Ireland at international level will be paid equally while calling for more action by sports authorities to end the continuing gender pay gap and encourage greater participation by women.
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SIPTU seeks return of Inland Fisheries Ireland outreach scheme for vulnerable people

30 August 2021

SIPTU representatives have written to the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, seeking a meeting to discuss the return of the Education and Outreach programme run by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) following a decision to end its operations in January 2022.
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FG TD Ciaran Cannon endorses SIPTU call for action on Early Years staffing crisis

27 August 2021

Fine Gael Galway East TD, Ciaran Cannon, has endorsed the SIPTU call for action to alleviate the staffing crisis in Early Years services following a meeting with local union representatives and activists involved in the Big Start campaign.
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SIPTU members in local employment services vote for industrial action

26 August 2021

SIPTU members, working in local employment services (LES) and Job Clubs, have voted in favour of industrial action which will commence with protests at locations across the country on Monday, 6th September.
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Irish Equity surprised at exclusion of Arts Minister from Cabinet committee on Covid-19

19 August 2021

The Executive of Irish Equity have expressed surprise and disappointment at the exclusion of the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, from the Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19.
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SIPTU says increasing pay not work permits will solve Health Care Assistants shortage

13 August 2021

SIPTU representatives have called for a review of the rates of pay and the duties of Health Care Assistants (HCAs) in response to a shortage of staff in the sector, rather than seeking to recruit workers from outside the European Economic Area to fulfil these roles.
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SIPTU members in AbbVie consider escalating industrial action in collective bargaining dispute

10 August 2021

SIPTU members at the biopharmaceutical company, AbbVie, in Carrigtwohill, county Cork, are considering an escalation in their industrial action in a dispute resulting from the refusal of management to engage with representatives of the workers’ union for collective bargaining purposes.
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Health unions slam HSE’s “empty handed” approach to healthcare worker COVID compensation

06 August 2021

Talks were held at the Workplace Relations Commission on Thursday 5th August, but HSE representatives had no offer to make.
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SIPTU members in SDCC Housing Department stage one day strike over staff levels

04 August 2021

SIPTU members working in the Housing Department of South Dublin County Council have staged a one-day work stoppage today (Wednesday, 4th August) to highlight the failure of management to honour agreements on staffing levels.
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SIPTU members in St Brigid’s vote overwhelmingly for strike action

30 July 2021

SIPTU members working as care assistants and social care workers in St Brigid’s Mental Health Intellectual Disability services in Ballinasloe, county Galway, have today (Friday, 30th July) voted overwhelmingly for industrial action up to and including strike action.
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SIPTU representatives announce series of strike actions in Local Employment Services

30 July 2021

SIPTU members, working in Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs, have today (Friday, 30th July) announced a series of strike actions across the country.
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Universal support for non-profit approach in provision of employment services

28 July 2021

The marketisation of the community sector will seriously damage the provision of employment services, a webinar organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has been told.
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SIPTU members in local employment services set for strike action

27 July 2021

SIPTU members, working in local employment services (LES) and job clubs, are set to announce this Friday (30th, July) a series of strike actions across the country. The news comes following the decision by existing job clubs in the Midlands not to tender for phase one of the process. This will likely result in members who have provided the service, in some cases for up to 25 years, losing their jobs.
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SIPTU members in St Brigid’s to ballot for strike action next week

23 July 2021

SIPTU members working as assistants and care workers in St Brigid’s Mental Health Intellectual Disability services in Ballinasloe, county Galway, are to ballot for strike action next week.
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SIPTU and Fórsa stage lunchtime protest outside Minister Heather Humphreys constituency office

21 July 2021

SIPTU and Fórsa members, working in local employment services, will stage a socially distanced protest outside Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, constituency office, Mall Road, Monaghan Town, county Monaghan on Thursday, 22nd July at 1.00 p.m. to highlight their opposition to plans to privatise these essential community services.
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Serious risk to public from shortage of firefighters in Dublin Fire Brigade

16 July 2021

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have highlighted the crisis situation in the service today (Friday, 16th July) due to a lack of trained firefighters resulting in several vehicles being unavailable for deployment.
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SIPTU members to take industrial action in Doyle Shipping Group at Dublin Port

09 July 2021

SIPTU members employed by Doyle Shipping Group (DSG) at Dublin Port have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute concerning their pay, terms and conditions of employment and safety concerns within their workplace.
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SIPTU members protest over plans to privatise local employment services

08 July 2021

SIPTU members, working in local employment services, will stage a socially distanced protest outside the Department of Social Protection to highlight their opposition to plans to privatise these essential community services on Friday, 9th July at 12.30 outside the Department of Social Protection, Áras Mhic Dhiarmada, Store Street, Dublin 1
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Launch of ‘New Deal for Early Years’ campaign by coalition of childcare groups

08 July 2021

SIPTU, together with a coalition of eleven Early Years and civil society organisations, has today (Thursday, 8th July) launched the ‘New Deal for Early Years’ campaign for the reform of the childcare sector so it can provide improved services for children, families, workers and providers.
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A New Deal for Early Years' campaign launch

06 July 2021

The SIPTU Big Start campaign together with a coalition of eleven other Early Years and civil society organisations will launch a set of proposals for the reform of childcare services in Ireland which would lead to an improved sector for children, families, workers and providers on Thursday, 8th July at 11.00 a.m. at the Defence Forces Memorial entrance, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2.
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SIPTU NEC supports preservation of Moore Street battlefield site

02 July 2021

The SIPTU National Executive Council (NEC) has endorsed the proposals by the Moore Street Preservation Trust for the protection of the 1916 battlefield site in Dublin city.
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Stop67 campaign photo-opportunities with Dublin Bay South by-election candidates tomorrow

02 July 2021

The Stop67 campaign to halt any increase in the State pension age is holding a series of ‘Bridge the Gap’ (between retirement at 65 years and the State pension age of 66) photo opportunities with candidates in the Dublin South Bay by-election on Saturday, 3rd July between 9.30 a.m and 12.30 p.m. All candidates from the government coalition parties have been invited to participate.
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SIPTU calls on government to heed people’s support for public services over tax cuts

28 June 2021

SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to accept that voters prioritise public services over tax cuts as demonstrated in an opinion poll published on Sunday (27th June) by the Sunday Business Post.
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Dublin Bay South by-election candidates say childcare is a major election issue

24 June 2021

Candidates from all the major parties in the Dublin Bay South by-election said that childcare services are a major issue in the election and increased investment in the sector was needed, at a hustings hosted by the SIPTU Big Start campaign yesterday (Wednesday, 23rd June) evening.
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SIPTU says pandemic has proven need for well-funded and dynamic public services

23 June 2021

SIPTU has called for people to reflect on the need for well-funded and dynamic public services which has been starkly illustrated by their response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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SIPTU says establishment of JLC for the Early Years’ services is good news for sector

21 June 2021

SIPTU Big Start campaign representatives have said that the announcement today (Monday, 21st June) that a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the Early Years sector is to come into effect on Thursday, 1st July, is good news for workers, families and services.
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SIPTU welcomes Supreme Court ruling confirming SEO legislation is constitutional

18 June 2021

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the judgement of the Supreme Court today (Friday, 18th June) which confirms that the legislation underpinning the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) structure is constitutional.
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SIPTU seeks meeting with HSE and management of Camphill in Duffcarrig over threat to facility

18 June 2021

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the HSE and management of the Camphill community at Duffcarrig, in Gorey, county Wexford following the decision by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to cancel the registration of the care facility.
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SIPTU says POBAL report reveals low pay forcing childcare professionals out of sector

15 June 2021

SIPTU Big Start Campaign representatives have said that the Early Years Sector Profile Report by the State funding agency POBAL, which was published today (Tuesday, 15th June), has revealed that low pay is continuing to force childcare professionals out of the sector.
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SIPTU calls for 100% compensation for mica homeowners in advance of protest

14 June 2021

SIPTU has supported the call for 100% compensation for homeowners affected by the mica homes scandal in advance of a protest in Dublin tomorrow (Tuesday, 15th June) by those impacted by the failure to adequately monitor compliance with construction standards.
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SIPTU says immediate action needed to support aviation following flight cancellations

12 June 2021

SIPTU representatives are calling for immediate and significant government action to support the aviation sector following the announcement today (Saturday, 12th June) that Aer Lingus Regional is cancelling all flights. The cancellation follows the ceasing of operations by Stobart Air, which has resulted in its cancelling of its franchise agreement with Aer Lingus to operate regional air routes within Ireland.
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SIPTU members in FAI publish plan for development of soccer in Ireland

10 June 2021

SIPTU members working in the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have today (Thursday, 10th June) published a ten point plan aimed at providing a clear agenda towards the development of soccer in Ireland at community and high performance levels.
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SIPTU will look to build on proposals contained in Sick Leave Bill

09 June 2021

SIPTU representatives have said they will look to build on the proposals contained in the Sick Leave Bill 2021 which was announced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, today (Wednesday, 9th June).
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Unions call for empowered local government with greater control over public services

09 June 2021

SIPTU, Fórsa and Connect trade unions have today (Wednesday 9th June) called for increased powers for local government including the ability to lead renewable energy projects, re-establish control of domestic waste collection and use land for the building of public housing.
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SIPTU welcomes ECJ ruling against temporary recruitment agencies

04 June 2021

SIPTU representatives have joined with European colleagues in welcoming a final ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ), published yesterday (Thursday, 3rd June), which prohibits the use of temporary work agencies to recruit workers for employment in other EU Member States.
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SIPTU warns Economic Recovery Plan falls short due to lack of worker participation

02 June 2021

SIPTU has warned that the Economic Recovery Plan, published by the Government yesterday (Tuesday, 1st June), does not establish the foundation for a full economic recovery due to its failure to include workers in key decisions concerning their workplaces.
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Mayo and Galway politicians voice opposition to privatisation of Local Employment Services

28 May 2021

Politicians voiced their opposition to any move towards the privatisation of Local Employment Services (LES) in Mayo and Galway at a virtual meeting hosted by SIPTU representatives yesterday (Thursday 27th May) evening.
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting with transport minister on port and docks safety

26 May 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 26th May) written to the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan, seeking an urgent meeting to discuss concerns about health and safety at ports and docks in Ireland.
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SIPTU welcomes extension of vaccinator role to radiographers and radiation therapists

24 May 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Monday, 24th May) welcomed confirmation from the Department of Health that radiographers, radiation therapists and other certain student health workers can apply to be vaccinators as part of the National Covid-19 vaccination programme.
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TUF and Dublin City Council sign agreement to monitor employment compliance on sites

21 May 2021

Trade Union Federation (TUF) representatives have reached agreement with Dublin City Council on monitoring the implementation of employment agreements on housing and community project building sites with the aim of eradicating the practice of bogus self-employment.
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SIPTU seeks commitments from News UK & Ireland Ltd on future of Kells print plant

18 May 2021

SIPTU seeks commitments from News UK & Ireland Ltd on future of Kells print plant
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SIPTU members employed by Aer Lingus in Cork devastated at layoff announcement

18 May 2021

SIPTU members in ground operations for Aer Lingus in Cork Airport were today (Tuesday, 18th May) informed that the airline intends to place them on temporary layoff, from 12th September to 22nd November, while runway reconstruction is underway.
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SIPTU expresses condolences on death of young worker at Dublin Port

17 May 2021

SIPTU members have expressed their deepest condolences to the family of nineteen-year old, Matthew Grimes, who died while working at Dublin Port on Saturday, 15th May.
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SIPTU survey finds one third of student Early Years educators intend to leave sector

14 May 2021

A recent survey of student Early Years educators, carried out by the SIPTU Big Start campaign, has found that one third intend to leave the sector, with low pay the main issue forcing them into a change of career or into working abroad.
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SIPTU Carlow/Kilkenny District Council seeks equity for 65 year old retirees

30 April 2021

The SIPTU Carlow/Kilkenny District Council has called for an end to the inequity in state payments and other supports between workers forced to retire from their employment at 65 years of age and later retirees.
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SIPTU members express outrage at deferral of ERO for security industry

29 April 2021

SIPTU members in the security industry have expressed outrage at a decision to defer the implementation of pay increases contained in a new Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the sector until 1st September, 2021.
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SIPTU welcomes Citizen Assembly call for legal right to collective bargaining

24 April 2021

Responding to the announcement today, 24th April, of the results of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality, SIPTU members have welcomed its ‘priority recommendation’ on the establishment of a legal right to collective bargaining for workers in all sectors.
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SIPTU calls for urgent meeting with contractors on Intel site after Covid-19 outbreak

22 April 2021

SIPTU members have called for an urgent meeting with the main contractors on the Intel construction site in county Kildare following a Covid-19 outbreak.
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SIPTU blows the whistle on FAI attempts to silence union representative

19 April 2021

SIPTU has criticised the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for making unwarranted threats against a union representative who has spoken out about staff issues.
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SIPTU welcomes eleventh hour intervention on CE Supervisor pension dispute

17 April 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Saturday, 17th April) welcomed an eleventh hour intervention of Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath to settle the long standing Community Employment (CE) supervisors pension dispute.
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SIPTU seek firm commitment from Minister to stop the sale of community job activation services

15 April 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 15th April) written to the Minister of State with responsibility for Social Inclusion in the Department of Social Protection, Joe O’Brien, seeking a firm commitment to support the campaign to halt government plans to privatise community job activation services.
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SIPTU says government economic projections will undermine future growth prospects

14 April 2021

SIPTU economist, Michael Taft, has said that the projections in the Stability Programme Update (SPU) of continued ‘low-tax, low-spend’ policies by the Government will undermine the future growth prospects of the economy. The SPU was published by the Department of Finance today (14th April) and sets out a range of economic policies to be pursued by the Government over the coming years.
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SIPTU calls on agriculture minister to respond to meat industry revelations

11 April 2021

SIPTU members are not surprised by detailed revelations in the Irish Mail on Sunday (IMOS) of illegal work practices in the meat processing industry. An investigation published in the newspaper today alleges that some vulnerable workers are forced to secure fake identities from criminal forgers in order to gain employment in meat plants and are the victims of ‘a modern form of slavery’.
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RTE trade union group says pay proposals ‘now off the table’

07 April 2021

In a statement today, the Trade Union Group (TUG) said: “The RTÉ Trade Union Group notes the result of the ballot on the proposed RTÉ/TUG Stability Agreement with 87% against and 13% in favour.
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Rights4Riders Global Day of Action

07 April 2021

SIPTU representatives are today (Wednesday, 7th April) hosting an online political rally at 4.00 p.m. on Facebook about the Union’s concerns in relation to worker rights, safety and pay for delivery and platform workers.
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SIPTU representatives demand vaccine parity and rapid testing for Early Years educators

07 April 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 7th April) called on the Government to ensure that Early Years educators are treated on the same basis as teachers and other education workers in relation to the vaccine rollout.
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SIPTU members win significant Workplace Relations Commission case over unpaid wages

06 April 2021

A major manufacturing company based in county Limerick has been found to have made unlawful deductions from the pay of some of its workers by the Workplace Relations Commission. The case, involving 48 SIPTU members, arose following a cut in wages for workers put on short-time working by the company in 2019.
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SIPTU representatives demand fair play and representation for all FAI workers

03 April 2021

SIPTU members working for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have today (Saturday, 3rd April) said they are extremely disappointed and frustrated over the lack of engagement with management over many workplace issues holding back the organisation.
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SIPTU representatives demand Covid-19 stakeholder forum for local authorities is established without delay

31 March 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 31st March) written to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien to demand that a Covid-19 stakeholder forum for local authorities be established and convened without delay.
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SIPTU representatives call for stronger protections for Early Years Educators

31 March 2021

SIPTU representatives will today, (Wednesday, 31st March) raise the serious concerns of Early Years Educators over the Government’s new vaccination schedule at a high level meeting with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
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SIPTU members angered at enforced redundancies at Rehab Enterprises in Limerick

26 March 2021

SIPTU members have expressed anger at the decision by Rehab Enterprises in Limerick to make workers redundant without exploring alternative options at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
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SIPTU calls on Minister to release funds to end CE supervisor pension dispute

26 March 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 26th March) called on the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, to release the funds necessary to settle the Community Employment supervisors pension dispute without delay or run the risk of another round of strike action.
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SIPTU criticises response from health minister regarding student radiographers

25 March 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 25th March) written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, criticising his refusal to meet student radiographers and expressing extreme disappointment over his lack of commitment to address any of the serious concerns over clinical placements during the pandemic.
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SIPTU says Minister must reverse market-driven approach to local development companies

24 March 2021

SIPTU members in the union’s Community Sector have today (Wednesday, 24th March) urged the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, to reverse plans to privatise community and employment services including the Local Development Companies (LDCs) involved in job creation and support for the unemployed. The call follows a meeting of delegates at the sectors’ AGM held online today.
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SIPTU and Congress seek government help to protect workers in Rehab Enterprises in Limerick

16 March 2021

SIPTU and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have sent an urgent request to the Government in relation to the future of workers who are facing redundancy at Rehab Enterprises in Limerick.
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SIPTU welcomes withdrawal of redundancy notices by OCS Ltd. at Cork Airport

12 March 2021

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the decision by OCS Ltd to withdraw notices of compulsory redundancy served on three union members at Cork Airport.
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SIPTU welcomes Minister's recommendation for childcare pay mechanism

12 March 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 12th March) welcomed a recommendation by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, that a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) sector will be established.
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Irish Equity seeks meeting with Fine Gael leadership following voiceover debacle

12 March 2021

Members of Irish Equity have today (Friday, 12th March) written to the chairperson of Fine Gael requesting an urgent meeting with the party leadership following media reports that the party has posted a series of ill-judged requests across social media aimed at Irish film, television and radio workers.
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SIPTU Education members call on Minister to 'get real' on crisis in third level education

11 March 2021

SIPTU members across the Education Sector have today (Thursday, 11th March) said that, unless the crisis in third level funding is addressed, all the problems that have continuously plagued the sector will continue to persist.
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SIPTU says local authority workers prepared to take strike action over any forced transfer to Irish Water

10 March 2021

SIPTU members working in county and city councils across the country have today (Wednesday, 10th March) put the Government on notice that, if water service workers are forcibly transferred into Irish Water, thousands of local authority workers are fully prepared to take swift and immediate strike action.
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SIPTU says raising age will make no significant contribution to cost of State pension scheme

10 March 2021

SIPTU has said that increasing the pension age will make no significant contribution to the cost of the State pension scheme. It has also called for a ‘statutory right to remain’ to allow employees to stay in their jobs up to and beyond the pension age and for fair treatment of carers and workers in arduous jobs.
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Musicians union welcomes €50 million funding for Live Performance sector

10 March 2021

The Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of €50 million in measures to support the Live Performance sector.
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Construction trade unions and employers sign safety at work protocol for sites

09 March 2021

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) and the Trade Union Federation (TUF) today signed a Return to Work Safety Protocol at a Collen Construction site in Haymarket, Dublin. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the site has been closed since 8th January last.
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SIPTU Young Workers Network opposed to pension age increase

09 March 2021

The SIPTU Young Workers’ Network has today (Tuesday 9th, March) made a submission to the Commission on Pensions which calls for the state pension age not to be increased.
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SIPTU welcomes co-operation agreement with IFUT at DCU

05 March 2021

A new co-operation agreement has been reached today between DCU, SIPTU and IFUT on collective representational rights on behalf of the members of both unions in the university.
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SIPTU says EU Directive on pay transparency won’t deliver real change for women workers

04 March 2021

SIPTU representatives have said that the draft EU Directive on pay transparency, published today (Thursday, 4th March), will effectively lock women into a state of permanent pay inequality.
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SIPTU members working in the Bon Secours Health System to ballot for strike action

03 March 2021

SIPTU members working in the Bon Secours Health System are to commence a national ballot for industrial action, up to and including strike action, in an effort to secure a job evaluation process for up to 500 support grade workers.
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SIPTU criticises refusal by services company OCS (Ireland) to attend WRC

03 March 2021

SIPTU members at Cork airport have criticised the refusal of OCS (Ireland) Ltd. to accept an invitation to attend the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) regarding the decision by the company to make three workers compulsorily redundant.
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SIPTU members at Aer Lingus in Shannon Airport devastated by lay-offs

01 March 2021

SIPTU members in Aer Lingus employed at Shannon Airport are devastated by the news that they will be placed on temporary lay-off for a three month period from 8th March.
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SIPTU signs recognition agreement with Irish Management Institute

01 March 2021

SIPTU has today (Monday, 1st March) signed a recognition agreement with the Irish Management Institute (IMI). The collective agreement affords SIPTU exclusive representational rights on behalf of staff in IMI. The staff in IMI joined SIPTU last year and following a long campaign, the Institute has acknowledged their right to be represented by a trade union.
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SIPTU members shocked at Bank of Ireland closures announcement

01 March 2021

SIPTU members were shocked to hear this morning that Bank of Ireland has announced the closure of 103 branches in its branch network, including 15 in the North and 88 in Republic of Ireland.
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SIPTU members in Camphill Community in Wexford vote for strike action

26 February 2021

SIPTU members in working in Camphill Communities, Duffcarrig, county Wexford have voted unanimously in favour of industrial action in a dispute over funding and working conditions.
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New Global Union Report: Pandemic places long-term care work among world’s most dangerous jobs

25 February 2021

UNI Global Union, which represents 2 million care workers worldwide, today said the COVID-19 pandemic has made nursing homes some of the most hazardous—and even deadly—workplaces in the world.
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SIPTU tells Minister that its local authority members will not be forced into Irish Water

23 February 2021

SIPTU representatives explained that union members will not accept any attempt to force the transfer from their employment with local authorities to Irish Water, during a meeting today with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien.
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SIPTU members in Ulster Bank seek assurances on any transfer of business

19 February 2021

SIPTU members in Ulster Bank, who learned today that it is to close its doors after 160 years of trading, are seeking assurances about their future.
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Workers welcome successful conclusion of their industrial action at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

18 February 2021

Management commits to address all workforce concerns in comprehensive agreement to end dispute. Any council worker who loses out in the management-trade union led job evaluation process will receive between £500 and £7,500 in compensation.
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Rehab Enterprises workers in Limerick face redundancy on significantly reduced terms

18 February 2021

SIPTU members in Rehab Enterprises in Limerick have been informed that they face redundancy on significantly reduced terms, after decades of service.
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SIPTU members support Public Service Agreement by overwhelming majority

11 February 2021

SIPTU members in the public service have voted by a resounding majority to accept the proposals in Building Momentum, a New Public Service Agreement.
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SIPTU Health members incensed at omission from Oireachtas Health Committee

09 February 2021

SIPTU members were incensed by the omission of SIPTU Health representatives from the Oireachtas Health Committee today (Tuesday, 9th February) where the situation of Covid-19 frontline health workers was discussed and debated.
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SIPTU criticises Leo Varadkar for undermining rights of workers in Ireland

08 February 2021

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack, has criticised the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, for co-signing a letter which undermines the right of workers in Ireland to collective bargaining.
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SIPTU disappointment at inadequate payment for workers forced to retire

08 February 2021

SIPTU members have expressed their deep disappointment at the introduction of a new benefit payment for people forced to retire at 65.
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SIPTU seeks emergency meeting with health minister over clinical placements for student radiographers

05 February 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 5th February) written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, seeking an emergency meeting in order to address serious concerns and challenges raised by student radiographers on clinical placement during the pandemic.
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Early Years Sector to organise Virtual Day of Action

04 February 2021

Early Years Educators, providers and parents will take part in a Virtual Day of Action on Friday, 5th February, 2021 to highlight the ongoing crisis of low pay and funding in the early years, childcare sector.
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SIPTU members shocked at shut-down of Wilker plant in Offaly

04 February 2021

SIPTU members at Wilker Auto Conversions in Clara Co. Offlay, have expressed their shock and concern at the announcement of a three week shut-down of the production plant in Clara, county Offaly.
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RTÉ trade unions to ballot on restructuring proposals

03 February 2021

The RTÉ Trade Union Group (TUG) has today (Wednesday, 3rd February) concluded negotiations on proposed temporary alterations to terms and conditions of employment. The proposals include changes to benefits, including pay reductions and a voluntary exit package.
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Clinical placements for student nurses and midwives suspended until 8th February

28 January 2021

SIPTU representatives and nursing unions were informed tonight (Thursday, 28th January) that clinical placements for first, second and third year student nurses and midwives are to be suspended until at least Monday 8th February and are likely return on a phased basis.
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SIPTU study shows poverty pay driving workers out of childcare

27 January 2021

The annual SIPTU Early Years Professionals’ survey has found that 43% of child care workers are actively seeking another job due to low pay levels in the sector.
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SIPTU demands transparency in vaccine sequencing programme

26 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (26th, January) demanded that the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, commits to publishing regular progress reports of the Covid-19 vaccine sequencing programme across the health service.
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SIPTU says government must address recurring Covid-19 outbreaks in meat processing plants

26 January 2021

Following reports of two more significant Covid-19 clusters in Cork and Wexford, with more than 100 workers testing positive for the virus, SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, has called on the Government to act immediately on the recommendations of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 for the Meat Industry. He also questioned the accuracy of the numbers of infections among its workers which have been disclosed by the industry over the last ten months.
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SIPTU says future sustainability of the childcare workforce is under threat

22 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday 22nd, January) expressed grave concerns for the future of the childcare sector as thousands of Early Years Educators are forced to draw down the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).
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SIPTU calls for real solutions not gimmicks to resolve domestic waste issues in Dublin

19 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have labelled an offer of a €50,000 prize by Dublin City Council for ‘innovative solutions’ for on street storage of domestic waste as a gimmick and a waste of public funds.
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SIPTU says lack of consultation to suspend student placements will deepen crisis in health service

17 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Sunday, 17th January) said the lack of consultation surrounding the decision by health minister, Stephen Donnelly, to suspend student placements will only deepen the serious crisis in the health service.
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SIPTU says safe functioning of the health service in grave danger

15 January 2021

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Friday, 15th January) said the Covid-19 infection rates of health care workers are unsustainable and putting the safe functioning of the health service in grave danger.
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SIPTU calls on government to avert closure of Waterford Area Partnership

14 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to intervene in order to save the Waterford Area Partnership (WAP) following the publication of a report earlier this week which suggested that the organisation was “not viable” due to governance and financial issues. The review of WAP was carried out by Crowe Howarth consultants on behalf of the government funding body, POBAL.
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SIPTU calls on government to avert closure of Waterford Area Partnership

14 January 2021

SIPTU calls on all employers to facilitate working from home

14 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have called on all employers, in both the private and public sector, to listen to the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) for Covid-19, and ensure that wherever possible they should facilitate employees to work from home.
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SIPTU concerned about delays for ambulances at emergency departments

12 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have expressed concern that issues of bed capacity and overcrowding in hospital emergency departments (EDs) will continue to affect the work of the National Ambulance Service. They have called on the HSE to immediately fast track the recruitment of thousands of additional staff as a matter of urgency in the fight against Covid-19.
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SIPTU says Minister for Health must act now to remove roadblocks to health service recruitment

08 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 8th January) urged the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to immediately intervene and remove any roadblocks to health service recruitment as part of an emergency effort to address the unsustainable staffing crisis that is spreading right across the health service.
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SIPTU calls for childcare services to be strictly limited to essential frontline workers

08 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 8th January) called on the Government to strictly limit childcare services to only the families of essential frontline workers and the most vulnerable children.
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SIPTU representatives demand tight monitoring of all construction sites open during lockdown

07 January 2021

SIPTU representatives in the construction sector are demanding that the Government guarantees that all construction sites which remain open during the current lockdown have all proper protections in place to prevent the transmission of Covid-19 among construction workers and their families.
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SIPTU calls for enhanced Covid-19 infection protections for Early Years educators

07 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 7th January) written to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Affairs, Roderic O’Gorman, reiterating the demand of our members working as Early Years educators, for enhanced protections against Covid-19 infection.
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Unions and employers call for intensification of efforts against Covid-19 in construction sector

05 January 2021

The Trade Union Federation (TUF) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF), today (Tuesday, 5th January) have jointly called on employers and workers in the sector to intensify their efforts to prevent Covid-19 infections on building sites.
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Industrial action escalates at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

05 January 2021

Industrial action escalates at Newry, Mourne and Down District Council as mediated talks collapse after management refuse trade union proposal to end dispute
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SIPTU says more support needed for student nurses and midwives during pandemic

05 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have called for more support for student nurses and midwives than the recommendations outlined in a Short Term Review of Clinical Placement Allowances published yesterday (Monday, 4th January) by the Department of Health.
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SIPTU representatives call on NPHET to reassess risk of Covid-19 transmission in childcare facilities

05 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have called on the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to reassess the risk to workers and children in childcare services in light of the new Covid-19 strains and spiralling infection rates.
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SIPTU calls for the fast tracking of recruitment for thousands of health care staff in the fight against COVID-19

04 January 2021

SIPTU representatives have called on the management of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to fast track the recruitment of thousands of additional staff as a matter of urgency in the fight against COVID-19.
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SIPTU Health representatives urge HSE to guarantee proper childcare supports for frontline workers

02 January 2021

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Saturday, 2nd January) called on the management of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to guarantee proper supports are immediately put in place to assist health workers with childcare commitments reporting for work when schools and pre-school services are closed across the country next week.
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SIPTU representatives demand equal treatment for all educators under new Level 5 restrictionsu

31 December 2020

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 31st December) demanded that equal treatment is applied to all educators under new Level 5 restrictions.
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SIPTU calls on Kerry Group to attend WRC to avoid industrial dispute

26 April 2021

SIPTU members at the Kerry Group have called on management to attend at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to seek a resolution to a dispute concerning redundancies.
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SIPTU seek emergency WRC hearing over future of Greystones Home Help Services

27 April 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Tuesday, 27th April) sent an urgent request to Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) seeking an emergency hearing over advanced plans to transfer Greystones Home Help Services to a new “for profit” provider without any proper consultation with union members.
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SIPTU seek emergency WRC hearing over future of Greystones Home Help Services

27 April 2021

SIPTU seek emergency WRC hearing over future of Greystones Home Help Services

27 April 2021

SIPTU welcomes Dáil vote against annexation of Palestinian lands

27 May 2021

SIPTU general secretary, Joe Cunningham, has welcomed the motion calling for an end to the annexation of Palestinian lands by Israel which was passed yesterday in Dáil Eireann.
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SIPTU welcomes Dáil vote against annexation of Palestinian lands

27 May 2021

SIPTU general secretary, Joe Cunningham, has welcomed the motion calling for an end to the annexation of Palestinian lands by Israel which was passed yesterday in Dáil Eireann.
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MUI and SIPTU present a Gig for Gaza on Monday 31st May

27 May 2021

The Musicians’ Union of Ireland and SIPTU are presenting a ‘Gig for Gaza’ virtual concert, with performances by leading artists including Andy Irvine, Frances Black and 12 year old Palestinian rapper MC Abdul, at 8.00 p.m. on Monday, 31st May.
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SIPTU calls for ‘blended working’ options for all public sector workers

14 July 2021

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 14th July) said that ‘blended working’ arrangements should be made available, where possible, to workers throughout the public service and state sector.
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SIPTU members in local employment services set for strike action

27 July 2021

SIPTU members, working in local employment services (LES) and job clubs, are set to announce this Friday (30th, July) a series of strike actions across the country. The news comes following the decision by existing job clubs in the North West and Midlands not to tender for phase one of the process. This will likely result in members who have provided the service, in some cases for up to 25 years, losing their jobs.
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SIPTU calls for ‘blended working’ options for all public sector workers

14 July 2021

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