Press Releases 2022

SIPTU calls on Rehab Group to urgently pay redundancy owed to Limerick workers 

06 December 2022

SIPTU members who worked at Rehab Enterprises in, Raheen, county Limerick, have expressed their deep frustration at the delay by the Rehab Group in implementing a Labour Court recommendation that they should be paid outstanding redundancy payments.
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SIPTU says employment permits do not resolve retention issues of home care workers

05 December 2022

A recent government announcement that 1,000 General Employment permits will be made available for home care workers from January 2023 will not address the core issues of recruitment and retention of carers in the home care sector, according to SIPTU Organiser, Pat Flannery. 
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SIPTU member in Wexford awarded €40,000 for constructive dismissal 

23 November 2022

A SIPTU member secured an award of more than €40,000 at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) following his unfair dismissal by his employer, McGuire Haulage Limited, with a head office in Thomastown, county Kilkenny. 
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SIPTU calls on Rehab Group to respect Labour Court and pay redundancy to Limerick workers

15 November 2022

SIPTU representatives have called on the Rehab Group to honour a Labour Court recommendation that states that it should pay outstanding redundancy payments due to 38 workers formerly employed by one of its subsidiaries in county Limerick who lost their jobs in 2021.
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SIPTU delegates told focus is on rolling back the privatisation of public services

11 November 2022

SIPTU activists are focused on bringing community services back under public control as part of a global shift away from the privatisation model, the SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Biennial Delegate conference has heard.
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Construction unions to seek early compensation for soaring rise in living costs

11 November 2022

The unions which make up the ICTU Congress Construction Industrial Committee (CIC) will commence lodging claims with employers in the construction sector for improvements in pay to restore the living standards of workers in the sector.
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SIPTU members protest at Bunratty over failure to transfer Shannon Heritage tourism sites to Clare County Council

03 November 2022

SIPTU members working for Shannon Heritage protested at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park on Friday, 28th October, to highlight the continued failure of the Government to announce the funding required to facilitate the transfer of Shannon Heritage tourism sites to Clare County Council.
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‘Keep Water Public’ campaign launched calling for referendum on public water services

27 October 2022

A coalition of trade unions today (Thursday 27th October) launched the ‘Keep Water Public’ campaign, which calls on the Government to confirm a date for a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services. The campaign is supported by SIPTU, Fórsa, Unite, Connect and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
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SIPTU Deputy General Secretary says public sector funding faces 5% cut by 2025

26 October 2022

Funding for the public sector faces a 5% cut in real terms by 2025, which will result in a decline in services, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, told the SIPTU Health Division Biennial Delegate Conference in Waterford today (Wednesday, 26th October).
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SIPTU says pay for Early Years professions must keep pace with Living Wage

20 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have called for the pay rates of Early Years professionals to keep pace with the Living Wage following the announcement today (Thursday, 20th October) that it is to increase by 95 cents per hour.
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SIPTU members ballot for industrial action in two health facilities in Clifden

20 October 2022

SIPTU members in Clifden District Hospital and St. Anne’s Community Nursing Unit in Clifden, county Galway, are to ballot on industrial action in a dispute resulting from unilateral changes to their conditions of employment including their sick leave scheme.
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SIPTU says low paid workers falling behind as new Living Wage is launched

20 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have said that workers paid the minimum wage are seeing their wages fall further behind the level which is adequate to even maintain a basic standard of living following the announcement of a new Living Wage level of €13.85 per hour.
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SIPTU says government report does little to resolve staffing crisis in care sector

19 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have said that a Department of Health report on the recruitment and retention crisis for home carers and nursing home healthcare assistants will do little to resolve a problem which is threatening services across the country.
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SIPTU calls for clarity on funding of care and community sector pay rises

07 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have called for clarity from the Government concerning the funding of pay increases for workers employed by independent organisations which provide care and community services on behalf of the State.
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Public Service Committee of ICTU ratifies pay agreement proposals

07 October 2022

The Public Services Committee of the ICTU has today (Friday, 7th October) formally ratified the decision by members of SIPTU and other unions to vote in favour of accepting the terms of the revised pay proposals in the ‘Public Service Agreement: Building Momentum’.
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SIPTU members support public service pay proposals by overwhelming majority

06 October 2022

SIPTU members in the public service have voted by a resounding majority to accept the pay proposals in the review of the ‘Public Service Agreement: Building Momentum’. Following a count of ballots today (Thursday, 6th October), 90% of votes were in favour of the proposals.
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SIPTU condemns failure to fund transfer of Shannon Heritage sites in Budget 2023

29 September 2022

SIPTU members have condemned the failure of the Government to include in Budget 2023 the funding required to facilitate the transfer of tourism sites currently managed by Shannon Heritage to Clare County Council.
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SIPTU says budget fails to tackle threat of recession

28 September 2022

The Government is taking a huge gamble on energy prices in Budget 2023 through large credit payments to companies in order to provide relief to households and businesses, according to SIPTU Researcher, Michael Taft.
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SIPTU members consider industrial action at Dublin Airport in wages dispute

23 September 2022

SIPTU worker representatives employed by the daa in Dublin Airport have declared no confidence in their management and have begun preparations for balloting union members for industrial action in a dispute over the repeated failure to pay staff wages on time.
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Government intent on provoking more strikes in care and community sector

23 September 2022

The Government is intent on provoking more strikes in care and community organisations as it seeks to ignore three days of industrial action in the sector this week as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign and with more workers demanding to join the dispute.
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SIPTU members picket and protest locations in five counties over next three days

23 September 2022

Hundreds of SIPTU members in the community and care sector will take strike action over the next three days (Wednesday, 21st to Friday, 22nd September) in more than 20 organisations in counties Cork, Kerry, Galway, Mayo and Donegal.
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SIPTU welcomes decision to keep pension age at 66 and end mandatory retirement

23 September 2022

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, has welcomed the Government’s decision to retain the pension age at 66. Ms Buckley said that the proposal to allow workers to remain in employment until they reach 70, while allowing those in arduous jobs earlier access to pensions, is also welcome.
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Community and care workers forced on to picket lines by government inaction

23 September 2022

Hundreds of community and care sector workers will be forced on to picket lines this week because of the complete failure of the Government to engage with them on their reasonable request for a first pay rise in 14 years, according to SIPTU Public Administration and Community Organiser, Adrian Kane.
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Workers in thirteen community organisations in Donegal to strike on 22nd September

23 September 2022

Staff in thirteen community organisations in county Donegal will strike on Thursday, 22nd September, as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign to highlight the demand for a first pay rise in 14 years for workers in the sector.
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SIPTU calls on community and care workers to receive terms of public service pay deal

14 September 2022

SIPTU has called on the Government to extend the terms of the public service pay deal to workers in the community sector and Section 39 organisations who have not received a pay rise since 2008.
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Meath County Council votes to support Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign

09 September 2022

Meath County Council unanimously endorsed a motion in support of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign for pay justice for workers in Section 39 and community sector organisations at its meeting in Navan on Monday, 5th September.
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Early Years Professionals secure first pay deal setting minimum wages in sector

07 September 2022

SIPTU members working in early childhood care and education have welcomed the establishment of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) that sets minimum pay rates for the sector, which was signed off by the Government today (Wednesday, 7th September).
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SIPTU demands Department of Social Protection attend WRC talks on LES and Job Clubs dispute

07 January 2022

SIPTU representatives have called on Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, to reverse a decision that Department of Social Protection officials will not attend proposed talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) concerning the Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs dispute.
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Irish Equity calls for reform of film industry tax credit in Budget 2023

05 September 2022

Irish Equity, the union which represents professionals in the live performance and theatre sector, has called for reform of film industry tax breaks in Budget 2023 to ensure a fair return for taxpayers and greater protection of the interests of all those employed in the sector.
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SIPTU demands date set for referendum on public ownership of water services

01 September 2022

SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to set a date for a referendum on the public ownership of water services to ensure against any future privatisation of the national utility.
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SIPTU calls on government to take immediate action to honour terms of security ERO

25 August 2022

SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to immediately act to ensure that the terms of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the security industry are honoured following an injunction being secured yesterday (Wednesday, 24th August) by a small group of employers against the measure.
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Survey reveals childcare facilities face potential closures due to staffing crisis

22 August 2022

A survey of more than 1,977 managers and staff in the Early Years (childcare) sector has indicated that many services may be restricted or face potential closure due to an inability to recruit and retain staff.
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SIPTU members at De La Salle College, Waterford to ballot for strike action in outsourcing dispute

18 August 2022

SIPTU members employed by De La Salle College, Waterford are to ballot for industrial and strike action and strike following a decision by management to unilaterally outsource their employment to a private sector provider.
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SIPTU members at Kyte Powertech in Cavan to take strike action

15 August 2022

SIPTU members employed by Kyte Powertech in Cavan will begin a campaign of strike and industrial action due to a pay dispute, with a 24 -hour work stoppage commencing at 12.01 a.m. (midnight) on Friday, 19th August.
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SIPTU general secretary presents strike donation to RMT leader

15 August 2022

SIPTU general secretary, Joe Cunningham, today gave a donation on behalf of his members to Mick Lynch, the leader of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) in a gesture of solidarity with striking rail workers in the UK.
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SIPTU Meath District Council meets with HSE to discuss future of Navan Hospital

09 August 2022

Members of the SIPTU Meath District Council met with the General Manager of Our Lady’s Hospital, Anita Brennan, to discuss the threat to the future of the Accident and Emergency Department at the facility in Navan, county Meath, on Thursday, 4th August.
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SIPTU public service members commence consultation process for industrial action

02 August 2022

SIPTU organisers in the public service representing members in the Health, Local Authority, Education and State sectors, are today commencing a consultation exercise with its members in advance of ballots for industrial action over pay later in August.
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SIPTU local authority members prepare for industrial action ballot in pay dispute

25 July 2022

SIPTU members employed by local authorities across the country are preparing to ballot for industrial action as a result of the failure of the Government to conclude a deal on public sector pay that takes account of the increasing cost of living and high inflation rate.
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SIPTU public service members to prepare for industrial action over Government failure to review Agreement

25 July 2022

SIPTU members across the public service will commence a consultation exercise in advance of ballots for industrial action over the failure of the Government to conclude an acceptable review of the pay provisions of the ‘Building Momentum’ Public Service Agreement. The consultation will involve union members and activists in the health service, local government, education and the State sectors in the coming weeks.
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Department of Social Protection assist Roadbridge workers with redundancy payments

19 July 2022

SIPTU representatives have engaged with the Department of Social Protection concerning the delay in processing payments to workers made redundant by the civil engineering and construction firm, Roadbridge, after it was placed in receivership.
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Care and community sector pay dispute to escalate following Government inaction

18 July 2022

Workers in the care, community and voluntary sector will escalate their campaign of industrial action to secure a first pay rise in 14 years after the Government failed to engage with their unions following strikes in selected workplaces earlier this month.
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Care and Community Sector campaign will escalate after successful first wave of strikes

06 July 2022

SIPTU members in the care and community sector have committed to escalating their campaign of industrial action following a successful first wave of strikes this week which saw hundreds of workers join picket lines and attend protests across the country.
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Protests in Dublin, Galway and Waterford on day-two of community sector strike tomorrow

05 July 2022

SIPTU members will hold protests in Dublin, Galway and Waterford tomorrow (Wednesday, 6th July) to mark the second day of strike action by care and community sector workers in a long running dispute in which they are seeking their first pay rise in 14 years.
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Hundreds attend public meeting on survival of RSS and Tús schemes in Castlebar

05 July 2022

More than 500 people attended a SIPTU organised public meeting on the need to protect the operation of Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Tús projects in the Travellers Friend Hotel in Castlebar, county Mayo, last night (Monday, 4th July).
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IWA strike to go ahead tomorrow following Government failure to engage with unions

04 July 2022

SIPTU members in the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) will conduct a 24-hour work stoppage tomorrow (Tuesday, 5th July) following the refusal of the Government to discuss with their union their need for a pay rise for the first time in 14 years.
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SIPTU members in Kostal vote for industrial action to protect terms of employment

04 July 2022

SIPTU members in Kostal Ireland GmbH have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action, at the company’s plants in Abbeyfeale, county Limerick and Mallow, county Cork, as part of a dispute to protect their agreed terms and conditions of employment.
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SIPTU members at Dublin airport given assurances over deployment of Defence Forces

03 July 2022

SIPTU representatives and shop stewards met with daa management on Friday, 1st July, to discuss the implications for union members following the request from transport minister, Eamon Ryan, for the Defence Forces to be put on standby at the vehicle control posts (VCP) at Dublin airport as a contingency.
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Community Sector workers in seven more counties vote to join pay dispute strike action

01 July 2022

SIPTU members employed in selected community schemes in seven additional counties have voted to join their colleagues in the Irish Wheelchair Association and numerous organisations in county Galway and county Waterford in a one-day work stoppage next week as part of a long running pay dispute.
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ICTU Film and Television Construction Group of Unions accept new National Construction Agreement

01 July 2022

The ICTU Film Construction Group of Unions (FCGU) has welcomed the introduction today (Friday, 1st July) of a new National Collective Bargaining Agreement for the Irish film and Television industry. Members of the unions involved, SIPTU, BATU, OPATSI and the Irish National Painters' and Decorators' Trade Union (INPDTG) voted by secret ballot to accept this agreement which comes in to force upon signing and will remain in place until December 31st 2025.
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Galway Rape Crisis Centre workers to strike on Wednesday to highlight failure on pay

30 June 2022

SIPTU members in the Galway Rape Crisis Centre (GRCC) are conducting a 24-hour work stoppage on Wednesday, 6th July, to demand a first pay rise in 14 years and the restoration of pay which was removed from them during the economic crisis.
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Community sector strike escalates following government failure to engage with unions

28 June 2022

SIPTU members employed in community organisations in county Waterford and county Galway have announced a 24 hour work stoppage on Wednesday, 6th July, as part of a wider campaign by workers in the sector seeking to secure their first pay rise in 14 years.
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SIPTU members campaign for union recognition in DePuy Synthes in Cork

28 June 2022

SIPTU representatives met with workers employed by the medical devices manufacturer, DePuy Synthes, to discuss their fight for union recognition in the St Vincent’s GAA Club, Knocknaheeney, Cork, on Saturday,18th June.
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Meath Council of Trade Unions holds inaugural public meeting in Kells

27 June 2022

The Meath Council of Trade Unions held its inaugural public meeting on the topic of decent work, democracy and citizenship as part of the Hinterland Festival in Kells, county Meath, on Sunday, 26th June.
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SIPTU members in Irish Wheelchair Association across the country to strike on 5th July

26 June 2022

SIPTU members employed by the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) have voted by 97% to 3% to conduct a work stoppage on Tuesday, 5th July, at its care centres across the country in a pay dispute in which they are demanding their first wage rise for 14 years.
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Unions win strong protections for workers when Irish Water takes control of water services

24 June 2022

There will be no compulsory transfer of local authority staff to Irish Water when it becomes the single national water authority next year. This protection has been underpinned in a new ‘Framework for Future Delivery of Water Services,’ hammered out between unions representing water workers, Irish Water and local authority representatives in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC).
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SIPTU wins construction worker compensation for underpayment

23 June 2022

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre has secured an adjudication award of €3500 for a member, Lazaros Saridis, in compensation for breaches of the terms of the Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the construction industry.
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SIPTU hosting ‘Pride at Work’ meeting in Liberty Hall on Saturday

23 June 2022

SIPTU is hosting a meeting to discuss LBGTQI+ community issues as they impact on the workplace and working lives in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, on Saturday, 25th June, at 11.00 a.m. as part of the Dublin Pride festival.
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SIPTU says pay deal for childcare workers essential to ending staffing crisis

22 June 2022

SIPTU representatives have said that a good pay deal for childcare workers is the only way to deal with the worsening staffing crisis in the sector which is at the root of many of the other issues affecting services.
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SIPTU members in Bausch and Lomb to ballot on WRC pay proposals

17 June 2022

SIPTU members employed at the Bausch and Lomb manufacturing plant in Waterford will ballot on pay proposals issued by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) this evening (Friday, 17th June) following intensive negotiations involving union representatives and management.
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SIPTU member underpaid by New Ross manufacturing company receiving Covid supports

17 June 2022

A SIPTU member employed by Lake Region Medical Limited at its plant in New Ross, county Wexford, has won a case at the Labour Court for underpayment of wages while his employer was availing of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).
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SIPTU members in community organisations in Galway to ballot for industrial action

17 June 2022

SIPTU members in several care and community organisations in county Galway have begun a ballot for industrial action in a long running pay dispute which could result in a 24-hour work stoppage by workers providing vital services on Wednesday 6th July.
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SIPTU members in community organisations in Waterford ballot for industrial action

16 June 2022

SIPTU members in several community organisations in county Waterford have begun a ballot for industrial action in a long running pay dispute which could result in a 24-hour work stoppage by workers providing vital services on Wednesday 6th July.
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SIPTU members in care and community organisations ballot for strike action

16 June 2022

SIPTU members in several care and community organisations, including the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) as well as numerous local social services in county Galway and county Waterford, have begun a ballot for strike action in a long running pay dispute.
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SIPTU suspends industrial action to facilitate WRC talks in Bausch and Lomb dispute

15 June 2022

SIPTU members employed by Bausch and Lomb have suspended industrial action scheduled for this weekend at the company’s plant in Waterford to facilitate talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that will begin on Friday (17th June).
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SIPTU to hold meeting on union recognition for DePuy Synthes workers on Saturday

14 June 2022

SIPTU representatives will hold a meeting for workers employed by the medical devices manufacturer, DePuy Synthes, to discuss their fight for union recognition in the St Vincent’s GAA Club, Knocknaheeney, Cork, at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday,18th June.
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SIPTU members to begin industrial action in Bausch and Lomb plant in Waterford

09 June 2022

SIPTU members employed by Bausch and Lomb will begin a campaign of industrial action, in a pay dispute at the multinational company’s manufacturing plant in Waterford City, with a two-hour work stoppage commencing at 12.00 p.m. (noon) this Saturday (11th June).
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Raise the Roof meeting hears that rents rose by 10% in the last year in Meath

02 June 2022

A meeting of the housing campaign group, Raise the Roof, in the Dan Shaw Centre in Navan, yesterday (Wednesday, 1st June), heard that new research has found that asking rents for properties in county Meath have risen by 10% in the last year.
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SIPTU says inferior pay and conditions for daa workers key factor in Dublin Airport crisis

31 May 2022

SIPTU representatives highlighted the impact of inferior pay and conditions of employment for new daa staff as a key factor in the current crisis at Dublin Airport at a meeting with Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton, this afternoon (Tuesday, 31st May).
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Hundreds attend Athenry meeting demanding action on RSS and Tús schemes crisis

31 May 2022

More than 400 people attended a meeting to discuss the threatened collapse of Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Tús programmes at a public meeting attended by several local elected representatives in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, County Galway, on Monday (30th May).
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SIPTU calls for action in relation to health and safety concerns in Munster fire

20 May 2022

SIPTU members will ballot for industrial action if there is a failure to take immediate steps to resolve critical safety concerns relating to the operation of the software system of the Munster Regional Control Centre (MRCC) which controls fire service responses in the south of the country.
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EU Commission serves infringement notice on government over failure to apply EWC Directive

19 May 2022

The EU Commission has today launched an infringement notice against Ireland over the Government’s failure to properly transpose the EU Directive on European Works Councils (EWC). The notice was issued following a complaint made by SIPTU representatives, according to its EWC expert, Denis Sheridan.
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SIPTU construction worker secures €6000 in compensation for SEO breaches

19 May 2022

A construction worker has secured an award of €6000 in compensation from the Labour Court for not being provided with the correct rates of pay, pension entitlements and annual leave applicable under the Construction Sectoral Employment Order (SEO).
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SIPTU members brief Joint Oireachtas Committee on threat to community schemes

16 May 2022

SIPTU members attended a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands on Wednesday (11th May) to brief it on the growing threat to the operation of community schemes across the country.
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SIPTU LAPO backs constitutional referendum to counter threat of privatisation of water services

12 May 2022

SIPTU Local Authority Professional Officers (LAPO) has backed a campaign of industrial action in order to ensure the public ownership of water services, through a constitutional referendum, at their conference in Portlaoise, county Laois today (Thursday, 12th May).
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SIPTU says unfair dismissal case win highlights the right of workers to privacy

04 May 2022

SIPTU representatives have said that the over €12,500 awarded to a worker at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) following his unfair dismissal from Dawn Meats in Grannagh, county Waterford, highlights the right of employees to have their privacy strictly respected.
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Community sector and Section 39 health workers march for better pay and respect in Dublin

03 May 2022

Trade union members working in the community sector and for Section 39 healthcare organisations protested in Dublin city centre today (Tuesday, 3rd May) to highlight the need for better pay and respect of their roles.
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Community sector and Section 39 health workers to march for better pay and respect

29 April 2022

Trade union members working in the community sector and for Section 39 healthcare organisations from across the country are holding a major protest to highlight the need for better pay and respect of their roles in Dublin on Tuesday, 3rd May.
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SIPTU calls for renewed focus on workplace health and safety on Workers’ Memorial Day

28 April 2022

SIPTU representatives have called for a renewed focus on all aspects of health and safety in workplaces following a commemorative event in the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, to mark Workers’ Memorial Day today (Thursday, 28th April).
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Unions dismayed at Department of Social Protection handling of employment services

20 April 2022

SIPTU and Fórsa members employed in local employment services (LES) and Job Clubs are losing confidence in the ability of the Department of Social Protection to manage these vital social services following a further change in the contracts for their provision.
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SIPTU secures €10,000 award for lecturer for Working Time Act breach

19 April 2022

The SIPTU Workers’ Rights Centre has secured a €10,000 award at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) under the Organisation of Working Time Act in a case where a member, employed by the Independent College Dublin (ICD), was found to, in effect, be funding her own annual leave.
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SIPTU member awarded €15,000 at Workplace Relations Commission in case against UCD

14 April 2022

SIPTU Workers Rights Centre (WRC) has won a €15,000 award at the Workplace Relations Commission for a union member employed at University College Dublin (UCD) after she was denied her entitlements under the Fixed Term Workers Act.
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SIPTU defers industrial action at Lisk Ireland following offer on pay and conditions

13 April 2022

SIPTU representatives decided on Wednesday, 13th April, to defer industrial action at LISK Ireland in Gort, Co. Galway, which was scheduled for Thursday 14th April.
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SIPTU to seek greater pay increases across private sector to offset inflation

11 April 2022

SIPTU members across the private sector will seek pay increases to match the rising costs of living and will re-negotiate existing pay deals which fall short of inflation.
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Unions say artists basic income scheme a positive development but more clarity needed

05 April 2022

Unions representing performance workers, SIPTU, Irish Equity and the MUI, have welcomed the announcement today (Tuesday, 5th April) of a Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which will provide a security of income for three years for up to 2,000 participants.
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SIPTU members in LISK Ireland Ltd in Galway begin industrial action

04 April 2022

SIPTU members employed in LISK Ireland Ltd commenced a campaign of industrial action at its manufacturing plant in Gort, county Galway, this morning (Monday, 4th April) with a work stoppage that began at 8.00 a.m. and will conclude at 12 midnight.
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SIPTU members to take industrial action at LISK Ireland Ltd on 4th April

31 March 2022

SIPTU members employed in LISK Ireland Ltd will commence industrial action at its manufacturing plant in Gort, county Galway at 8.00 a.m. on Monday, 4th April, in a dispute resulting from the failure of the company to engage with union representatives on a number of issues of concern to workers.
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SIPTU elects new Honorary President and Vice President at conference in Sligo

30 March 2022

SIPTU delegates have elected a new Honorary President, Mary O’Sullivan, and Honorary Vice President, John Montgomery, at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Sligo today (Wednesday, 30th March).
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ICTU President highlights need for collective bargaining rights at SIPTU conference

30 March 2022

ICTU President, Kevin Callinan, called for a focus on securing collective bargaining rights for workers in Ireland and protecting living standards in the face of a record high inflation rate, at the SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference in Sligo, today (Wednesday, 30th March).
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Irish Equity backs call for collective bargaining legislation at SIPTU conference

30 March 2022

Irish Equity has expressed its support for motions passed at the SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference in Sligo which call for legislation to secure collective bargaining rights for workers in Ireland in line with those available in the rest of the EU.
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SIPTU to seek private sector pay rises in line with inflation

29 March 2022

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack, said his union members will make “no apology” for seeking pay rises which ensure workers and their families standard of living is not eroded by a record high inflation rate which he warned could reach 8.5%.
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President Michael D Higgins tells SIPTU conference that unions to lead workplace and social change

29 March 2022

President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, has called on trade unions to lead workplace and social change in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic in a speech to the SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference today (Tuesday, 29th March).
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SIPTU conference told community workers to begin protest campaign on 11th April

29 March 2022

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, has told the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference that members within the community sector will begin a national campaign of protest, industrial and strike action aimed at ending “the neglect of this sector by the state”.
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SIPTU General Secretary says union will pursue wage increases which offset inflation

28 March 2022

SIPTU General Secretary, Joe Cunningham, has told his union’s Biennial Delegate Conference that it will pursue wage increases which offset the impact on workers of an inflation rate which is expected to reach heights not seen since the 1980s.
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SIPTU conference recognises work of Frontline Heroes during pandemic

28 March 2022

Delegates at the SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference in Sligo recognised the work of union members across the public service and private sector during the Covid-19 pandemic with a parade, short film and motion of appreciation for the SIPTU Frontline Heroes.
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SIPTU conference calls for collective approach to overcoming gender pay gap

28 March 2022

SIPTU members will use collective bargaining to close the gender pay gap according to a motion passed unanimously at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Sligo today (Monday, 28th March).
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SIPTU warns Fine Gael that pension age rise will be signing its ‘political death warrant’

28 March 2022

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, has warned the Fine Geal party that it will be signing its “political death warrant” if it attempts to press ahead with raising the age of entitlement to the state pension to 67 years.
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SIPTU calls on Taoiseach to maintain local employment services in light of Ukraine refugee crisis

24 March 2022

SIPTU representatives have written to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, and the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, to request that the jobs of workers in Local Employment Services and Job Clubs be secured, not least because of the Ukrainian refugee crisis
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SIPTU and Irish Red Cross to inform Ukrainian refugees on employment rights

24 March 2022

The National Executive Council (NEC) of SIPTU has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has committed to co-operate with the Irish Red Cross (IRC) in assisting refugees from the war on their employment rights.
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SIPTU rally in support of sacked P&O Ferries workers on Saturday in Dublin Port

24 March 2022

SIPTU members will demonstrate their support for the 800 P&O Ferries workers, who were sacked without notice last week, with a protest outside the transport company’s offices at Terminal 3 North Quay Extension, Dublin Port, at 12 noon on Saturday, 26th March.
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SIPTU calls for action on pay rates and working conditions for Oireachtas support staff

22 March 2022

SIPTU representatives have called on the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, to respond positively to calls from its members working as Oireachtas support staff for improvements to their pay and conditions of employment.
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SIPTU secures payments for workers made redundant by Roadbridge receivership

16 March 2022

SIPTU representatives have secured financial supports from the Department of Social Protection for members made redundant after the civil engineering and construction firm, Roadbridge, was placed in receivership.
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Irish Equity and Equity UK join forces to call for equal treatment of Ireland-based performers

15 March 2022

Members of Irish Equity and Equity (UK) have joined forces to call for equal treatment for performers working on international co-productions in Ireland. Currently, international production companies are applying lesser terms and conditions to Ireland-based performers.
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SIPTU says workers earnings must benefit from increased funding to childcare sector

14 March 2022

SIPTU representatives have said increases in government funding for the childcare sector must result in increased pay for workers in order to halt the growing exodus of qualified staff from services.
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SIPTU members call on government and Dublin Port to prevent landing of ship with Russian oil

11 March 2022

SIPTU representatives have urged transport minister, Eamon Ryan, and the chief executive of Dublin Port, Eamonn O’ Reilly, to turn away the oil tanker, the STI Clapham which is carrying a cargo of oil from Russia and is due to arrive at the port tomorrow night.
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SIPTU members seek review of Public Service Agreement over rise in living costs

11 March 2022

SIPTU members want the review clause of the Public Service Agreement, Building Momentum, invoked due to the spike in the rate of inflation and the associated rise in the cost of living, according to SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King.
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SIPTU welcomes government commitment to implement Gender Pay Gap legislation

08 March 2022

SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley has welcomed the commitment today (Tuesday 8th March) from the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, that regulations relating to the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 will be published in the coming weeks.
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SIPTU members win significant Labour Court case over unpaid wages

04 March 2022

SIPTU members have won a significant Labour Court case where it was found that a major manufacturing company based in county Limerick made unlawful deductions from their pay when it temporarily reduced their hours of work in 2019.
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SIPTU meets junior finance minister to discuss credit unions staff pension scheme

02 March 2022

SIPTU representatives met with Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Sean Fleming, yesterday (Tuesday, 1st March), to discuss the concerns of members in relation to a proposal by the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) relating to their Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.
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SIPTU ground staff members in Aer Lingus reject Labour Court recommendation

02 March 2022

SIPTU members employed in Aer Lingus ground operations at Dublin airport have voted by 85% to reject a Labour Court Recommendation which granted the company a pay freeze until December 2024 and a permanent 10% pay cut to Roster Duty Allowances (RDAs). The Labour Court recommendation followed the rejection of a Covid-19 recovery document put to our members by the company in September 2021 to reduce costs and change work practices in order to offset the airline losses incurred due to the pandemic.
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SIPTU secures €28,000 award for equality breaches for member forced to retire

16 February 2022

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre (WRC) has secured a payment of €28,000 for breaches of employment equality legislation in the case of a member who was forced to retire from her work in a major sports club in north county Dublin.
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SIPTU members in FAI raise concerns regarding strategy and working practices

18 February 2022

SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have written to senior management to express their concerns regarding strategy and work practices at the sporting organisation.
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SIPTU says public service workers will need pay increases to offset rising living costs

13 February 2022

SIPTU representatives have said that the level of pay increases necessary to compensate for rising living costs will be a key topic of discussion at upcoming Annual General Meetings of union members in the public service.
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Unions and management agree plan to resolve staffing crisis in Dublin Fire Brigade

11 February 2022

SIPTU representatives have welcomed an agreement with the management of Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) which establishes a plan to resolve the long running issues concerning staffing levels within the emergency service.
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SIPTU says pay and conditions for workers key to reviving our hospitality industry

10 February 2022

SIPTU representatives have said that the prevalence of low pay and poor working conditions in the hospitality industry is the major cause of workers leaving the sector which is resulting in current workforce shortages.
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SIPTU re-evaluate pay rise campaign to take account of sharp cost of living increases

08 February 2022

The SIPTU campaign for pay rises for its members employed across the private sector is being re-evaluated due to the sharp increase in the cost of living which is particularly impacting on lower paid workers.
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SIPTU calls for radical overhaul of domestic waste collection services

07 February 2022

SIPTU representatives have called for a radical overhaul of domestic waste collection which would end the duplication of services and dramatically cut back on illegal dumping which is costing nearly €1 million a year in Dublin alone to collect.
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Irish Equity condemns racist abuse of Lion King performers and crew

02 February 2022

The executive and members of Irish Equity have expressed their sadness and disappointment that cast and crew of the ‘Lion King’ were subjected to racist abuse in Dublin.
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SIPTU welcomes Oireachtas committee recommendation that state pension age remain at 66

02 February 2022

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the recommendation by the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection that the state pension age should remain at 66 years and to ban the mandatory retirement of workers at 65.
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Wage rises from today for construction workers as part of SEO for industry

01 February 2022

Increased basic wage rates for construction workers came into force today (Tuesday, 1st February) as part of a new Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the industry.
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SIPTU seeks meeting with ILCU concerning pension scheme reports

31 January 2022

SIPTU has written to the CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) seeking clarification on media reports concerning a plan to close a defined benefit pension scheme for credit union staff.
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SIPTU to meet B. Braun Hospicare Ltd concerning threatened plant closure

31 January 2022

SIPTU representatives will meet with the management of B. Braun Hospicare Ltd on Thursday, 10th February, to discuss its announcement that it intends to close its manufacturing facility in Collooney, county Sligo.
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SIPTU calls for meeting with ILCU management over pension scheme concerns

28 January 2022

SIPTU representatives have called for an urgent meeting with the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) concerning media reports of a €78 million deficit in its Defined Benefit Pension (ROI) scheme.
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SIPTU member secures €80,000 pay out for unfair dismissal from logistics company

27 January 2022

A SIPTU member secured a judgement for €80,930.77 compensation at the Workplace Relations Commission following his unfair dismissal by a logistics company in March 2019.
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SIPTU calls for a halt to sell-off of community based employment services

24 January 2022

SIPTU members have expressed concern and anger at news reports that the US headquartered corporate contract company, Maximus, has established an operation in Ireland with the expressed interest in taking over Local Employment Services currently provided successfully by community based enterprises.
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SIPTU cleaners employed by private contractors welcome reward commitment

21 January 2022

SIPTU members employed as cleaners by private contractors in public hospitals have welcomed the commitment by Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, to reward their work on the frontline against Covid-19.
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SIPTU members call for urgent recommencement of Security ERO process

21 January 2022

SIPTU members have called for the urgent recommencement of the process to establish an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the security industry, a sector in which most workers have not received a pay rise in nearly three years.
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TUF supports South Dublin County councillors call for compliance inspections on sites

20 January 2022

Trade Union Federation (TUF) representatives met with South Dublin County councillors today (Thursday, 20th January) to discuss the implementation of an inspection regime for all construction sites operated on behalf of South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to ensure full compliance with employment agreements.
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SIPTU and Fórsa seek meeting with Taoiseach on LES and Job Clubs dispute

18 January 2022

SIPTU and Fórsa have written today (Tuesday, 18th January) to the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, seeking a meeting with him to discuss the long running dispute over the future provision of Local Employment Services (LES) and Job Clubs.
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Irish woman Esther Lynch elected to top job in European trade union movement

06 December 2022

Irish woman and former Irish Congress of Trade Unions official, Esther Lynch has been elected General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC).
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Workers now legally entitled to receive tips and gratuities paid in electronic form

01 December 2022

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has welcomed new laws governing the practice of tipping to hospitality workers that have come into force today. Under the Payment of Wages Act employees now have a legal entitlement to receive tips and gratuities paid in electronic form.
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SIPTU seeks urgent meeting on bus driver shortages with National Transport Authority 

24 November 2022

SIPTU members employed as bus drivers with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann handed in a letter at the offices of the National Transport Authority (NTA) in Dublin, today (Thursday, 24th November), calling for an urgent meeting to discuss recruitment issues which are adversely impacting public transport services.
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Meath Trades Council backs Raise the Roof and Keep Water Public campaigns

23 November 2022

Delegates attending a meeting of the Meath Trades Council in Navan on Tuesday (22nd November) called on people to attend the Raise the Roof march in Dublin on Saturday, 26thNovember, and voted to back the Keep Water Public campaign for a referendum to ensure the public ownership of water services.  
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SIPTU member wins €18,000 for discriminatory dismissal due to temporary disability

24 October 2022

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre secured an award of €18,000, at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), for a member who was dismissed by a private parking company because he needed time off following shoulder surgery.
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SIPTU members meet Minister for Health to demand Covid-19 payment for contract workers

24 October 2022

SIPTU worker representatives met with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, this morning (Friday, 21st October) to demand that the Covid-19 recognition payment is paid to frontline healthcare workers employed by contract companies.
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INMO and SIPTU statement on HSE decision to close Clifden District Hospital

21 October 2022

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and SIPTU have said the sudden decision to close Clifden District Hospital is shocking and emergency engagement is needed with staff and representatives through the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.
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SIPTU member wins compensation for being forced out of work at 65 years of age

20 October 2022

The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has awarded compensation to a SIPTU member employed by Prenco Manufacturing Limited in Skibbereen, County Cork, after he was forced to retire at 65 years of age when he was in a position to continue working.
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SIPTU calls on State funded advocacy service to recognise staff right to union representation

17 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have called on the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities to respect the right of its staff to union representation for the purposes of collective bargaining and to end attempts to unilaterally cut their terms of employment.
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SIPTU opposes proposed concrete levy due to negative impact on construction jobs

12 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have expressed opposition to the proposed introduction of a concrete block levy saying that it will negatively impact on construction sector jobs in Ireland.
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SIPTU writes to Cork politicians to highlight DePuy Synthes unfair treatment of staff

11 October 2022

SIPTU representatives have written to politicians in Cork to highlight the continued failure of medical devices manufacturer, DePuy Synthes, to respect the right of its workers to be represented by a union and their dissatisfaction with the arbitrary nature of pay increases in the company.
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SIPTU will use industrial action to secure adequate pay rises in private sector

05 October 2022

SIPTU representatives will authorise industrial action in order to secure adequate pay rises across the private sector delegates were told today (Wednesday, 5thOctober), at the union’s Services Division Biennial Delegate Conference in Kilkenny.
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Workers in Western Care Association in Mayo to strike on 22nd September

12 September 2022

Staff in the Western Care Association in county Mayo will strike on Thursday, 22nd September, as part of the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign to highlight the demand for a first pay rise in 14 years for workers in the sector.
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Irish Equity and MUI welcome grant awards through the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme

08 September 2022

Irish Equity and the Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) have welcomed the awarding of 2,000 grants for artists and creative arts workers through the new Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme, which were announced today (Thursday, 8th September).
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Unions support Congress call for a significant rise in the minimum wage

08 September 2022

A group of the country’s main private sector unions have supported the call by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, in its pre-budget submission, for a significant rise in the minimum wage.
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Unions condemn treatment of LES and Job Clubs workers made redundant in Dublin

05 September 2022

Unions representing staff in Local Employment Services (LES) and Jobs Clubs have condemned the treatment of workers who provide vital community services and who have been made redundant in Dublin due to a controversial new tendering process.
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SIPTU National Executive Council Statement on the WRC Proposals on the Review of ‘Building Momentum’ Public Service Agreement 2021-2023

05 September 2022

The National Executive Council (NEC) of SIPTU met on Monday, 5th September 2022, to consider the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposals on the review of the pay provisions of the Public Service Agreement, Building Momentum.
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SIPTU members at De La Salle College, Waterford to ballot for strike action in outsourcing dispute

18 August 2022

SIPTU members employed by De La Salle College, Waterford are to ballot for industrial and strike action and strike following a decision by management to unilaterally outsource their employment to a private sector provider.
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SIPTU supports law to ensure monies paid as service charges go to workers

30 June 2022

The SIPTU Hospitality Sector Committee has welcomed changes to the Payment of Wages (Amendment) (Tips and Gratuities) Bill 2022, which will ban the display of service charges on bills unless the payment is going directly to staff, which were passed in the Seanad Éireann yesterday (Wednesday, 29th June).
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Covid test centre swabbers condemn failure to honour review of pay rates

22 June 2022

SIPTU members employed as Covid test centre swabbers are calling on the Minister for Health, Simon Donnelly, to directly intervene to resolve their dispute with the HSE and the Department of Health concerning a review of pay rates for these essential workers.
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Irish Equity seeks parity of treatment with UK/NI colleagues on ROI film productions

11 April 2022

Members of Irish Equity have approved the use of UK Equity collectively bargained agreements on international film co-productions shooting in Ireland. These agreements allow for its members to be engaged on terms and conditions equal to, and not less than, their colleagues in the UK and Northern Ireland.
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SIPTU wins award for unfairly dismissed Galway hospitality worker

17 February 2022

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre (WRC) secured an award for a hospitality worker who was dismissed from her job at a busy bar and restaurant in county Galway after she requested time off over the Christmas period.
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SIPTU condemns attempt by Tesco Ireland to outsource security staff roles

14 February 2022

SIPTU representatives have condemned an attempt by the management of Tesco Ireland to outsource almost 100 security worker roles at the supermarket chain and have called on the company to engage in negotiations concerning any proposed changes.
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SIPTU says recommendation to restore working time is good for the public service

10 January 2022

SIPTU supports a recommendation by the independent body set up to examine additional working hours for public servants that working time in the civil and public service is restored to pre-austerity levels from 1st July 2022.
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