News Archive

International Transport Federation representatives have today (Thursday, 14th, December) welcomed the publication of a Joint Oireachtas Report aimed at halting the exploitation of migrant fishermen working on Irish trawlers. The International Transport...

Jack O’Connor will step down from his role as SIPTU General President today (Thursday, 14th December) following a meeting of the Union’s National Executive Council. He has served three consecutive 6-year terms as a National Executive Officer,...

SIPTU and Musicians’ Union of Ireland (MUI) representatives have welcomed the support expressed yesterday (Tuesday, 12th December) by Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, for the future of the RTÉ orchestras and his call for the Ministers involved...

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Yves Rocher following its announcement last Thursday (7th December) that it intends to close its plant in the Kilbarry Industrial Estate, Cork city, at the end of 2018. SIPTU...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have expressed extreme concern over the lack of aerial appliances, with only two of the vehicle mounted long ladders available for dispatch in the city and county today (Friday, 8th December), a third...

SIPTU members have urged the management of the AbbVie Plant in Carrigtwohill, county Cork, to engage in talks in order to avoid an escalation of the industrial dispute at the company concerning their right to union representation. Workers are currently...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have voted by 75% to 25% to accept a Labour Court recommendation on pay aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company, in a ballot counted today (Friday, 8th December) in Liberty Hall, Dublin. The...

SIPTU representatives have stated that the publication today (Thursday, 7th December) of the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 is a step in the right direction but that the proposed legislation requires further amendment in order to provide...

SIPTU representatives have today (Thursday, 7th December) condemned a Government plan to break from public sector pay norms and ‘top up’ the salary of the official charged with implementing the Sláintecare healthcare reform plan. SIPTU Health...

SIPTU has stated that a Government proposal to allow public sector workers to volunteer to continue in their jobs until 70 years of age only deals with one aspect of the problems associated with the increase in the statutory retirement age. SIPTU Deputy General...

SIPTU members working in a range of Section 39 organisations, providing health and social care services, will be balloted next week for all-out strike action in a dispute concerning equal pay. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said:...

SIPTU members in the National Ambulance Service based in Letterkenny, county Donegal, will commence a campaign of industrial action on Saturday, 9th December, at 1.00 a.m. due to a management failure to implement a Rights Commissioner...

SIPTU members are conducting a 36-hour work stoppage at the AbbVie pharmaceutical plant in Carrigtwohill, county Cork. The industrial action commenced yesterday (Wednesday, 22nd November) at 7.00 p.m. and will conclude tomorrow (Friday, 24th...

SIPTU members and activists joined with trade unionists from across Europe in Gothenburg, Sweden, on Thursday (16th November) for an EU summit to discuss the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) demand for the enhancement of the social rights of...

SIPTU has welcomed the announcement by the National Transport Agency (NTA) that Bus Éireann has been awarded the contract to run services in Waterford City following a tendering process. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said: “Our members...

SIPTU confirmed today that the union will attend a full hearing of the Labour Court this Friday (17th November) in order to defend the defined pension scheme of 350 union members. defined These workers are employed in the Ringaskiddy and Little Island plants in Cork....

SIPTU members in the Abbvie Plant in Carrigtwohill, county Cork, began a 36-hour work stoppage this morning (Tuesday, 14th November) at 7.00 a.m. The industrial action results from the refusal of management to implement a Labour Court recommendation...

The Lessons of the Russian Revolution will be the focus of a lecture and debate, which will include Irish and international experts on the subject, in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on Friday, 17th November, starting at 7.00 p.m....

Trade union members in Irish Rail will vote on a Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company. The decision to ballot workers was taken at a meeting of representatives of the Irish Rail Trade Union Group in Liberty...

SIPTU members employed as in-field sales representatives by McCurrach Ltd will commence industrial action on Thursday, 16th November, in response to the company refusing to attend the Labour Court in relation to a pay claim. SIPTU Organiser, Colm...

Irish Equity has criticised, as not going far enough, the announcement by Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, that board members and senior staff in arts organisations are to take part in special workshops...

SIPTU and the Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) have warned the management of RTÉ that it could face significant opposition concerning a review it has commissioned in relation to the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ NSO) and the RTÉ...

SIPTU members employed in Section 39 organisations met with the Minister of State with Responsibilities for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath, yesterday (Thursday, 8th November), to request that the Government commits to providing them with pay...

SIPTU representatives are to attend discussions at the Labour Court tomorrow (Thursday, 9th November) in relation to the ongoing dispute at Irish Rail. SIPTU Transport Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, said: “SIPTU representatives have been...

Workers in the transport section of Bord na Móna unanimously voted to take all-out strike action in opposition to an attempt by management to outsource their jobs to a private contractor at a general meeting held in the SIPTU Offices in Tullamore, county...

SIPTU representatives have called on the management of Irish Rail to desist from issuing letters to workers which could be perceived as threatening their livelihoods and instead enter into negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company....

SIPTU representatives have called on management in the Boston Scientific Plant in Clonmel, county Tipperary, to accept a Labour Court recommendation recognising the right of workers in the medical devices manufacturing facility to trade union...

SIPTU representatives have stated that the 24-hour work stoppage by Irish Rail workers which will begin at 00.01 a.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, 7th November) is the regrettable result of a failure by management and the Government to seek a just resolution to the...

SIPTU has published a list of key recommendations on how to minimalise differences in pay between men and women in Ireland, as part of the union’s recognition of European Gender Pay Gap Day which is being marked today (Friday, 3rd November). SIPTU...

SIPTU firefighters have renewed their demand for fire assessments in all properties following the extent of the risks in some buildings being highlighted once again in a documentary broadcast on RTE last night (Thursday, 3rd November). SIPTU Sector...

Union members in the craft grade in Aer Lingus have voted by 66% to 34% to accept a Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving the pay dispute at the airline in a ballot counted today (Friday, 3rd November) in Dublin Airport. SIPTU Organiser, Neil...

SIPTU has called on Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, to end his focus on publicity stunts, such as his latest claim to be interested in solving the confrontation between North Korea and the US and instead focus on ending...

SIPTU members have served notice today (Thursday, 2nd November) of industrial action involving five work stoppages at the AbbVie Ltd Plant in the IDA Industrial Estate, Carrigtwohill, county Cork. The industrial action involves three 36-hour work...

SIPTU has called on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, to immediately initiate a process aimed at resolving the dispute at Irish Rail in order to ensure a solution is in place before a second 24-hour work stoppage by staff...

The RTÉ Trade Union Group (TUG) has called on management to implement the recommendations of the Gender Pay Review of the station by Kieran Mulvey, which was published today (Wednesday, 1st November). The TUG Executive will review the comprehensive...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have highlighted the urgent need to purchase new aerial appliances, with only one of the vehicle mounted long ladders available for dispatch in the city today (Wednesday, 1st November), only a third of...

SIPTU members employed as drivers by the Inishowen Oil Company Ltd, Carndonagh, county Donegal, will begin an all-out strike at 8.30 a.m. on Wednesday (1st November) in response to their employer’s refusal to accept an invitation by the...

Three SIPTU members, who worked as school cleaners, have reached an agreement which ends a dispute over the loss of their jobs at St Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown, in Swords, County Dublin. The dispute was settled...

SIPTU representatives have demanded confirmation in writing from the Health Service Executive (HSE) concerning the re-opening of Loretto Day Centre in Navan, county Meath, following a meeting, today (Monday, 23rd October), between...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have announced five dates of 24-hour all out-strike action starting on Wednesday, 1st November following a refusal by management at the State transport company to address a reasonable pay claim by staff. The four further 24-hour work...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a dispute which results from a refusal by management at the State transport company to accept a reasonable pay claim by staff. SIPTU members voted by 84% in favour of industrial...

The Irish Rail trade union group said: “Despite the best efforts of the WRC, Irish Rail senior management have once again demonstrated their total disdain for their own staff and those that rely on Irish Rail services. We have spent the last twelve hours...

The SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee has welcomed the release from prison in Egypt last night (Thursday, 19th October) of Ibrahim Halawa and looks forward to his arrival home in Ireland. SIPTU National Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Karan O...

A SIPTU Organiser addressed students from the Cairnes School of Business in NUI Galway, on the importance of trade unions in the modern workplace at a meeting held in the university on Thursday, 12th October. The event was organised by NUI Galway...

Budget 2018 has failed to address the long-term crisis in funding for Family Resource Centres (FRC) which are struggling to provide frontline services and cope with increased overheads, according to the SIPTU National FRC Committee. There are 109 FRCs providing...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the enacting of a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), today (Thursday, 19th October,) which sets minimum rates of pay in the construction industry as an “important first step” for workers in securing...

Four SIPTU members ended an 18-day sit-in at the the Brookfield Youth and Community Centre in Tallaght, county Dublin, last night (Wednesday, 18th October) after an intervention by South Dublin County Council (SDCC) to confirm that it will seek to...

SIPTU representatives have today (Wednesday, 18th October) written to management in the Health Service Executive (HSE) to clarify why Home Care workers were expected to remain working on Monday (16th October) after HSE offices were shut at midday due to the...

SIPTU has contacted the provisional liquidator of Charleville Credit Union, Charleville, County Cork, seeking a commitment that all entitlements due to its members will be promptly paid following the granting of a High Court application to wind up...

SIPTU representatives have reiterated their call for a major overhaul of the State pension system to end discrimination against workers who have breaks in their careers, mainly women, ahead of a Dáil debate on the issue this evening...

SIPTU has accepted an invitation to attend a meeting of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to discuss a pay claim by staff at Irish Rail on Thursday (19th October). SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen, said: “Our members are mindful of the position of...

SIPTU has commended its members in the local authorities, fire, ambulance and emergency services and the Office of Public Works (OPW) for their courageous service to the public in relation to dealing with the lead up to and impact of storm Ophelia. SIPTU...

SIPTU has stated that Minister for Employment and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, is wrong to suggest in a post published on her Facebook page, yesterday (Thursday, 12th October), that “an unofficial labour dispute is in...

Irish Equity has assured members that the union will support them should they have any concerns regarding their treatment in the workplace, following the recent media coverage of sexual assault and harassment in the film industry. Irish Equity Organiser,...

SIPTU members have welcomed aspects of Budget 2018 for the Early Years sector, including a 7% increase in ECCE capitation and its extension to two years. However, the fundamental problems of the current Early Years funding system remain. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor has said that Budget 2018 is “a slick piece of political presentation but is morally indefensible.” He said: “In the midst of a housing and homeless crisis the government has chosen to deploy €335...

SIPTU has condemned a call by a new independent childcare providers’ organisation, ‘Seas Suas’, for a temporary derogation that would allow up to 25% of staff in Early Years facilities to work without any qualifications. ‘Seas...

The incoming SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Sector, John King, has renewed his union’s call for South Dublin County Council to intervene in a dispute which has resulted in a sit-in at Brookfield Youth and Community Centre (BYCC) during...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have raised serious concerns about staffing levels in the service following the confirmation that several fire appliances were sent into operation today (Friday, 6th October) while undermanned. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU delegates attending the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Thursday, 5th October) unanimously backed a motion calling on the Government and Health Service Executive (HSE) to ensure Section 39 organisations adopt transparent...

The image of SIPTU has been transformed for many young women by the success of its members in the Women’s National Football Team in securing better conditions, the union’s incoming SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, told...

SIPTU delegates voted overwhelmingly in support of a motion for their union to “support the call for a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment”, at its Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork today (Thursday, 5th October). Proposing the motion on...

SIPTU TEAC Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, has declared that Iarnród Éireann is the “new frontline” in the battle to ensure the adequate funding of public transport in Ireland at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in...

SIPTU representatives at the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Wednesday, 4th October) called on the Government to increase funding to Community and Not For Profit organisations in order to ensure workers in these sectors benefit...

SIPTU delegates attending the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Tuesday, 3rd October) backed a call to strongly oppose the forces of the extreme right and to radically reform the EU in a manner which places the interests of citizens...

SIPTU delegates attending the union’s Biennial Delegate Conference in Cork have today (Tuesday, 3rd October) unanimously backed a motion calling on the Government and Health Service Executive (HSE) to give all health workers the option of remaining in...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has called for a new alliance to prioritise public investment in housing, health care, and education and to guarantee collective bargaining rights for all workers. Addressing the SIPTU Biennial...

SIPTU launched the ‘Your County, Your Youth, Your Future’ local authority recruitment campaign at an event today (Monday, 2nd September) in Connolly Hall, Cork City, which was attended by county council workers from across the...

SIPTU has called on the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, to intervene in the Irish Rail dispute before workers are forced into taking industrial action due to management intransigence concerning an outstanding pay claim. SIPTU Sector Organiser,...

SIPTU members in the Kerry Group Plant in Listowel, county Kerry, have commenced a campaign of industrial action with a 24-hour work stoppage which began yesterday (Tuesday, 26th September) at 10.00 p.m. SIPTU Organiser, John Cooney,...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have stated that a conciliation conference at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday, 27th September) may present the last opportunity for progress on a pay increase before they are forced to...

SIPTU has condemned an attempt by the management of Bus Éireann to blame its hard pressed drivers for its own failures in relation to services in the east of the country. In media briefings today, Bus Eireann has claimed that the cancellation of certain...

A new helpline for second-level school students with workplace issues was launched today (Monday, 25th September), at an event in the SIPTU Welcome Centre, 33 Eden Quay, Dublin 1. The helpline is operated by the SIPTU Workers Rights Centre and...

SIPTU Firefighter representatives have expressed grave concern over the withdraw from service of two Dublin Fire Brigade appliances and the impact that this could have on the delivery of critical emergency services in Dublin. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions on Wednesday (20th September) called on the government to urgently initiate a major local-authority led programme to generate 50,000 social housing units over the next five years, introduce measures to penalise...

SIPTU has welcomed a ruling by the European Court of Justice, today (Thursday, 14th September), which is a significant victory for Ryanair workers and a defeat for that company’s attempt to undermine its employees’ rights. SIPTU TEAC...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is to launch a major union campaign to press for urgent action on the Housing & Homeless Emergency, on Wednesday, 20th September. The campaign will be formally launched by Congress President Sheila...

SIPTU representatives of staff in Irish Rail have condemned a decision by the company to sponsor a fishing competition in Northern Ireland while at the same time refusing to provide workers with a long overdue pay increases. SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen,...

The Mayor of Fingal, Mary McCamley, has attended a protest this afternoon (Wednesday, 13th September) by school cleaners to highlight the loss of their jobs, outside St. Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown,...

SIPTU representatives have condemned an apparent act of vandalism in which the windows of a Health Service Executive (HSE) ambulance, which was parked outside the Mater Hospital in Dublin 7, were broken in the early hours of this morning (Monday,...

SIPTU Big Start Campaign activists have welcomed a call by Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, for workers in the sector to join a union which was made at the Kennedy Summer School, New Ross, County Wexford, this...

A meeting of Wicklow County Council voted unanimously to back a call by the SIPTU Big Start campaign for increased state investment in the Early Years sector at a meeting in County Buildings, Wicklow Town, County Wicklow, on Monday (4th September)....

SIPTU full-time and retained firefighter representatives have called for the urgent commencement of a comprehensive fire risk audit of recently built public and residential properties following the discovery of deficiencies in safety standards at several schools....

SIPTU organisers and local politicians were among those who attended a protest today (Thursday, 31st August) by contract cleaners to highlight the loss of their jobs outside St Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown, in Swords,...

SIPTU organisers and local politicians were among those who attended a protest today (Thursday, 31st August) by contract cleaners to highlight the loss of their jobs outside St Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown, in Swords,...

Contract Cleaners are staging a protest to highlight the loss of their jobs outside St Cronan’s Senior National School, Brackenstown, in Swords, County Dublin, tomorrow (Thursday, 31st August) at 8.30 a.m. SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU has called on employers in the hotel sector to engage in the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process to ensure that low paid workers in the industry benefit from the increased profits they are generating. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ed Kenny, said:...

Irish Equity has expressed disappointment with the announcement by TV3, today (Wednesday, 30th August), that it intends to postpone the production of a fourth series of the popular drama show Red Rock. Irish Equity Organiser, Karan O...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail have called for pay rises that are in line with those achieved by other workers in the transport sector and have rejected a management attempt to link them to further increases in productivity. SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen,...

SIPTU representatives will meet with HSE management on Thursday (24th August) to discuss the future of Loreto Day Centre services for the elderly in Navan, County Meath. SIPTU Organiser, John Mc Camley, said: “The facility was recently closed...

The SIPTU Meath District Council commemorated the poet and trade unionist Francis Ledwidge by unveiling a new sign bearing his image outside the Dan Shaw Centre, Dan Shaw Road, Navan on Saturday, 19th August. The unveiling ceremony was carried out by...

SIPTU members in Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) have launched a public awareness campaign to highlight risks to the public and firefighters caused by the failure of DFB management to address serious staff shortages in the service. SIPTU Organiser, Brendan...

SIPTU members employed by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) in shops run by the charity in Cork city and county have balloted for industrial action following a management attempt to force them from their jobs. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins,...

SIPTU members have voted by a large majority to accept the proposals in the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020. Following a count of ballots in Liberty Hall today, SIPTU Vice President, Gene Mealy, said that 76% voted in favour of the...

Following discussions between the Department of Education and Skills and SIPTU representatives, further progress has been made by the union on tackling the issue of precarious employment in the Higher Education sector in the areas of: Administration,...

SIPTU representatives have condemned the violence on the Dublin to Belfast Enterprise train that erupted following the GAA match between Tyrone and Armagh on Sunday (6th August). SIPTU Organiser, Niall McNally, said that the violent clashes between rival...

Representatives of the Congress Construction Industry Committee (CIC) met today (Thursday, 3rd August) with members of the Construction Industry Federation. In a letter to CIC unions concerning the meeting Congress Industrial Officer, Liam...

SIPTU members at the Bausch and Lomb plant in Waterford have welcomed the unveiling of an extension to the facility which it is anticipated will secure its operation into the future. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Alan O’Leary, said: “Our members...

The SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee has today (Saturday, 29th July) welcomed the arrival of a team from the Al-Helal Football Academy in Gaza City, Palestine. The Gaza Kids to Ireland project is an initiative of Gaza Action Ireland to show solidarity...

SIPTU full-time firefighter members and their supporters marched in Galway City from Galway Fire Station, Father Griffin Road, to County Hall, Prospect Hill, this morning (Friday, 28th July), to hand in a letter demanding a meeting...