News Archive

SIPTU has welcomed a decision by the management of RTÉ to review gender equality within the organisation as a progressive step that should be followed by other companies. SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: “The...

SIPTU has welcomed the publication this afternoon (Wednesday, 26th July) by the Oireachtas Children and Youth Affairs Committee of a report which calls for better pay and conditions for Early Years workers. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Darragh...

SIPTU has called on the Government to amend legislation in order to remove the possibility of a minister introducing workplace tribunal fees following a landmark ruling in the UK, today (Wednesday, 26th July), that finds that such charges mitigate...

A Workers Rights Welcome Centre, which is open to all workers who wish to ‘drop in’ for information on workplace issues, will open in Hanson’s Retail Park, Cleveragh, Sligo, on Friday, 28th July, at 4.00 p.m....

The Big Start campaign has delivered a Pre-Budget Submission on Childcare to the Government, today (Tuesday, 25th July), which calls for greater investment in the sector and recognition for Early Years educators.  SIPTU Sector Organiser and Big...

SIPTU representatives have welcomed the decision of An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for an extension to the Tailings Pond at New Boliden Tara Mines, County Meath, which secures the long term future of the facility. SIPTU...

SIPTU has backed a call by the employers’ organisation, IBEC, for the maximum use by the Government of the available funds for investment in strategic infrastructure. SIPTU economist, Marie Sherlock, said: “In its pre-budget...

SIPTU representatives have requested written assurances from the HSE concerning the future of the Loretto Day Centre in Navan, county Meath, following a meeting, today (Friday, 21st July), between management and unions representing...

SIPTU members have noted the progress made in preventing the unilateral closure of the defined benefit pension schemes at Independent News and Media. SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “Our members have noted the agreement...

SIPTU has welcomed the decision of the Low Pay Commission to recommend that there should not be any increase in the amount employers can deduct from workers’ pay for the cost of board and lodgings. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ed Kenny, said: “A...

SIPTU representatives will meet with HSE management early next week to discuss the circumstances surrounding the closure of the Loretto Day Centre in Navan, County Meath, which is understood to be related to the facility failing to adhere to fire...

SIPTU members have today (Thursday, 20th July) served notice of industrial action on the management of Lifford Community Hospital, Lifford, County Donegal, due to its refusal to adhere to a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) agreement...

SIPTU Divisional Organiser, Greg Ennis, has given a guarded welcome to the proposed pay increases for building workers. A 10% pay increase for building workers is among the proposals contained in a new Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the construction...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions has stated that the announcement by the company that it intends to invest €1.2 billion in its solar, wind and biomass businesses will do nothing to allay the growing jobs crisis in the Midlands resulting from...

Childcare workers who are forced to rely on social welfare payments over the summer months delivered hundreds of ‘Postcards from the Dole’ to Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, today (Friday, 14th...

Speaking after the publication of the Summer Economic Statement today, SIPTU General President, Jack O’ Connor, said that the forecast of a structural balanced budget in 2018 should not be seen as any great achievement at a time when major...

SIPTU has called on the Government to launch publicity and enforcement campaigns aimed at tackling white-collar crime which is estimated to have cost the economy more than €2 billion last year. White-collar crime refers to financially motivated non-violent crime...

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, today (Tuesday, 4th July), that the current regulatory regime for non-EEA migrant fishers, on whom the...

Early Years educators in Cork City and County are sending ‘Postcards from the Dole’ to local elected representatives and the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, informing them that they have had to sign...

SIPTU Fire Service representatives have repeated their call for a meeting with Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, in relation to necessary changes to fire safety operations following the Grenfell Tower disaster. SIPTU...

Construction industry unions have issued a joint statement outlining the facts in relation to the claim by the Construction Industry Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions for a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the construction sector. SIPTU TEAC Division...

The club ground of Charleville Athletic Football Club (AFC) in Charleville, County Cork, is to be renamed to honour the club’s former chairman and SIPTU NEC member, Tim Fitzgerald, who passed away in 2015. Plans for the renaming of their...

SIPTU has called for solidarity between and within all grades of construction workers as unions work collectively to secure improvements in pay and conditions through the agreement of a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) for the industry. SIPTU TEAC Division...

SIPTU members in Cork County Council have served notice of industrial action to commence at 8.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 27th June, in a dispute resulting from the refusal of management to recruit more staff. Additional staff are required to adequately deliver...

The International Transport Federation (ITF) and SIPTU are among the groups supporting the annual ‘Day of the Seafarer’ events in Dublin Port this Sunday (25th June), which celebrate the importance of the international maritime industry. The theme...

SIPTU is calling on trade unionists to participate in the annual Dublin Pride march tomorrow (Saturday, 24th June) to show their support for the creation of a better and more equal society in Ireland. The Pride march begins with a rally in St. Stephens...

The National Executive Council of SIPTU met on Thursday, 22nd June 2017, to consider the proposals for a Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 - 2020. Having considered the matter in full, we have decided to recommend acceptance of the...

An online petition calling on the Government to increase investment in the Early Years childcare sector was launched by the Big Start Campaign at an event outside Leinster House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2, this morning (Wednesday, 21st June). The...

Elected representatives in Galway have been invited to attend a seminar on the crisis in the Early Years childcare sector hosted by the SIPTU Big Start Campaign in the SIPTU Offices, Forster Court, Galway, on Thursday, 29th June at 7.00 p.m...

SIPTU Fire Service representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the newly appointed Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy, in relation to his request that local authorities review fire safety in...

SIPTU has condemned the decision of the US Government to renew its sanctions on Cuba and has called on the Irish Government to do all it can to mediate between the two sovereign States. SIPTU General President, Jack O'Connor, said: “It is deeply...

SIPTU members employed in the Intellectual Disability Sector pledged to step up their campaign to win recognition and respect for the valuable role they play in society, at a symposium entitled ‘A Vision for the Future of Intellectual Disability Services...

SIPTU representatives visited the DWTE site this morning following the serious incident which led to the hospitalisation of eleven workers yesterday. SIPTU Organiser, Jim Sheridan, expressed concern for the health and safety of union members and workers at...

SIPTU representatives have strongly criticised the refusal by the management of Irish Rail to accept a pay claim, presented to the Labour Court in late May, for staff at the company who have not had any wage rises for more than nine years. SIPTU...

The SIPTU Big Start Campaign is hosting a public meeting to discuss the ‘Crisis within Childcare’ in the Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, County Mayo, tomorrow (Thursday, 8th June), at 8.00 p.m. All those involved with the...

SIPTU members in the security industry have negotiated a new agreement which will see their pay increase by more than 8% over the next three years and guarantee them minimum working hours. The new Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the Security Sector was agreed...

Trade unions have pledged to re-organise freelancers in the arts, culture and media sectors following the passage through Dáil Eireann, this evening (Wednesday, 31st May), of the Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016 which will restore...

SIPTU members working as Early Years educators will be taking action on International Children’s Day, tomorrow (Thursday, 1st June), to highlight the staffing crisis facing the sector. The action by SIPTU members is in collaboration with...

SIPTU Health representatives have today (Tuesday, 30th May) called on the Government to implement the findings of the Oireachtas Committee on the Future of Health Care Report which outlines a sustainable plan to radically reform the delivery of public health...

SIPTU representatives have expressed support for an announcement, today (Tuesday, 30th May), by pharmaceutical multinational Merck Sharp Dohme (MSD) that it intends to create 330 new jobs in its plants in Brinny, County Cork,...

SIPTU has called for public support for a demonstration in support of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap Information) Bill 2017, outside Leinster House, Dublin 2, today (Wednesday, 24th May), at 6.00 p.m. This...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has offered the condolences of union members to the families of those killed and those injured in the bombing in Manchester last night (Monday, 22nd May). “On behalf of our union I express my...

SIPTU representatives have written, today (Monday, 22nd May), to the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, calling on him to begin a process of dialogue on the future of public transport in Ireland to which he committed during the recent...

SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, has described the decision by the Government to sell a 25% stake of its holding in AIB as absolutely indefensible, undemocratic and in direct contravention of a resolution of the Oireachtas. He said that the...

The SIPTU Construction Sector Committee has expressed its support for an agreement between the union and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) which has secured payment for two hours ‘greasing time’ per day for crane drivers from Monday, 5th...

Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions members, employed in the company’s peat briquette production facility in Littleton, County Tipperary, gave their representatives a mandate to negotiate with management on the future of the plant at a...

On Monday, 15th May, Congress and SIPTU will jointly launch a major new initiative on the current housing and homeless emergency. The document will be launched by Congress General Secretary, Patricia King and SIPTU General President, Jack...

SIPTU members in Bus Éireann have voted by 53.4% to 46.6% to accept a Labour Court which aims to resolve the issues which caused the long running dispute at the public transport company, in a ballot counted today (Friday, 12th May) in Liberty...

A delegation from the SIPTU Big Start Campaign will meet with Galway County Councillors to inform them about the growing crisis within the Early Years education sector, in the Malt House, Mountbellew, County Galway, on Monday, 22nd...

Representatives of the Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions met with the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten, today (Wednesday, 10th May) to discuss the threat by the company to close its peat...

South Dublin County Council (SDCC) voted unanimously in favour of a motion supporting the call by the SIPTU Big Start Campaign for increased investment and recognition for workers in the Early Years sector at its meeting in County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin...

Several politicians called for increased investment in the Early Years sector at a meeting of the SIPTU Big Start Campaign in St. Peters Parish Centre, Bray, County Wicklow, on Monday (8th May). Among the politicians to voice his support for...

Representatives of the Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions met with management today (Monday, 8th May) and informed it that they will not engage with the company until it has removed a threat to close its peat briquette plant in Littleton, County...

Members of the SIPTU Big Start Campaign will meet with TDs and County Councillors to discuss the crisis in the Early Years sector at a meeting in the St. Peters Parish Centre in Bray, County Wicklow, today (Monday, 8th May) at 7.00 p.m. The SIPTU Big...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions has called an extraordinary meeting of shop stewards and officials to discuss the announcement by the company, yesterday (Thursday, 7th May), that it intends to close its peat briquette plant in...

SIPTU and NUJ members employed by the ASTI trade union have voted unanimously in favour of taking industrial action, up to and including strike action, in a ballot counted today (Friday, 5th May). SIPTU Organiser, Peadar Nolan, said:...

Early Years educators, who are members of the SIPTU Big Start campaign, will attend a meeting of South Dublin County Council on Monday (8th May) which will vote on a motion calling on the government to properly recognise and resource their sector. Prior to...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions has stated that it does not accept the decision by the company to close its peat briquette plant in Littleton, County Tipperary, which was announced this afternoon (Thursday, 4th May). BNM Group of Unions...

The acclaimed historic drama, ‘Sons of Molly Maguire’, which is based on the story of Irish immigrants who attempted to resist exploitation in the coalfields of 1860s Pennsylvania, will make its Irish premier run in Liberty Hall...

SIPTU members in St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services, James’s Street, Dublin 8, have served notice of industrial action, up to and including strike action, to commence on Wednesday, 24th May, in a dispute...

SIPTU Health representatives have stated their support for the Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2016 which was before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, today (Wednesday, 3rd May). SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU members in Cork County Council have served notice of industrial action to commence at 8.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 17th May, in a dispute resulting from the refusal of management to recruit more staff to adequately deliver statutory services. SIPTU...

Homelessness campaigner, Fr Peter McVerry, will call for an effective public home building programme at the May Day march and rally in Dublin, which begins at the Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1, tomorrow...

SIPTU has highlighted the findings of a new report on non-profit companies indicating that those employed in them, on average, have lower wages than staff elsewhere in the economy, as underlining the need for pay restoration for workers in that...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), excluding Airport Police and Fire Service, have voted against the acceptance of Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposals contained in the Company/Union Framework document in relation to terms and...

SIPTU members in Irish Rail and those employed as school bus drivers by Bus Éireann have voted in favour of taking industrial action in support of their colleagues in Bus Éireann in a ballot counted in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, today...

The annual May Day March in Dublin on Monday (1st May) will highlight the opposition of trade unions and housing activists to a Government plan to sell off local authority land to private developers, which they condemn as an ineffective way to tackle the housing...

SIPTU members working in St Patrick's Mental Health Services, James’s Street, Dublin 8, have today (Wednesday, 26th April) voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike in a dispute resulting from a management decision to cease employer...

Community Sector workers from across County Galway will attend a meeting to discuss the rebuilding of the sector in the Clayton Hotel in Galway, tomorrow (Wednesday, 26th April) at 7.00 p.m. The event is the first in a series of regional meetings of the...

SIPTU members in Edenderry Power Ltd (EPL), Edenderry, County Offaly, have suspended all industrial action at the plant in order to facilitate engagement at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) aimed at resolving the dispute at the company. SIPTU...

Social activists will join trade unionists at the 2017 May Day March in Dublin which will focus on a call for Government action to solve the worsening housing crisis in Ireland. The march, that concludes at Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, will begin at the...

The inaugural MayFest, a celebration of workers’ culture, which includes plays, music events and photographic exhibitions, will take place in Liberty Hall, Dublin from 2nd May to 11th May. MayFest 2017 includes a children’s...

SIPTU representatives have requested a meeting with the Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources, Sean Kyne, concerning the long-term future of the New Boliden Tara Mines in County Meath. SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said:...

SIPTU representatives have agreed to attend a conciliation meeting at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) regarding the dispute at Edenderry Power Ltd (EPL), Edenderry, County Offaly, which concerns collective bargaining rights at the power...

SIPTU members in St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, James’s Street, Dublin 8, have commenced a ballot for industrial action in a dispute resulting from a management decision to cease employer contributions to the staff defined benefit...

SIPTU members in Bus Éireann have today (Thursday, 13th April) received a recommendation from the Labour Court aimed at resolving the dispute at the public transport company. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said: “The...

SIPTU members in Dublin Bus have voted in favour of taking industrial action in support of their colleagues currently in dispute in Bus Éireann in a ballot counted in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, today (Thursday, 13th April). SIPTU Organiser,...

SIPTU activists in the Education Sector held a protest outside the Dáil this afternoon (Wednesday, 12th April) to highlight the spread of precarious work practices in the Third Level Education Sector and call for the Government to take action on the...

SIPTU members will hold a lunchtime protest at St Patrick’s Mental Health Services, James Street, Dublin 8, today (12th April) at 12.00 p.m., in response to a decision by senior management to cease employer contributions to the staff...

SIPTU has called for the focus to be maintained on women’s artistic achievements rather than be simply reduced to commenting on how they appear in media coverage of awards ceremonies and other artistic events. SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Karan...

The issues in dispute between workers and management at Bus Éireann have been referred to a hearing of the Labour Court which will take place today (Tuesday, 11th April) at 3.00 p.m. This follows talks between union representatives and management at the...

Tara Mines workers returned to work at the facility in County Meath on Saturday (8th April) after a six-day sit-in, following the acceptance of proposals on improving the operation of a new underground ambulance system in the mine. SIPTU Organiser, John...

A sit-in by workers in Tara Mines in County Meath has entered its fifth day (Friday, 7th April) as staff in the mine highlight their concerns over health and safety following a unilateral move by the company to change the operation of the underground ambulance...

Early Years educators are invited to attend a meeting of the SIPTU ‘Big Start’ campaign for increased investment in the Early Years sector in Connolly Hall, Lapps Quay, Cork on Monday, 10th April, at 7.00 p.m. The meeting will focus...

A delegation from the SIPTU Big Start Campaign will attend a meeting with Clare County Council councillors to inform them of the problems and growing crisis within the Early Years education sector on Monday, 10th April, at 3.00 p.m. Those attending on...

A delegation from the SIPTU Big Start Campaign will attend a meeting with Clare County Council councillors to inform them of the problems and growing crisis within the Early Years education sector on Monday, 10th April, at 3.00 p.m. Those attending on...

Early Years educators are invited to attend a meeting of the SIPTU ‘Big Start’ campaign for increased investment in the Early Years sector in Connolly Hall, Lapps Quay, Cork on Monday, 10th April, at 7.00 p.m. The meeting will focus...

SIPTU and PFA Ireland representatives have secured an agreement with the FAI on issues of concern raised by the women’s national football team following nine hours of mediated talks which concluded shortly after 4.00 a.m. this morning (Thursday, 6th...

SIPTU members in Edenderry Power Ltd (EPL), Edenderry, County Offaly, will begin a 24-hour work stoppage tomorrow (Thursday, 6th April), at 7.30 a.m. in a dispute concerning collective bargaining rights at the power generation plant....

Members of the Republic of Ireland women’s national football team have decided not to attend a Football Association of Ireland (FAI) training camp this afternoon (Wednesday 5th April) in Dublin. PFA Ireland Player Executive, Ollie Cahill, said:...

SIPTU members, directly employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), have given their full support for the call by members of the women’s national football team for management to engage with their representatives concerning a range of...

Members of the Republic of Ireland women’s national football team and their representatives in the Professional Footballers Association of Ireland (PFAI) outlined a range of issues that have adversely affected the performance of the squad at a press conference...

SIPTU representatives have accepted an invitation from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to attend talks, aimed at resolving the Bus Éireann dispute, tomorrow (Wednesday, 5th April) at 10.30 a.m. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie...

SIPTU members in Pfizer Ireland Ltd., Ringaskiddy, County Cork, have settled a dispute with the company following its agreement to allow 35 new entrants access to its defined benefit pension scheme. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Alan...

SIPTU members employed as Bus Éireann school bus drivers are to commence a ballot for industrial and strike action due to the threat to their jobs resulting from the wider crisis in the company. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Willie Noone, said:...

SIPTU Transport Division organiser, Greg Ennis, has said that the union did not organise and does not condone the unofficial action which disrupted rail and bus services this morning. He said that the union regrets the manner in which tens of thousands of...

Up to 1,000 public transport workers and their supporters marched to Leinster House at lunchtime today (Wednesday, 29th March) in support of a demand by Bus Éireann strikers for the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, to establish a...

SIPTU members in Bus Éireann have called upon the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, to stop dodging his responsibilities to both transport workers and the travelling public and establish a process that can effectively deal with the issues in the...

The first Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) two-day workshop, on practical steps for Irish companies and suppliers exporting to the UK following Brexit, will take place in the Hub in Kilkenny, County Kilkenny on Thursday, 30th and Friday,...

A meeting of SIPTU representatives of Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Bus Eireann was held in Liberty Hall today (Monday 27th March) to discuss the ongoing strike in Bus Eireann. The representatives were informed of a planned protest in support of the Bus Eireann...