News Archive

SIPTU members in the public service have overwhelmingly accepted the Lansdowne Road proposals following a ballot which was counted today in Liberty Hall, Dublin. Members supported the proposals with 78.5% of votes cast in favour and 21.5% against. SIPTU...

SIPTU has stated that new measures contained in the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2015, which was passed in the Dail this afternoon (Thursday, 16th July), will strengthen the rights of workers in Ireland. SIPTU President, Jack...

SIPTU members at NUI Galway met with the Minister for Education, Jan O’Sullivan, this morning (Wednesday, 15th July) to discuss their demand for an independent taskforce to investigate gender discrimination in the university. The delegation...

SIPTU has urged the management of the National Ambulance Service and the Health Service Executive (HSE) not to introduce the use of the Eircode system for ambulance professionals until the new postcodes have proven to be fit for purpose. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU members employed by Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) will hold a rally to protest at their treatment by the management of the voluntary organisation, in the Bullring Wexford Town on Saturday, 11th July, between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m....

SIPTU has entered into talks at the Labour Relation Commission (LRC) with the management of Celtic Linen Ltd concerning plans to implement up to 62 job losses at the company, which is headquartered in Drinagh, County Wexford. SIPTU Organiser, Peader...

The Clerys workers have renewed their call for Natrium, the new owners of the department store, to meet with them to explain their actions which have cost hundreds of jobs. The renewed call was made following the publication of a report, today...

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions said today (Monday, 6th July) that the government must move to ensure company directors can be disqualified if they breach their obligations to their workers. Congress General Secretary Patricia King said that the law must be...

SIPTU, Ireland's largest trade union, has welcomed the decisive rejection of the one sided austerity agenda by the Greek people in today's referendum. The union has also called on the Irish government to act in solidarity with the beleagured...

SIPTU, Ireland's largest trade union, has welcomed the decisive rejection of the one sided austerity agenda by the Greek people in today's referendum. The union has also called on the Irish government to act in solidarity with the beleagured...

SIPTU has expressed alarm at the decline in the number of workplace inspections carried out by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) which was revealed in the agency’s annual report for 2014 published earlier this week. SIPTU Health and Safety Adviser,...

Members in Dublin Fire Brigade are to ballot for industrial/strike action in response to the refusal of the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan, to implement an agreement reached in May for the filling of outstanding firefighter...

SIPTU has launched a proposal for “A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge” (USC). It recommends that a new Social Solidarity Contribution, which would retain all the progressive elements of the existing USC charge as a highly...

SIPTU has called on Ryanair to respect workers’ rights following a ruling by the Labour Court in Denmark that trade union members in that country can take industrial action against the company in order to secure their right to collective bargaining. Following an...

The EU should think hard and long before pushing Greece out of the Eurozone, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) General Secretary Bernadette Ségol has warned. “Decisions by the ECB and Eurogroup Finance Ministers are pushing Greece towards...

The Clerys workers have voiced their support for the decision of Dublin City Council to endorse a number of motions condemning their treatment and extend the protection of the specific use of the store on O’Connell Street, Dublin. SIPTU shop steward,...

SIPTU members working in the Our Lady's Unit in the Saint Patrick's Centre, County Kilkenny, had highlighted deficiencies in its operation to the management of the facility prior to it being de-registered and taken under the control of Health...

Patients on the waiting list for kidney and pancreas transplants are to hold a meeting in Liberty Hall, Dublin tomorrow (Saturday, 27th June) to discuss the failure of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide essential treatment and procedures since...

A SIPTU petition calling on the new owners of Clerys to meet with the former staff of the department store has received over 14,000 signatures since it was launched six days ago. SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said:...

Members of the international trade union movement signed the Clerys workers' petition, on Tuesday, 23rd June, outside the department store in O’Connell Street, Dublin. Trade unionists from Belgium, France, the UK,...

Protest outside the head office of D2 Private, Harcourt Terrace, Dublin 2, Friday 19th June at 12.00 p.m. D2 Private is a part owner of Natrium, the consortium that bought Clerys on Friday (12th June). Following the purchase of the store,...

SIPTU members employed in Clerys department store have collected over 5,000 signatures from members of the public and politicians for their petition demanding that the new owners of the premises meet with them. The petition, which was only started on...

SIPTU members employed at the swimming pool in Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, have called on the college administration to reverse its decision to close the facility. The workers met today (Tuesday, 16th June) to discuss their response to the...

A rally by SIPTU members employed in Clerys department store and their supporters on O’Connell Street, Dublin, at lunchtime on Tuesday, 16th June, received overwhelming support from the public. Over 1,000 people attended the...

SIPTU has called a rally in support of the Clerys workers outside the department store, O’Connell Street, Dublin, tomorrow (Tuesday, 16th June) between 12.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. to highlight the demand that the new owners meet with staff....

SIPTU members marched to Clerys Department store on O’Connell Street, Dublin, at lunchtime on Saturday, 13th June, demanding fair treatment and justice less than 24 hours after their jobs were made redundant with immediate effect....

The SIPTU ‘Fair Deal for Cleaners’ campaign will mark the 25th anniversary of International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security Officers on Monday, 15th June, with publicity events in workplaces across the country. SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU is seeking an urgent meeting with the new owner of Clerys Department Store, Dublin, following confirmation today (Friday, 12th June) that the company has been bought by the real estate firm, Natrium. SIPTU Organiser, Robert...

SIPTU members in Clerys Department Store, O’Connell Street, Dublin, will attend an emergency meeting in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on Saturday, 13th June, morning at 11.30 a.m. to discuss what action they will take following...

SIPTU members employed by Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS) will conduct strike action on Wednesday, 17th June, in a dispute concerning a unilateral change by management to sick leave benefit and its refusal to engage with their union. On 17th...

The National Executive Council of SIPTU met today (Friday, 5th June) to consider the proposals for an agreement on pay in the public service. Having considered the details it was decided to recommend them for acceptance by the union’s membership. It was...

For the second time in its history the International Federation of Actor (FIA) and its worldwide members gather for a 4-day international conference on live performance. Hosted by FIA member unions Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland,  - the event will...

Following intensive discussions facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), public service trade unions have concluded an agreement with the Government which will see the protections of the Haddington Road Agreement extended to September 2018,...

SIPTU members at Aer Lingus have been informed that management at the airline has agreed to establish a legally enshrined Registered Employment Agreement (REA) at the company which will commit it not to pursue an agenda of outsourcing and compulsory redundancies. The...

SIPTU has called on the management of the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) to attend a conciliation conference facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to discuss job losses and cuts in staff working hours at the charity....

SIPTU will vigorously oppose the Government plan to sell-off its 25% of shares in Aer Lingus due to the failure of the company to provide commitments to workers that it will not impose compulsory redundancies or the outsourcing of jobs. SIPTU Construction and...

SIPTU has called on TDs to vote against the sale of the State’s shareholding in Aer Lingus to allow time for the full consideration of an internal Aer Lingus report which has revealed major job losses are envisaged in the event of an IAG takeover. SIPTU...

SIPTU has called on the management of C&C Gleeson to meet with union representatives and begin a process of engagement relating to a proposed restructuring of the drinks company which could result in up to 25 job losses. SIPTU Organiser, Terry Bryan,...

SIPTU will vigorously oppose the sale by the Government of its 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus if the company fails to provide commitments that it will not impose compulsory redundancies or the outsourcing of jobs. SIPTU Construction and Utilities Division...

Dear Colleagues, SIPTU representatives have entered discussions with public service employers for the restoration of pay for union members who have suffered severe reductions in income over the past number of years. We will also seek the alleviation of the...

A 48-hour work stoppage by SIPTU drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, scheduled to begin on Friday (15th May), has been deferred following agreement between union representatives, management and Department of Transport officials. The...

SIPTU members at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork (UCC), who are engaged in strike action today (Wednesday, 13th May), have called on the UCC President, Michael Murphy, to intervene in their dispute over pay...

The Bord na Móna (BNM) Group of Unions has stated its support for an ESB decision to maintain a supply agreement with the company for peat to fuel its power stations in Shannonbridge, County Offaly, and Lough Ree, County Longford, after...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has welcomed new draft legislation on collective bargaining which the Government has published today describing it as an important and long awaited development by the Irish trade union movement. The legislation...

SIPTU West Cork District Council endorsed the union’s ‘Yes Equality’ campaign for marriage equality at a meeting in the Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway, County Cork, on Tuesday, 21st April. The meeting heard presentations on the...

SIPTU Health Division members called on the Government to honour its commitment to restore their pay in line with national agreements at a rally today (Thursday, 30th April) outside the Department of Health, Dublin 2. At the rally, frontline health...

SIPTU members at the Tyndall National Institute, University College Cork (UCC) will undertake three days of work stoppages in May, beginning tomorrow (Friday, 1st May), during which pickets will be placed on entrances to the facility from 7.00...

SIPTU Bus drivers will place pickets in over 30 locations across the country on Friday, 1st May, as they engage in strike action aimed at protecting services and decent jobs from the threat of privatisation. The strike is one of four scheduled to take...

SIPTU members have expressed their support for the announcement today (Wednesday, 29th April) of a €75 million investment programme in the Bausch and Lomb production plant in Waterford. The decision by the contact lens manufacturer’s parent...

SIPTU members have expressed their support for the announcement today (Wednesday, 29th April) of a €75 million investment programme in the Bausch and Lomb production plant in Waterford. The decision by the contact lens manufacturer’s parent...

SIPTU Kildare District Council will host a meeting on the impact of the housing crisis on the commuter belt in the McAuley Place, Arts and Culture Centre, Sallins Road, Naas, county Kildare at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 30th April. The event...

SIPTU has stated that a comprehensive agreement which deals with the threat to bus services and workers' terms of employment is needed before there can be any suspension of industrial action by bus drivers scheduled to begin on Friday, 1st May. SIPTU...

SIPTU has expressed disappointment with the failure of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to seek input from relevant staff members before publishing an inspection report on the St. Anne’s Centre for people with intellectual disabilities,...

Speaking at the Union’s Education Sector AGM and in advance of the publication of the Government’s Spring Statement next week, SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has called for public spending to be prioritised over tax cuts on...

SIPTU representatives are seeking an urgent meeting with the management of Ladbrokes Ireland to discuss the implications of the bookmaker being placed into examinership after an application to the High Court today (Tuesday, 21st April). SIPTU Sector...

SIPTU Drivers employed by Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are to engage in four days of strike action during May, following a refusal by the management of both companies to meet with workers to discuss their major concerns over plans to privatise 10% of bus...

Former Ulster Bank workers are staging a lunchtime protest today, Wednesday, 15th April at Ulster Bank Head Quarters, Georges Quay, Dublin 2 to highlight the non-implementation of a Labour Court recommendation in relation to their redundancy...

SIPTU has deferred notice of industrial action at University Hospital Galway (UHG), Galway city, pending implementation of an agreement for the facility to secure additional nurses and support staff cover. SIPTU Organiser Mark Lohan said: “This...

A survey of the working lives of the under 35s, conducted by the Young Workers Network (YWN), has revealed that nearly 90% struggle to make ends meet with zero hour contracts and low pay the norm for many. Other findings of the ‘Working Hours and Pay...

A SIPTU member’s claim against Ard Eoin Kickhams GAC for failure to pay her statutory redundancy entitlements will be heard by the Industrial Tribunal in Belfast on Friday, 17th April. The case involves the Belfast GAA club’s former bar...

SIPTU Bus Drivers will consider issuing formal notice of industrial action on Friday, 24th April, if their concerns have not been adequately addressed at meetings with other stakeholders in the dispute over attempts to privatise 10% of public bus services....

SIPTU has called for a full clinical review by an agreed independent expert to examine and validate proposals for the operation of a new psychiatric unit on the campus of Cork University Hospital, Cork City. SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul...

SIPTU Bus Drivers in Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann have voted by over 90%, in both companies, in favour of industrial action and strike action in a ballot counted this afternoon (Friday, 10th April) in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1. The ballot...

SIPTU has demanded urgent action by the Government to end the imposition of zero-hour contracts on home helps working for voluntary sector organisations which are funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide public health care schemes. SIPTU Health Division...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has stated that the struggle of Dunnes Stores workers for decent jobs and against low hour contracts is one that is critical to the defence of the living standards of all workers in Ireland. This...

Irish Equity passed a motion at its Annual General Meeting on Sunday, 29th March, calling for a moratorium on proposed cuts to the funding of the cultural sector in Northern Ireland. The motion also sent “solidarity and support” to the members...

SIPTU members in Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus will meet tomorrow (Tuesday, 31st March) to consider balloting for industrial action following the breakdown of talks, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), on plans to privatise 10%...

The SIPTU Meath District Council endorsed the union’s ‘Yes Equality’ campaign for marriage equality at a meeting in the Dan Shaw Centre, Navan, county Meath, on Tuesday, 24th March. The meeting heard presentations on the...

SIPTU members working as bus drivers for Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann are to ballot for strike action following a threat to privatise 10% of routes without the agreement of workers. SIPTU Utilities and Construction Division Organiser, Owen Reidy,...

SIPTU members employed at Toughers Restaurant in Carlow, county Carlow, have expressed shock at the sudden closure of the restaurant and the liquidation of its parent company. SIPTU Organiser, Denis Hynes, said: “I will be meeting with...

SIPTU has called upon all workers to support their colleagues in Mandate trade union who are on strike at Dunnes Stores across the country today, Thursday, 2nd April, by not shopping at the retailer. SIPTU Services Division Organiser, John...

Political and trade union activists from across the island attended a one-day conference on the future of Palestine in Liberty Hall on Saturday, 28th March. Among those who addressed the conference, entitled ‘Where Now for the Two State Solution...

SIPTU members have stated that a proposal received from the management of Aer Lingus, today (Monday, 30th March), in relation to the guaranteeing of workers’ terms and conditions of employment in the event of a take over by IAG, does not...

SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, has warned that a rigid interpretation of EU budgetary rules risked strangling Ireland’s fragile economic recovery and must now be handled flexibly by the European Commission. “If the Government...

A leading advocate for children in Gaza who was to invited to speak at a conference on Palestine in Dublin tomorrow has been refused a visa by the Israeli authorities. Dr Mona El Farra, projects director of the Middle East Children’s Alliance has refused a...

SIPTU has launched a new Health Care Sector at a conference in Dublin which was addressed by the Minister for Health Leo Varadkar today. Sector Organiser Marie Butler said that the new sector for health care assistants has been set up in response to the growing demand...

SIPTU representatives have indicated their support for the reopening of the Lagan Brick production plant in Drumgill, Kingscourt, county Cavan, following the signing of a pre-production agreement with the company this afternoon (Wednesday, 25th...

The director of a children’s charity in Gaza has been unable to travel to Ireland to address a conference on Palestine later this week due to Israeli security restrictions and the closure of the Rafah access to Egypt. Dr Mona El Farra, the projects...

Pay increases for workers will provide the stimulus necessary to cement the economic recovery, SIPTU General President Jack O’Connor has said. Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics programme on Sunday (22nd March), O’Connor said:...

SIPTU members in the Retained Fire Services voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, including strike action, in a dispute related to attempts to decrease fire appliance crewing levels, at ballots counted today (Friday, 20th March) in...

SIPTU members in the full-time fire service are to ballot for industrial in a dispute resulting from an attempt by the Department of Environment to reduce the crew numbers on fire appliances. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, said: “At a...

The SIPTU NEC statement of 21st November 2014 concluded: “In the absence of a declaration by the Government of its intention to provide every household with an adequate supply of water to meet all its domestic needs, at no direct cost, while...

SIPTU members working in the Central Mental Hospital, Dublin, have secured a compensation package valued at over €2 million resulting from a management re-configuration of hospital services that led to an erosion of workers’ terms and...

SIPTU members are taking strike action at St. Leo’s College in Carlow, county Carlow, today (Friday, 13th March) as part of a dispute relating to their employer’s failure to establish an appropriate workplace pension scheme. Pickets have...

SIPTU Waterford District Council unanimously endorsed the union’s ‘Yes Equality’ campaign for marriage equality at a meeting in Connolly Hall, Waterford City, on Thursday, 12th March. The meeting heard presentations on the reasons...

A presentation on the case for a ‘Yes’ vote and the key issues involved in the Civil Marriage Equality Referendum will be made at a meeting of the SIPTU Waterford District Council in Connolly Hall, county Waterford, this evening (12th March) at...

SIPTU members support the decision of Pfizer to continue production at its Little Island plant, county Cork, and provide continued job security for up to 160 workers. Staff at the facility were informed yesterday (Tuesday, 10th March) that the...

A presentation on the case for a ‘Yes’ vote and the key issues involved in the Civil Marriage Equality referendum will be made at a meeting of the SIPTU Kilkenny District Council in the SIPTU Regional Office, Patrick Street, Kilkenny,...

SIPTU has acknowledged the joint statement this afternoon (Monday, 9th March) from members of the Haddington Road Agreement National Oversight Committee concerning the establishment of an independently chaired joint forum to discuss the future of the Dublin Fire...

Members of the US fast-food workers’ movement ‘Fight for $15’will address a public meeting in Wynn’s Hotel, Abbey Street, Dublin 1, on Wednesday, 11th March at 6.00 p.m. The meeting, organised by the Young...

A presentation on the case for a 'Yes' vote and the key issues involved in the Civil Marriage Equality Referendum will be made at a meeting of the SIPTU Cavan District Council in the SIPTU Offices, Cavan Town, county Cavan, at 7.30 p.m. on...

SIPTU members in the Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) will ballot for industrial action in response to an attempt to remove their ambulance service call and dispatch function and place it under the control of the HSE. The decision to commence a ballot of members immediately...

SIPTU members support the decision of the Nurses and Midwives Board of Ireland (NMBI) to end its attempt to increase its annual retention fee, for nurses and midwives, by 50% for 2015. Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “This decision...

SIPTU members employed to provide catering services at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) will commence a ballot this evening (Wednesday, 4th March), for strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions. SIPTU Organiser, Denis Hynes,...

SIPTU has called for the Government to empower the Labour Court to set fair employment rules for low paid workers in sectors where employers have refused to engage in the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process. In an address to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Jobs...

SIPTU has called on the Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar, to immediately release the capacity review into the National Ambulance Service. Speaking today at the Labour Party Conference in Killarney, SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul...

SIPTU members employed by G4S Secure Solutions Limited will take strike action tomorrow (Tuesday, 3rd March) to protect their jobs supplying security services as part of a contract with South Dublin County Council (SDCC). SIPTU Organiser Peadar Nolan said:...

SIPTU members have voted to support an agreement with management relating to redundancies and changes to work practices arising from the merger of Drogheda, East Meath and Trim credit unions. SIPTU Services Division Organiser, John King, said:...

SIPTU members in the community sector are to ballot for industrial action following the refusal of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government to engage with them on issues including redundancy and the transfer of undertakings. SIPTU Sector...

Workers in the Bord na Móna Finance Shares Services and Feedstock sections have agreed to defer placing notice of strike action on the company and enter into a period of intensive negotiations with management concerning restructuring proposals. Bord na...