SIPTU members employed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have announced that they will not engage with a management forum, or other processes linked to the organisation’s so-called ‘transformation plan’, due to a failure to respect their right to trade union representation.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: “Our members had proposed a qualified SIPTU official to represent their interests on the forum established by management to discuss organisational changes and voluntary redundancies. Despite numerous requests and ample opportunity, management has failed to even formally respond to this proposal.
“This failure to respect basic industrial relations practice leaves our members with no option but to withdraw cooperation with the forum and any related initiatives until such time as the FAI agrees to engage properly with their Union.”
He added: “Our members have not even been allowed sight of the so-called transformation plan. This is no way to conduct change within any organisation, particularly not one with the number of issues which need to be addressed as the FAI.”
SIPTU Organiser, Hugh Kennedy, said: “The manner in which SIPTU members and all staff within the FAI have been treated in recent weeks falls far short of acceptable standards for any employer, much less one entrusted with the stewardship of football in Ireland and the recipient of significant public funding.
“This dispute arises within the broader context of SIPTU’s ‘Our Union, Our Team’ campaign, which seeks to ensure that all FAI workers are treated with dignity, fairness and genuine respect for their collective voice.”
He added: “Until management demonstrates a willingness to engage in proper industrial relations through agreed structures, our members will maintain their stance of non-cooperation.”