Health Division Shop Stewards, Organisers and members hosted nationwide events earlier this month as part of Trade Union Week to highlight the importance of being part of SIPTU.
Stalls were set up nationwide, from Donegal to Kerry, in hospitals and health facilities, where members discussed the benefits of SIPTU membership, including enhanced job security, better pay, advice, support, and improved terms and conditions of employment.
Trade Union Week is part of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ (ICTU) Better in a Trade Union campaign, which was launched to promote the values and benefits of trade union membership.
This year’s events saw SIPTU members in the Health Division step up in a big way.
From information stalls to workplace meetings, Shop Stewards and Activists were visible and vocal throughout the week.
The focus was firmly on raising SIPTU’s visibility on the ground, thanking existing members for their contributions, and reaching out to non-SIPTU workers who benefit from the outcomes of collective bargaining but have not yet joined their colleagues in the Union.
Speaking about the week, Support Sector Organiser Damian Ginley, said: “We were encouraged at the large number of events held across the Health Division. We must use Trade Union Week as an annual reminder of the importance of being in a trade union.”
He added: “Shop Stewards and Activists have shown in large numbers this last week how proud they are of being a member of a trade union. We need to continue to impress on all health workers the benefits of coming together and getting organised.
“In an ever-changing and challenging global environment, the importance of being organised in a trade union is never more crucial to ensuring that health workers have a say in the delivery of healthcare.”
If you missed the events, don’t worry, you can still get involved!
You can speak to a SIPTU Shop Steward or an Organiser in your workplace or visit www.siptu.ie to find out more about what you can do to get involved.