Trade Union Week 2025 took place from Monday 28th April to Friday 2nd May with events across the island in SIPTU-organised workplaces and in communities. In all 33 events were held including stalls, meetings, rallies and marches under the theme SIPTU Visible, SIPTU Strong.
Activities focused on raising the visibility of SIPTU on the ground in workplaces. Non-union workers (who get the benefit of union collective bargaining in their wages and conditions) were invited to join with their colleagues and to play their part in strengthening worker voice in their employment.
The inaugural Trade Union Week took place in 2024 as part of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Better In A Trade Union campaign.
Speaking about Trade Union Week, SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Ethel Buckley said:
“Last year’s Trade Union Week was a great success with a public relations campaign across a range of media including radio, cinemas, public transport and bus shelters featuring Shop Stewards from various unions explaining why workers in their industry are better in a trade union.
“This year we focussed on raising the visibility of SIPTU on the ground in workplaces. We were out in workplaces across the 32 counties thanking members for their contribution and encouraging any workers who benefit from the outcome of the Union’s collective bargaining but who have not yet joined up with their colleagues, to do so.”
She added: “We have a whole range of new promotional materials for Shop Stewards which should help them to raise the visibility of the Union in their workplace and support them in carrying out their role. It’s all about making our Shop Stewards’ lives easier and supporting them to develop the membership in their job.”