‘Our Army’: A People’s History of the Irish Citizen Army SIPTUdigital 2024-10-12 | ‘Our Army’: A People’s History of the Irish Citizen Army
ICTU stresses the importance of #CollectiveBargaining at Oireachtas Committee. #Unionise SIPTUdigital 2024-01-25 | Owen Reidy, General Secretary opening statement to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the Regulatory and Legislative Changes required for the Transposition of the Adequate and Minimum Wages.Recorded 24 January 2024.
Privatisation, underfunding, outsourcing...a dead paradigm... SIPTUdigital 2024-01-22 | SIPTU Regional Organiser Niall McNally said: “Chris Heaton-Harris is consciously making public sector workers and funding for public services a hostage to fortune.“Indeed, the weaponising of public sector funding and public sector workers’ pay in this way amounts to a divide and conquer strategy to advance the secretary of state’s political agenda.”
Chris Heaton-Harris and the Tories must end the public service pay freeze #RailStrikes #BusStrikes SIPTUdigital 2023-12-05 | Chris Heaton-Harris appears to want to adopt a ‘pick and mix’ approach where he can intervene to direct policy when it suits him on some issues, but then claim no powers to intervene when it comes to improving workers’ pay.The reality is that he is using these brutal budgets as a weapon to corral the political parties back into government. That amounts to a policy of collective punishment of workers and the most vulnerable and will never be acceptable. - SIPTU regional organiser Niall McNally.
Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ solidarity vigil on 27th November at GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin. SIPTUdigital 2023-11-29 | Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ solidarity vigil on 27th November at GPO, O’Connell Street.
Big Starts Lynnette Monk speaking at Fighting for Future of Work #WeAreSIPTU #Unionise Conference SIPTUdigital 2023-11-23 | SIPTU members in the Community Sector provide vital social services throughout the country. Our work includes assisting people with disabilities, youth groups, sports clubs, the elderly, meals on wheels to delivering vital drug rehabilitation programmes among many other services.Although largely funded by public monies, our organisations relationship with the State has been organised in a manner that makes them once or even twice removed from the direct control of Departments and Agencies. This situation is one which has resulted in the ability of the State to claim it is not directly responsible for the unacceptable situation where payment for workers in the Sector has been allowed to decline in real terms for more than a decade.Through the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign and other protest and lobbying actions, we have brought our demand for fair wage rises to public attention. This BDC therefore call on the NEC to maintain its efforts to achieve two core objectives for members in the Community Sector: a) Fair wage rises which provide our members with a salary that allows them to continue to provide vital community services. b) To establish a link between pay in the community sector and the public sector so our members can benefit from the rises negotiated by our union in talks with the State, for which we provide vital services, and which is our primary funding source.
SIPTU Galway District Council welcoming migrants through conversational English SIPTUdigital 2023-11-23 | CERTIFICATES of achievement were recently presented to a group of English language learners at the SIPTU office in Galway.Honorary President, Mary O’Sullivan, and Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley, were guests at the event, held on 27th June, and both spoke about the union’s policy of welcoming and supporting refugees and people from all countries.The gathering included learners, tutors, members of Galway DistrictCouncil and SIPTU staff.SIPTU welcomed members of the Ukrainian community in Galway along with their English language tutor, Olena Bratchenko, who also presented awards to her group of learners.
We need a union revival, Mick Lynch #WeAreSIPTU #Unionise SIPTUdigital 2023-11-22 | A trade union revival is needed to push back the "global attack on workers' rights", RMT union General Secretary told SIPTU's Biennial Delegate Conference (BDC) in Galway.The British trade union leader said that the labour movement needed to be at the forefront of the fight against "outsourcing, subcontracting, agency work and precarious work.""We must get rid of the two-, three- and four-tier system that divides workers in the workplace," Lynch said, "and fight for the same terms and conditions for everyone.""We have people now in areas like health, education and transport who don't even know who they are working for."In Britain, this is leading to institutional racism with the jobs at the bottom of the tiered system almost entirely done by new migrants, who often don't understand their full rights. It's cynical exploitation."Lynch also said that the trade union movement needed to push politicians of all parties, in Britain and Ireland, to deliver a workers' agenda."We've got to tell them, 'you are under manners'. You've got to deliver, no matter what rosette you're wearing, for a workers' agenda."As well as increases in pay and improvements in conditions, Lynch backed SIPTU's Right to Organise campaign for legislative change to improve workers' rights."In Britain, we have statutory recognition for unions, we need to see the same in Ireland," he said, "as well as the right to access the workplace, the right to hold meetings with workers and the right to recruit.""Trade unions are agents of progress; we need to galvanise people to fight for change and a better society. That is our mission."
Fighting for the Future of Work - SIPTU Public Services #Unionise #WeAreSIPTU SIPTUdigital 2023-11-18 | ...
Fighting for the Future of Work - SIPTU Private Sector #Unionise #WeAreSIPTU SIPTUdigital 2023-11-18 | ...
Ring fenced funding for Early Years pay is key #WeAreSIPTU #Unionise SIPTUdigital 2023-11-10 | This week, we took our campaign for respect, recognition and better pay to the corridors of power. Avril Green, Early Years Educator and SIPTU activist, delivered a message to TDs and Senators at the Oireachtas Committee on Children: “I am proud to be an Early Years Educator, we love our jobs, but love doesn’t pay the bills”.Avril powerfully outlined the problems faced by thousands of people working in the sector and the families who depend on these essential public services. She does not stand alone. Together, with thousands of SIPTU members, we are keeping pay and the staffing crisis firmly on the political agenda. Together we are making a difference. Now, we need the Government to stand up and take notice. That is why we are: 1. Raising our issues with government and opposition politicians2. Regularly meeting with the Minister for Children and his Department3. Supporting and working with managers through local networks 4. Talking to Educators in their services and local community about getting involved 5. Building a powerful Early Years Union To the thousands of Educators and Managers who have joined us so far, thank you. Every single person who joins SIPTU, the Early Years’ Union, takes us one step closer to the pay and conditions we deserve. If you are not a member, we are asking you to join us today. The bigger our union, the stronger our voice. If you have any questions or would like to arrange a meeting, please get in touch, email bigstart@siptu.ie.
SIPTU Community members update SIPTUdigital 2023-10-18 | Main points of the proposal:1. Acceptance from the Government that the pay link to public service agreements needs to be restored2. Agreed timeline to achieve this3. Interim pay movements:3% from 1st April 20232% from November 20233% from 1st March 20244. Re-engagement by 1st December 2023, to agree further adjustment (remaining 1.5% from Building Momentum and implementation of the next public service pay agreement)5. The pay disparity is to be dealt with in full be the end of the next pay agreement
I give blood sweat and tears to my job - Martha Buckley, SIPTU Shop Steward SIPTUdigital 2023-10-17 | "I give blood sweat and tears to my job"Martha tells #RTEUpfront why she is striking as a healthcare assistant.
SIPTU Education - Making Remote Work Work SIPTUdigital 2023-10-12 | SIPTU NEC member, Ciaran McKenna says SIPTU members in Education are campaigning for remote work to be a term and condition of employment, not a concession from management.
SIPTU Education - Irelands Largest Union in Higher Education SIPTUdigital 2023-10-08 | It's better in a UNION! #JoinSIPTU
Pension Promise campaign rally outside Leinster House #PensionPromise SIPTUdigital 2023-10-04 | We're calling on Government to take the politics out of the State Pension, and to benchmark it at 34% of average earnings.
Brexit is a disaster for all workers on the island of Ireland SIPTUdigital 2023-09-21 | The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement will met on Thursday September 21st for a discussion on workers rights and constitutional change.Gerry McCormack, Deputy General Secretary of SIPTU
SIPTU warns Government care needed in #equalityreferendum wording SIPTUdigital 2023-09-13 | Ethel Buckley, Deputy General Secretary, SIPTU said:“The forthcoming referendum on the inclusion of care in our constitution is a critical moment for SIPTU and Irish society. This referendum will provide a unique opportunity to recognise the value and importance of care and the care workforce. In making its final decisions on the wording, the government must include care in all its forms, both in the home and outside the home, so that all those who provide care are valued, anything less will not be acceptable to SIPTU. SIPTU looks forward to working with our members throughout Ireland and with civil society organisations in a referendum campaign that will build a national consensus on the importance of care work to all our lives and will recognise the essential services that the care workforce provides.”
Philly McMahon in conversation with ICTU General Secretary Owen Reid SIPTUdigital 2023-09-04 | Philly McMahon has opened up on far-right groups protesting outside his gym and why he chose to not engage with protesters.The retired Dublin footballer has a number of successful businesses and found far-right protestors outside his gym earlier this year.McMahon opened up on the experience when speaking to the general secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions Owen Reidy.
SIPTU outlines five key priorities for childcare in Budget 2024 SIPTUdigital 2023-09-01 | SIPTU representatives launched the union's pre-Budget submission on childcare outlining five priorities for the sector.Speaking at the launch in the Larkin preschool, Ballybough, Dublin, SIPTU Head of Strategic Organising, Darragh O’Connor, said: "Quality for children is at the heart of our submission. We have set out five priorities for Budget 2024, including measures to address the staffing crisis, improve quality and support children with additional needs."The staffing crisis is the biggest issue for Early Years services, with more than one-third of staff seeking work outside the profession. This crisis has resulted in room closures, increased workload and stress for educators, as well as high staff turnover which undermines quality.""Unless the minimum rates of €13 per hour increase significantly, Earl Years educators will continue leave their profession for better-paid jobs simply to pay the bills."SIPTU Organiser, Deborah Reynolds, said: "I worked in Early Years for over a decade, so I know the difference that high-quality care and education can make in the life of children."The best outcomes for children are achieved when early education and care are delivered by experienced graduates who are consistently working with the same children. To achieve this, Early Years professionals must be rewarded with appropriate rates of pay that recognise both graduate qualifications and years of service."
Women Rising Together - Solidarity from SIPTU to UNI Global Union’s 6th World Womens Conference SIPTUdigital 2023-08-21 | Hundreds of women trade union leaders from UNI affiliates across the world will meet on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August 2023 for UNI Global Union’s 6th World Women's Conference at the Philadelphia Convention Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.SIPTU Services Divisional Organiser, Teresa Hannick with a message to delegates.
The Jig is Up #Unionise SIPTUdigital 2023-08-20 | “A production company can scan human being, a worker and generate a digital version and use it in perpetuity without having to pay the performer” Your Passion, Your Profession, Your Future, Your Union. Protect them all.Featuring: Irish Equity President, Gerry O'Brien, Hugh Farley (Writers Guild of Ireland) SIPTU Sector Organiser, Michelle Quinn, Actor and Writers Domhnall Gleeson and Kathleen Warner Yeats.
Members update for SIPTU retained firefighters SIPTUdigital 2023-08-17 | Late night talks (Wednesday, August 16th) at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) have resulted in an offer of improved terms for Retained Fire Fighters in a bid to resolve the current strike. As a result, SIPTU has decided to suspend strike action while these terms are considered and voted upon.SIPTU Public Administration and Community Divisional Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: "It was a long and difficult day yesterday with discussions continuing into the early hours of this morning. Eventually, enough progress was made to develop a document that could be put to members for consideration. The wording of the document will be finalised by the WRC shortly, but the heads of agreement tackle the core issue of pay security for fire fighters."On foot of a request from the WRC, and to allow members time to consider the document, the union has agreed that the industrial action and strike action will be suspended pending consultation and voting on the proposals."As well as dealing with core pay, the overall proposals provided more value for fire fighters and made adjustments for new recruits to assist with the recruitment problem. Under the terms, new recruits would now enter the service with guaranteed minimum earnings of over €18,000 and would move to the increments faster than is currently the case. In addition, the guaranteed earnings for fire fighters with more than 8 years of service would be over €21,500."If the deal is agreed, station officers will have secure minimum earnings of between €27,400 and €31,730. Other relevant conditions in respect to the filling of promotional positions and the hiring of 400 new recruits remain intact, as does the reduction of a requirement to be available from 48 weeks to 24 weeks with an option to be available more frequently on a voluntary basis."This is a good first step in our campaign to rebuild the Retained Fire Service and, if this proposal is acceptable to our members, we will move to the second phase of the campaign. This will take place at the public service talks where the minister, Darragh O'Brien, will be tasked with continuing to build the retainer. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) and SIPTU would then set about delivering the policies agreed, such as local authority hiring practices for Retained Fire Fighters, sick pay, other types of statutory leave, retirement age and social protection."SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O'Brien, said: "It has been clear for some time now that the rebuilding of the Retained Fire Service would be a two-step process. This first step provides, for the very first time, guaranteed income for Retained Fire Fighters. This would give us the correct direction of travel for the future, while ensuring that the work-life balance is also addressed."The proposal on the table has a built-in review every six months to ensure that the recruitment mechanisms stay on course and the policies are rolled out in good time. It has been an arduous process for Retained Fire Fighters. Their resilience and determination in this dispute is to be admired."
SIPTU retained fire fighters to resume strike action SIPTUdigital 2023-07-20 | SIPTU Fire Fighters across the country have voted by an overwhelming majority of 82% to 18% to reject the Labour Court recommendation which was proposed as ‘an interim solution’ to their dispute last week.
John McCamley at ‘Policy Forum for Ireland - Next steps for mental health services in Ireland’ SIPTUdigital 2023-07-06 | John McCamley speaks at ‘Policy Forum for Ireland keynote seminar - Next steps for mental health services in Ireland’ about the staffing crisis in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services on 20th June 2023.
Forgotten” frontline workers demand their Covid bonus SIPTUdigital 2023-06-19 | SIPTU members working in contract cleaning and security across Ireland are demanding that an Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar intervene to honour a commitment made to all essential frontline health workers in respect of the pandemic recognition payment.
SIPTU pressing for pay rise for all childcare workers, educators and managers SIPTUdigital 2023-06-14 | SIPTU, along with employer groups who are members of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) will meet today to discuss a review of the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) for the childcare sector.🚨There is a recruitment crisis in the sector and that the minimum hourly rate of €13 must be increased in order to attract workers.
SIPTU Retained Firefighters protest in Portlaoise SIPTUdigital 2023-06-14 | Retained Firefighters are striking to ensure that a government report on the future of the service is implemented in full in order to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis that threatens to collapse this essential community resource.
SIPTU retained firefighters demand action! - Tom Kitterick #summerofsolidarity SIPTUdigital 2023-06-12 | SIPTU Shop Steward Tom Kitterick is 15 years in the service and feels it is his duty to warn the public the fire service is facing collapse. "It is proving impossible to attract and keep retained firefighters. You must always be within a few kilometres of your station 24 hours a day, seven days a week and ready for service unless you’re on holiday. The renumeration is too low to attract people into the service with such curtailment of your normal life.The only thing that is keeping this vital emergency service from collapse is that ire ighters are committed to their communities. These are the reasons why we have voted for thefirst national strike in the history of the service.”
People need hope. People need houses. #RaiseTheRoof #HomeForAll SIPTUdigital 2023-06-12 | NEW 🚨 | We believe that everyone who lives and works in Ireland has the right to secure and affordable housing.
PAY TALKS – ROUND 2 HAS BEGUN SIPTUdigital 2023-05-25 | Our campaign for professional pay, conditions and recognition has entered a new phase as the second round of pay talks officially start. Our union, SIPTU, is the voice of Early Years and School Age Educators and Managers at the pay negotiations.
Annual James Connolly Commemoration - #HisNameWasConnolly SIPTUdigital 2023-05-19 | ames Connolly commemoration in Arbour Hill on 14th MaySIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, addressed the annual commemoration of the life of James Connolly, one of the most significant figures in the history of our union, who was executed for his leading role in the Easter Rising on 12th May 1916.
James Connolly commemoration in Arbour Hill on 14th May SIPTUdigital 2023-05-18 | SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King, addressed the annual commemoration of the life of James Connolly, one of the most significant figures in the history of our union, who was executed for his leading role in the Easter Rising on 12th May 1916.
Construction industry SEO update from Sector Organiser John Regan SIPTUdigital 2023-05-10 | SIPTU Construction Sector Organiser John Regan updates members on Sectoral Employment Order (SEO) in May 2023.
TEAC Division Organiser Adrian Kane update to Construction members SIPTUdigital 2023-05-10 | TEAC Division Organiser Adrian Kane's update to members concerning the new SEO and wider plans for the TEAC Division.
SIPTU Organiser Thomas Healy SIPTUdigital 2023-04-14 | SIPTU Organiser Thomas Healy outside JJ Rhatigan building site in county Cork
SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser Greg Ennis speaking at Rehab protest SIPTUdigital 2023-03-31 | SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Greg Ennis, speaks at a protest by SIPTU members formerly employed at the Rehab Enterprises logistics centre in Raheen, county Limerick outside the RehabCare office, Parnell Street, Limerick City on 21st March.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council industrial dispute March 2023 SIPTUdigital 2023-03-14 | Members of SIPTU, NIPSA, Unite and the GMB in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council are voting on industrial action in a dispute resulting from the failure of management to respect agreements related to issues resulting from the creation of the local authority area in 2015.
Rehab Protest over ‘redundancy pay justice’ SIPTUdigital 2023-03-02 | Protest at Rehab Headquarters in Dublin, Park West, on 13th February concerning ‘redundancy pay justice’ for SIPTU members made redundant by the Rehab Group in Raheen, Limerick in 2021
Ireland for All march in Dublin on 18th February SIPTUdigital 2023-03-02 | Tens of thousands of people take part in a march protesting at attempts by the far right to cause division in our communities.
