In this issue:
SIPTU welcomes Pfizer $130 million investment announcement
Strike action at Milne Foods in County Offaly
Death of paramedic must never be repeated
Credit Union workers to attend Kells Town Council meeting
Welcome for report on workplace innovation in Ireland
ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference 2013 held in Belfast
Begg tells conference 'now is time for major programme of investment'
Jack O’Connor calls for strategic investment in domestic economy
Fine Gael is denying collective bargaining rights
Campaign for repeal of emergency FEMPI legislation
Fire Fighter's Wedding
Support workers in Ireland
Visit the Dublin tenement experience
IBEC call protects wealthy at expense of less well off
NERI questions proposal for a €3 billion budget adjustment
GDP figures make clear crisis is far from over
Global Labour Column
Can the Rehn-Meidner model be a guiding star for the EU countries like Ireland?
The Spirit of Mother Jones Festival
Claiming our Future - Budget Alternatives
Fair Hotel
Fair Hotels
Larkin Credit Union
The James Plunkett Short Story Award
SIPTU Membership Services - Summer Offers from JLT
SIPTU Basic English Scheme
VHI Affordable Plans
Supporting Quality
Useful links
Send to a friend »Subscribe »Search past issues »Contact us »Print all articles »

siptu2

siptu4



Visit our website
ICTU Biennial Delegate Conference 2013 held in Belfast

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions Biennial Delegate Conference (BDC) was held in the Assembly Buildings, Belfast, from Tuesday (2nd July), to Thursday, (4th, July). 

Over 700 delegates and observers attended the conference whose theme was Decent Work, Better Future. The motions debated dealt with a wide range of issues including the economic crisis, the reform of trade union structures, workplace rights and equality.

Delegates passed motions on the economic crisis that called for “an end to the failed deflationary policies which for five years have depressed domestic demand and prevented growth”, and one demanding the introduction of a sustained programme of investment to create jobs. 

Other motions passed included one on the restructuring of the trade union movement across the island and the necessity for Ireland to meet its international legal and human rights obligations by honouring the Government commitment on trade union rights and the right to collective bargaining. 

At the conference, Congress General Secretary, David Begg, said he would be stepping down before the next biennial conference.

He said in the interim he had three objectives: the introduction of new rights for collective bargaining, the development of a new constitution for the trade union movement and the drawing up of a new economic plan for the country in association with the Nevin Economic Research Institute.

Incoming Congress President John Douglas told delegates it was critical that the union movement reorganises its structure and makes a political impact if it is to achieve its aims.

Addressing the conference Douglas said: “I am sick of politicians north and south pandering and tipping the forelock to multinational abuse of the tax regime, while the same politicians cut services to the most vulnerable and criminalise ordinary workers who can’t pay service charges.

“The present crisis presents the trade union movement not only with challenges but with a great opportunity. We are still the biggest civil society organisation in Ireland; our challenge is to build on our strengths, refine our structures and to mobilise with a unity of purpose.”

Facebook Twitter | Comment (0)
Email Newsletter Software by Newsweaver