SIPTU has launched a proposal for “A Progressive Alternative to the Universal Social Charge” (USC). It recommends that a new Social Solidarity Contribution, which would retain all the progressive elements of the existing USC charge as a highly effective and efficient mechanism for raising much-needed revenue from the wealthy and those on top incomes in Irish society, should be introduced.
The EU should think long and hard before pushing Greece out of the Eurozone, European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) General Secretary Bernadette Ségol has warned.
Clerys workers have voiced their support for the decision of Dublin City Council to endorse a number of motions condemning their treatment and extend the protection of the specific use of the store on O’Connell Street, Dublin.
Clerys workers and Dublin City councillors pictured on the steps of City Hall, Dublin, on Monday (29th June)
The National Executive Council of SIPTU met on 5th June to consider the proposals for an agreement on pay in the public service. Having considered the details it was decided to recommend them for acceptance by the union’s membership.
SIPTU has called on Ryanair to respect workers’ rights following a ruling by the Labour Court in Denmark, on Wednesday (1st July), that trade union members in that country can take industrial action against the company in order to secure their right to collective bargaining.
The International Federation of Actors (FIA) held a very successful four-day international conference on live performance in Liberty Hall, Dublin, from 4th to 6th June.
Hosted by FIA member unions Irish Equity and Equity Northern Ireland, the event gathered together some 200 performers, union and industry representatives from around the world with the aim of discussing challenges, trends and best practices in the live performance sector.
SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O'Flynn addressing the World Live Performance Conference in Liberty Hall, Dublin on Thursday, (4th June)
SIPTU members working in the Our Lady's Unit in the Saint Patrick's Centre, County Kilkenny, had highlighted deficiencies in its operation to the management of the facility prior to it being de-registered and taken under the control of Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on Monday (29th June).
PalFest Ireland is an arts festival organised by Irish artists in solidarity with the people of Palestine. It will mark the first anniversary of the Israeli bombardment of Gaza that left over 2100 Palestinians dead, including more than 500 children. PalFest Ireland is a lively, diverse, positive and culturally rich arts festival involving artists across a broad range of artforms. The festival includes music, theatre, film, dance, poetry, spoken word and visual arts events in many venues in Dublin and nationwide to promote a cultural connection between Ireland and Palestine.
Former chef Mohammed Younis was vindicated in a unanimous Supreme Court judgment on Thursday (25th June), which upheld a 2011 Rights Commissioner decision – endorsed by the Labour Court – to award him €92,634.42 in unpaid wages and compensation for seven years work in a Clondalkin restaurant.
A local bargaining pay agreement has been reached for over 50 workers at the Beckman Coulter plant in Tulla, Co. Clare, covering a three-year period up to March 2018.
A community campaign has called on Maynooth University to reverse the decision to close its swimming pool and save the jobs of the SIPTU members who work at the facility.
The call was made at an organising meeting of the local campaign, held in McMahon's Pub, Maynooth, on Monday (22nd June), to get the pool re-opened.
Strike action at FDYS crèche and youth services in Wexford
SIPTU members employed by Ferns Diocesan Youth Service (FDYS), Wexford Town, conducted strike action on Wednesday (17th June), in a dispute concerning a unilateral change by management to sick leave benefit and its refusal to engage with their union.
The 25th anniversary of International Justice Day for Cleaners and Security Officers was marked by the SIPTU ‘Fair Deal for Cleaners’ campaign on Monday (15th June), with publicity events in workplaces across the country.
Shop Steward, Sean Mc Namara (green overalls) with colleagues from Momentum Cleaning and other workers from the Household Department in St. James Hospital, Dublin
Failing any last minute dramatic developments the people of Greece will vote this Sunday in a referendum that could re-define the EU response to the economic crisis.
The ballot paper will present Greek voters with the choice of accepting specific proposals from its IMF-EU-ECB creditors or rejecting them. However, German chancellor, Angela Merkel, has stated this deal is no longer on the table and warned that a No vote will mark the beginning of the process of Greece leaving the Eurozone.
This means in reality the Greek people will be voting on whether to endorse their majority Syriza government’s approach, of ending crippling austerity, or to accept the logic that the economic policy of Eurozone member states is largely out of the control of individual states.
SIPTU welcomed the decisive victory of Syriza in the Greek general election in January. It was hoped then it would mark the beginning of the end of the nightmare austerity experiment across Europe.
It is often argued that social protection is not affordable or that government expenditure cuts are inevitable during adjustment periods. But there are alternatives, even in the poorest countries.
Both citizens and governments benefit from clear information, written in plain English. Citizens are more likely to understand their rights and governments are more likely to make better use of their resources.
That’s why we recommend that all public information produced by Government and its agencies is written in plain English.
Liberty Online is produced by the Communications Department of SIPTU. Liberty Online is distributed on a regular basis to members who are on the SIPTU e-mail data base. In order to maximize circulation of this news bulletin and other messages and statements we urgently ask recipients to gather the e-mail addresses of other SIPTU members who are not already on the data base. Please forward e-mail addresses to communications@siptu.ie
SIPTU Head Office | Liberty Hall | Dublin 1 | Ireland
