In this issue:
Talks on Irish Rail dispute continue
Justice for Clerys Workers Solidarity Concert with Christy Moore
Christy Moore performs at Clerys solidarity concert in Liberty Hall
Jack O’Connor Presidential speech to Conference
SIPTU President announces union campaign for decent work
SIPTU delegates at Conference
Call for an urgent and wide-ranging fire safety audit of properties
SIPTU security guard members to conduct industrial action at Shell terminal in County Mayo
Failure to end VAT break for non-compliant hospitality sector
Extract from President Michael D Higgins keynote address to Irish Labour History Society Conference
SIPTU agrees deal to bring Dublin Fire Brigade numbers up to safe level
SIPTU Youth - Why Trade Unions Matter
SIPTU calls on Roscommon Leisure Centre board to engage with WRC
Seminar on Brexit
School Bus Driver Representative Retires
SIPTU Radiographers and Radiation Therapists are ready for State Registration
SIPTU Community supporting 72 hour vigil by people with disabilities
Signed Limited Edition Print of James Connolly by Jim Fitzpatrick
SIPTU graduates from the ICTU/UCC Diploma in Adult Learning and Development
BNM unions express disappointment at end of harvesting of peat for energy
Annual Mass for Deceased Members
SIPTU members vote to accept new agreement with Brinks Ireland
Fairshop
Carrickmines tragedy must never be repeated
Budget is mix of positive measures and missed opportunities
The National Living Wage and Alternative Enforcement
2015 European Week for Safety and Health at Work
Palestinian call for protection
Supporting Quality
JLT Home Insurance
One Direct - Car Insurance
Travel Insurance
Taxback
Young Workers Network
SIPTU Basic English Scheme
Larkin Credit Union
Fair Hotel
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Budget is mix of positive measures and missed opportunities
Budget 2016 contains positive measures that will see workers make the first real financial gains from a budget in almost eight years, according to SIPTU researcher, Ger Gibbons.

Public service commitments, including the restoration of the Christmas bonus by 75% for hard-pressed social welfare recipients, the increase in the minimum wage, the restoration of the respite care grant and the extension of free childcare will help improve the living conditions of some of the most vulnerable in society, he said.

“Budget 2016 however represents a missed opportunity to recover from the social damage caused by the crisis.

“The resources available as the economy recovers should have been allocated over the medium term in a 2:1 ratio, with two-parts going towards rebuilding public services, and one-part towards tax reform.

“The Government’s decision to opt for a 50:50 split leaves insufficient resources to start repairing the damage of recent years.

“We welcome the reversal of some of the most egregious cuts implemented from 2008 to 2014 but are disappointed that others, such the cut to the standard Jobseekers’ Allowance for those aged 26 and under, were not addressed.”
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