In this issue:
Deadline to resolve bus dispute
SIPTU NEC appoints Gene Mealy as new union Vice President
Dunnes Stores attack on workers provokes escalation of dispute
Solidarity with Dunnes Stores Workers
Health Minister addresses health care assistants conference
SIPTU Health Care Assistants tell us why they are worth it
Health workers to rally for better services and jobs
Bord na Móna workers meet TDs to discuss dispute
Former Ulster Bank workers’ protest
Successful conference on future of Palestine
Dr Mona El Farra speaking to SIPTU Palestine Conference
Elaine Bradley gives eye witness account of life in Palestine
Government action needed to end home helps’ zero-hour contracts
Zero-hour contracts and low pay the norm for young workers
Aer Lingus assurances concerning proposed takeover are inadequate
Water: Public resource or private commodity?
Global Action Day
Belfast GAA club in Industrial Tribunal over failure to pay redundancy
Cuba and US presidents hold historic talks
Cuba Dublin Festival
Cuban Film Festival
Call for clinical review of new psychiatric unit on CUH campus
Support for re-opening of Lagan Brick production plant
May Day 2015
Irish Equity supports call for halt to cuts in Northern Ireland cultural sector
Retained fire-fighters commit to industrial action if unsafe changes imposed
Yes to Equality
Support for Pfizer decision not to close Little Island plant
Additional funding for patient care at University Hospital Galway
New Activists training in the Community Sector
Seminar for frontline services
Polish Cultural Night
Ecumenical service of remembrance for children killed in the Easter Rising, Dublin
Low pay must top political agenda
Reducing inequality will not happen on its own – explicit policies are needed
NERI Seminar: A Future Worth Working For
Young Workers Network
Seán Murray Marxist‐Leninist and Irish Socialist Republican by Seán Byers
Docklands Book Sale
SIPTU Members Home Insurance
SIPTU Travel Insurance
Get up to 80% off* Car Insurance
taxback.com - 10% Discount
SIPTU Basic English Scheme
Fairshop
Larkin Credit Union
Fair Hotel
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Low pay must top political agenda

The on-going dispute at Dunnes Stores has highlighted the scandal of low pay and insecure employment in this country, which has the second highest number of low paid workers in the OECD.

Dunnes Stores has also the largest number of workers in any Irish company in receipt of family income supplements which represents a subsidy by the State to an employer who is clearly exploiting much of its workforce.

Many workers complain that the minimum 15 hour contracts they are forced to accept prevents them from obtaining bank or credit union loans and from securing rental accommodation or mortgages.

The situation is not unique to Ireland and on Wednesday (15th April) tens of thousands of workers protested against low pay and precarious work in the global ‘Fight for 15' ($15 per hour) campaign for a minimum wage in the fast food industry.

They were joined by low paid workers in the cleaning, catering, retail and hospitality sectors in many cities across the globe in a campaign that has made a major impact in the US in the year before a presidential election.

With a general election due here in less than 12 months, low pay and decent work must be placed at the top of the political agenda along with long awaited pay rises across the economy.

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