Hundreds of full-time and retained firefighters who are members of SIPTU marched to Leinster House in Dublin on Tuesday (24th February) in protest against a threatened cut in crew members for fire tenders.

SIPTU Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, told the rally that the plans by the Department of the Environment to reduce the number of firefighters in response crews by up to 33% will jeopardise the safety of firefighters and the public.

Cork fire-fighter, Noel Healy, said the 3000 members of SIPTU in the fire service are concerned about the real prospect of fire disasters if crew levels are cut to a minimum of four rather than the current standard of six.

“You have seen the likes of Priory Hall and we don’t want to be part of another Stardust. We don’t want any more firefighter deaths in Ireland. We have had enough during this decade,” he said.

Over 800 firefighters took part in the march and rally which was also addressed by Antoinette Keegan of the Stardust Families Committee who said she was alarmed that there are only two operational fire prevention officers in Dublin thirty-four years after the Artane nightclub disaster in which 48 young people lost their lives. 

The threat of over 200 job losses at three Mondelez Ireland (formerly Cadburys) plants amounts to a “dark day for manufacturing in Ireland”, according to SIPTU Organisers.

Union representatives will meet with the management of Mondelez Ireland on Monday, 2nd March, following the company’s announcement, on Thursday (26th February) that it intends to implement up to 160 redundancies at its plants in Coolock, county Dublin, and Rathmore, county Kerry.

Discussions will also focus on the company’s threat to close its gum base production plant in Tallaght, county Dublin, in early 2016.

SIPTU Organiser, Colm Casserly, said: “The announcement that the company is seeking such large-scale redundancies has come as a complete shock to the workforces. Employees at the plants have given sterling service to the company over the years. The bombshell of this announcement when coupled with the news that production is being transferred from the Coolock and Tallaght facilities to Poland has turned shock to anger.”

He added: “In discussions with management, SIPTU will be attempting to minimise the number of redundancies to the greatest degree possible.”

Many of the threatened job losses are due to the company’s plan to halt production of the Time Out and Pink Snack bars in Dublin gum and to move some operations to Poland.

SIPTU Organiser Michelle Quinn said: “Approximately 60 workers face losing their jobs if the Tallaght plant closes. The threatened closure of this plant, along with the announcement that the company is seeking to cut jobs at other plants amounts to a dark day for manufacturing in Ireland. For many years ‘Cadburys’ has been an iconic brand supporting quality Irish jobs and the impact of these job losses will badly effect local communities.”

The Low Pay Commission, which was launched on Thursday (26^th February) is expected to issue a preliminary report on the level of the minimum wage by mid summer.

The nine-person commission, which includes current SIPTU Vice President and incoming Congress President, Patricia King, has been established to advise Government on the correct level to set the minimum wage.

In the coming weeks, the commission will consult widely with employers, unions and civic society in order to inform its deliberations on the level at which the minimum wage should be set.

Speaking at the first meeting of the commission, Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, said: “The Commission represents the next step in the Labour Party and the Government prioritising work and fairness as the economic recovery takes hold.”

She added: “If we are interested in long-term solutions, it is crucial we start looking at why there are jobs that simply do not pay enough to cover the basic costs of living.

SIPTU Services Division Organiser, John King, said: “We are pleased that the Low Pay Commission has been advanced to a position where it can now begin its work. SIPTU will be working along with it to ensure that the benefits of the improving economy are distributed to the low paid and vulnerable workers.”

He added: “The commission can play a vital role in both ensuring all workers benefit from the economic recovery and assisting that recovery by ensuring that more money is put into the economy by workers.”

Workers in the Bord na Móna Finance Shared Services section have agreed to defer placing notice of strike action on the company and enter into a period of intensive negotiations with management concerning restructuring proposals.

Bord na Móna Group of Unions Secretary and SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “It was agreed that intensive discussions on the issues in dispute would commence on Tuesday, 3rd March, and conclude by the end of the month. The issue will then be jointly referred to a hearing of the Labour Court and the Group of Unions will ballot members on its recommendation.”

Unite the Union official, Colm Quinlan, added: “This dispute arose from an attempt by management to fill positions in a manner designed to destabilise the employment status of other employees and to convert stable employment into precarious employment through displacement. The approach was unprecedented and was unacceptable to workers.”

Protest outside the Dáil on Tuesday (17th February) to highlight lack of funding for early years education

SIPTU members in the Bose plant in Carrickmacross, county Monaghan, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of redundancy terms proposed by the company.

SIPTU Organiser, Jim McVeigh, said the redundancy proposals emerged after several weeks of negotiation with union representatives.

"We negotiated what we considered to be a fair and reasonable redundancy package. We recommended the proposals to the members and they voted overwhelmingly in favour of the terms,” he said.

“We will be continuing discussions with the company, the Government and the IDA, to try and ensure that alternative employment opportunities are provided for the skilled workforce and that new investment can be found for the Bose site in Carrickmacross."

The company, which has been operating in Carrickmacross since 1978, employed 140 workers before management announced its closure in late January.

Community sector workers held a protest outside the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government on Wednesday (18th February) to highlight the Department’s drive to privatise community social inclusion programmes.

Hundreds of community workers from the across the State attended the protest, during which a large ‘Department of Silence’ banner was placed on the walls of the Custom House to highlight the Department’s refusal to talk to workers.

SIPTU Community Sector activist, Donnie O’Leary, said: “Workers across the country are being placed on protective notice with some having already been made redundant. In the face of the Department’s intransigence the union has been left with no option but to commence a protective ballot to defend our jobs under transfer of undertakings legislation.”

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Eddie Mullins, said: “We are calling on the Minister for the Environment, Alan Kelly, a Labour Minister and Deputy Leader of his party, to respect the recommendation of the Labour Court and direct his Department to immediately engage meaningfully with community sector workers through our union. At these talks our concerns over privatisation, terms and conditions of employment and job losses must be addressed.”

At its January meeting the SIPTU National Executive Committee called on union members to vote ‘Yes’ in the forthcoming referendum on Marriage Equality.

Following the decision, SIPTU Campaigns and Equality Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: "As trade unionists we don't tolerate discrimination in the workplace. Neither should we tolerate discrimination in society as a whole.

"In a real Republic based on equal citizenship, civil marriage should be open to all citizens. By voting ‘Yes’, SIPTU members will be according same sex couples the right to equality.”

Union representatives are in discussions with management at UPC Ireland following the announcement by the telecommunications company on Thursday (19th February) that it intends to implement 170 redundancies at five facilities as part of a restructuring plan.

SIPTU Organiser, Dennis Hynes, said: “Management has stated that the redundancies are unavoidable due to the company’s decision to implement a restructuring plan which will see some operations relocated to the Philippines and others amalgamated. Out of the approximately 170 job losses, over 100 relate to our members."

He added: “Discussions will continue, if necessary, throughout the statutory 30 days consultative period before any redundancies can be implemented. Over the coming days the focus for SIPTU representatives will be on minimising the final number of redundancies and ensuring the best terms are secured for the workers who will lose their jobs.”

SIPTU members in the north-east have called on the Health Service Executive (HSE) to re-think its proposal to cut a further €800,000 from the budget for elderly services in Co. Meath.

According to SIPTU Organiser, John McCamley, the proposed cut comes on the back of an overcrowding crisis within the emergency departments of local hospitals, including Our Lady of Lourdes hospital in Drogheda and Our Lady's Hospital, Navan.

“The overcrowding within local hospitals directly relates to a lack of beds within the north-east community services.  The concern of our members in the health service is that further cuts can only deepen the A&E crisis,” he said.
 
“We are calling on the regional management of the HSE to refrain from implementing these cuts particularly where there is a need for additional beds within the community sector to deal with the overcrowding crisis in the emergency departments of the main hospitals in the region.”

The Emergency Department Taskforce has recommended that Home Helps should spend a minimum of 30 minutes with each client in which essential care can be provided.

Reacting to the recommendation, SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “The SIPTU Home Helps campaign for additional hours and the full utilisation of their existing contracted hours has succeeded in securing this key improvement for clients.

"This move will allow hospitals to successfully discharge more patients, assured that they will be provided with a proper standard of care in the community. If this decision had been made prior to Christmas it would have reduced the impact of overcrowding in our hospital network.”

The decision to allow Home Helps a minimum of 30 minutes with patients was made at a meeting of the Emergency Department Taskforce in Dr. Steeven’s Hospital, Dublin, in early February.

The taskforce comprises relevant stakeholders including senior doctors, lead hospital consultants, HSE National Directors, union representatives and senior officials from the HSE Acute Hospitals Directorate and the Department of Health.

On Wednesday, 11th March, The Young Workers Network will join leaders from the Fight for $15 movement in the USA to protest against zero hour contracts outside McDonalds in Dublin.  

A new report from the European Public Services Union and International Union of Food Workers shows that McDonalds avoided paying €1 billion in tax between 2009 and 2013.  

Workers on zero hour contracts are effectively reduced to a commodity like a tin of beans on a shelf waiting until someone comes to pick him or her up. 

The Young Workers Network will hold a rally first in Wynn's Hotel, Dublin at 6.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 11th March to hear from worker leaders from the USA's Fight for $15 movement and then march to McDonalds to hold a protest.

Claiming our Future is supporting a PETITION kick-started by leading German trade unionists who are organising solidarity with the people of Greece following the resounding election victory of the leftist Syriza party.

It's an extraordinary statement and people around the world are being asked to add their names. This initiative must be supported now in the interests of the Greek people. At the same time, it will help to kick-start the process of policy change across Europe as a whole. The political upheaval in Greece can be turned into an opportunity to establish a democratic and social Europe!

Please read the appeal here. And sign here. 

As part of President Higgins Ethics Initiative, Congress is exploring the role and importance of ethics in the workplace and we want to hear what you think. 

How would you respond to the question, What does an Ethical Workplace Mean to You? For more information on how you can participate and make your voice heard, visit www.ethicalworkplace.ie or simply tweet using #ethicswork

Proposals to alleviate the housing crisis were the focus of lively debate at a meeting in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, county Meath, on Wednesday, (18th February).

Among the options presented for consideration to an audience of local SIPTU members, county councillors and members of the public was the introduction of rent controls, repair of local authority housing stock and direct State funding of house building.

Housing expert and lecturer in political geography at Maynooth University, Rory Hearne, addressed the event organised by the SIPTU Meath District Council.

He said: “At the current rate of housing construction the local authority housing lists will not be dealt with until 2038.”

He added: “However, if there is the popular and political will we can solve the housing crisis.”

SIPTU is currently conducting a survey of housing needs among its membership in order to better inform its debate on the union’s ‘Discussion paper on Ireland’s Housing Crisis’.

To read the discussion paper click here

http://www.siptu.ie/media/publications/name_18459_en.html

SIPTU members have agreed to attend further talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) to try to resolve a dispute affecting security members employed by G4S Secure Solutions Limited at South Dublin County Council (SDCC) sites.

The dispute centres on the failure of the incoming contractor, Top Security Ltd., to apply the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (TUPE) and to employ staff from G4S Secure Solutions on existing terms and conditions.

The SIPTU members employed on a contract to supply security services to SDCC had served strike notice on their employer in a dispute concerning transfer of undertakings regulations due to begin on Tuesday, 17^th February, but deferred the action after an invitation from the LRC. Three of the four parties attended a meeting facilitated by the Commission on Friday, 20^th February.

According to SIPTU Organiser, Peadar Nolan, there was no resolution of the issues but the parties which did attend agreed to a further meeting on Thursday (26^th February). However, Top Security Ltd. did not send any representatives to the LRC discussions. 

“We were very disappointed at the non-attendance of the proposed incoming contractor, Top Security Ltd. as they have a crucial role to play in the talks. We have urged the Council to use its influence as the client to insist that Top Security attends the LRC,” Peadar Nolan said.

“If representatives of Top Security fail to attend at the LRC on Thursday and the dispute is not resolved, strike action will commence at 7.00 a.m. on Tuesday, 3^rd March. While we are committed to talks to resolve the issue our members will be ready to take action should these talks fail. Essentially, if this is not resolved these members will be made compulsorily redundant by Wednesday, 4^th March, which is a totally unacceptable situation.”

An agreement has been reached between health unions and management, facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission (LRC), to significantly increase nursing resources at the University of Limerick (UL) Hospital Group.

Commenting on the deal which was agreed in early February, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Tony Kenny said: "We believe that the recruitment of 70 additional nursing posts in Limerick, Ennis, Nenagh and Croom by the end of May 2015 will go some way towards improving the quality of care for patients at these facilities. It will provide some much needed relief for our members who are working under severe pressure day in and day out.”

The nine-person Low Pay Commission, which includes SIPTU Vice-President and incoming Congress President, Patricia King, has been established to advise Government on the correct level to set the minimum wage.

In the coming weeks, the Commission will consult widely with unions, employers and civic society in order to inform its deliberations on the level at which the minimum wage should be set. It is expected to issue a preliminary report on the level of the minimum wage by mid- summer.

Already, some employer organisations have sought to dampen expectations of any significant increase to the minimum wage, which is currently set at €8.65 an hour. Indeed, there have been calls by ISME for the State to scrap the minimum wage and to subsidise profitable employers through greater social welfare and taxation transfers to low paid workers. This is neither fair nor a route to a sustainable recovery.

SIPTU members will be working with the Commission to ensure that the benefits of the improving economy are distributed to low paid and vulnerable workers. The recovery in domestic demand depends on workers gaining an increase in wages across the economy including a substantial improvement in the incomes of the lowest paid.

On 29th January Turkey awoke to the largest metalworkers strike which saw about 42 different companies participating. The strike was short-lived having been banned the next day; making it the third strike ban in the last 12 months. It was also “considered to be the largest one in last 20 years of Turkey.” In this week’s GLC,Bilge Çoban and Muzaffer Ekin Şişli “discuss the right to strike within the experience of metal workers and point out the policy of Turkish government against this basic right.” Çoban and Şişli argue that the ban “is against the international agreements like the ILO Conventions which Turkey has ratified.” 

The authors continue to argue that despite the calamities the working class faces in Turkey, the strike served as an example that united working class can achieve more! Bilge Çoban is currently studying as a postgraduate in GLU program at UNICAMP in Brazil. She was a Sosyal-İş (Social Work Union) Execute Board Member of İstanbul Branch' and member of Progressive Workers' Union(DISK) women commission in Turkey. Muzaffer Ekin Şişli is currently studying as a postgraduate in GLU program at UNICAMP in Brazil. He was a worker in non-profit sector and a member of Sosyal-İş (Social Work Union) in Turkey.

Please click here to read the the article.