SIPTU calls on all workers to support Dunnes Stores strikers

SIPTU has called upon all workers to support their colleagues in Mandate trade union who will be on strike at Dunnes Stores across the country on Thursday, 2nd April, by not shopping at the retailer.

SIPTU Services Division Organiser, John King, said: “This is a dispute about decent jobs and dignity in the workplace for low paid workers in precarious sectors of the economy. Such workers are more likely to suffer from in-work poverty and severe exploitation due to the implementation of low hour or zero hour contracts. The Dunnes Stores workers deserve support for the brave stand they are taking in fighting against these injustices and should be supported in their struggle by all working people.

“SIPTU members, in particular, are being asked to show solidarity with the strikers by not shopping at Dunnes Stores on Thursday.”

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Teresa Hannick, said: “SIPTU represents over 350 members in Dunnes Stores in Cavan, Cork, Donegal and Dublin. While our members have not balloted for industrial action at this time, they are in dispute with Dunnes Stores regarding their contracts of employment and the provision of a decent living wage.

“The management of Dunnes Stores has so far refused to meet with SIPTU representatives or attend the Labour Relations Commission or any other third party state agencies to discuss the matters in dispute. Similar intransigence was shown by the management of Dunnes Stores to our colleagues in Mandate and it eventually forced them to take strike action.

 “SIPTU has been invited to attend a Labour Court hearing into the dispute with Dunnes Stores on Thursday, 9th April.”

SIPTU members express shock at closure of Toughers Restaurant in Carlow

SIPTU members employed at Toughers Restaurant in Carlow, county Carlow, have expressed shock at the sudden closure of the restaurant and the liquidation of its parent company.

SIPTU Organiser, Denis Hynes, said: “I will be meeting with the members affected by the sudden closure of Toughers Restaurant, this evening (Tuesday, 31st March) in Carlow.

“The workers were informed on Friday that the restaurant would be closing this week. It did not open on Monday and the workers have not been informed when their redundancy entitlements and other outstanding monies will be paid to them.”

He added: “This is an unacceptable situation and SIPTU representatives will be seeking a meeting with the liquidator as soon as possible to secure what is owed to our members.”

Greyhound Workers Support Fund

29th July

Christy Moore and Don Baker to play concert in Support of Greyhound workers

Christy Moore and Don Baker will perform a concert in support of the locked out Greyhound Recycling and Recovery workers in Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, on Saturday, 16th August at 8.00p.m.

SIPTU Greyhound Shop Steward, Jesse Hughes, said: “We are delighted that great performers of the status of Christy Moore and Don Baker have decided to support our campaign for justice. The solidarity that has been shown to us from fellow trade unionists and the general public has been overwhelming.”

He added: “It is sure to be a great night, which my colleagues and I are very much looking forward to. This struggle has been very difficult for the workers and our families so events such as this concert are greatly appreciated”.

The workers have been locked out at the waste disposal company in west Dublin, since 17th June. Management at the company is attempting to force workers to accept wage cuts of up to 35% and has employed strike–breakers to carry out waste collections during the dispute.

Tickets for the concert cost €25 and are available from the Central Ticket Bureau, Liberty Hall, contact 0818 205 205 or book online at www.ctb.ie

For further information contact:

SIPTU Head of Communications, Frank Connolly: 087 251 5986

SIPTU members in NCI to take industrial action tomorrow

SIPTU members in the National College of Ireland (NCI), Dublin will commence industrial action tomorrow (Wednesday, 30th October).  The action is in response to the unilateral breach by the college management of an agreement reached with union members two years ago.

Speaking ahead of the industrial action, SIPTU Sector Org…aniser, Louise O’Reilly, said:

“We spent months negotiating with management and finally reached an agreement on the restoration of pay and pensions.  This was unilaterally withdrawn by the college without consultation and with less than 24 hours notice.  Our members co-operated with pay cuts and a pension freeze two years ago in order to ensure the long term financial stability of the college.  This two year period concluded on 31st July and we were informed that pay and pensions would be restored to previous levels.

“Our members have endured a pay cut, pension and increment freezes – we had an agreement with the NCI but it is refusing to honour this.  We have been left with no option but to take this action which is designed to maximise the effect on the college administration and minimise the impact on students.”

Members of SIPTU voted overwhelmingly for industrial action and strike action.  This will take the form of (among other elements) a ban on meetings and on the use of personal phones for college business as well as a targeted non-answering of phones. There will also be a protest by SIPTU members at 3.00 p.m. tomorrow (Wednesday) in NCI.

For further information contact:

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Louise O’Reilly:

SIPTU President calls for establishment of State Investment Bank

SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor, has called on the Government to make good on its commitment in the Programme for Government for the creation of a State Investment Bank using the ACC branch network.

“The creation of the strategic investment fund by the Government is welcome but this can only be seen as a first step …to creating the financial infrastructure necessary to support Irish industry.

“The decision by Rabobank to hand back the ACC banking licence provides a real opportunity to marry the strategic investment fund with the ACC banking network in order to establish a badly needed State Investment Bank.

“The sad reality of banking in Ireland is that it has a pathetic record of lending and investing to productive enterprises. It was more interested in gambling and speculating in property during the boom years and it has not proven itself any more capable of supporting productive business in the post-boom period,” O’Connor said.

He continued: “ACC and ICC had proven track records of supporting Irish agriculture and industry over several decades. The decision by Fianna Fáil to privatise these banks in 2003 was disastrous. Our recovery is intrinsically linked to our ability to increase economic sovereignty. We need as a country to begin taking back control of our economy. A huge step forward in this direction would be the creation of a State Investment Bank focused entirely on supporting domestic enterprise.”

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane, said that SIPTU members in ACC need not be cast out on the dole.

“They can be productively employed in a new State Investment Bank. The Insurance and Finance Sector of SIPTU has sought an urgent meeting with the Department of Finance in order to explore how the ACC branch infrastructure could be utilised for the creation of such a bank. Our members need not be cast out on dole when there is important work for which their experience and skills are required,” he said.

For further information contact:

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Adrian Kane:

SIPTU condemns appointment of liquidator to Andersen Ireland Ltd

SIPTU condemns appointment of liquidator to Andersen Ireland Ltd

SIPTU has condemned the decision of the owners of Andersen Ireland Ltd to seek a court appointed liquidator. The move is expected to result in a total wind-up of the custom jewelry manufacturer based in Rathkeale, Co. Limerick, with the loss of over 160 jobs.

SIPTU Organiser, Denis Gormalley, said: “The liquidator wa…s appointed this afternoon. This act by the company could well eliminate the possibility of finding new owners for the business and the possibility of maintaining jobs. SIPTU condemns this move as unacceptable as prospective new owners were engaged in discussions on the possibility of keeping the business operating as a going concern.”

He added: “This company’s action also prevents creditors from having their say at a creditors meeting scheduled to take place next Monday (23rd September). The unanswered question is why the company has acted in this manner.

“The last remaining hope for the workers rests with the Ulster Bank, the company’s main business creditor. Only Ulster Bank can act to prevent the liquidation of the company’s assets and the expected loss of over 160 jobs. Ulster Bank must act to provide the workers and their families with some hope in this situation.”

For further information contact:

SIPTU Organiser, Denis Gormalley:

SIPTU calls for economic stimulus to energise stagnant economy

SIPTU calls for economic stimulus to energise stagnant economy

SIPTU has stated that the Quarterly National Accounts figures published today (Thursday, 19th September) confirm that the economy grew by a disappointing 0.4% between April and June this year and only serve to emphasise the need for a major economic stimulus.

SIPTU economist, Marie Sherlock, said: “The economic growth …in the second quarter, indicated by the new figures, must be welcomed. However, it falls far short of anything resembling a real recovery. With the very clear exception of exports which recorded the largest quarterly increase since 2008 and are now at an all time high, the latest statistics confirm that the Irish domestic economy remains in stagnation.

“The second quarter performance fails to fully reverse the sharp decline in the first quarter of this year when we saw domestic consumption experience its single largest drop since early 2009. It is likely to be well into the autumn months before the fall in domestic consumption will be fully reversed and before the domestic economy will start expanding in net terms this year.”

She added: “The figures clearly demonstrate the on-going fragility in the economy and cast a sharp spotlight on the need to strengthen and not further deflate economic activity in the forthcoming budget. The Government would do well to heed the Irish Congress of Trade Union’s proposals which include implementing a fiscal consolidation of €2 billion, an investment stimulus of €4.5 billion over the next two years – financed in a manner that limits the cost to the taxpayer – and targeted tax increases for the highest earners.”

For further information contact:

SIPTU Economist, Marie Sherlock:

SIPTU calls for receiver to appointed to Andersen Ltd

Milne Foods workers hold 48-hour work stoppage

SIPTU members commenced a 48-hour work stoppage at 6.30 a.m. on Thursday, 12th September, at Milne Foods in Birr, County Offaly, due to the company’s failure to implement a Labour Court recommendation in relation to workers’ conditions of employment.

SIPTU Organiser, Michael Browne, said: “This stoppage is the latest in a series of strike actions which the Milne Food workers have undertaken since 11th July. The industrial action began when it became clear that the company had no intention of implementing the Labour Court recommendation which it received back in March. 

“This company is in receipt of State funds from contracts to supply publicly funded bodies including a number of Health Service Executive hospitals. However, management is refusing to honour a Labour Court recommendation or even meet with workers’ representatives.”

He added: “The workers have received great support from the local community and their fellow trade unionists and will continue their campaign until management deals with them in a reasonable manner.”

A solidarity fund has been launched by the SIPTU Manufacturing Division to provide support for the striking workers.

SIPTU Organiser, Rhonda Donaghy said: “While the dispute has been maintained as a two days a week work stoppage the employer has exacerbated the financial problems for the strikers by also reducing their rostered hours.

“In order to assist in supporting the workers and their families during this challenging period a support fund has been established.”

Those wishing to contribute to the Milne Strikers Support Fund should contact the SIPTU Manufacturing Division, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1.

Cavan-Monaghan TDs call on Minister to meet with community workers’ union

Cavan-Monaghan TDs Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin and Brendan Smith have signed a SIPTU petition calling on the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, to “respect community sector workers and meet their union”.

Over 1000 people have signed the petition in response to Minister Hogan’s refusal to meet with SIPTU members to discuss their concerns over plans to align Local Development Companies (LDCs) with Local Authorities. This alignment process will have major implications for jobs and services as well as removing control of services from local communities.

The Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil TDs signed the petition following a meeting with local SIPTU and Impact trade union activists from the three LDCs in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency on Thursday, 22nd August. Fine Gael TD Joe O’Reilly also attended the meeting.

“I’m very happy to see local TDs back the campaign and hope that the Minister will listen and engage in a proper manner with LDC workers and their union,” SIPTU community activist, Julie Clarke, said.

Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin said: “I very much welcome meeting with the LDC workers representatives. The engagement confirms my concerns at Minister Hogan’s proposals for a so-called ‘alignment’ of the LDCs with the local authorities. I have written to Minister Hogan and will continue to press the Minister on this most important issue, urging him to personally meet with the trade unions as soon as possible.”

Brendan Smith said: “I fully support the SIPTU Campaign to protect the interests of workers who are delivering programmes which are of vital importance for both urban and rural communities. It is absolutely wrong that the trade union representatives of the LDC workers have not been part of the process to date.”

SIPTU Sector Organiser, Shonagh Byrne, said: “This campaign will escalate in the coming weeks. We will be meeting TDs on a constituency-by-constituency basis and asking them to show their support by signing our petition. All that our members are asking for is the right to be represented by their union. It’s time for Minister Hogan to show respect to these workers and sit down and talk”.

For further information contact:

SIPTU Organiser, Shonagh Byrne:

Siptu member

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