SIPTU representatives have called on the Government to hold a constitutional referendum on the public ownership of water services on 8th March, 2024, the same day on which it intends to hold a referendum on the definition of the family and women in the home. — SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said: “The Government today (Tuesday, 5th December) announced that the proposed referendum to broaden the definition of the family and remove a reference to ‘the place of women in the home’ in the Constitution is to be held on International…

The serious rioting and looting in Dublin in Dublin on Thursday, 23rd November following the serious attack on small children and their carer on Parnell Square exposed a significant failure of government and garda management to respond to the threat of violence provoked by the far-right over the past two years. — It also confirmed the vital contribution made by frontline workers in the public service across our society, including by gardai and SIPTU members in transport, health and local authority services, some of whom were attacked and abused during the night of turbulence in the capital city.

Amidst the noise of the last budget tax cuts, once-off spending increases, tax bands and social protection rates — there is one projection buried deep in the budget papers that received little attention but which will have considerable implications for the economy and living standards in the years ahead. — The Government is projecting average annual growth rates out to 2030 will be 2 percent. That may not seem all that interesting until we compare it with previous periods of growth. In the boom years prior to the crash, the average annual growth rate was nearly 6 percent.

SIPTU has given a cautious welcome to today’s statement that Tara Mines is to reopen in the second quarter of 2024. However, the union has said that any further delays “would not be acceptable,” citing the previous reopening in 2001. — John Regan, SIPTU Sector Organiser, said: “The tentative date given by Tara Mines today is a positive development. However, it could mean June 2024 for the first worker to return through the gates.

Ireland is not full. We don’t have an immigration problem. We have a capacity problem. — And that’s because of a decade of enforced austerity and low public investment after our financial crisis. We have chronic housing shortages, critical infrastructure gaps and public services near breaking point. Rightly, Ireland has acted in solidarity with Ukrainians fleeing war. In addition, the number of people seeking asylum in…

SIPTU members have expressed their solidarity with the victims of the vicious attack on Parnell Square in Dublin yesterday and, in particular, of the young girl and childcare worker who were so badly injured. — SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, John King also commended the extraordinary courage and commitment of first responders on what he described as a dark day and night for Dublin. He said: “Our thoughts are with the victims and all those hurt in yesterday’s horrific attack. It was truly a dark day…

SIPTU representatives have condemned the Tara Mines management for its “abject failure” after weeks of negotiations failed to agree a facilitation process. — Workers at Tara Mines have been temporarily laid off for 130 days, which the union describes as a “national scandal.” Some 2,000 workers have been affected by the move including 620 direct employees of New Boliden at the mine. The union says that management at the site had originally…

Irish Equity and Ged Nash TD hosted an information meeting in the Oireachtas today to call on the Government to support the Labour Party’s amendment on improving conditions in the audio-visual industry. The meeting is part of the union’s campaign to “level the playing field” for Irish performers, ensure that there is not a two-tier system and bring the law governing performer contracts in line with relevant copyright legislation.

SIPTU has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis that the Government intends to introduce pay-related Jobseeker’s Benefit but says the approach proposed is “nowhere near good enough.” — Under the terms announced by the Minister, a reduction in benefit would apply after just three months. The proposed scheme would see benefit being applied at 60 percent of average earnings (max €450 per week) for a period of three months, then reduced to 55 percent (max €375) for a…