Latest news with #SIPTU
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Strike at Bord na Móna Recycling called off
Strike action by SIPTU members at Bord na Móna Recycling, which was planned for tomorrow, has been called off. Union representatives met with management this afternoon in a bid to resolve a dispute over the planned sale of the business. SIPTU said the company offered significant improvements to the terms contained in a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal. According to the union, Bord na Móna offered improvements to transfer payments and commitments regarding the protection of terms and conditions. SIPTU said it will meet with members next week ahead of the proposals being put to ballot with a recommendation for acceptance. In February, Bord na Móna said it had reached an agreement to sell its recycling business to KWD Recycling, subject to regulatory approval. SIPTU had accused the company of failing to agree to a Registered Employment Agreement (REA), which would guarantee worker protections for terms and conditions in the event of a sale. SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane said that while the strike has been called off, the union still wants to meet with the Government to discuss the privatisation of the waste collection industry. "We are seeking an urgent meeting with Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O'Brien, to discuss this issue which is of major concern to our members who are both employed in this industry and its customers," Mr Kane said.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Republic of Ireland housing: Raise the Roof protest takes place outside Dáil
A major protest is taking place outside the Dáil (lower house of the Irish parliament) over the Republic of Ireland's growing housing Raise the Roof protest has been coordinated by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions which has described the crisis as "the greatest political failure of our time".The rally on Tuesday evening coincides with a Dáil debate on the issue."Workers are being priced out of homes or can only rent or purchase with considerable financial burden," said Ethel Buckley, SIPTU deputy general secretary. "Alongside the human cost of this, we are seeing the serious knock-on effects, with thousands of unfilled vacancies in key sectors, and young people once again choosing to emigrate."What is needed now is a radical reset with sustained action to deliver secure, affordable housing." Renting The growing housing crisis across the country has left the government walking a tightrope between the interests of tenants, landlords and number of people who are now living in rented accommodation goes to the heart of the current is the only option for many people, especially young people, who cannot afford to buy their own home because of the cost of domestic rates now average more than €2,000 (£1,700) a month nationally, according to a recent report by the property website and are higher in government has been trying to introduce measures aimed at restricting rent price increases while also encouraging developers and investors to come into the building (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin says the government wants to introduce proposals which will "dramatically increase the supply of housing and apartments to the country, to get from 30,000 to 50,000 per annum for a sustained period of time".But, the opposition, led by Sinn Féin, has consistently accused the government of failing to take the correct action to address the crisis. Damien moved to Dublin a few years ago from Tyrone and was at today's protest. The 27-year-old said he has, "no hope of ever owning a home of my own in Dublin". "I am paying the majority of my salary every month on rent, it leaves me with a thousand euros". "It leaves it really hard to get by", he added. Liam is 22-years-old and has just finished college, he still lives at home with his studying he commuted daily from the Trim, "it was a draining journey to college every day, the commute was two to three hours every day", he said he knows people who dropped out of his course because "it was so draining". He made the choice to commute because of the "mad money" required to rent in Dublin. Ahead of Tuesday's protest outside the Dáil, the opposition characterised the situation as "an emergency".Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, says opposition parties have joined together to introduce a motion in the Dáil "to tell the government very clearly that we need an emergency response to the housing emergency they have created"."It means taking action to protect renters - not what we have seen from the government in terms of the hollowing-out of rent pressure zones, but actually banning rent increases for all renters as well as supports to reduce the cost of rent," he Pressure Zones (RPZ) are designated areas of the country where rent increases are capped to protect the interests of Dáil motion on the issue has been drawn up by the combined opposition of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit, the Green Party and members of the progressive independents technical well as trade unions, the Raise the Roof campaign is also backed by housing and homeless agencies, women's groups, political parties, representatives of older people, Traveller groups, children's advocacy groups, community organisations and student unions.
Irish Examiner
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
SIPTU members in Eli Lilly's Cork branch secure Labour Court recommendation on union representation
Trade union members employed at the Cork plant of pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly have welcomed a recommendation from the Labour Court stating that their employer should allow them the right to collective representation by their union during workplace disputes. SIPTU sector organiser Andrea Cleere said that Eli Lilly, based in Kinsale, was denying members of the union the right to be supported by SIPTU. "Our members are demanding the right to collectively bargain with their employer on matters inclusive of pay and conditions. "However, this employer was even denying SIPTU members the right to be supported by the Union in individual workplace issues, which is contrary to Statutory Instrument 146 of 2000." The trade union presented its case to the Labour Court at a hearing in late May, with the Court now issuing a recommendation stating that the Employer "recognise the Union as the representative of those operatives who are in membership of the Union and should engage with it in dealing with the issues which are subject of this claim." The SIPTU organiser said Eli Lilly management did not attend the hearing, which "illustrates the weakness of the voluntarist industrial relations system operated in Ireland when it comes to securing workers' fundamental rights." "SIPTU has written to the company regarding the provisions outlined by the Court, to date it has made no response which indicates a blatant disregard for the State's industrial relations bodies," Ms Cleere added. SIPTU Manufacturing Divisional Organiser, Neil McGowan, said: 'Last month, the SIPTU Eli Lilly Committee made a submission to the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, as part of the public consultation process on Ireland's action plan to promote collective bargaining. "The EU Directive of Adequate Minimum Wages calls on the governments of EU Member States to draw up an action plan to increase collective bargaining coverage in their economies to over 80%, in Ireland it is estimated to currently be under 35%.' In a statement to the Irish Examiner, Eli Lilly said: "Lilly does not comment on specific employee relations matters. "Our direct employee engagement model promotes open communication and teamwork, creating an inclusive work environment where all voices are heard. We prioritise transparency and mutual respect, empowering our employees to contribute to our mission."
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Tara Mines workers in Meath call for meeting with management on long-term future
The Tara Mines Group of Unions, including representatives from SIPTU, has formally requested a meeting with management to discuss delays in implementing a key component of the 2024 Sustainability Agreement, which was brokered by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The agreement was pivotal in ending an 18-month layoff period for workers and restarting operations at Ireland's largest zinc mine. Tara Mines, operated by Swedish firm Boliden, is Europe's largest zinc mine and a major economic engine for Meath. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Regan, said: 'As part of the Sustainability Agreement reached under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in April 2024, which began the process of ending what would be 18 months of layoff for workers, it was agreed that 'further underground exploration drilling' would begin before 2027.' 'This refers to the Tara Deep, a project to develop a new ore body which has the potential to provide a further 40 years of mining in County Meath. Our members are not only focused on their employment but also the long-term viability of the mine, that is why this commitment by management was crucial to the 2024 WRC deal. In order to action this, Union representatives tabled a compromise proposal, to commence underground exploration drilling with immediate effect, at a Sustainability Agreement review meeting on May 12, 2025.' Mr Regan added that If management does not agree to commence work in line with the agreement, the unions will refer it back to the WRC. Andrew McGuinness, SIPTU Organiser, backed those concerns, pointing out that the company had already invested four years into developing Tara Deep before operations were halted in July 2023. He said: 'The company had invested in the development of Tara Deep for four years prior to the mine going into care and maintenance, with the lay-off of its workforce, in July 2023. At the time of commencement of this development plan, the timeframe was for Tara Deep to come into production in 2029. This timeframe is now ever increasing with Tara Deep development mining having not recommenced following the resumption of other activities at the Mine last year.' 'A failure to commence this development will leave the northeast region without one of its biggest employers in the near future. This will remove a key economic lifeline for the surrounding communities,' Mr McGuinness added. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
RTÉ News
06-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Unions seek new owner for Wellman International in Cavan
Unions representing workers at Wellman International in Mullagh, Co Cavan have said that a new owner for the company must be found amid fears of job cuts at the manufacturing and recycling business. The firm, which employs 215 people, filed a petition with the High Court on Tuesday to place its operation in Mullagh into examinership. Three unions, SIPTU, Unite and Connect, met workers in recent days and will be engaging with the examiner next week. They are calling on the Government to intervene to find an alternative owner for the factory. The company manufactures recycled polyester fibres from used plastic materials that have a wide variety of industrial uses, including in the automotive, home, leisure and hygiene sectors. However, Wellman said the business has suffered losses in the double-digit millions in 2023 and 2024, resulting from increased energy prices following "geopolitical conflicts and fierce competition from low-priced imports from China, Africa and Middle East". As a result, its parent company, Indorama Ventures, has withdrew its support. SIPTU Organiser Alan Clark said the announcement by the company earlier this week was a "body blow" to the local community. "Wellman have been an established employer in Mullagh, Co Cavan, for over 50 years so SIPTU is calling on the Government to intervene and protect as many jobs as possible," Mr Clark said. "The reality is that any job losses will have a major impact not only on our members but the local community. "SIPTU is calling on all local public representatives to put their shoulders to the wheel and work with the IDA to support these workers in securing a prospective purchaser or investor in order to protect the long term security of employment in the area." Unite Regional Officer Michael O'Brien said: "The workers are very clear that the plant can be turned around if the majority of plastic recyclables currently being exported was instead processed locally. "This plant can play a critical role in helping Ireland meet our EU plastics recycling targets and must not be allowed to close by default. "When we meet the examiner next week, Unite will be stressing that the expertise and experience of the workforce must be harnessed to maximise the chances of finding a buyer and preserving these vital jobs and skills," Mr O'Brien added. Connect National Construction Official Tom Faulkner said that any job losses would also have a "devastating" impact on the local community. "We are calling on the government to ensure that all relevant agencies work together with the examiner to secure a new investor in order to safeguard the 217 jobs and the future of the plant going forward." Wellman International began operations in Mullagh in March 1973. The site, which was acquired by Indorama Ventures in 2011, is the largest European producer of recycled polyester fibres. Indorama Ventures is listed in Thailand and is a petrochemicals producer, with a global manufacturing footprint across Europe, Africa, Americas, and Asia Pacific. The Cavan-based arm of the company carries out manufacturing in Ireland but principally does its business in the rest of Europe.
