The Trump administration’s proposals on Israel and Palestine, announced on Tuesday, are an affront to Palestinian rights and dignity and have none of the elements of a realistic peace plan. The proposals, launched jointly by President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were drawn up by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, who has extensive … Continued
Before you vote in the General Election 2020, do you know where your candidates stand on issues affecting workers and their families? When candidates are canvassing for your vote it’s important to ask what they will do in the next Dáil to deliver a LIVING WAGE and PENSION, strong WORKERS’ RIGHTS, a JUST TRANSITION that … Continued
The increase in the pension age to 68 will mean a cut of nearly 10% in pension income over a person’s lifetime in retirement. Even though the government is raising the pension it has not solved the problem of people being forced to retire at the age of 65 or earlier. People forced to retire … Continued
Congress General Secretary Patricia King said the planned increases to the State Pension qualifying age to 67 years from next January and to 68 years in 2028 is a key election issue that Congress has been campaigning on for many years and she described Government policy on the matter as “wholly unacceptable”. Patricia King said … Continued
Patricia King said political parties have questions to answer about fast and furious promises they are making about future prosperity, jobs and tax cuts. Fine Gael say they will create almost 200,000 additional new jobs and will put more money in people’s pockets. But General Secretary of Congress Patricia King said the job promises do … Continued
As we head into the snap general election on February 8th 2020, it is crucially important that members exercise their hard-won right to vote. It is understandable that the level of apathy and disengagement from electoral politics has increased after years of brutal austerity inflicted on the working class in Ireland. The sense that “it … Continued
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has today published the fourth in a series of annual reports on chief executives’ pay – Because We’re Worth It: The truth about CEO pay in Ireland. Based on the 2018 filed accounts of 26 companies – 20 of some of the biggest companies listed on the Irish Stock … Continued
Vigil outside US Embassy, Ballsbridge, Dublin – No War on Iran Thursday 9th January 2020 at 7pm Organised by the Peace and Neutrality Alliance The targeted assassination of Qassem Suleimani, head of Iran’s elite Quds force; and Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis, the Deputy Commander of Iran backed militias, the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), that is in … Continued
2020 Tax Credit Certificates Tax Credit Certificates (TCC) for 2020 are currently being issued to all employees and pension recipients. Employees registered for myAccount, and who have elected to receive correspondence electronically, will receive an email notification advising them that their 2020 TCC is available to view in My Documents, which is available in the … Continued
In accordance with the Medical Fund rules and continuing normal practice, a cut-off date for claiming on receipts dated in the calendar year 2019 has been set at Friday 17th January 2020. For the avoidance of doubt, any members with receipts dated between 1st January and 31st December 2019 who have not yet submitted such … Continued
As you are aware, for the last number of years the Union has sent four volunteers as part of the CWU IRL/UK Humanitarian Aid Convoy. Two members from eir and two from An Post are granted paid release by the Companies to take part in delivering much needed aid to orphanages. It is hard but … Continued
Gene Kerrigan 20 October 2019 Simon Coveney got angry last Thursday, in the Dail. He spoke passionately, emotionally, and with apparent sincerity. This was Coveney at his best, speaking from the heart. And it was all the more disturbing for being so obviously well-meant. Because there was nothing of substance there. Coveney’s speech offered not … Continued
Qatar’s programme of labour reforms today succeeded in dismantling the kafala system and heralding a modern industrial relations system. Exit visas for workers – including domestic workers, those in government and public institutions, and workers employed at sea, in agriculture as well as casual workers – have been eliminated. These workers have the same rights … Continued
It is reported that the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection has decided to defer the implementation of the recommended 30 cent an hour increase in the National Minimum Wage (NMW), which currently stands at €9.80 an hour. General Secretary Patricia King said “such a decision could only be described as reprehensible as it … Continued
General Secretary Patricia King said in response to Budget 2020, “with the threat of Brexit looming we are dismayed that there was no explicit reference to our proposals to minimise the impact of Brexit on thousands of jobs. We will continue to engage with Government to urge them to introduce measures that minimise the impact … Continued
Joint Statement from Just Transition Alliance comes as Dáil debates Just Transition Bill and Taoiseach prepares to go to UN Climate Summit An alliance of trade unions, environmental groups and civil society organizations has today (Sept 19) called for the immediate establishment of a National Just Transition Taskforce to help secure the livelihoods of workers … Continued
The Communications Workers’ Union is calling on our members to show nationwide support for the student-led #ClimateStrike international day of action on Friday 20th September 2019 If members are in a position to attend any of the major rallies or one of the local regional actions, please make every effort to stand in solidarity with … Continued
34 European trade union organisations representing millions of workers across Europe have written to the European Commission and European governments demanding a ban on trade with illegal Israeli settlements. The EU considers Israeli settlements as illegal under international law, however it allows Israel to export large quantities of products produced or partly produced in illegal … Continued
Today the historic centenary conference of the ILO adopted a new ILO Convention and Recommendation on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. Speaking at the Plenary Session today, David Joyce, said that “after two years of often very difficult discussions, thanks to the efforts of employers, governments and worker colleagues at the conference, … Continued
A breakthrough agreement has been reached between the Accord and the Bangladesh garment employers’ association (BGMEA) that will ensure that the progress made on factory safety in Bangladesh will continue. On 19 May, the agreement was accepted by the Bangladesh Appellate Court which has given permission for the Accord to continue during a 12 month … Continued
The Raise the Roof coalition consists of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, all the main homeless charities, the Union of Students in Ireland and a broad range of political activists. In addition to the National Rally being held on the 18th May at 1:00 p.m. in Parnell Square, Dublin, it has been agreed to … Continued
Congress notes the Government plans to connect every home, school, farm, and business to the internet through high-speed broad band. The roll-out of the scheme over a period of years will, if realised, have long term benefits for workers, education, and families in rural Ireland. However, General Secretary of Congress Patricia King said there are … Continued
If elected to the European Parliament, [candidate pledges] to: Seek to minimise the damage of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) particularly on workers and people on low incomes; to ensure that there is no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in Section 6 of the Belfast/Good … Continued
Colleagues, As you will be aware Workers’ Memorial Day takes place every year on the 28th April. This year it will fall on a Sunday. For anyone with an interest in Health and Safety this is an important date nationally and worldwide when we remember people killed or injured at work. The General Secretary of … Continued
This day, 129 years ago, the international labour and trade union movement expressed solidarity with American trade unions fighting for the 8 hour working day. This show of solidarity even found an echo in Dublin. Organisations of working people clasped hands across the globe. There was a belief that the organised working class were beginning … Continued
We, members of the European Trade Union Network for Justice in Palestine Steering Committee, call on all our members and workers in European countries to use the opportunity of the European elections from the 23 – 26th May to take a stand for justice in Palestine, and demand from their European candidates a commitment to … Continued
The Congress April Friday Briefing will look at how the community sector and progressive forces within the State were defeated. The Briefing will focus on the role and contribution of working class activism in Dublin and will be given by Patricia Kelleher, Researcher and Pauline Conroy, Social Policy Analyst. The Briefing will discuss the means … Continued
