You may be aware that on November 19th we celebrate International Men’s Day and the important contribution that men make to the world of work, to their family life and to society. The theme for International Men’s Day this year is “Better health for men and boys” and so it is an opportunity to highlight … Continued
Congratulations to all the CWU team on a very successful outcome. Well done to all of our candidates and best wishes for your four year tenure on the Board of An Post. As I said at the recent NEC meeting, we ran a united campaign, and given we started out only looking for four seats … Continued
ICTU General Secretary, Patricia King, said that Budget 2021, which the Minister for Finance has described as the “largest in the history of the state”, does not ensure sufficient support for low-paid workers and low-income families, and risks undermining the recovery in domestic demand. The General Secretary said: “The fiscal expansion outlined by Budget 2021 … Continued
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions notes the decision by the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphries, to implement the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to increase the national minimum wage by 10 cent per hour. Congress representatives withdrew from the Low Pay Commission last week as they could not, in conscience, be a … Continued
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is calling on politicians in all parties and none to make sick pay mandatory for all workers within the lifetime of this Government. Speaking ahead of the publication of the quick guide to sick pay, ICTU General Secretary Patricia King said: “It took a pandemic to expose the big failings … Continued
We are pleased to advise that due to the high number of entrants we have extended the closing date for the competition to October 9th. We have also increased the number of runner up prizes. Please note that the competition is open only to those who have completed our digital photography course on Unionlink As … Continued
Developments in technology and its availability have made it possible for many desk jobs to be performed outside of an employer’s premises, for part or all of the working week. Over a matter of days, tens of thousands of businesses moved their staff to work remotely from home during the Covid-19 pandemic to help slow … Continued
Ireland is now in Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which began on Monday 29th June. You can view the measures that form part of Phase 3 here Stay Safe Guidelines – As our country is reopened, keeping up protective behaviours is as important as ever to prevent the spread of … Continued
In 1980, a group of Civil Service Unions were concerned about the terrible poverty experienced by those in what was then called the Third World. They decided to form a body which, although modest, could play a part in one way or another, to help eliminate some of this poverty which is rampant throughout the … Continued
We wish to bring your attention to some resources that have been developed by the Health & Safety Committee of Congress in relation to the Return to Work Protocol. These focus on trying to support the role of the Lead Worker Representative. Congress has also put in place a recommended complaints procedure in the event … Continued
Many people have experienced and will experience the death of someone they love during the COVID-19 pandemic. It may have been a COVID-related death or a death from other causes. People may also be finding a previous bereavement more difficult at this time. While we may be seeing reductions in the number of deaths connected … Continued
Any new programme for government must commit to a radical transformation of the housing system that would see up to 100,000 new public homes delivered and a halt to the sale or disposal of public land for private housing developments. The call comes from the broad-based Raise the Roof housing campaign, which is supported by … Continued
Fighting Words was founded in 2009 by Roddy Doyle, running free creative writing programmes across the island of Ireland. It also has a partnership with DCU, including working with student nurses there. Fighting Words want to hear from those who have been keeping us in touch with one another during this time. They currently have … Continued
Please see below a copy of the recent Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ publication: ‘No Going Back – A New Deal Towards a Safe and Secure Future for All’, which outlines the ICTU’s proposals for the recovery of the Irish economy and society after COVID-19. No Going Back – A New Deal Towards a Safe … Continued
The Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) is to donate €70,000 for the purchase of ‘Propolis’ cream to counter the damaging effects on skin due to the prolonged wearing of PPE by frontline nursing staff treating patients with COVID-19. This action by the National Executive of the Union is to support nurses in hospitals and Intensive Care … Continued
As workers in some sectors return to work today, Congress highlights the implications for the workplace of COVID-19. The pandemic is a public health risk which affects all citizens and managing the risk of spread in the workplace is vital. The following protocol describes the measures required to be put in place by employers and … Continued
Congress notes the package of financial measures announced by the Minister for Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform. This €6.5bn allocation must be seen as a positive development provided it is deployed to protect jobs and to create sustainable, quality employment. Commenting on the announcement, Patricia King, General Secretary, ITCU said: “Congress welcomes any measures which … Continued
Steve Fitzpatrick, General Secretary of the CWU, speaking on International Workers’ Memorial Day: “On Workers’ Memorial Day we remember all of those who have been killed, disabled or injured at work. On this Workers’ Memorial Day we find ourselves in the grip of a pandemic which is having a long and lasting impact on workers … Continued
We are living through extraordinary days and months. Workers and their families have to keep going in the midst of a pandemic that has claimed many lives, undermined our economy and left many workers laid off or unemployed. Today is International Workers’ Memorial Day, a day when we commemorate all those workers who have died … Continued
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is asking workers and the general public to participate in the “We Remember them All” campaign for International Workers’ Memorial Day which takes place on Tuesday 28th April. International Workers’ Memorial Day #IWMD20 has extra significance this year because of the risks involved for workers doing their jobs in … Continued
Please see below three articles by HSE personnel that deal with the issue of health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 crisis. There is also a general website which members may find useful, as it has general advice on these issues and advice for parents with young children. https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/together/ Dr Shore- Parental Worry Dr McGuinness – … Continued
The COVID-19 public health emergency dominated discussion at the Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which met via video link on Tuesday, 21st April. The Congress Executive expressed its enormous gratitude to the thousands of workers in all sectors of the economy – private, public, community and voluntary – who continue to … Continued
The quickest and easiest way to apply for the emergency COVID-19 payment is by applying online at mywelfare.ie All you need to apply for the service is a basic MyGovID account . There are no appointments or anything for this. All you need is an email address and it only takes 2 minutes to sign … Continued
The General Purposes Committee of ICTU met today and appealed on behalf of workers involved in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. It reiterated the need for all to heed public health advice about social distancing, hand washing and staying within a two kilometre radius of home. General Secretary Patricia King said “there is a real need … Continued
A new dedicated helpline has been set up for workers who are are renting and who have been impacted by COVID-19. The service will provide tailored advice for anyone worried about being able to pay their rent in the current crisis. It is available through a new Freephone number, 1800 77 88 99 or via email on covid19@threshold.ie, operating Monday to … Continued