Latest news with #SIPTU
RTÉ News
20 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Bord na Móna Recycling workers to take strike action
Waste collection services by Bord na Móna Recycling could be disrupted later this month after SIPTU members at the company served notice of strike action in a dispute over the planned sale of the business. The workers have rejected a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) proposal aimed at resolving the row. The action will begin with a one-day strike on Thursday 19 June, escalating to two days the following week and three days the week after. Bord na Móna Recycling provides waste collection services for homes and businesses across Leinster and north Munster. In February, Bord na Móna said it had reached an agreement to sell its recycling business to KWD Recycling, subject to regulatory approval. SIPTU said the primary reason for rejecting the WRC proposal was the company's failure to agree to a Registered Employment Agreement (REA), which would guarantee worker protections for terms and conditions in the event of a sale. "The fire sale of Bord na Móna Recycling is bad for workers, customers, and the environment," said SIPTU Divisional Organiser Adrian Kane. "It makes no economic or environmental sense," Mr Kane said. Bord na Móna described the planned industrial action as "extremely disappointing", adding that its agreed industrial relations procedures with SIPTU provide that the next stage is a referral of the matter to the Labour Court. "If the action proceeds, we will endeavour to keep any disruption to waste collection services to a minimum, with alternative collections to be scheduled for impacted customers and will keep customer service channels available as usual to support customers," a spokesperson said. "We remain committed to reaching a resolution and urge SIPTU to fully engage with our agreed IR (Industrial Relations) procedures, setting aside this action to allow the matter to be referred to the Labour Court," Bord na Móna said.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- General
- RTÉ News
Workers to observe nationwide moment of reflection for Gaza
Workers across Ireland are expected to participate in a moment of reflection at lunchtime today amid the going violence in Gaza. The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) has asked that at 1:05pm, participating workers mark a moment of respectful reflection, as a simple act of solidarity and remembrance for the loss of life over the past eighteen months. Today is the International UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. "As the appalling violence in Gaza continues, our members asked that the trade union movement lead in reflecting on this terrible loss of life," said ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy. "Since announcing the moment of reflection last week, we have been heartened by the response from the 800,000 union members across the island." "The UN Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression provides an opportunity to pause and reflect on these tragic events and their devastating impact on the people of Gaza, particularly the children who have suffered so greatly," Mr Reidy said. Workers who wish to participate are encouraged to observe the moment of reflection respectfully, whether in their workplace, at home, or wherever they may be. ICTU said the moment of reflection is not a work stoppage, and is encouraging participating workers to coordinate with their employers where possible. SIPTU staff and members will stage a solidarity action at 1.05pm, on Butt Bridge in Dublin across from the 'Ceasefire Now' banner on the side of Liberty Hall.
Irish Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Post
'Peace, not war' - Bernie Sanders tells Cork on Irish visit
Irish Post commentator PETER KELLY went walkabout with former US presidential hopeful in Ireland's 'Second City' From Cork City Hall to Connolly Hall SIPTU union event with Lord Mayor Dan Boyle IT'S not every day that a US presidential hopeful is seen on walkabout in Ireland's second city. At the end of May Senator Bernie Sanders prompted many a second glance among Cork's residents as he strode through its small streets. The man who vied for the US Democratic Party's presidential nomination both in 2016 and 2020 was on an Irish visit to promote the benefits of union labour, its heritage and to encourage world peace. He gave speeches at union buildings in both Dublin then Cork, and was the keynote speaker at the capital's Tressell Festival, then to a sell-out public audience in the renowned Vicar Street Theatre near the Guinness Brewery. Senator Sanders with wife Dr Jane O'Meara Sanders beneath Shandon Bells Church The 83-year-old veteran US Senator was earlier afforded an audience with 84-year old Irish President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin in Phoenix Park. Their fond interaction went viral on social media and Mr Sanders signed the distinguished visitors book in what is known as the Irish White House. The Vermont native had met President Higgins in 2018 at Dublin's Dalkey Book Festival and this year was joined by his Irish-American wife, Dr Jane O'Meara Sanders. Sláinte! Celebrating labour union icon Mary 'Mother' Jones' legacy However, it was in Ireland's second city that Mr Sanders made the most memorable impression. From cordial fellow train passengers en route to Cork, to the city's lord mayor, TDs and the pro-union audience in its offices, it was a surreal sight seeing Bernie Sanders traverse the small city and streets of the inner city, as locals looked on bemused. The ironic apex of his visit was surely the butchers' shop-stop, where local union labour historians regaled him of tales of Mother Jones, the locally-born union activist who organised workers in the US in the late 1800s is celebrated. The sight of Senator Sanders in historic Cork lanes, behind the counter, flanked by carnivorous staff in aprons prompted his comment that "I've been to many openings and events, and let me tell you this, it's the first time ever that me and Jane have ever been to a butcher's shop,' he joked. 'Thank you, Cork.' Bernie Sanders arrives from Dublin at Cork's Kent Station With an Irish whiskey toast Sanders departed with well-worn wisdom for local Lee-siders, advice to honour long established Irish-American ties. "It's imperative" he said, "that we all stand together to remember our common humanity, and that all the children in the world have a right to live with food, with education, with security. And that we strive for a world of peace and not war." Peter Kelly See More: Cork, Senator Sanders, US Politics
The Irish Sun
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
RTE staff want filming of newsroom ad campaign paused over accuracy concerns as ‘unanimous' vote on stoppage passed
RTE staff want the filming of an advert campaign paused over concerns around the accuracy of how it portrays their work environment. Filming for the ad took place over a few weeks earlier this month. While some well-known faces from the broadcaster have been included, actors have been hired to appear as journalists in the background - a move unpopular with current staffers. A source told The Irish Sun today that the NUJ wants the ad put on hold until they are satisfied that it "more accurately reflects the staff and the place they work in". It's understood there was a "unanimous" vote in favour of backing this stance at a meeting earlier on Monday. Read more in News According to at the weekend, staffers were reportedly "livid" and "hopping mad" over the filming of the advert, especially as new plants were introduced to spruce up the newsroom that were then removed after filming ended. There have also been complaints in the past over the cleanliness of the RTE offices and canteen in Donnybrook, south A source told "RTE management likes to preach to the audience that 'the truth matters' but stunts like these are blatantly fake news and undermine us all. "There is a reason Boots is a more trusted organisation than RTE right now." Most read in Irish News RTE has been contacted for comment. It comes after SIPTU members last week opposed the outsourcing by RTE of Christian worship content production, including broadcasts of Mass, to the independent sector. 'DEEPLY CONCERNED' It's part of a plan by RTE to redeploy staff working on religious programmes, with no changes to the current service to viewers. SIPTU Sector Organiser, Robbie Purfield, said: 'The decision to commission all Christian worship content from the independent sector means work currently performed by SIPTU members will be effectively outsourced. 'SIPTU is deeply concerned at this decision and is seeking an urgent meeting with RTE management to ascertain what effect this will have on our members who currently work on producing this content. "We believe that as a public service broadcaster the production of such content should remain in-house and should not be the subject of commercial concerns. "RTE management must reverse this decision which is a further erosion of its public service role and will be strongly opposed by SIPTU members." 1 RTE staff want the filming of an advert campaign paused Credit: Liam McBurney/PA
Sunday World
10-05-2025
- Sunday World
Luas damaged by ‘projectile fired at high power' in latest attack on transport workers
The driver's cab window was damaged in the incident that could have caused 'serious injury or worse', SIPTU representatives have claimed The damage to the tram is clearly visable The damage to the tram is clearly visable There have been calls for action after this latest incident There have been renewed calls for a dedicated transport police force after a Luas tram was hit by a 'projectile fired at high power' in the Tallaght area. The driver's cab window was damaged in the incident that could have caused 'serious injury or worse', SIPTU representatives have claimed. Pictures show a jagged round impact mark in the glass window of the tram that occurred just weeks after a Dublin Bus driver was threatened at gun point. SIPTU Transport Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said they were seeking an urgent meeting with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, to discuss recent serious incidents of anti-social behaviour on the public transport network. 'We have written to the Minister twice in recent months seeking a meeting, this has yet to occur,' Mr Murphy said. The damage to the tram is clearly visable 'Fianna Fáil has committed to the establishment of a transport policing service and this must be actioned as a matter of urgency. 'In the last two weeks we have seen two very serious incidents on the public transport network in Dublin involving our members. 'A Dublin Bus driver threatened at gun point in Mountjoy Square in the north inner-city and a projectile fired at high power hitting a Luas Driver's cab in the Tallaght area. 'Both of these incidents could potentially have resulted in serious injury or worse to workers or passengers.' Last month the union said it welcomed Dublin Bus support for a transport police force but said they would not return to Mountjoy Square following an incident involving a 'gun'. Dublin Bus representative and National Executive Council member, Stephen Millane, was speaking after management announced that it would support the establishment of a dedicated transport policing service 'The need for a transport policing service based on international best practice is a very real one,' Mr Millane said. 'We look forward to working with all stakeholders to make it a reality in as short a timeframe as possible.' Dublin Bus services were withdrawn from the Mountjoy Square area of the city after a bus driver was threatened by a man who was holding what appeared to be a gun. The incident happened on a Friday night on a Route 13 bus parked at Mountjoy Square as it waited to begin a journey. There have been calls for action after this latest incident News in 90 seconds - 10th May 2025 Mr Murphy said SIPTU's Respect Transport Workers campaign had been instrumental in bringing 'this unacceptable behaviour to national attention'. 'Immediate action must be taken by the Government and the National Transport Authority to put the necessary resources into protecting staff, passengers and the vital services that our communities depend on daily,' Mr Murphy added. SIPTU's Respect Transport Workers campaign recently launched its next phase, which they said, includes a short survey for members of the travelling public to take concerning safety on the public transport network.
