Latest news with #Siptu
The Journal
14-07-2025
- The Journal
Bus Éireann suspended routes in Drogheda last Friday night after bus windows were smashed
BUS SERVICES IN Drogheda were temporarily suspended after the windows of a bus were smashed by teenagers. It's the second time in a matter of weeks that serious concerns have been raised over the services by trade union Siptu. Last month, local representatives sought meetings with Bus Éireann management after one worker was allegedly attacked at a depot. The incident was reported to gardaí who later made an arrest in connection with the matter. The latest incident saw services withdrawn last Friday night after a group of youths 'smashed a window' and 'punched and kicked' a bus in the town,' according to Siptu organiser Andrew Quigley. Advertisement Following the second incident, protocols that have been agreed between Siptu and management were activated and services in Drogheda were suspended for approximately three hours from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday evening. 'Only last month, SIPTU members in Drogheda raised serious concerns relating to anti-social behaviour which were the focus of discussions with management,' Quigley said. 'We are working proactively with management and other stakeholders to try our best to address these recurring incidents. However, our members are clear that the worsening problem of anti-social behaviour and abuse on the public transport network necessitates the Government moving on its commitment to establish a dedicated transport policing service.' Siptu sector organiser for transport services, John Murphy, said the union firmly believes that the solution to the 'crisis of anti-social behaviour' on public transport network is the creation of a standalone transport policing service. 'The Government has accepted our case on this issue and included the creation of such a body in its Programme for Government. Our members stand ready to work with all stakeholders to make the creation of such a service a reality in as short a time frame as possible,' Murphy said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Irish Times
Charities accused of hypocrisy for failing to work with employees' unions
Some of Ireland's best-known charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been accused of hypocrisy for failing to allow their employees to be represented by trade unions. Siptu says thousands of workers in the sector are affected by either blanket refusals to engage with it as it seeks to represent members or a refusal to recognise it for the purposes of collective bargaining and the setting of pay and conditions. Siptu community sector organiser Brendan Carr described the approach being taken by a large number of employers in the sector as 'disgusting'. 'We have a number of cases going through conciliation or with third parties in relation to recognition,' he said. 'So far, we've been reluctant to take action, but at some point we're going to have to. It's disgusting that this continues to happen, completely unacceptable.' READ MORE Mr Carr said he had previously worked with private sector companies 'where you get used to a lot of employers not wanting to deal with unions' but that he 'found it incredible' that charities and NGOs refused to engage with worker representatives. 'These people want some professional advice, to be treated properly, to have decent representation on issues like pay and conditions, basically the key aspects of their work and yet many of these organisations refuse point blank to deal with them,' he added. 'It's really common across the sector, a sector that asks our members to fund them with charitable donations. It's simply unacceptable.' He said many of the country's best-known charities, including the Capuchin Day Centre, St Vincent de Paul and Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind, either completely refuse to engage with Siptu despite it having members among their staff, or limit the circumstances in which they would engage. He said the organisations never provided reasons for their refusal to deal with unions or recognise them for the purposes of collective bargaining, but suggested some argue their staff are free to engage with management on issues when many would prefer to be represented. Low pay is, he said, an issue across large numbers of organisations, as are the working conditions of many staff with unsocial hours and challenging work settings a common feature. In response to queries, the Capuchin Day Centre said it places 'huge value on its employees and volunteers' but 'the centre's established practice over many years has been to engage directly with employees in relation to their terms and conditions'. St Vincent de Paul said it 'regularly communicates with union representatives for its employees as required under its policies and there has never been an issue in this regard. However, SVP does not recognise a union for collective bargaining'. It added that 'this is not an issue for the society' as it pays above the prevailing rates in the sector. Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind declined to comment. The Wheel, an umbrella body that represents many charities and NGOs, said the sector is complex and fragmented, but it would 'welcome the opportunity to sit down with the Ictu or individual unions about how to improve engagement between employers and their staff'.
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
CIÉ could collapse amid potential €4bn pension liabilities if asset values fall, unions tell workers
The State-owned CIÉ transport group could collapse under the weight of its pension liabilities if asset values fell in any future economic downturn, trade unions have warned members in the companies. In a bulletin to members in Dublin Bus , Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann in advance of a ballot of proposed reforms, the unions maintained that without changes, pension liabilities at the group could, under some estimates, exceed €4 billion within eight years. If agreed, some of the proposed pension reforms would need to be underpinned by legislation. In a letter to Lorcan O'Connor , CIÉ group chief executive, Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said if the proposed reforms were backed in the ballots he would 'support and actively progress the process for the preparation and consideration of statutory instruments' needed to bring about changes in the two pension schemes operated within the State transport companies. READ MORE However, Mr O'Brien warned that while he was fully supportive of this process, 'nothing in this letter should be construed as a guarantee by the Minister with respect to any obligation or liabilities of CIÉ and/or the CIÉ pension schemes, or as ministerial consent or confirmation of such statutory instruments'. In a joint document for members, trade unions including the National Bus and Rail Union, Siptu , Connect , Unite and the TSSA said all defined benefit schemes had liabilities which were the valuation of the future pensions promised under their terms. 'Under the funding standard, a defined benefit scheme must have assets in excess of the liabilities with headroom to allow for potential market volatility.' 'The current level of liabilities across both schemes is circa €2.7 billion and with a projected growth in staff, this has been forecasted to surpass €4 billion by 2033.' 'Therefore, in the event of a financial crash, as was the case in 2008, and if the schemes' assets dropped by 10 per cent – 20 per cent, this could collapse the schemes and potentially collapse the group', the report said. Some informed sources maintained that at present the economic value of the group, based on revenue, was about €1.8 billion. At present there are two pension schemes in CIÉ. Under the reform proposals both the regular wages scheme and what is known as the 1951 scheme would be closed to new members. The unions said such a move would 'effectively contain the liabilities to existing levels associated with existing members'. Under the proposed reforms future staff in the transport group would be covered by what is described as a new 'best in class' defined-contribution scheme where pension rates are determined by the amount in the individual's fund on retirement. 'Where new entrants choose to contribute 7 per cent of basic salary or above, their employer will contribute 12 per cent. There is also a range of other contribution levels available to members depending on their own circumstances.' Under the proposals, the group also agreed to provide €32 million to facilitate pension increases to those already retired and who have not had a raise in about 17 years. Such increases would range from 3 per cent to 5 per cent, depending on the date of retirement. The unions said they had sought support from the Minister 'to ensure an acknowledgment of the State's role as the sole shareholder of CIÉ' and that the letter from Mr O'Brien had achieved this purpose. 'The Minister states in the letter that, subject to acceptance of the proposal, he will 'support and actively progress' the process for the implementation of the statutory instruments (legislation), which will underpin your accrued and future benefits'. 'As we would have expected, the letter contains the standard caveats regarding 'guarantees' that have applied to other semi-States and in previous letters of support to CIÉ. This in no way seeks to, nor does it, undermine the clearly stated support from the Minister for Transport as sole shareholder for CIÉ.'
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Irish Times
Receptionist called a 'lazy b***h' by co-worker says apology wasn't ‘genuine'
A medical clinic receptionist claims she was forced to quit because her employer failed to address a 'toxic' work atmosphere after she said a colleague repeatedly called her a 'lazy b***h' to her face. The worker, Gwen Doyle, has complained that the apology she got from her colleague after a workplace investigation was 'not genuine' and that the other worker was simply 'told what to say'. In a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, Ms Doyle has alleged she was constructively dismissed in October 2024 from the Athboy Family Practice in Co Meath, where she had worked for 19 years. Her trade union, Siptu, told the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) at a hearing on Tuesday that the clinic's management denied her natural justice in investigating her formal grievance about the incident and failed to address a 'toxic' workplace environment READ MORE That left her with 'no other option' except to consider herself constructively dismissed, it was submitted on her behalf. The employer is contesting the case – its solicitor, Terry Gorry, stating that it made 'strenuous efforts' to resolve the formal grievance. Giving evidence to the WRC on Tuesday, Ms Doyle said that on a date in April 2024, she was on a call dealing with a repair of a computer when her colleague turned to her and said: 'Answer the phone, you lazy b***h.' Ms Doyle said her reply was: 'Sorry, what did you say?' Her colleague then said: 'Answer the phone, you lazy b***h, you do nothing in here,' the complainant said. She said she went and reported the remark to the practice manager, Kirsty Sanderson, who sent her to the canteen. 'I couldn't speak. I was in bits over the whole thing,' Ms Doyle said. She said she agreed when Ms Sanderson proposed getting the other receptionist to apologise. The other receptionist then came to the canteen and Ms Sanderson told her: 'You'll have to apologise,' Ms Doyle said. 'I've no intention of apologising. You are a lazy b***h,' was the other worker's reply, the complainant said. Ms Sanderson then made reference to 'numerous complaints' about Ms Doyle, the complainant added. The practice manager then said: 'You have no interest in your job. You're bringing your family life into it,' the complainant added. 'I was put in a back room and told to stay there. [The other receptionist] was told to go to reception,' Ms Doyle said. Ms Doyle said she remained in the room until lunchtime, when Ms Sanderson went to her and asked whether she was going to for her lunch. On her return, Ms Doyle said she told Ms Sanderson: 'I need a list of the complaints against me.' 'She said: 'You're not getting them.' I said: 'I want a written apology,'' Ms Doyle added. She said she then returned to her normal place of work at the clinic's reception and worked until 5pm, but that it was a 'toxic environment'. The tribunal heard Ms Doyle took sick leave and remained on sick leave thereafter, except for one day when she was persuaded by a colleague to return because the clinic was 'stuck'. 'It was absolutely horrendous,' she said. Ms Doyle said both Ms Sanderson and the other receptionist apologised to her following a formal grievance process that was completed in July 2024. She said the other receptionist told her: 'Sorry for what I said.' 'That was it, and she just walked out,' Ms Doyle said. 'Kirsty said: 'I'm sorry for what I said, but I refute some of the things you said in your report,'' she added. 'They were not genuine. Both apologies were not genuine. They were told what to say,' the complainant said. 'I could not go back into the work environment. It was too toxic. It wouldn't have been good for my health, mentally or physically,' she said. Ms Doyle's trade union advocate, Peter Glynn said the grievance investigation was 'shallow and lacked substance'. He added that when Ms Doyle took issue with the grievance outcome, she received correspondence stating that the incident had been 'dealt with' and the matter was 'closed'. This remained the position after Ms Glynn got her trade union got involved, Mr Glynn submitted, though the employer did state that it was 'willing to look at rosters to identify the best working environment', he added. Ms Doyle's position was that no matter what hours she was given, she would still be required to work with Ms Sanderson. The tribunal heard the employer objected when the union referred the case to the WRC for consideration under the Industrial Relations Act 1969 in September last year. 'Mediation was sought and offered. The employer failed to engage,' Mr Glynn said. At this stage, Ms Doyle was left 'no other option' except to conclude she had been constructively dismissed, he added. Adjudication officer Michael McEntee has adjourned the matter to later in the summer, when Mr Gorry is expected to continue with his cross-examination of the complainant. Ms Sanderson is expected to give evidence at a later stage in the case, as are Dr Anthony Ryan and another member of the clinic's staff, Catherine Dolan.
Irish Times
08-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Siptu spent just €15,000 from €1.3m political donations fund, accounts show
Ireland's largest trade union spent just €15,000 from a €1.3 million political donations fund, according to accounts for 2024. The record of Siptu's spend on political donations for last year was recently lodged with the Register of Friendly Societies, which is the central holder of statutory information for trade unions and certain other bodies. There were European and local elections in June 2024, as well as a general election in November. Siptu's annual returns cover only the two held in June, as the latter came too late for payments to be processed that year. The union's political fund, to which almost 130,000 of its members contribute, increased in value by almost €100,000 over the course of the year despite the various elections. READ MORE Siptu tends to only back candidates with strong links to the union, usually via actual membership. Just one candidate running in the Europeans – People Before Profit's Cian Prendiville from Limerick – was financially backed, with a donation worth €950. For the local elections, donations of €595 went to 22 candidates, 15 of whom ran for the Labour Party. The remaining seven included contenders running for Sinn Féin, the Workers' Party, the Social Democrats and the Green Party. It is understood that just a handful of general election candidates, including Labour's Marie Sherlock and Duncan Smith, would have received support, and this again would have involved modest amounts. The union says the fund is also available to be used for campaigns it runs. However, there were no other outgoings in 2024. The documents show that the union's membership declined by about 5,000 in each of the past two years and stood at 193,508 at the end of last year. The membership tally is understood to include a range of member categories, including those who have retired but maintain their membership without paying full subscription rates. Siptu says a rise in subscriptions is a better indication of active members. This increased last year, from €32.2 million to €32.5 million. However, the higher amount is almost the same as the figure for 2014 when the all-categories membership figure was 210,670. In 2019 subscription fees totalled €33.8 million, and there were 211,855 members. Covid presented big challenges. The union's industrial contingency, or strike fund, contained €19.2 million by the end of 2024, while there is almost €10 million set aside for the modernisation of Siptu's headquarters at Liberty Hall in Dublin. Overall, the accounts record net assets of about €53 million across a range of funds and an operating surplus of €1.17 million for the year. [ Siptu renews push for recognition at several large plants in pharma and medical device sectors Opens in new window ] Staff costs accounted for €23.9 million, of which a third (just short of €8 million) was contributions to the union's defined benefit scheme. In a 2022 review, this scheme was found to have a €20 million deficit and therefore was in need of additional payments. Over the course of 2024, Siptu employed an average of 250 staff, down from 267 in 2023. The organisation's four most senior personnel together cost €610,000, the accounts indicate.
