Launch of Workers Rights Centre

Launch of Workers Rights Centre

Earlier this month SIPTU officially launched the Workers Rights Centre, Ireland’s first specialist employment rights ‘one stop shop’ which will provide empathetic and professional advice and representation for individual SIPTU members. This is part of SIPTU’s continuing campaign to bring decency back into the workplace. The union’s main work is organising groups of workers so that terms and conditions of employment are improved as well as protected when they come under attack. This collective mission continues apace as workers organised in groups get the best … read more
New Guidelines for CCTV surveillance at work

New Guidelines for CCTV surveillance at work

The Data Protection Commissioner has issued new guidelines on the installation and operation of CCTV systems in the workplace. There is now a requirement that  “a written CCTV policy must be in place”. The guidance note provides that data controllers who wish to use CCTV should ensure that they complete the following steps: * conduct and document a risk assessment process; * conduct and document a Privacy Impact Assessment; * prepare a specific data protection policy dealing with CCTV devices, which should include data retention … read more
SIPTU describes government review of legislation in wake of Clerys scandal as positive development

SIPTU describes government review of legislation in wake of Clerys scandal as positive development

SIPTU activists and former Clerys workers have described as positive a proposed review of company and employment law announced by the Government today (Thursday, 14th January).  The review is aimed at providing the basis for legislative change to prevent a repeat of the situation surrounding the closure of Clerys department store.   SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said:  “The announcement by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, and Minister of State, Ged Nash, of this review is a positive development. “It … read more
High Court rejects employers appeal in Workers Rights Centre Equality Case

High Court rejects employers appeal in Workers Rights Centre Equality Case

A SIPTU member who was represented by the   Workers Rights Centre at  the Labour Court had a significant victory   case at the High Court  in the area of reasonable accommodation for employees with a disability.  The member was involved in a serious accident in which she suffered spinal injuries which left her paralysed from the waist down. She was a special needs assistant in the Nano Nagle School in Co Limerick which is a special school for children with varying degrees of disability. The Workers … read more
Employment Appeals Tribunal orders re-engagement

Employment Appeals Tribunal orders re-engagement

The Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has ordered re-engagement by Bulmers, Clonmel, with a SIPTU member who it said had been treated in an “inexcusable” manner when he was dismissed “without a disciplinary hearing and in circumstances that indicate undue haste”. The EAT added that the claimant, who was the chief shop steward at the plant, had been “sacrificed at the altar of corporate exigency”. The worker was represented by Ger Malone of the SIPTU WRC officer in Waterford. Read the full case here: https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/Cases/2015/October/UD423_2014_UD587_2014.html.
Victory for the SIPTU member and the Workers Rights Centre

Victory for the SIPTU member and the Workers Rights Centre

Worker was “sacrificed at the altar of corporate exigency”said the Employment Appeals tribunal when it ordered re-engagement  for a Bulmers, Clonmel SIPTU member. Furthermore the tribunal said that  it was “inexcusable” that the claimant, who was the chief shop steward, was dismissed “without a disciplinary hearing and in circumstances that indicate undue haste”. His Workers Rights Centre advocate was Ger Malone from the Waterford office. Read the full case here: https://www.workplacerelations.ie/en/Cases/2015/October/UD423_2014_UD587_2014.html.
The Labour Court has found in favour of security operative

The Labour Court has found in favour of security operative

The Labour Court has found in favour of security operative who alleged she was fired for making a bullying complaint. She received an increased award from the Court. The case was taken under section 27 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 which protects an employee from victimisation if he/she makes a Health and Safety complaint. Bullying is seen as coming under the Health and Safety legislation. The Court in its determination stated: “Having considered the totality of the evidence available to … read more
WRC Staff ready for the Challenge of Change

WRC Staff ready for the Challenge of Change

Nothing short of seismic change in the realm of employment law  has occurred by nature of  the signing into law recently of the Workplace Relations Act 2015. Instead of myriad complex routes to various bodies the employment law process has now been simplified greatly.   All employment rights claims now go  to single  adjudicator for a hearing  and onto the Labour Court for appeal if necessary. The Labour Court hearing  will now be conducted in public for such appeals. There will also be an  emphasis … read more
Workers Rights Centre Structure

Workers Rights Centre Structure

The Workers Rights Centre (WRC) gives representation and advice to individual SIPTU members. The WRC deals with individual cases only. In total there are 25 WRC Advocates – 10 based in Liberty Hall, Dublin – 15 based in other SIPTU centres around the country. 10 Information Assistants work in WRC in Liberty Hall.
Workers Right Centre dealt with over 5,600 cases during 2014

Workers Right Centre dealt with over 5,600 cases during 2014

The SIPTU Workers Rights Centre (WRC) provides information, advice and representation to SIPTU members who find themselves in individual disputes with their employers. The number of meetings involving WRC advocates directly meeting with workers increased by over 20% during 2014. Formerly known as the SIPTU Membership Information and Support Centre (MISC), the WRC recovered €3.9m in settlements and decisions for workers during 2014. During 2014, WRC Advocates conducted 5,631 meetings with workers. The WRC dealt with 4,213 cases bringing 650 to Rights Commissioner Hearings. The … read more