High Court Victory – Petkus v Complete Highway Care Ltd

High Court Victory – Petkus v Complete Highway Care Ltd

    The High Court issued a judgement on Friday 20th January 2017, the details of which signify a huge victory for workers. This judgement reverses a previous held incorrect belief, amongst many, that a reduction in a worker’s wage is not a deduction from their wage and therefore the worker involved has no case under the Payment of Wages Act 1991. This incorrect belief arose out of an obiter comment made in a case commonly referred to as the “McKenzie” case. The Petkus case … read more
Workers Rights Welcome Centre has opened in Sligo

Workers Rights Welcome Centre has opened in Sligo

A Workers Rights Welcome Centre, which is open to all workers who wish to ‘drop in’ for information on workplace issues, has opened in Hanson’s Retail Park, Cleveragh, Sligo. Workers’ Rights Welcome Centre (WRWC) project manager, Rachael Ryan, said: “Our staff are committed to providing up-to-date confidential and accurate information on workplace issues to workers who visit our centres. “Centres already operate in Dublin, Tralee, Navan and Cork where Advocates and Information Assistants already provide advice and representation to workers every day. In many incidences … read more
Report shows Clerys Workers campaign not in vain

Report shows Clerys Workers campaign not in vain

SIPTU has described as ‘positive’ several proposals contained in the Duffy Cahill Report, published today (Tuesday, 26th April), which are aimed at better protecting workers in circumstances similar to the controversial closure of Clerys Department Store in 2015. SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, said: “The closure of Clerys and the appalling treatment of its loyal workforce must mark a watershed in Irish industrial relations and business practice. The positive recommendations of this report can begin the process of ensuring that no one will ever … read more
Launch of Workers Rights Welcome Centre Navan

Launch of Workers Rights Welcome Centre Navan

SIPTU opened its new Workers Rights Welcome Centre (WRWC), which is open to all workers who wish to ‘drop in’ for information on workplace issues, on the Dan Shaw Road in Navan, County Meath on Tuesday, 15th November. SIPTU Organiser, John Regan, said: “It is significant that SIPTU chose Navan to open its third WRC, after those in Dublin and Cork. It shows the importance that the union places on representing the interests of workers in County Meath and with swiftly dealing with their issues … read more
SIPTU unveiling plaques around Dublin to commemorate the Irish Citizen Army

SIPTU unveiling plaques around Dublin to commemorate the Irish Citizen Army

The SIPTU Dublin District Council is unveiling a series of plaques around Dublin to commemorate the men, women and young people who served with the Irish Citizen Army (ICA) during the revolutionary period. Two of the distinctive plaques have already be unveiled in the North Strand and Essex Street. During early May a further three plaques are scheduled to be unveiled outside the: St Andrews Resource Centre, Pearse Street, Dublin 4, on Friday, 6th May at 11.30 a.m. Community Hall, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, on Tuesday, … read more
New Zealand shows the way by banning Zero Hours Contracts

New Zealand shows the way by banning Zero Hours Contracts

Zero hours and low hours contracts plague the lives of workers in retail and the services sector.  The present Government set-up leaves little hope that the situation will be rectified to any great extent.  Ged Nash’s commissioned report from the last government certainly provided a platform for major reform here but intensive effort is needed to ensure that it remains top of the agenda. Not for the first time do we turn our eyes to the Southern Hemisphere. In rugby we strive to follow the … read more
Major Victory for Clerys Workers in Consultation Claim.

Major Victory for Clerys Workers in Consultation Claim.

61 former Clerys workers have won a cumulative award of nearly €120,000, after the Workplace Relations Commission found a breach of consultation requirements under the Protection of Employment regulation. A Workplace Relations Commission adjudication officer (AO) has ruled in favour of the 61 claimants, the majority of whom were SIPTU members. MANDATE members were also part of the claim Welcoming the WRC decision, SIPTU sector organiser Teresa Hannick said it “could set a precedent for workers who lose their jobs as part of a collective … read more
Launch of Workers Rights Welcome Centre Tralee

Launch of Workers Rights Welcome Centre Tralee

A Workers Rights Welcome Centre which is open to all workers who wish to ‘drop in’ for information and advice on workplace issues, has opened in Connolly Hall, Upper Rock Street, Tralee, County Kerry. Workers Rights Welcome Centre (WRWC) project manager, Rachael Ryan, said: “WRWC staff are committed to providing up-to-date free, confidential and accurate information on workplace issues to members of the public who drop in off the street.” “WRWCs already operate in Dublin, Cork and Navan. In these Centres, WRWC Advocates and Information … read more