“Trade Unions Against Discrimination”
Irish Congress of Trade Unions to host European Trade Union Congress for Learning Seminar in Dublin on April 23rd and 24th.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is pleased to be hosting the latest European Trade Union Council Learning Seminar in Dublin on April 23rd and 24th. (Full programme here) The ETUC comprises 93 national trade union confederations in 41 countries, plus 10 European trade union federations. As with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the European Congress is committed to enshrining anti-racist principles and practices across all of its work.
Organised as part of the ‘Trade Unions against Discrimination’ project, the event will gather union representatives together from across Ireland and Europe, for a seminar which focuses on the intersectional aspects of racism. Speaking ahead of the event where he will welcome delegates, Minister for Integration, Joe O’Brien, remarked: “Trade Unions play a pivotal role in issues of fairness & equality in Irish society. The role of Trade Unions in helping to challenge discrimination & tackle racism is crucial. Events like the one hosted by ICTU today are vital tools in bringing together strong voices to spread the message that racism & discrimination will not be tolerated. I was pleased also to note that ICTU actively engaged in the process of drafting the National Action Plan Against Racism by making a written submission to the process. Such engagement & events like the one today underline the commitment of the Trade Union movement in Ireland, and internationally, to facing down racism & prejudice to foster a fair and just society where all are treated as equals.”
Commenting on the event, ICTU General Secretary Owen Reidy noted, “We welcome our colleagues from across Europe and closer to home, for an important gathering of trade union experts, who in coming together will help to ensure that responses to racism and all forms of bigotry are strengthened across our union memberships. The seminar is timely and we are proud to host this second in an on-going series of learning seminars with our European Trade Union Council colleagues”.
The seminar will offer the opportunity to discuss what trade unions can do to combat racism and other forms of bigotry in the workplace. The two-day event will see several panel discussions on areas such as EU policies and strategies which may be utilised to promote the rights of migrant workers, and on tackling the growth of the far-right. Particular attention will be paid to strategies of resistance to this, in light of the forthcoming EU elections. Delegates will hear from several experts working in the field of anti-racism and inclusion in the workplace. In addition, several workshops will also be facilitated; on racism in the workplace, racism and gender, and racism and LGBTQ issues. On the role of trade unions, ETUC General Secretary, Esther Lynch noted, “It is at the workplace that the common interests of fellow workers become clear for all to see. No matter their religion, nationality, or gender, people build bridges through their trade unions by acting together to address issues they share. By bargaining collectively to address the real problems of stagnant wages, insecure work, and abusive working conditions we embed acceptance and solidarity across our society. She stressed that “Governments must recognise and facilitate this vital role by reinforcing workers’ collective agency. Collective bargaining rights must be strengthened to unleash the real capacity for cohesion, for addressing discrimination, and for actively fostering tolerance.”
Speaking about the importance of such work and Siptu’s work in this area, Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley commented:
“All discrimination, whether it is according to race, gender, religion, age sexual orientation, or political views must be seen as not only ethically wrong but also as a barrier to effective trade union organisation and the common good that it provides. It is through the trade union movement that a lasting resolution to the issue of societal discrimination can be found. SIPTU has long stood as a leading force that by collective action, education, and lobbying, has sought to overcome the challenges presented by sectarianism, ageism, sexual orientation, and gender discrimination”.
On the importance of the seminar, she noted: “With our changing society, and the actions of some who wish to divide workers, this issue has become more pressing than ever. I look forward to the discussion at the ‘Trade Unions Against Discrimination’ seminar, as we must seek to fully understand the often-layered nature of the discrimination many workers face, to best develop the actions that must be taken to overcome them.”
Importantly, the seminar will pinpoint the emerging challenges in such work, and will also offer an important opportunity for a vital information exchange; What practices have been evaluated as effective in promoting anti-racism in the workplace? What existing successful initiatives may apply to other countries? What are trade Unions doing to protect their members against the effects of racism, and what more needs to be done?
Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on these and other important issues about working towards the eradication of racism across Europe.
“Trade Unions against Discrimination”
ETUC project
2nd Learning Seminar on Racism
Tuesday 23 April & Wednesday 24 April 2024
Communications Workers’ Union (CWU)
William Norton House, 575-577 North Circular Road
Dublin 1, D01 TR53
Interpretation: English, Italian, Spanish
