The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has called for the State to introduce legal protection and rights for workers to join a union as Ireland celebrates its first Trade Union Week with events happening across the island to promote the benefits of trade union membership.
Running between 29th April and 6th May, members and representatives from across 44 trade unions affiliated with ICTU will hold Trade Union Week events in workplaces, schools, further and higher education institutes, and retail outlets, focused on issues such as enhanced job security, advice and supports for workers, improved terms and conditions of employment, and better pay. The programme also features public lectures, marches and rallies across the island of Ireland. 
Commenting at the launch of Trade Union Week, Owen Reidy, General Secretary of ICTU, said workers can still be discriminated against due to union activity.
This week, 800,000 affiliated members will reach out to colleagues and friends to talk about the benefits of trade union membership, they do so without adequate legal protection against discrimination or unfair dismissal for trade union activity. Ireland has a strong history of trade union membership. Yet, it is one of only two EU countries that does not protect employee representatives from being discriminated against for their trade union activity. This week, we celebrate a collective movement that has secured better pay and conditions for workers. But there are multiple workplaces across this island where trade union representatives are banned from organising. Ireland must introduce the right and legal protection for workers to join a trade union and to access the valuable support and advice that membership affords them.
Ireland is obliged to deliver on the EU’s Adequate Minimum Wage Directive by 15th November this year, under which the State will be obliged to promote collective bargaining and facilitate the right to exercise collective bargaining. Mr. Reidy says this cannot come quickly enough for the hundreds of thousands of workers who are currently denied that right.
We want to see the Minimum Wage Directive implemented as a priority to ensure all workers can enjoy full rights and legal protections, and to remove any barriers that exist around joining a union,” he said. “Our aim for Trade Union Week is to show those yet to join a union the huge benefits that exist in collective action and bargaining. Every worker is better in a trade union.
Suzanne Armstrong, a driver with Dublin Bus, says that being part of a trade union made it possible for her to stay in work while raising a family: “I have three small kids and with the nature of shift work, I faced a huge challenge to balance work and home life. With the support of my union rep, I was able to secure a job share meaning I could stay in a job that I love while still being there for my family.”
Anthony Dowling is a teacher. He says his life is better for being part of a trade union: “Being part of a trade union, my colleagues and I have a sense of solidarity that goes well beyond our own classrooms or schools. We have a collective voice in wider society, and we’ve achieved so much through that collective action. Trade Unions don’t just work hard for teachers, they work hard for every worker across every sector. I’d encourage everyone to get involved.”
Trade Union Week Highlights
Trade Union Week is taking place as part of the ‘Better in a Trade Union’ campaign, which features workers’ voices from the public and private sectors across the island of Ireland. Events include:
• Fórsa Youth host a panel discussion to celebrate the role of young leaders in the trade union movement, Wednesday 1st May from 4.30pm in Nerney's Court, Dublin 1.
• May Day Rally, Wednesday, 1st May from 6.30pm at the Garden of Remembrance.
• Mandate Youth Committee will hold a May Day Celebration starting at Mandate Head Office, Dublin at 12pm.
• Tickets are available for a special screening of the film ‘Blood Fruit’, sponsored by the Galway Council of Trade Unions, on Thursday, May 2nd at 8.30pm in the Pálás Cinema, Galway.
• Wexford Council of Trade Unions will host an event on the 1911 Wexford Lockout – the struggle to unionise at 7pm, Tuesday, 30th April, at Red Books, Wexford.
For more information, visit www.unions.ie.
