Issued : 19 February 2021 PRESS RELEASE 600 Ulster Bank jobs in Northern Ireland must be protected – FSU Friday, 19th February 2021 The Financial Services Union has said that it is deeply disappointed by the confirmation this morning (19.02.21) that Ulster Bank DAC is exiting its operations in the Republic of Ireland. Commenting, general secretary of the FSU, John O’Connell said: “While Ulster Bank’s operations in Northern Ireland are unaffected by today’s news, the work of circa 600 staff in Belfast predominately involves supporting Ulster Bank activities in the Republic. These jobs must be secured and protected. “We are calling […]

Intro: A piece written for Trade Union Left Forum by 14 year old Amhlaoibh Ó Síocháin Ó Beoláin a young socialist from North Cork with a keen interest in the creation of new Economic Systems which support the cause of workers in Ireland.   Worker-Owned Cooperatives:    A Fair Productive Way Forward:   This spring, many low-paid and precarious workers are eking out a living on wages that are insufficient, and in the case of precarious workers, irregular. Meanwhile, sucessful business owners will be comfortable despite the pandemic. This difference of standard of living between business people and the workforce is unacceptable. […]

Leaving Cert 2021 proposal not viable The ASTI has announced it is withdrawing from discussions on the Leaving Cert 2021 pending a guarantee that the talks will focus on the Minister’s stated objectives of planning for examinations and scoping out a corresponding measure. ASTI General Secretary Kieran Christie said it is unacceptable that a plan is being developed which will effectively see students preparing for two versions of a Leaving Cert, with Calculated Grades being the dominant option, and the Leaving Cert exams filling in assessment gaps. “We entered a process in good faith to explore the position whereby if […]

A chara, I am writing to you, to urge you to vote against the upcoming Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) between the EU and Canada. CETA is much more than a trade deal and has huge ramifications for Ireland. CETA will damage Ireland’s ability to legislate for stronger Workers’ Rights & climate actions such as, compulsory company sick pay/ pension schemes or a ban on plastic bottles. CETA enables Private corporations to sue government’s for potential loss of profits as a result of governments changing policy, in private dispute settlement courts ISDS. There is no end to the possibilities, billions […]

Press Release – 9.2.21   Ireland’s nurses and midwives deserve additional compensation for their work during the pandemic, the INMO will tell the Oireachtas health committee today (Tuesday). Healthcare workers in Northern Ireland and Scotland are set to receive a once-off £500 bonus for their work so far. In France, they are to be awarded a €1,500 bonus for their work. The INMO lodged a claim in November for compensatory leave due to fatigue and overwork throughout 2020, which has not yet been responded to. The INMO will also tell the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health that decisions on worker […]

Mandate saddened by passing of Mel Corry Thursday 14 January 2021 Mandate is deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of our brother Mel Corry yesterday afternoon after a short battle with Covid. Mel had been working for Trademark Belfast as a tutor on Mandate’s education courses since 2013 where our staff and our members had the pleasure of learning from a trade union stalwart. Members loved his dry wit and twinkle in the eye. Mel was working class. Therefore he acutely felt and understood the struggles met by workers and their families. Through his union work it […]

Retail workers demand early vaccination Tuesday 12 January 2021 Mandate Trade Union has written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, seeking clarity on the prioritisation of retail workers in the rollout of the vaccination programme. Gerry Light, Mandate General Secretary, said the HSEs listing of priority groups published on 6th January for vaccination is ambiguous and doesn’t explain where retail workers are in its listing of priorities. “Retail workers, particularly grocery and pharmacy staff, have kept the country going over the last 12 months and they deserve recognition as essential workers risking their health every day. As such, the Minister needs to […]

SIPTU says Minister for Health must act now to remove roadblocks to health service recruitment Date Released: 08 January 2021 SIPTU representatives have today (Friday, 8th January) urged the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, to immediately intervene and remove any roadblocks to health service recruitment as part of an emergency effort to address the unsustainable staffing crisis that is spreading right across the health service. SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Kevin Figgis, said: “The current stress on our health services is completely unsustainable. Patient numbers are rising while staffing levels are falling. The Minister must act now and make sure recruitment is fast […]

A brigade of 220 Cuban doctors arrived in Panama on Christmas Eve. The Cuban medics will help in the fight against COVID-19 in the Central American country which has one of the highest rates of infection in the region. Socialism at work. 500 Cuban medics also travelled to Mexico in December to treat patients infected by the pandemic there. Since March, 4,000 medics have worked in 40 countries affected by coronavirus. Please sign our Nobel Peace Prize for Cuban Doctors petition here