Dublin: Ireland’s largest trade union, SIPTU, has warned that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis may lead to significant unrest within the industrial sector. Incoming General Secretary John King, speaking at the union’s biennial conference in Galway, said workers are being pushed to the brink as the government “has completely abandoned their interests.”
King highlighted the growing prevalence of working poverty, noting that many workers are struggling to afford basic necessities such as heating and food. “Workers are under immense pressure. If an acceptable agreement on wages and working conditions is not reached, industrial action in the public sector cannot be ruled out,” he said. The current public sector pay agreement runs until June 2026, but unions are seeking renegotiation to address inflation and rising living costs.
Concerns Over Online Abuse
Delegates passed a resolution calling on the government to introduce stricter regulations to protect workers from online harassment. Public servants and union members have faced increasing abuse on social media, particularly during events such as the Dublin riots and recent debates over water service reforms. The resolution stated that self-regulation by online platforms is “entirely inadequate” and urged immediate government intervention.
Stronger Penalties for Employers
Another resolution urged the government to enact legislation imposing financial penalties and potential prison sentences on employers who violate workers’ rights. Delegates also called for robust protections for whistleblowers in the health sector and others who expose wrongdoing.
The conference is expected to debate more than 50 resolutions addressing salaries, pensions, outsourcing, housing, tax relief on union subscriptions, and concerns over delays in implementing living wage provisions. Delegates also expressed the need for stronger oversight in the sale of semi-state assets.
Support for EU Court Ruling
Union leaders welcomed a recent European Court of Justice decision upholding an EU directive requiring member states to ensure adequate minimum wages through collective bargaining. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary Ethel Buckley said the ruling confirms that the campaign for fair wages “can continue on the basis of strong legal foundations.”
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