Preparations underway for industrial action after Dale Farm Ltd management refuse to address workers’ pay claim

Posted on August 19, 2018 by

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Maintenance workers across three Dale Farm Ltd sites vote 75% in favour of strike action and 80% for industrial action short of strike

Unite representatives invite Dale Farm bosses to last ditch negotiations, including through mediation of Labour Relations Agency

August 19th: Liam Gallagher, speaking for the union’s membership at Dale Farm, called on management to engage in meaningful negotiations following a strong vote for industrial action by members.

“Unite members at three Dale Farm Ltd factories: Cookstown, Ballymena and Cullybacky have voted overwhelmingly to endorse industrial action in a ballot conducted after the collapse of pay negotiations.

“Following on from this result, on Thursday last, Union representatives wrote to Dale Farm Ltd management outlining their determination to secure a decent pay increase for the maintenance staff at all three sites. We offered last minute negotiations either directly, or through the offices of the Labour Relations Agency. They must reconsider their refusal to seek mediated negotiation; previously Dale Farm bosses pulled out of LRA talks two days before they were due to have started. Continue reading →

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GLL spin on corner-cutting does not address continued Health & Safety concerns at Belfast Leisure Centres

Posted on July 26, 2018 by

unite-white-out-of-redOutsourced management company tell press they have fifty-five pool plant operators when there are none remaining

Crisis at pools continues with corner-cutting on staffing leading to continued failure to chlorinate and dangerous practice

Unite Regional Officer, Michael Keenan, responded to recent spin from management company Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL) which attempted to deflect public opprobrium for its corner-cutting on staffing and health & safety at Belfast leisure centres.

“Unite members working in municipal leisure facilities in Belfast have repeatedly highlighted their concerns over the Health & Safety impact of corner-cutting by GLL at the behest of Belfast City Council. In the past months, we have highlighted how the Jacuzzi at Avoneil had to be closed after the failure to retain pool plant operators led to legionella spores twenty times the legal limit with the water running green; we have also exposed pools being reopened half full and how pools remained open despite protestations of staff after diarrhoea incidents.

“This is all part of the corner-cutting approach taken by outsourced management company, GLL, on behalf of Belfast City Council. Only today concerned workers contacted us to inform us that the pool in Ballysillan remained open despite their protests while an angle-grinder was used to remove unsafe, and inappropriate, tiles which had been recently installed by management. Continue reading →

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Unions warn contractors on blacklisting

Posted on July 25, 2018 by

unite-white-out-of-redJuly 25th: Trade unions Unite and Siptu have issued a joint statement condemning the practice of blacklisting in the construction sector and warning those who engage in what the unions term this “obnoxious behaviour” that they will face a united action against them.

Blacklisting refers to the practice of employers in a sector circulating details of those known to be engaged in trade union activity with a view to preventing their employment in the sector.  The practice is especially widespread in the construction sector, both in Ireland and internationally.

Commenting, Unite Regional Officer for Construction Tom Fitzgerald said:

Continue reading →

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English Language Teachers left behind by QQI Bill

Posted on July 24, 2018 by

unite-white-out-of-red‘Learner Protection Fund’ should be matched by ‘Teacher Protection Fund’ following LanLearn debacle

July 24th:  Unite today said that the Qualification and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Bill published by Higher Education Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor leaves English Language Teachers behind.

Commenting, Unite Regional Organiser Roy Hassey said:

“Our members are angry but not surprised to learn that there is no mention of teachers in the draft legislation.

“The English Language Teaching sector has been built on the backs of workers, with precarious employment conditions rife and some teachers earning as little as €13 per hour.

Continue reading →

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IAC admits to poverty pay as Unite archaeologists continue to Dig4Decency

Posted on July 22, 2018 by

unite-white-out-of-redUnion repeats call on company to attend WRC

Experienced archaeologists paid just €12.50 per hour to defend our heritage

Trade union Unite, which is currently engaged in a dispute with the Irish Archaeological Consultancy over the company’s refusal to engage with the union on a pay claim, said today that the company had admitted to a history of paying poverty wages.  The union was commenting on IAC’s claim that it had increased wages by 65% over the past four years – effectively stating that in 2014 it was paying archaeologists below the Minimum Wage.

Commenting, Unite Regional Coordinating Officer Richie Browne said:

Continue reading →

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