Fuel package: PAYE workers left behind … again

Posted on April 13, 2026 by unitetheunion

April 13th: Unite, which represents workers across Ireland, today said that the package of fuel supports announced last night by the Government would do little to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis being faced by ordinary PAYE workers.

The union said that workers were still counting the cost of a budget which failed to inflation- index tax bands for workers while distributing over a billion euros in tax giveaways for hospitality business and developers.

Unite’s Irish secretary Susan Fitzgerald said: “Instead of providing a package of support to households and moving to rein in profiteering by energy providers, the Government fell back on its old playbook and focused on buying off sectional interests.

“PAYE workers have been left behind yet again. 

“With war in the Middle East showing no signs of abating, the cost-of-living crisis is set to worsen. The best way for workers to defend their living standards is to organise in a union, develop workplace power and secure inflation-busting pay increases at the negotiating table or on the picket line”.

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Energy costs: Workers will not pick up tab for another crisis

Posted on April 12, 2026 by unitetheunion

Trade union action needed to force Government to address spiralling cost-of-living crisis   

Unite member consultation to assess energy cost impact 

Unite, which represents workers throughout Ireland, said today (Sunday) that public support for the fuel protests reflects anger at the government’s pitiful response to spiralling energy prices, and demanded that the ongoing cost-of-living crisis facing workers be front and centre of any new package of measures developed by the government.

Last month, Unite released the results of a survey of public sector workers showing that 80 per cent of respondents had to cut back on essential spending over the past year, with a third forced to borrow to meet household costs. The survey was largely undertaken before the current crisis began.

Unite’s Irish Executive Committee is clear that backing our members at this time of crisis is a priority, and the union is currently engaged in direct consultation with members across all sectors of the economy to identify the impact of the latest energy price rises.

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National Ambulance Service: Unite members vote overwhelmingly for action

Posted on April 10, 2026 by unitetheunion

Union slams six-year wait for implementation of review recommendations

Management must stop foot-dragging on outstanding issues

Trade union Unite, which represents members working for the National Ambulance Service (NAS), said today (Friday) that members have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action, up to and including strike action, due to management’s ongoing failure to implement the 2020 ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is scandalous that frontline healthcare workers who save lives every day should be waiting six years for their skills and expertise to be recognised. Our members have been left with no option but to take action, and they have Unite’s full support as they fight for decent treatment”.

The qualifications, clinical responsibilities and operational duties of ambulance personnel have expanded significantly in recent years. Despite the fact that the ‘Roles and Responsibilities Review’ recommended enhanced pay scales to reflect the growing professionalisation of the service, those recommendations have not been implemented. In addition, a five per cent increase recommended under the Benchmarking II process has not been delivered.

Unite regional officer Eoin Drummey said: “Ambulance staff have waited long enough for recognition and respect. If management wants to avoid industrial action, they need to stop dragging their feet and engage meaningfully with unions to resolve all outstanding issues”.

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Stormont must deliver on protections for women and girls

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Unite the union NI

More help and support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse and coercive control are urgently needed in Northern Ireland, according to leading trade union Unite

Unite has challenged the Northern Ireland Executive to make real its Programme for Government priority of ending violence against women and girls. This includes Safe Leave (paid annual leave to allow access to accommodation, healthcare or the legal system) and locally-accessible emergency accommodation.

Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in Western Europe to be a woman but Stormont has yet to deliver actions to protect women who are living with threat or coercive control.

The union highlighted the two-year delay on the Stormont commitment for ‘Safe Leave’ for female workers experiencing violence and are unable to attend work. There is also a huge shortfall of local emergency accommodation, in particular for those with dependents – making it more difficult for victims and survivors of domestic abuse to leave dangerous situations.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “Northern Ireland is the most dangerous place in western Europe to be a woman or a girl. The recent murders of women in the region shows that things are not improving but getting worse. This is a devolved matter where Stormont has the needed powers, the executive cannot continue to fail to act and must protect victims and survivors.” Continue reading →

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Unite survey highlights cost-of-living crisis facing public sector workers

Posted on March 30, 2026 by unitetheunion

Shock new figures must frame talks on new agreement

Outstanding local bargaining increases must be paid now

As trade unions prepare for talks on a successor to the Public Service Agreement, due to expire at the end of June, trade union Unite today (Monday 30 March) released the results of a new survey of Unite members in the public sector.

Over 800 members responded to the survey carried out between February 16th and 9th March. Unite represents members in a diverse range of workplaces, including local authorities, the health sector, higher education and public bodies such as Enterprise Ireland.

The survey found that:

  • Almost all respondents stated that their household costs had increased over the past year, with the overwhelming majority citing increases of between 15 and 20 per cent
  • 80 per cent had to cut back on essential spending such as food or energy over the past year
  • Over a quarter (26 per cent) had fallen behind on payments such as rent, mortgage, bills or loans over the past year
  • 83 per cent had to use savings to meet their household costs over the year
  • 33 per cent had to borrow to meet their household costs over the year

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