Collective bargaining: ‘Action Plan’ no substitute for legislation

Posted on November 5, 2025 by unitetheunion

Unite warns that proposals will fail to close collective bargaining gap between Irish and European workers

Unite, which organises workers throughout Ireland, today (Wednesday) expressed disappointment at the scarcity of concrete commitments to expanding workers’ rights in the new Action Plan to Promote Collective Bargaining.

Ireland remains out of step with our European peers in not providing a statutory right to union recognition and collective bargaining.  In the absence of such legislation, the aspirational actions outlined in this plan will fail to close the collective bargaining gap between workers in Ireland and workers in the rest of the EU.

The ability to collectively bargain is the biggest single factor in being able to increase pay in the workplace.

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PTSB unions make positions clear on job security and profit share

Posted on October 31, 2025 by unitetheunion

Following the announcement to the Stock market yesterday, the Group of Unions (Unite, Mandate, FSU) attended a briefing with Senior Management of PTSB. Management outlined the background around the decision to enter the formal process, and we discussed the implications that this will have on our members. It is important to note that The Group of Unions are the only external stakeholder body that has a legal right to provide an opinion which forms part of the formal notification to shareholders if an offer is made for the Bank as part of the formal sales process.

We emphasised the importance of early engagement with the Unions as key stakeholders in the Bank and as our members’ voice in the process. We have sought commitments to Job Security, to the Branch network and the introduction of a comprehensive and equal profit share scheme for all employees irrespective of their position in the Bank.

Since May 2025, we have new protocols agreed for engagement with Management on all matters that impact on our members work. Consultation and negotiation will continue to apply as regards large scale change / day to day issues.

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GNI: Gas workers vote for industrial action

Posted on October 29, 2025 by unitetheunion

Move follows company breach of collective agreement

Management must act to avoid escalation

Unite, which represents workers throughout the energy sector, said today (Wednesday) that members in Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action after the company breached collectively agreed procedures in relation to a member.

Earlier this month, GNI attempted to convert a Unite member’s legitimate grievance into a disciplinary action while denying their right to be represented during the process, as required under long-standing collectively-agreed procedures.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:

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ABP: Craigavon workers to commence all-out strike

Posted on October 17, 2025 by Unite the union NI
Previous strike by workers at ABP

Over 150 workers to down tools in pursuit of decent pay

Workers at Anglo Beef Processors UK (ABP) Craigavon plant, where Unite represents over 150 meat packers, trimmers, distribution, kill line and boning workers, have voted overwhelmingly to take strike action.

Unite is seeking a fair pay increase for its members who are paid a piece rate. Management’s offer of three per cent with a one-off cash payment of £100 and three per cent from April 2026, would amount to a real terms pay cut. The strike will see shortages in beef and lamb on the shelves of many supermarkets, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Iceland. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “ABP’s success has been built by workers.  The company can well afford to pay a decent pay increase but instead is choosing to squeeze our members’ living standards to maximise profits.

“The ABP workers at Craigavon can count on Unite’s full support in their fight for fair pay.”

ABP UK is part of ABP Foods group whose most recent accounts [for 2023] reported revenue increasing 75 percent to €624.8 million with gross profits of €68.6 million and net pre-tax profits of more than €4 million. €5.3 million in dividends was paid by the group in the year.

All out strike action by the workers will commence from 00.01am on Monday 27October.

Regional officer Sean Smyth said: “If ABP management wants to avoid severe disruption of their Craigavon plant, they need to return to the negotiating table and agree a fair deal for members.”

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Builders’ Budget bonanza will see profit-per-apartment top €70,000

Posted on October 10, 2025 by unitetheunion

“Viability” euphemism for “super-profitability” as builder tax breaks cost workers over half billion Euro

Trade union Unite, which represents construction workers throughout Ireland, today (Friday) said that the goodie-bag of VAT cuts and corporation tax sweeteners for big builders unveiled in Tuesday’s Budget will see profits-per-apartment top €70,000.

Last year, the Total Development Costs report published by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage estimated the profit on a completed urban two-bed apartment at over €48,000. The Budget VAT cut alone would swell that profit by nearly €20,000. Other corporation tax measures will further boost builders’ bottom lines.

The CEO of Cairn Homes has stated that the Budget measures, coupled with the reduction in minimum apartment standards announced in the summer, will probably be worth between €70,000 and €80,000 per apartment. 

While not all developments will attract all the Budget tax breaks, even the most conservative estimate will see profit-per-apartment top €70,000.

Unite’s Irish secretary Susan Fitzgerald said:

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