tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71501653466137344752024-03-06T01:18:44.365-08:00Siptu Northsiptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-71513379125886454002013-01-30T08:31:00.001-08:002013-01-30T08:31:44.673-08:00Death of Inez McCormack<h2>
SIPTU pays tribute to Inez McCormack as a fearless champion of working people</h2>
Date Released: 21 January 2013<br />
SIPTU President Jack O’Connor has paid tribute to leading trade unionist and human rights campaigner, Inez McCormack, who passed away today (21st January).<br />
“Inez McCormack’s work as a defender of working people and campaigner for peace has helped shape modern Ireland. The level of energy and commitment she brought to the many campaigns and causes she championed acted as an inspiration to others”.<br /><br />“Her life’s work spanned many fields, including defending workers rights in the face of the onslaught of the 1980s Thatcher governments, to advocating for the travelling community, to a key role in ensuring the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 was truly inclusive of all sectors of Northern Ireland’s society.”<br /><br />Jack O’Connor added: “As a trade unionist and feminist Inez broke the mould. She was the first woman full-time official to be appointed by the National Union of Public Employees (NUPE). She was the first woman to become Chair of the Northern Ireland Committee of ICTU, and from 1999 to 2001 the first woman to serve as President of ICTU. In the energy she brought to these positions, and in her leadership of the Northern Ireland branch of her own union UNISON, Inez ensured that the Irish trade union movement truly lived up to its commitment to represent all workers regardless of their gender, creed or ethnicity.”<br /><br />“It is with sadness but also great pride that I recall Inez’s role as a fearless champion of working people and extend my union’s sympathy to her husband Vincent and her family whose sense of deep loss will be shared by many people throughout Ireland.”<br /><br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-21094472024217415672012-06-21T07:28:00.002-07:002012-06-21T07:28:56.184-07:00<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">SIPTU
signs collective bargaining agreement with Regal Processors</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">SIPTU
members and the management of pet food manufacturer Regal Processors have
signed a collective bargaining agreement at the company’s plant in Lurgan, Co<span style="color: #1f497d;">.</span> Armagh. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">SIPTU
workplace representative, Gerald Devlin, said; “Our members are delighted with
this agreement. A good union recognition agreement, such as the one SIPTU has
concluded with the management of Regal Processors, is not only beneficial to
the workers but also the overall operation of the enterprise.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">“Much
of the credit for this agreement must go to my colleague, Frank McGinn, and
SIPTU Organiser, Martin O'Rourke. Their commitment over the last couple of
months has been crucial in securing this agreement.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">Regal
Processors Managing Director, George Jordan, said; “In the challenging times
that we are all now facing, the benefits of a good working relationship between
employers and unions is crucial. I believe that this agreement lays the
foundation for such a good relationship.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">The
agreement stipulates that SIPTU representatives will meet senior
management on a monthly basis to discuss workplace issues. It
also provides an opportunity for union representatives to meet with new
staff to brief them on the agreement and the union’s activities. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">SIPTU
Organiser, Martin O’Rourke, said; “It is hoped that this agreement will assist
in developing open and transparent communications so that all stakeholders are
aware of the views of the others.”</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="font-family: "Times","serif";"></span></b></span><br />siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-37942332440742377432012-04-03T02:55:00.000-07:002012-04-03T08:29:23.896-07:00
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">UNION TO MAKE CASE FOR EXTENSION OF SOCIAL CLAUSE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">Activists from SIPTU’s Communities Uniting campaign have
secured a meeting with the Social Development Committee of the Northern Ireland
Assembly as part of their campaign to have a “threshold of decency” clause applied
to state funding for Community and Voluntary Sector. This follows the launch of
the Programme for Government by the First Minister and Deputy First Ministers
Office which included a commitment to insert a social clause into public
procurement contracts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking ahead of the
meeting which is scheduled for 26<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> May next, Community Activist
Sean McMonagle said “We welcome the inclusion of a social clause for public
procurement contracts and believe the Executive should be applauded for this
positive step.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that a
“community and voluntary sector social clause” should also be included. This should
stipulate minimum employment standards to be applied to any worker delivering
services in this sector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A “minimum
standards” or “threshold of decency” social clause could resolve many of the
difficult issues faced by community sector organisations and the workers within
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK89KKOPfK37JypAjmnp3qzH91C_OJtX14B04_bDALT37mTkw5ZJYd97BLtMN7L0Vn3_3DGWouQlpdXDROuAUnD2OPZTZJPDzk6qrG5q-HkGW5lHJCS68HM4t1a1v_5zrrkeuvREsnzv4/s1600/media,11729,en.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK89KKOPfK37JypAjmnp3qzH91C_OJtX14B04_bDALT37mTkw5ZJYd97BLtMN7L0Vn3_3DGWouQlpdXDROuAUnD2OPZTZJPDzk6qrG5q-HkGW5lHJCS68HM4t1a1v_5zrrkeuvREsnzv4/s320/media,11729,en.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">The Social Development Committee was established to advise
and assist the Minister for Social Development, Nelson McCausland MLA, on
matters within his responsibility as a Minister. The committee undertakes a
scrutiny, policy development and consultation role with respect to the
Department for Social Development and plays a key role in the consideration and
development of legislation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">The variety of services provided by community and voluntary
groups across the North of Ireland is extensive – from sporting groups to meals
on wheels, health services, peace building, information centres, and childcare
services to environmental activities and residents’ associations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">The positive impact of this sector is not limited to the
social fabric of society, as it also plays a vital economic role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While community and voluntary groups receive
on average about 43% of their running costs from the state they generate £4 for
the local economy for every £1.00 of state funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">However workers within this sector face major challenges.
They have little or no job security and rates of pay and conditions of employment
vary widely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to funding gaps workers
are required to go for frequent and extended periods without any pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This situation is further compounded for
organisations receiving multi stream funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Around 3,000 workers in this sector have lost their jobs over the
previous two years, with the remaining 27,000 attempting to fill the void at a
time of ever increasing demand for their service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">An analysis of rates of pay, access to a funded pension
scheme, sick pay and maternity entitlements between the two sectors illustrate
very clearly that community workers providing vital state funded services to
the most disadvantaged sectors of society are treated less favourably than
public sector colleagues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">Catherine Pollock who will be representing SIPTU for the
engagement with the Social development Committee stated “If we accept that
these workers are providing services for the state, then we as citizens have an
obligation to ensure the people providing these services are treated in a
reasonable manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do this for public
sector workers yet the same provision for community sector workers is not yet available.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">Martin O’Rourke from SIPTU concluded “We believe that<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>minimum standards on pay and conditions should
be agreed between all the stakeholders in a tripartite forum; the funders, the
employer organisations and trade unions representing workers in the
sector.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a forum could review these
conditions of employment on a periodic basis, and in addition seek resolution
to issues arising within the sector. “<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-34447131893486325582012-03-05T09:06:00.001-08:002012-03-05T09:06:18.732-08:00Stormont Celebration Event for the C+V Sector<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmXEDe_cEYjfYZMYfoHtpmJOajbanj8psMhw9AFqP-F_c9OxnwqjpClLyr6Vy3Nhi-L9gbhXAYbCGKov8IqNZsz4pokhwuW2biYJtYWOj8bpMU43OWR4BW7PurbBhgeJC0Hvxf2K2GRQ/s1600/stormant-05-1024x682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmXEDe_cEYjfYZMYfoHtpmJOajbanj8psMhw9AFqP-F_c9OxnwqjpClLyr6Vy3Nhi-L9gbhXAYbCGKov8IqNZsz4pokhwuW2biYJtYWOj8bpMU43OWR4BW7PurbBhgeJC0Hvxf2K2GRQ/s320/stormant-05-1024x682.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">SIPTU is aware that many aspects of vital community and
voluntary work are not appreciated by the wider public, and funding
decision makers. This creates additional difficulties at a time of
dwindling budgets resulting from the substantial reduction of the block grant
from Westminster. We believe over 3,000 workers in the sector or
approximately 10% of the numbers employed have lost their jobs over the
previous two years. It is vital that we ensure that organisations
providing vital services to the community are better protected.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">As part of our campaign, SIPTU is hosting a celebration
of Community and Voluntary organisations in the Long Gallery in Stormont. The
purpose of the event is to allow organisations with SIPTU membership the
opportunity to display their professionalism directly with the political
representatives. In addition we wish to provide each organisation
attending the opportunity to invite the political representatives to visit the
organisations in their own constituencies so that they might engage directly
with service users, volunteers and workers. Each organisation will have a
table if required to display information relating to their organisation, and to
share with interested parties. We also believe this event will be an
ideal opportunity for organisations to engage with each other and share
information. MLAs from the five main political parties have assisted us
in the organisation of the celebration.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I0N1Aas1EXYoT66GVbpLt5zJXKNLlgmx6Ut8ID7x9h8aROYgwOC1Jv7IZLHjxq0iy7AGLzBXnZchtYvyB03bLhLb8i3G-6VYhIaHhpyXCIM1nQnLiYvjE6QqEDhidaXqujQfRgcSdEM/s1600/community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5I0N1Aas1EXYoT66GVbpLt5zJXKNLlgmx6Ut8ID7x9h8aROYgwOC1Jv7IZLHjxq0iy7AGLzBXnZchtYvyB03bLhLb8i3G-6VYhIaHhpyXCIM1nQnLiYvjE6QqEDhidaXqujQfRgcSdEM/s320/community.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">We will also be using the event to build support for the
introduction of a fair play/ threshold of decency clause into every contract
issued by the Government for public procurement contracts issued to the
sector. This campaign hopes to build upon the commitment to introduce
Social Clauses in the draft Programme for Government. We also hope
to have some key speakers at the event to make it as inclusive and
informative as possible for all stakeholders in the sector. SIPTU will be
providing greater details of the planned event which is scheduled for the 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
May 2012 between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">If you or your organisation would like to attend contact
SIPTU at </span><a href="mailto:athompson@siptu.ie"><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;">athompson@siptu.ie</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;"> or 048 90
314000</span> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOhh_uXp7SJGErtVQfpb0r_30xQP-qLwpQhUiPaPbxYmaNjVaymNrgg-G_VAccc8lAc5Y52hw8NokDhqCWs3UIgqHZd0rP4yrcY-oDuNfmvwSq3Q0BW1iPbUIV4WNrnrD9cOoMS8XvjE/s1600/6850787423_93ab4fb90d_m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOhh_uXp7SJGErtVQfpb0r_30xQP-qLwpQhUiPaPbxYmaNjVaymNrgg-G_VAccc8lAc5Y52hw8NokDhqCWs3UIgqHZd0rP4yrcY-oDuNfmvwSq3Q0BW1iPbUIV4WNrnrD9cOoMS8XvjE/s1600/6850787423_93ab4fb90d_m.jpg" /></a></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-2382086639417242022012-02-28T12:51:00.000-08:002012-02-28T12:51:15.097-08:00Threat to community services as The Department of Education procrastinates.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8vBphyxZ221rqGX4yQwfgensL8BD3-1V6lEa8ifqIyZfQ0GsxhYlfZtnR1FZscf6FN3-erBgpIQWnd9dGyfqRROJ33WRf4IOmbqCnrG2Hpqn8sl8yLh7pszr6DedBW9yqwuwT7E2VDM/s1600/community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8vBphyxZ221rqGX4yQwfgensL8BD3-1V6lEa8ifqIyZfQ0GsxhYlfZtnR1FZscf6FN3-erBgpIQWnd9dGyfqRROJ33WRf4IOmbqCnrG2Hpqn8sl8yLh7pszr6DedBW9yqwuwT7E2VDM/s320/community.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">As a direct failure of the Department of Education to honour
its commitment to pay rent due to An Droichead in Belfast, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>14 workers now face a bleak 2012, with serious
consequences for the provision of childcare facilities for local children and
parents from the South and East Belfast area. The lackadaisical approach of the
Department also puts into question the preschool needs of the adjacent school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">An Droichead was founded in 1992 and provides<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>local playgroup, preschool and after schools
service for the local area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has
received numerous professional awards over the years for its innovative
approach and added services to the local area. It has provided hundreds of
thousands of pounds in investment to the local school which operates on its
land, but now<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>faces pressure to moveas
the Department of Education has refused to allow payment on the leases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">The organisation is owed the rent for the School for the
previous 3 years, and have made on-going efforts to have the Departmentengage
with them to resolve the matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
non payment of the rent due has resulted in the organisation being forced to
consider<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>placing its employees on
protective notice, and these jobs are now at a real risk of being lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This organisation also funds a bus service
for the school , however it expects to be forced to cease this service before
the end of March, due to the non payment of the rent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYmyvpPH7EAjDZNExvz4yqppkxco-LvuN-dbjIwa9ZM0p447ZvMSPXimrkydgMt10E0Y2cnAkAY9qDz1KrQOiXB0tkjVD3hsOwH6zrF6FF7SAhyphenhyphenZz9Jfnh-NCUswER9wjOC8ezsdIq_M/s1600/Droichead_jpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYmyvpPH7EAjDZNExvz4yqppkxco-LvuN-dbjIwa9ZM0p447ZvMSPXimrkydgMt10E0Y2cnAkAY9qDz1KrQOiXB0tkjVD3hsOwH6zrF6FF7SAhyphenhyphenZz9Jfnh-NCUswER9wjOC8ezsdIq_M/s1600/Droichead_jpg.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Sean Hayes, a Spokesperson for the organisation stated ”we
have attempted to resolve this issue by dialogue and agreement, but regrettably
it would appear that the people we are engaging with are not prepared to
protect the interests of the children in their care. While the jobs are
obviously a concern what is of greater concern are the interests of local
children’s educational needs which the Department is putting in serious
jeopardy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plans for the future include
the provision of 50 jobs in the social economy, however this plan cannot go
ahead unless we receive the long overdue payments.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #f3f3f3;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Niall McNally from SIPTU added “we are not prepared to allow
the loss of 14 jobs and vital services to the Community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are calling upon the Sinn Fein Minister
for Education, John O’Dowd to ensure this matter is resolved and these vital
services are protected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been in
contact with and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>are seeking an urgent
meeting with the Department and will be insisting this issue be resolved to the
satisfaction of the group and concerned parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are not aware of any logical reason as to
why this rent has not been paid, and it is not acceptable that vital services
are now under threat.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-12556778533172940582012-02-02T08:58:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:02:56.948-08:00SIPTU responds to the draft PfG<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_KtUXfiZrGv3QH2q65MrTKoLixloZqALmxXSy7VVsf08jWwuTRCpOchF1rG-dH7KSTLB2GH1UIIiG7bIH1PGTNwfa4Dxfjl1UI6bN9lWtMR80PUJPE0hyGBVSPxzB5PHPxEIhjeIr5k/s1600/Siptu+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_KtUXfiZrGv3QH2q65MrTKoLixloZqALmxXSy7VVsf08jWwuTRCpOchF1rG-dH7KSTLB2GH1UIIiG7bIH1PGTNwfa4Dxfjl1UI6bN9lWtMR80PUJPE0hyGBVSPxzB5PHPxEIhjeIr5k/s320/Siptu+Logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 27px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The following response to the Draft Programme for Government 2011-15 </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">submitted by SIPTU. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><a href="http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/draft-pfg-2011-2015.pdf">http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/draft-pfg-2011-2015.pdf</a> (Link to Draft PfG)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We will not comment upon each commitment, although
the vast majority we welcome such as </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><i>“invest in social enterprise
growth to increase sustainability in the board community sector”</i></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">
however another such </span><i style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">as “<b>press for the devolution of corporation tax
and reduce it’s level”</b></i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> are not. However we are limiting our
response to one commitment in the PfG and one omission.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Priority 5: Delivering High Quality and Efficient Public Services.</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Social Clause “Include Social Clauses in public procurement contracts
for suppliers, services and construction”</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">SIPTU has welcomed the publication by the Northern Ireland Executive of
the Draft Programme for Government 2011-15, and in particular its pledge to “<i>include social clauses in public procurement
contracts for supplies, services and construction</i>”. While the term social
contract covers a multitude of areas, all of which we also welcome, we are
limiting our response to the clauses offering protection of people working for
companies or organisations who are funded from the public purse. In this regard we trust that the provision of
a social clause into public procurement contracts will ensure these contracts
contain <i>‘a threshold of decency clause’</i>
in relation to terms and conditions of employment for any organisation
employing staff and securing government funding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuUk8aF7EIRNXQuHbRvj3ll_bi0mpJmSekxQTPWyqpPREhW68xrnM-rjq2n32ZWgQTyS7kUpKfb7I7Npgx2nTY-y7g02lPgkWkMUK0sF1dwAMyIrx8aZeWMJDt_tFheSeguPQ2baU_fM/s1600/bannernew1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuUk8aF7EIRNXQuHbRvj3ll_bi0mpJmSekxQTPWyqpPREhW68xrnM-rjq2n32ZWgQTyS7kUpKfb7I7Npgx2nTY-y7g02lPgkWkMUK0sF1dwAMyIrx8aZeWMJDt_tFheSeguPQ2baU_fM/s320/bannernew1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We are aware from contact with our membership and organisations in the Community
and Voluntary of growing concerns that Government Departments are seeking ever
increasing ‘<i>efficiencies</i>’ from the
Sector in funding. Some organisations have regrettably addressed this conundrum
by reducing the pay or hours of work of the staff they employ. This, if
not adequately addressed will result in a race to the bottom in the terms and
conditions of employment in the sector.
It will also result in the loss of experienced, skilled and committed
staff. This will then lead to a reduction in the quality and level of
community and voluntary services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">SIPTU believes the insertion of threshold of decency clauses as a Social
Clause will provide organisations with a level playing field to compete for
Government contracts based upon the solely upon the quality of service they
provide. We believe workers providing key services deserve the
inclusion of a social clause and the Northern Ireland Executive needs to be
applauded for this commitment. We hope that this commitment when implemented
into policy will result in appropriate protection for workers and services
provided to the public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">We also seek that these clauses be reviewed periodically by representatives
of the Government Departments issuing public procurement contracts, the
employers organisations and the trade union representatives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Peace IV</span></u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">SIPTU notes that policy makers have many competing demands for
commitments to be included in the draft PFG. We are nevertheless
disappointed that a commitment to secure Peace 4 funding was not included in
the draft PFG. Noting the valuable work undertaken by Peace 1,2,and 3
Programmes and also aware that our society requires much more assistance as we attempt
to resolve the legacy of the troubles. We hope the Executive shares our
understanding in this regard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 27px;"><br /></span></span></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-28772138571655398642011-11-30T14:52:00.001-08:002011-11-30T14:53:13.648-08:00SIPTU Members Are Fighting Back<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
SIPTU members have hailed the support received from the public for the strike action taken by over 200,000 public sector workers in Northern Ireland today (30th November).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Across the North, workers on picket lines reported expressions of public support for their industrial action taken to protest attempts by the London government to cut workers pension entitlements and reduce public services.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Approximately 1,000 SIPTU members from Northern Ireland Railways, Belfast City Council, Newry and Mourne District Council, Southern and Belfast Education and Library Boards and Northern Ireland Water took part in the industrial action.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
SIPTU picketed local government offices, railway stations, waste depots, community centres and schools.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Rallies were held in Newry, Omagh, Derry, Magherafelt, Downpatrick and Belfast city centre where public sector workers heard teachers, bin workers and health employees explain what cuts in services would mean to the public.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
The main rally was held in Belfast centre, attended by an estimated 20,000 among them SIPTU President, Jack O’Connor.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Addressing the crowd ICTU Assistant General Secretary, Peter Bunting, said; “The real extremists in our society are those who evade and avoid tax, those who have gambled billions with other peoples’ money to sate their greed, and those politicians who have decreed that ordinary people, private sector workers, public sector workers and the most vulnerable of all, the unemployed, the sick, women and children, and senior citizens, will pay for the criminal conduct of the pampered elite.”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgdL_mmExM7NpT7Yj2CWbkEgTkDMKuI_NlBSjb8AG-KPhRnyecDEy5av7TlMuBUVhdB7HuuQ4V5KsSp4JtuiMVXOTvYOX4VFxSjOMjuKmuyHF3Bm5t35f_a_yuq8RcW0dMRvID1XU0yw/s1600/we_are_siptu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKgdL_mmExM7NpT7Yj2CWbkEgTkDMKuI_NlBSjb8AG-KPhRnyecDEy5av7TlMuBUVhdB7HuuQ4V5KsSp4JtuiMVXOTvYOX4VFxSjOMjuKmuyHF3Bm5t35f_a_yuq8RcW0dMRvID1XU0yw/s320/we_are_siptu.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #595959; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 8px; margin-top: 8px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">
Peter Bunting concluded; “Let us fight on and build for the alternative – people, jobs and public services!”</div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-86438743599996492302011-11-29T07:25:00.001-08:002011-11-29T07:50:25.799-08:00SIPTU Calls for Fairness from DEL<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU have written to the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Minister for responsibility for the Department of Employment and Learning
(DEL) to seek a reconsideration of the decision to declare funding applications
from Derry community groups as late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
groups had ensured their applications were received in good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, due to a combination of an
administrative error and IT problems, the vacancies were not registered by the
Departments lead partner the North West Regional College before the closing
date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sean McMonagle a SIPTU activist from the umbrella group
Triax Neighbourhood Partnership stated: “The right and proper thing is for the
minister to accept a mistake was made but it was not made by any of the
community groups who had their application in on time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtEGkpx1ZASmRVxPtQVPanbzPFIbrMDGbSgY6OyE_sZw8V62ukmYtlUN8cdNYC75Qj2Po7qH7ejjk4TnzQFb2eaeh7in1kBlkaB1bMaOs9mCxZVhj30tpi-IZYyBIvOH75Tx9DIT9y7Q/s1600/_44774880_abfce061-a5f7-4537-93c7-4f8a1b810161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOtEGkpx1ZASmRVxPtQVPanbzPFIbrMDGbSgY6OyE_sZw8V62ukmYtlUN8cdNYC75Qj2Po7qH7ejjk4TnzQFb2eaeh7in1kBlkaB1bMaOs9mCxZVhj30tpi-IZYyBIvOH75Tx9DIT9y7Q/s320/_44774880_abfce061-a5f7-4537-93c7-4f8a1b810161.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Step Ahead was introduced by the Department for Employment
and Learning in direct response to the economic downturn, giving the voluntary
and community sector and social economy businesses an opportunity to assist the
long-term unemployed back into work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The programme was utilised in creating exciting, genuine
employment opportunities for those who were long-term unemployed and wished to
take the first steps back into employment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around 175 people a month had
been signing up for the programme, which was set up two years ago.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall during the life time of the scheme around 4,000
people were lifted out of social security dependency into temporary posts with
voluntary or community sector groups, which improved the job prospects of
participants by giving them a recent employment history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition the vital work of the community
and voluntary was enhanced.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However as a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cost
saving measure the scheme was axed by DEL and a closing date for applications
of the 21st October was imposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This decision
was as a direct result of the reduction in the Block Grant received from Westminster.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>have written
directly to the Minister of DEL Steven Farry seeking an urgent review of the
decision to deem the applications as late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Martin O’Rourke Lead Organiser for SIPTU stated <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We trust the Minister will accept the groups
acted in a professional manner ensuring the completed applications were
received in good time by their lead partner, and the circumstances that led to
the late receipt were entirely outside of their control”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
The geographical are covered by these groups is one of the
most deprived areas in the local economy and the services which these
additional 30 workers could bring to the city are urgently required.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrphwsU6lx3WJB1V_g2B9E5Bh7nGAGGde3XN2Zt99J1O8QLvvHTsNUxhW29Bwli5hSSorGRVC-i5Afrjc29VD7-RMXSAgDRdCL2WSod6O9VGMaL9h5yS3eK7yK8U10ffXMkYiASz8_Yo/s1600/media%252C11729%252Cen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjrphwsU6lx3WJB1V_g2B9E5Bh7nGAGGde3XN2Zt99J1O8QLvvHTsNUxhW29Bwli5hSSorGRVC-i5Afrjc29VD7-RMXSAgDRdCL2WSod6O9VGMaL9h5yS3eK7yK8U10ffXMkYiASz8_Yo/s320/media%252C11729%252Cen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
</div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-79018830994053137202011-11-20T08:25:00.001-08:002011-11-22T08:30:24.545-08:00SIPTU Welcomes Commitments in DPG<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">SIPTU
welcomes draft Programme for Government’s commitment to inclusion of social
clauses<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">SIPTU
has welcomed the publication by the Northern
Ireland Executive of the Draft Programme for
Government 2011-15, and in particular its pledge to “include social clauses in
public procurement contracts for supplies, services and construction.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">Social
clauses in public procurement procedures refer to social and labour standards
that contractors have to fulfil in order to tender for public contracts.
Such clauses require that all bidders respect certain locally established
standards so that public contracts do not exert a downward pressure on wages
and working conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">“We
trust that the provision of a social clause into public procurement contracts
will ensure they contain ‘a threshold of decency clause’ in relation to terms
and conditions of employment for any organisation employing staff and securing
a public procurement contract,” said the Chair of the SIPTU North West
Community Sector Division, Karen Mullan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">“We
are aware from contact with our membership and organisations of growing
concerns that Government departments are
seeking ever increasing ‘efficiencies’ from the Community and Voluntary Sector
in funding applications. Some organisations have regrettably addressed this
conundrum by reducing the pay or hours of work of the staff they employ.
This, if not adequately addressed will result in a race to the bottom in
relation to terms and conditions of employment in the sector and will also
result in the loss of experienced, skilled and committed staff. This will
then lead to a reduction in the quality and level of community and voluntary
services,” Karen Mullan added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWzKZn7IDm7NRChcMXNiFZTshPe9aEKwEPISU7nc7X6bShVldt2SpieNUBgbNeprVCJTXZ7MhRj7Bs_EjB30-0Sv1FWa16JE7aDXceQUeLOEC0TrFSJciDTQd-DtGtCPrs_tG41ugdhg/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWzKZn7IDm7NRChcMXNiFZTshPe9aEKwEPISU7nc7X6bShVldt2SpieNUBgbNeprVCJTXZ7MhRj7Bs_EjB30-0Sv1FWa16JE7aDXceQUeLOEC0TrFSJciDTQd-DtGtCPrs_tG41ugdhg/s1600/untitled.png" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "FranklinGothic-Book-OTF","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: FranklinGothic-Book-OTF;"><o:p><span style="color: white; font-size: xx-small;">Karen Mullan Chair of the North West District Committee</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">SIPTU believes the insertion of threshold of decency clauses will provide organisations with a level playing field to compete for Government contracts based upon the quality of service they provide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="color: white; font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="color: white;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: white;">Chair of the SIPTU Belfast Community District Committee, Pat McCauley, said; “We have written to the Northern Ireland Executive advising itof our position on this issue, and seeking a meeting to explore the introduction of the commitment together. Society relying upon, and the workers providing us with key services deserve the inclusion of a social clause and the Northern Ireland Executive needs to be applauded for this commitment. SIPTU will continue to monitor the situation.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtaUV9riQ6bpcFqy5I1o_y0Wr0U_P-C8z_EUpdu63gUmDBHLE80LXkeC2adFadW28z1FBgVyj_tjp-xFYza0lhehZN7eOsEvd0YC6Io1J3sOVrMtaPa_ZlaOiu3Mya7RNOlMsfD2dkv4/s1600/SIPTU+staff+and+activists_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtaUV9riQ6bpcFqy5I1o_y0Wr0U_P-C8z_EUpdu63gUmDBHLE80LXkeC2adFadW28z1FBgVyj_tjp-xFYza0lhehZN7eOsEvd0YC6Io1J3sOVrMtaPa_ZlaOiu3Mya7RNOlMsfD2dkv4/s320/SIPTU+staff+and+activists_0190.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #272627; font-family: "FranklinGothic-Book-OTF","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: FranklinGothic-Book-OTF;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #272627; font-family: "FranklinGothic-Book-OTF","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: FranklinGothic-Book-OTF;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #272627; font-family: "FranklinGothic-Book-OTF","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: FranklinGothic-Book-OTF;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #272627; font-family: "FranklinGothic-Book-OTF","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: FranklinGothic-Book-OTF;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #272627; font-family: "FranklinGothic-Book-OTF","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: FranklinGothic-Book-OTF;"><o:p> <strong><span style="color: white; font-size: xx-small;">Pat McCauley Chair of SIPTU Belfast Community District Committee</span></strong></o:p></span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-49455151919861121112011-11-02T08:36:00.000-07:002011-11-03T03:02:47.864-07:00SIPTU Organise Meeting for all C&V Organisations<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53-9Cjygq3DLtuCQco2vjUn7ijVarLXSQ-MFaLgucdaW-oDcfVkRy9Kw7Xpg-eoqwSds0izv-tP7-ng2ErcqSJO35d0v1OFzVQt6v7Zfu-A8M9hH7J_m5kA3p27b6x9UOnmWVB2fDoeM/s1600/media%252C11729%252Cen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53-9Cjygq3DLtuCQco2vjUn7ijVarLXSQ-MFaLgucdaW-oDcfVkRy9Kw7Xpg-eoqwSds0izv-tP7-ng2ErcqSJO35d0v1OFzVQt6v7Zfu-A8M9hH7J_m5kA3p27b6x9UOnmWVB2fDoeM/s320/media%252C11729%252Cen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU
have organised a meeting for all community and voluntary Sector organisations
within the city in the City Hotel, Derry, on Thursday 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November
at 2.00 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A
large number of community and voluntary workers have already joined SIPTU and
are uniting under SIPTU’s Communities against Cuts Campaign. There are a
range of issues that affect the community and voluntary sector with funding
cuts been the most threatening to the sector at this time but other issues are
also part of the SIPTU campaign are employment rights and recognition on issues
such as long term contracts, pension rights and redundancy pay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Martin
O’Rourke, Organiser for SIPTU stated “ We have become increasing
concerned that organisations providing vital services to the most vulnerable in
society who are already operating on a “shoestring” budget are being asked to
make further “efficiencies.” These essential services cannot be
provided to our communities unless adequate funding is put in place.
Inflation is currently running at over 5% and even if funding was provided at
last year’s level this would result in a reduction in real terms of over
5%. This meeting is one of several across the local economy to ensure the
community and voluntary sector can learn from the experiences of other
organisations and speak and act with one collective voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">According
to SIPTU The Community and Voluntary Sector only receive 45% of its operating
costs from Government funding and in return for every £1.00 invested delivers
£4 to the local economy. It delivers essential services at a lower cost
than government agencies can, and despite this has already seen a 10% reduction
in services and jobs over the last two years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Karen
Mullan, Chairperson of the Western Organising Committee called upon all Community
and Voluntary sector organisations whether members of the Union or not to come
to the meeting to mobilise together against further cuts. Karen Mullan
added “The community sector is already at a major disadvantage in comparison to
the public sector and even many private sector workers in terms of recognition
around issues such as pensions, redundancy pay and long term contracts of
employment. Over the course of the last two years upwards of 2,000 community
development workers have lost their jobs in the delivery of vital services, if
this occurs in any other sector there would be major outcry and there has been
in the past, but loss in community development jobs, services, and its impact
on the local economy as hardly received a mention in local or regional news.
But as community development workers and projects we need to organise ourselves
into strategic representation in the Union to protect this vital sector which
has already received disproportionate cuts resulting in the most
disadvantaged in our society suffering. It is time to reverse this
trend, and to demand recognition from Government and other funding bodies in
par with that of the public and private sectors workers, in terms of working
conditions outlined. - the first step in doing so is the organisations
attendance at this meeting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IXKI16n5jMOExvjb_AslrwQBODS5kKE0JGB1QW12wTi4jMxwc2GadWoT107n2_2M-fwj5XKpEccl3ZRLI0EsJymxjyaBRLo9XsLc7HHPABVbQYNM74IX8zAecOw0_C8rJaJJ5FaWP_0/s1600/organise.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5IXKI16n5jMOExvjb_AslrwQBODS5kKE0JGB1QW12wTi4jMxwc2GadWoT107n2_2M-fwj5XKpEccl3ZRLI0EsJymxjyaBRLo9XsLc7HHPABVbQYNM74IX8zAecOw0_C8rJaJJ5FaWP_0/s1600/organise.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-47748157282985191852011-10-31T04:28:00.000-07:002011-10-31T04:28:07.841-07:00Trade Union Leader calls for workers to unite to fight attacks on pay and services<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfiXy3_AzY-j3CC5ntMdv0siWNJUtW0TzpW8bZz6fxDsLoArjH9fAL6OWJKWrE3z2vFH_gvBSqO0TGZFrHVskRP0q7f6wSmIQG2PwI7bqu2FVW8spw_ASGknJlLKp2m7ZpRKqhPqj0ic/s1600/313071_10150360170432428_586207427_8677821_1070477004_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfiXy3_AzY-j3CC5ntMdv0siWNJUtW0TzpW8bZz6fxDsLoArjH9fAL6OWJKWrE3z2vFH_gvBSqO0TGZFrHVskRP0q7f6wSmIQG2PwI7bqu2FVW8spw_ASGknJlLKp2m7ZpRKqhPqj0ic/s320/313071_10150360170432428_586207427_8677821_1070477004_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b><u><br /></u></b><br />
<b><u><br /></u></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>SIPTU's Jack O'Connor calls for workers to unite to fight attacks on pay and services<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking at an event to mark the unveiling of a portrait of
Trade Union Leader James Connolly in Belfast City Council this evening SIPTU
General President Jack O’Connor called on workers to unite to fight attacks on
pay and services.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanking Mayor Niall O’Donnghaile and the City Council, he
described the initiative as “acknowledging the role of the majority – i.e.
Working people, in the history and civic life of the City”. He said that while his union was founded in
Dublin as it ITGWU in 1909 it was conceived in the great Belfast Dock Strike of
1907 when workers of all traditions across the city united to assert their
rights.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He went on to cite the parallels between the circumstances
at the end of the 19th and early 20th century to those prevailing today. The economic collapse which precipitated the
great London Dock Strike of 1889 and the wave of militancy among workers across
Western Europe followed a global expansion of capital not unlike the 30 years before
the implosion of 2008. This has
legitimised a new assault on pay, which
parallels the reaction of capital to the collapse that occurred in the latter
part of the nineteenth century. Once again it is being done in the name of
competitiveness. Once again we are learning that whatever differences exist
between those at the top of society in different countries, they are unanimous
when it comes to deciding on who is going to bear the lion’s share of the
burden for the collapse of capitalism – working people as always. “The austerity programme being promoted
across Europe is mirrored by the approach of the UK government, which will
jeopardise 40,000 jobs in this jurisdiction over the next four years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The outlook for working people, which only a few short
years ago envisaged jobs and prosperity for the young, and reasonable pensions
for the elderly increasingly begins to mirror that of an earlier, depressing
era. Mass unemployment once again stalks the landscape. Casualisation, now in
the form of agency working, mirrors the culture of the gangmaster, rendering
the young subject to the volatilities of precarious working without
rights. The combination of public
service cuts and collapsing private pension incomes are once again reducing the
elderly to a status approaching penury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“It’s time to apply the other lessons of history once again
– working people must stand together and support each other. Never have we faced a more urgent need to
renew our commitment to the ideals of Connolly and Larkin and to their concept
of building a fighting trade union movement capable of confronting the
architects of austerity on the economic, social and political fronts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ends<o:p></o:p></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-68592131439655624262011-10-19T03:47:00.000-07:002011-10-20T02:04:55.211-07:00An offer Boots’ pensioners can refuse<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<h2 style="color: #1f487e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;">
<a href="http://dofonline.co.uk/blogs/the-edge/business/alliance-boots-6787686787/" rel="bookmark" style="color: #1f487e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" title="Permanent Link: An offer Boots’ pensioners can refuse">An offer Boots’ pensioners can refuse</a></h2>
<div class="entry" style="font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
Not many companies try to solve their pension problems by cutting workers’ retirement incomes. Well not blatantly, anyway. But step forward Boots the chemist.<br />
<span id="more-797" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span><br />
Alliance Boots, as the health and beauty company is now called, was bought by private-equity group KKR for £11bn in 2007. That may explain why the company that used to be known for its squeaky-clean image and girls in white coats is now being more so ruthless.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
The trick is to offer pension-fund members an immediate increase in their pensions of nearly 25 per cent. But the price for that is to forfeit future inflationary increases.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
Most actuaries would have difficulty working out whether that was a good deal, nevermind Boots’ former staff. But here’s a clue: only 60 per cent of the saving from losing the increase is used to boost the basic income. Then other 40 per cent will be used to offset the fund’s £602m deficit.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
So unless you expect to die imminently, have no spouse to inherit your pension, or want to live a life of luxury now and poverty later, you’d end up a loser by swapping the increases for the higher income. At 5 per cent inflation, the rising pension would overtake the enhanced static payments within five years.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
But people notoriously under-estimate their longevity. And even without an understanding of discounted cash flow techniques, they place more value on immediate cash than future promises. So many will be tempted to take the money now and ignore the future.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
Boots would not have made the offer to more than 25,000 pension members if it did not expect a decent take-up. The pensions regulator does not like this sort of swap but is powerless to stop it. The trustees ought to make their view known. It’s time for them to do their duty and show their independence – even if they are employed by the company.</div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span><br />
<div class="entry" style="font-size: 1.1em; line-height: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHTb2bVDCpSGRSaVHrjqd_tNwfwWXb64UprVarY64XFGejdi9no6nYu0_kTSessLgL1AHv6TSj8nycxAV6kvD675Yl9eglJFgcTI_42rrO3aMbiBMwGumnlCIjkWxSKmwvEuagHx0-mo/s1600/50356_195232927961_5675465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHTb2bVDCpSGRSaVHrjqd_tNwfwWXb64UprVarY64XFGejdi9no6nYu0_kTSessLgL1AHv6TSj8nycxAV6kvD675Yl9eglJFgcTI_42rrO3aMbiBMwGumnlCIjkWxSKmwvEuagHx0-mo/s1600/50356_195232927961_5675465_n.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 10px; padding: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">"We are calling upon all SIPTU Members who have retired from Boots to reject this "offer" and to retain their current pension benefits" stated Martin O'Rourke.</span></div>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
</span>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-54585076705581098072011-10-14T05:10:00.000-07:002011-10-14T05:13:49.238-07:00Centenary of James Connolly’s Belfast Arrival to be marked in City Hall<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jack O’Connor, Jackie McDonald, Carál Ní Chuilín, and John
Gray will speak at a unique event hosted in Belfast City Hall on Friday 28<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>
October to mark the 100th anniversary of the arrival of James Connolly in
Belfast to organise dockers and mill workers. The evening will begin at 6.30pm
with Belfast Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile unveiling a portrait of Connolly painted
by Belfast Artist Frank Quigley. The guest panel will follow with their
discussion at 7pm.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhD9fwTeEJodVy3I1rlxpLciXZ5G3NJFnw8tuK2fl8qmW6V2kW_CMJHRa-7oNTrnYiu0BKZmVXq53D9dX_1sRPWUY7esb1_3adjuIReyLYwi4a43mn_LApEuwnGH3FDkn_zKvkvgzRWo/s1600/James+Connolly+Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhD9fwTeEJodVy3I1rlxpLciXZ5G3NJFnw8tuK2fl8qmW6V2kW_CMJHRa-7oNTrnYiu0BKZmVXq53D9dX_1sRPWUY7esb1_3adjuIReyLYwi4a43mn_LApEuwnGH3FDkn_zKvkvgzRWo/s320/James+Connolly+Statue.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The historic trade unionist came to Belfast in 1911
following James Larkin’s departure to Dublin. This special event will hear from
cross community leaders who are members of the trade union SIPTU articulate the
view that now more than ever working people need to be united.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The theme of the event will be ‘The Task Today’ and will
focus largely on the modern needs of workers and the people who rely on public
services.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">John Gray from the Ulster Peoples College will provide the
historic context of the City in 1911 and the work undertaken by James Connolly
and the hundreds of trade union activists in Belfast to organise workers in the
docks and mills.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jackie McDonald will speak as a SIPTU activist about the
needs of today’s poor and disadvantaged and the requirement to work together to
lift communities out of multi-generational poverty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Carál Ní Chuilín MLA who is also a member of SIPTU will focus upon how the trade union movement is able to bridge
the cross community divide, to build a stronger and more powerful voice for the
disadvantaged in our shared society.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jack O’Connor General President of SIPTU will provide the union’s
analysis of what is planned for workers and the people who rely on public
services by the elite in society, and how we must all work together to
undermine this neo liberal attack.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Speaking on the event SIPTU organiser Martin O’Rourke said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Connolly’s contribution in empowering working people in
Belfast was immense; his campaigning played a key role in enhancing working
conditions and the lives of the most deprived in society. Connolly was
passionate about uniting working people, and breaking down sectarian barriers,
his time in Belfast was characterised by his drive to unite communities. SIPTU
believe that James Connolly’s actions and thoughts are as relevant today as
they were 100 years ago, and we hope by marking this great man of Labour, and
exploring his contribution in Belfast, we can further understand the task today
for us in the trade union movement.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Due to limited spaces you must RSVP your attendance by calling
SIPTU on 028 90314000<o:p></o:p></span></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-16866557678769753342011-09-27T13:41:00.000-07:002011-09-27T13:43:12.780-07:00Magherafelt Council Chairperson hosts SIPTU campaigners<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: white;">The Chairperson of Magherafelt District Council,
Ian Milne (Sinn Féin) has today hosted a reception to mark the centenary of the
arrival of James Connolly in Belfast to organise the Trade Union movement.<br />
<br />
Speaking at the event, SIPTU Organiser Martin O'Rourke said,<br />
<br />
"SIPTU were delighted to attend the event to celebrate 100 years of Trade
Union activism, building upon the strong foundation laid by Connolly. Many thousands
of activists have worked tirelessly since then to ensure that working people receive
a fair return on their labour; notwithstanding this fact the challenges which
faced working people 100 years ago are equally relevant today. That is why
SIPTU is engaged in an organising campaign for the community sector which has faced
and is facing disproportionate cuts. It is neither right, fair nor acceptable
that people who protect the most disadvantaged in our society should have their
work impeded in this way."</span>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwxAz7ZJdCNxemiJbvRQc8TYXSiwLguS93eJyeFkHcWyVGTmE-ILZjFHtC1k84cnO79QT96hOtNA7erqYmBVFJDkkl1bSVi0FzzaeyLGwV76D5DQXWh4Z1PdGBcVbBcS1oVMHT2BflhQ/s1600/Ian+and+Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwxAz7ZJdCNxemiJbvRQc8TYXSiwLguS93eJyeFkHcWyVGTmE-ILZjFHtC1k84cnO79QT96hOtNA7erqYmBVFJDkkl1bSVi0FzzaeyLGwV76D5DQXWh4Z1PdGBcVbBcS1oVMHT2BflhQ/s320/Ian+and+Martin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>(Magherafelt Council Chairperson Ian Milne makes presentation to Martin O'Rourke, SIPTU)</em></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: white;">Extending a warm welcome to Martin O'Rourke and Barry
McColgan who represented SIPTU, Cllr Milne said:<br />
<br />
"The Trade Union movement has been one of the main forces that continues
to work towards improving people's lives and ensuring that public services are
available, while helping shape a fairer society for all.<br />
<br />
"I take this opportunity to commend SIPTU as a campaigning and organising
Trade Union committed to fairness at work and justice in society. SIPTU's
campaign to enlist the support of all key stakeholders to deliver on the future
survival of the Community and Voluntary sector is very important in the fight
to maintain vital frontline services to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our
society.<br />
<br />
"It is estimated that there are 30,000 people employed within the Community
and Voluntary sector with a volunteer base close to 100,000. Now is the time to
ensure that people are put at the heart of our economy and that our economy
serves society, not the other way round.<br />
<br />
"We need to ensure the protection of wages and income and fight against
the race-to-the-bottom to improve 'competitiveness'. Workers are the heart of
an economy and should be treated as such, not just as a means to a profit. We
must ensure that everyone has absolute entitlement to join a trade union and
collectively bargain.<br />
<br />
"This evening's reception is a celebration of organised labour and a tribute
to the thousands of activists who over the last hundred years have worked
tirelessly to improve terms and conditions for working people."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-54883797211145514792011-09-27T03:09:00.000-07:002011-09-27T03:10:03.667-07:00SIPTU help Art Ability secure interim funding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In June of this year Art Ability – a community organisation
assisting children and adults with disabilities -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>based in Agnes Street, Belfast, was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>given just one week’s notice that it’s funding
was to be removed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A SIPTU organised
campaign has been running since then to secure funding to protect this vital
cross community organisation from closure, and to ensure its client’s needs
were addressed. This campaign resulted in the initial securing of limited
funding which did not fully protect the organisations future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">However, as a direct result of the SIPTU campaign we are
delighted to be in a position to report that interim funding has been secured
to enable the organisation to continue to operate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Art Ability will now be in a position to
apply for further funding for the autumn quarter, and their doors remain open.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAKOqTSsNRvR4sRJqbvca1PiSKjYm-ZJfxDH6pczee8fypJZ0sOmGcHDCLpzqgIrHgXL6R33SLLCzbhCzMG-fgk00gIhTGkYAsGN573DX_cUaSiOIBKOfuPZV_3r33J3IbDDOBRbOI2U/s1600/niall_o_donnghaile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAKOqTSsNRvR4sRJqbvca1PiSKjYm-ZJfxDH6pczee8fypJZ0sOmGcHDCLpzqgIrHgXL6R33SLLCzbhCzMG-fgk00gIhTGkYAsGN573DX_cUaSiOIBKOfuPZV_3r33J3IbDDOBRbOI2U/s1600/niall_o_donnghaile.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>(SIPTU facilitate Belfast Mayor Niall O'Donnghaile visit to Art Ability in June)</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Richard Long, Project Manager for Art Ability and SIPTU
member said,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our project was under
very real threat of closure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it
hadn’t been for SIPTU getting involved with their organised campaign, we would
probably have had to close our doors. SIPTU’s campaigning experience and
assistance have enabled us to secure this additional funding and I would advise
other community sector workers to join SIPTU also”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU Organiser Teri Cregan stated,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We could not have achieved the interim funding without the
help and support of activists, the media, political representatives, and civil
servants who worked with us on our campaign to protect this vital project. To
each person that played their part in this collective campaign we say thank
you. We are absolutely delighted that Art Ability have secured this vital funding
and we are now working with other organisations who have also either lost vital
funding or have had it substantially reduced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our analysis is that community sector organisations coming together with
SIPTU is the only mechanism where Community Sector workers might be afforded
the same protection as that enjoyed by workers in other sectors facing the
threat of cut backs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This analysis is
shared by a growing number of community sector workers who are joining our
union in ever increasing numbers.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">While this project that has been running for 21 years is
“not out of the woods” yet, this interim funding will allow it to continue to
provide cross community services to the locality at least in the short term.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Watch
the You Tube video filmed before the successful outcome of our campaign, where
Richard Long speaks about Art Ability;</span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uP3KvgKiveE" width="560"></iframe>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-716894042413273782011-09-26T13:40:00.000-07:002011-09-26T13:40:35.728-07:00SIPTU welcomes Assembly Motion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU has welcomed the motion put forward in the Assembly
in support of the vital work undertaken by the <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Community and Voluntary<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>sector from the following MLA’s Mr M
Copeland<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(East Belfast, UUP), Mr R Beggs<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(East Antrim, UUP) and Mr J<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>McCallister (South Down, UUP).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2ZdveDzeC6dS0YrSCdHaebjJjA4bcy5T4dv5h7a8Fep6HZVnKW_SWGNVnHGtIq9aKMSU7SGx-w1uSOMkJPLqcYFhgt_XnsgwzPn3MJLl0QCP8n8hCT3oLxPApec9NvKIcpQ8zZqwuK8/s1600/SIPTU+Community.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2ZdveDzeC6dS0YrSCdHaebjJjA4bcy5T4dv5h7a8Fep6HZVnKW_SWGNVnHGtIq9aKMSU7SGx-w1uSOMkJPLqcYFhgt_XnsgwzPn3MJLl0QCP8n8hCT3oLxPApec9NvKIcpQ8zZqwuK8/s320/SIPTU+Community.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The motion states,</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“That<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this
Assembly notes the invaluable contribution made by the community and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>voluntary sector, particularly in assisting
the most vulnerable people in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>society;
believes that where the sector provides public services, it is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>appropriate that it should be adequately
funded for this provision and any<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>related overhead costs; and calls upon the Minister for Social
Development to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ensure that there is an
effective working relationship between all Executive<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Departments and the community and voluntary
sector.”</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This motion is to be considered by the Assembly on
Tuesday 27<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> September 2011 and SIPTU has called upon all MLAs to
support it, and all Executive Departments to act upon it when passed.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We share the
forward thinking of the proposers of this motion and believe that
representatives of the Executive Departments, NICVA and the trade unions
representing Community and Voluntary workers should engage regularly on a
formal basis to ensure best practice in this sector and to ensure the motion is
the catalyst to assist the Community and Voluntary organisations and their
dedicated workers in their endeavours to lift people, families and communities
out of poverty”, stated Martin O’Rourke Lead Organiser, SIPTU.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-51792088549331601092011-09-20T12:59:00.000-07:002011-09-20T12:59:12.882-07:00Community and Voluntary Sector fights back with SIPTU
<br />
<div class="yiv243803521msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">SIPTU members in the
Community and Voluntary Sector have formed a Western Organising Committee and
selected local representatives Ms Catherine Pollock and Mr Sean McMonagle to
represent them on Derry’s Trade Council. This Committee will add to the work
already undertaken by SIPTU’s Belfast Committee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Various
representatives from the City, Strabane and Omagh were also selected to ensure
the Committee would act in a cohesive manner over the entire region.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcYRQE0wwK_obGKwQKMNt3fwcWuzzj0DDncnNmbLHf-sTkbICzwMVbleTjtB-Ms5pQ7pOfDKAu1jr5VPOqsc9wf9NBc1NREAQZvn7k6hOPJX-UPV9n_TaU8EP7lcMH7gdOEhX7-7kwFM/s1600/We+are+SIPTU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcYRQE0wwK_obGKwQKMNt3fwcWuzzj0DDncnNmbLHf-sTkbICzwMVbleTjtB-Ms5pQ7pOfDKAu1jr5VPOqsc9wf9NBc1NREAQZvn7k6hOPJX-UPV9n_TaU8EP7lcMH7gdOEhX7-7kwFM/s320/We+are+SIPTU.jpg" width="223" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="yiv243803521msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Speaking after the
event SIPTU Organiser Martin O’Rourke stated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="yiv243803521msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">“Over the last two
years around 3,000 Community workers have lost their jobs through lack of
funding for vital projects for the most vulnerable in our society. This has
resulted in increased hardship for the community with the loss of vital
services and skills. The Department of Social Development intend to further
reduce funding by 25% for this vital sector at a time of growing need for this
type of service.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="yiv243803521msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">Karen Mullan who was
selected as the Chairperson for the group stated, <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="yiv243803521msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">“The early
intervention provided by the Community Sector ensures real savings in both
economic and social terms to the state. Cuts to funding for vital projects make
neither economic nor social sense, and that is why we are determined to resist
the planned cuts” “Our Society deserves better and the SIPTU members in the
Community Sector are going to ensure the people they provide services to are
protected. The Community and Voluntary Sector which has been seen as the point
of least resistance for planned cuts are getting organised with their Trade
Union SIPTU to protect the most vulnerable and to build a fairer and better
society for us all. We would encourage all community and voluntary workers to
join us to build a strong united voice for our sector."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="color: white;">
</span><br />
<div class="yiv243803521msonormal" style="margin: 1em 0cm;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: white;">The next meeting of
SIPTU’s Voluntary and Community Western Organising Committee is scheduled to
take place in Tullyally within the next two weeks.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-72559539353821709162011-09-12T06:23:00.000-07:002011-09-12T07:19:33.690-07:00SIPTU Stand Up for Derry to Coleraine Rail Line<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ireland’s largest Trade Union SIPTU has added its voice to
the many who are calling for necessary and immediate investment in the Derry to
Coleraine rail line. The very future of the line was put in doubt recently when
Translink announced that because of cuts to its budget from the Department of
Regional Development, the £75m required to upgrade the line was not available
and the work would have to be deferred for three years. They are also
downgrading from 9 to 5 services per day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU who represent NI Rail workers have said that failure
to provide the needed investment for upgrade now, would not only be highly
dangerous but also put the long future of the rail line between Derry and
Coleraine in doubt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RuYVcXbbvxJY9V6N5HpsO8exakJqj3Je3BJaQWknOFPpboAFqZiLSX9VW4iSxv0RDuLb4dHGSiTzJ4y3wdNLIx6ZAWrceyucqGyvPjptMSEBv-uI0Jf5XLzRfyUZ37QuIsaao0LWxQw/s1600/Derry+to+Coleraine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RuYVcXbbvxJY9V6N5HpsO8exakJqj3Je3BJaQWknOFPpboAFqZiLSX9VW4iSxv0RDuLb4dHGSiTzJ4y3wdNLIx6ZAWrceyucqGyvPjptMSEBv-uI0Jf5XLzRfyUZ37QuIsaao0LWxQw/s400/Derry+to+Coleraine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU Lead Organiser Martin O’Rourke said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The short sighted decision to not provide the needed funds
for upgrading the Derry to Coleraine line will not only adversely affect the
working people who rely on the service daily, but will also be highly dangerous,
and could put the long term future of the line at risk. NI Rail workers are
striving to provide a first class service to the public, yet the quality of
service they can provide is constantly being hampered by underinvestment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This line is also strategically important for the tourism
industry and a reduction in the number of daily services will make the
beautiful north west coast less accessible to everyone. The historic lack of
investment in the north west needs to be put right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-43984846942300896382011-09-08T04:05:00.000-07:002011-09-08T04:18:25.491-07:00Open Invite to SIPTU Community Workers' General Meeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Colleague,</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have arranged a
General Meeting of all SIPTU Community Sector Workers and People working in the
Sector who have joined or wish to join the Union.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The meeting will be
held in the <b>Gasyard Centre</b>, 128 Lecky Road, Brandywell, BT48 6NP at <b>1.00
p.m on Thursday 15th September 2011</b>. Please advise colleagues who
have not yet joined the Union to also attend the meeting if they also wish
to join.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2etEQeGhwUYFOVR9YZM_BtiYEmdexqAL63ULComoJL3lTsyJv6HkCDAHVg3D_alDbMShRzqpvCddrO9IPmhpr_tjpUHuPRqvhrqvFZNyL6M5fGEAClHGiItmxfZITNBPyGwGIbpVyN1w/s1600/CommunityMeetings%2528Derry%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2etEQeGhwUYFOVR9YZM_BtiYEmdexqAL63ULComoJL3lTsyJv6HkCDAHVg3D_alDbMShRzqpvCddrO9IPmhpr_tjpUHuPRqvhrqvFZNyL6M5fGEAClHGiItmxfZITNBPyGwGIbpVyN1w/s320/CommunityMeetings%2528Derry%2529.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Agenda of the
meeting is;</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overview
of Campaign<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Objectives
of Campaign<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Election
of the following Officer Positions of the Western Organising Committee;</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">- </span>Chairperson<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;">-</span>
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deputy
Chairperson<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;">-</span>
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Communications
Officer<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;">-</span>
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trade
Council Representatives x 2<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: small;">-</span>
</span></span></span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Campaign
Strategists x 4<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The elected Committee
will meet on a monthly basis, and will develop a local strategy for the
Sector. If you would like to fill one of the above positions we ask that
you would also have a proposer and seconder at the meeting.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is also planned to
hold further General Meetings on a three monthly basis to best ensure members
are kept informed of the campaign progress and have the opportunity to
advise the Committee of any issues.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you have any
queries in relation to the above please do not hesitate to contact our office
on <strong>02890314000</strong>. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting and
with working with you to secure much needed improvements within the sector.</span></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;">Yours fraternally, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;">Martin O'Rourke</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IE; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;">Lead Organiser<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-81512276366650894412011-08-31T08:32:00.000-07:002011-08-31T08:32:51.673-07:00Video of Foyle Pride 2011<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dHR_a21S2rY" width="560"></iframe>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-33696481413529907932011-08-29T05:33:00.000-07:002011-08-31T08:27:16.281-07:00SIPTU Proud to Support Foyle Pride 2011<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU activists were out on the streets of Derry on Saturday (27<sup>th</sup> August) supporting the second annual Foyle Pride parade. They joined with thousands of people including trade union and community activists, all united in celebrating diversity and demanding equality for the LGBT community.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrbVEQN5gGgZuOSe6nxhowX02Zz2aXBBt9BbFaFK4ZWPmJ-PbXl1Bz3Y7AmF2MRGcVS6KoQ4RK4JF2Ema9CmIeQJqlqM-BgFi0wzY28tujhzu0_IdRFoPMe9UT4DFk0mZnBoamTNYfqg/s1600/SIPTU+Derry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrbVEQN5gGgZuOSe6nxhowX02Zz2aXBBt9BbFaFK4ZWPmJ-PbXl1Bz3Y7AmF2MRGcVS6KoQ4RK4JF2Ema9CmIeQJqlqM-BgFi0wzY28tujhzu0_IdRFoPMe9UT4DFk0mZnBoamTNYfqg/s320/SIPTU+Derry1.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU Lead Organiser Martin O’Rourke said,</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span lang="EN-IE"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“SIPTU were very proud to march at Foyle Pride and it was great to see so many trade union and community activists turn out in support of LGBT rights. The march was a celebration of diversity and equality, but it was also to send a clear message that homophobia and associated attacks are absolutely wrong and will not be tolerated. The thousands who turned out in Derry demonstrated powerful cross community solidarity.”</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZeeYV-HeqcrbBfPIg0k2kU0Xx8cLmqLDLHit7WNgUE9BbBcl_-6_VEAtk75hdEWgF5qNUIlXs4IDE_2eb5Ln4PaMeWQXdQO7KmuZT7G_AQbSy8s1SKpOX7h3ewZKhXUEfyDWPRoI9hQ/s1600/SIPTU+Derry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZeeYV-HeqcrbBfPIg0k2kU0Xx8cLmqLDLHit7WNgUE9BbBcl_-6_VEAtk75hdEWgF5qNUIlXs4IDE_2eb5Ln4PaMeWQXdQO7KmuZT7G_AQbSy8s1SKpOX7h3ewZKhXUEfyDWPRoI9hQ/s320/SIPTU+Derry.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-53756845109800554842011-08-29T02:35:00.001-07:002011-08-29T02:35:37.828-07:00SIPTU Supports Belfast Pride 2011<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5LK8ECBHfcg" width="560"></iframe>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-46062780649911617712011-08-29T02:34:00.000-07:002011-08-29T02:34:22.887-07:00We are SIPTU - Tim Smith<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="345" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uQv1KPRDyh4" width="560"></iframe>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-43124756314778696712011-08-22T08:47:00.000-07:002011-08-22T09:01:10.279-07:00SIPTU call for better services at Mater A&E for distressed and suicidal persons<span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU representatives attended the PIPS (Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self harm) silent vigil outside the Mater Hospital on Friday 12<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> August 2011 calling for better services to be provided to distressed and suicidal people who go to A&E late at night.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbg9bfAVS8tPxrWG-dkfB96ox8s7FSgUeHpwBlr_HXvpbm9BMxaWTnUvnyVFjru1JshXeU-vmaq7uORwVH1yCal_VWZ6KscTOVadeTHfEgKfcOuW_ZjaqyE-kAWoo-WwXgStvUKi0XDM/s1600/PIPS+Protest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbg9bfAVS8tPxrWG-dkfB96ox8s7FSgUeHpwBlr_HXvpbm9BMxaWTnUvnyVFjru1JshXeU-vmaq7uORwVH1yCal_VWZ6KscTOVadeTHfEgKfcOuW_ZjaqyE-kAWoo-WwXgStvUKi0XDM/s320/PIPS+Protest.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU representative Anne Thompson said, </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“We believe too many distressed and suicidal people and their loved ones are paying the ultimate price for failures in the system. As a trade union we strive for a better social wage for all citizens. We are calling upon the Department of Health and Social Services to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to support vulnerable people seeking urgent assistance.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“In situations like this society does not get a second opportunity to resolve the issue and the systems must be robust enough to support people at their most vulnerable. SIPTU is currently undertaking a Community Sector campaign to ensure organisations like PIPS secure necessary funding to continue their vital work into the future.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7150165346613734475.post-53201193484226361952011-08-22T08:19:00.000-07:002011-08-22T08:19:54.374-07:00SIPTU give voice to the Community<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As part of their ‘communities uniting’ campaign in the north, SIPTU are giving voice to community workers through an online series of interviews, ‘We are SIPTU.’</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The series of interviews will be continually updated to YouTube, allowing people to easily access and get an insight into the everyday work of community activists, the services they provide, and the cuts facing projects. To access the interviews click on the following link;<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/siptunorth#grid/user/169914A8C1166C8E"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.youtube.com/user/siptunorth#grid/user/169914A8C1166C8E</span></a><o:p></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC_GZUz8rmhVBt_Wulg00E4-C6B3POH0J6PCvmGesql23fVaJHE9RMkPCM81b8hKVKE506hJ04GPFkeYXyBzqw8A2v9Y2-fq5GVogPnLUSG7Po0zr-asLDV9xHZGOB-vBJ1BWMAbatcE/s1600/We+are+SIPTU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC_GZUz8rmhVBt_Wulg00E4-C6B3POH0J6PCvmGesql23fVaJHE9RMkPCM81b8hKVKE506hJ04GPFkeYXyBzqw8A2v9Y2-fq5GVogPnLUSG7Po0zr-asLDV9xHZGOB-vBJ1BWMAbatcE/s320/We+are+SIPTU.jpg" width="223" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SIPTU Lead Organiser Martin O’Rourke said,<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I encourage people to watch, follow and promote the ‘We are SIPTU’ interviews. We are giving voice to community activists, allowing people to hear their story, and get an insight into the vital work they carry out daily. They also focus on the very serious cuts facing and indeed being imposed on projects currently.” <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The interview series has a constant message running through it that if we organise and work together through a trade union, then we can defend our community services from the full onslaught of ideological driven cuts facing us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>siptunorthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12190514528353187010noreply@blogger.com0