Mayo workers invited to join Trade Union Week

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) have announced Ireland’s first Trade Union Week, which will take place between April 29 and May 6.

ICTU said the week of coordinated events in workplaces and local communities across Ireland will be ‘the largest mobilisation of trade union members in decades’, with an open invitation extended to all workers in Mayo to take part.

Trade Union Week will mark the culmination of ICTU’s Better in a Trade Union campaign, which was launched this month to promote the values and benefits of trade union membership.

The campaign highlights benefits such as enhanced job security, advice and support, improved terms and conditions of employment, and better pay for Mayo workers.

ICTU General Secretary, Owen Reidy, said workers ‘understand that these rights are only achieved through collective action, so Trade Union Week is our call to everyone in Mayo to get involved’.

Almost half of young workers would join a trade union, according to a RED C omnibus poll. Their leading reasons for doing so were that trade unions provide employment protection in the workplace, and negotiate better pay and conditions.

When asked why they hadn’t yet joined a union, the poll revealed the most common response was ‘nobody ever asked me to’.

Speaking at the launch this week, Mr Reidy explained the benefits reaped by union members, and said they are something young workers are growing aware of. 

‘There’s a cohort of younger workers who recognise the need to have someone in their corner, fighting for employment protections, better pay and working conditions’, he said. 

“For young people, trade unions provide hope in helping them navigate the mounting socio-economic challenges for their generation – such as the housing and climate crises. They also recognise the power of collective bargaining, and how it leads to better rates of pay” added Mr Reidy.

Trade Union Week activities, including information stalls and social events, activities in schools, colleges and universities, and public talks, table quizzes and film screenings will take place in workplaces and local communities across Mayo.

Find more information on the Irish Congress of Trade Union’s website.