Union members across Ireland celebrated the first ever Trade Union Week this year. Coinciding with May Day, the Better in a Trade Union Campaign of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions marked Union week with a series of activities in workplaces and communities.

IFUT members marked union week in a number of ways. Our Maynooth Branch held a meeting of workers to discuss the impact of precarious employment on staff of the university. Our Mary Immaculate College Branch used the week as an opportunity to meet candidates for the European and Mayoral elections to talk about the challenges facing workers in Higher Education and to encourage them to support the IFUT Campaign to address precarious employment. Of course, not every event was serious with the RCSI branch injecting some fun and music into the Union Week celebrations with a Beatles Tribute Band playing at an event encouraging colleagues to join a union. 

IFUT was an active member of the Better in a Trade Union Campaign steering group and communications group. The first Union Week is viewed as a huge success with all unions reporting an increase in activity, membership and visibility in workplaces during the week. We hope to build on this year’s success and look forward to celebrating Union Week again next year.