Trade Unions in UCD

Overview

University College Dublin recognises a number of trade unions as having sole negotiating rights on all matters for particular categories of employees. 

An employee is free to join the appropriate trade union but the University reserves the right at all times to communicate directly with employees. It is University policy to facilitate trade union activity by allowing staff  representatives reasonable time away from work to take part in negotiations  and other union business. Where they are required to attend to their local  union representative duties, they will at all times request permission from their  immediate supervisor to leave their place of work. Given reasonable notice,  permission will not be unreasonably withheld. 

Local representatives will be expected to meet the same work standards and  performance as other staff members while at their work. 

Meetings between management and trade unions will normally be held during  working hours and on UCD premises. 

The University will not pay for travel and subsistence expenditure incurred as a  result of trade union activity. UCD provides reasonable facilities for staff  representatives to attend trade union approved training courses. Permission to attend these courses should be sought at least 2 weeks in advance of the  proposed date(s) from UCD Human Resources which will in turn confer with  the Head of School/Unit. Permission will not be unreasonably withheld. 

Trade union membership subscriptions can be directly deducted from pay if  authorised by a member of staff.

Recognised unions

These trade unions include the following: 

SIPTU

Services Industrial Professional and Technical Trade Union (SIPTU) is the  largest trade union in Ireland. The union was created in January 1990 through  the amalgamation of the Irish Transport and General Workers' Union (ITGWU)  and the Federated Workers Union of Ireland (FWUI). 

The Education Branch of SIPTU negotiates on behalf of staff in a variety of  institutions in the Third Level Sector. The union represents UCD staff from a  range of grades including academic, administrative, library, catering, security,  laboratory attendants and General Operatives. Further information is available  from the union's website at (opens in a new window)www.siptu.ie

IFUT

Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) was founded in 1965 with  membership drawn exclusively from the Third Level Sector. The union  represents almost entirely academic grades of staff in UCD. Further information is available from the union's website at (opens in a new window)www.ifut.ie

UNITE

UNITE the Union was formed in May 2007 following a merger between the  T&GWU and AMICUS and is currently the largest union in the UK and Ireland  with 2million members. It represents members in wide ranging sections of  industries including Transport, Public Services, Manufacturing, Finance,  Clerical, IT, Agriculture, Construction, Power & Engineering, Aviation, Food,  Drink & Tobacco, and Health. 

TEEU

The Technical Engineering and Electrical Trade Union (TEEU) was founded in  1923 when Irish electricians decided to form their own trade union. The union represents electricians and plumbers in UCD.

Irish Medical Organisation (IMO)

The IMO was formed in 1984 following the  amalgamation of the Irish Medical Association and the Irish Medical Union, to  act as the national representative medical organisation linking all branches of  the medical profession In Ireland. The Organisation is the sole negotiating  body on behalf of all doctors in Ireland, recognised for negotiating purposes  under the 1941 Trade Union Act. It represents medical staff in hospitals affiliated to UCD.

Further information is available from the union's web site at (opens in a new window)www.imo.ie.

Irish Hospital Consultants Association (IHCA). The IHCA represents over  consultants in hospitals affiliated to UCD. 

More Information

Further information about these and other Unions can be obtained from the  Irish Congress of Trade Unions website at (opens in a new window)www.ictu.ie