ORGANISED LABOUR

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% April 2026 @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@   NATIONAL TRAINING FUND—Near €1.4bn surplus in State training fund is ‘ridiculous’ and ‘outrageous’. Accumulated surplus in National Training Fund now stands at €1.37bn, Dail's Public Accounts Committee is told. A near €1.4 billion surplus in a key State training fund has been criticised as 'outrageous' at the Public Accounts Committee. … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR

Israel First!

Israel has made its third attempt in 8 months to destroy Iran.  This time it has got what it always wanted—the full power of the United States as its instrument. In previous pieces the present writer has asked the question of Trump:  Is it America First or Israel First?  That question was answered on Saturday 28th February! On … Continue reading Israel First!

ORGANISED LABOUR

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ALMOST 100,000 households will pay more Tax this year following the Government’s decision in Budget 2026 not to increase tax credits or bands. According to calculations by Revenue, 23,000 taxpayer units—individuals or couples—who did not have a tax liability last year will have one in 2026. An additional 76,400 taxpayer units will be pushed … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR

Organised Labour

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% IRISH CONGRESS of TRADE UNIONS recommends pay claim of 4.7% to 6% in private sector for 2026 THE guidance was issued with the unanimous agreement of the Congress Private Sector Committee. The recommendation comes as Irish workers face continued pressure from inflation.  Over the past four years, the Consumer Price Index has climbed 18.9%, significantly eroding household … Continue reading Organised Labour

The CDU:  A Ruling Party In Transition!

German Perspectives The big furore in parliamentary politics has been a dispute between Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and his Foreign Minister, Johann Wadephul—both Christian Democrats (CDU).  They have been on a collision course.   Wadephul, back from an official visit to Syria, declared that the level of destruction there was worse than Germany faced in … Continue reading The CDU:  A Ruling Party In Transition!

ORGANISED LABOUR DECEMBER IPR

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% SIPTU Biennial Delegate Conference SIPTU General Secretary Elect, John King, called for:  “a renewal of trade union activism and reclaim lost ground, to rebuild, to renew, to recapture the hearts and minds of working people”  when addressing delegates in Galway for their Biennial Delegate Conference (November 11/13, 2025). The Conference brought together more than … Continue reading ORGANISED LABOUR DECEMBER IPR