THE controversy over the right of members of An Garda Siochána to hold a ballot, or even an opinion poll, to ascertain their members’ feelings on a number of issues, including industrial action, reflects a much deeper flaw in Irish democracy, ie, we are one of only three EU member states that do not make provision in law for the right of workers to collective bargaining.

SIPTU says the real "civil war" in Ireland is between ordinary workers and high earners eager to stay out of the tax net.

SIPTU looks set to launch a campaign of strike action over what is described as the lack of progress in relation to the economic crisis.

SIPTU has said it cannot accept that the future of the aircraft maintenance company SR-Technics is in jeopardy.

An investigation was launched today after a number of Filipino seafarers were discovered living in appalling conditions on a boat in Co Cork.

YOUR columnist Diarmaid Ferriter (February 21) has drawn attention to the argument advanced by Niamh Puirséil, historian of the Labour Party, that “social partnership could have become a reality much earlier if Fine Gael had not been so hostile to trade unions when in government in the 1980s”.

SIPTU has said a lot of progress has been made in the past 24 hours during talks with Aer Lingus management in an effort to prevent travel chaos at the country's airports tomorrow.

Talks to resolve the ongoing dispute at Aer Lingus have gone on beyond their 22nd hour.

Further transport disruption was threatened tonight after trade union bosses served strike action notice on Aer Lingus.

Aer Lingus claim that more than 1,250 applications have been received from workers offering to avail of a voluntary redundancy deal giving nine weeks' pay per year of service.

SIPTU is making a last minute appeal to Brinks Allied to accept the terms of the Labour Court recommendations ahead of tomorrow's planned strike action.

A STRIKE by security staff at the Brinks Allied firm is set to go ahead on Monday following the company's rejection of a Labour Court recommendation aimed at resolving the dispute.

The union representing employees at the Brinks Allied security company has criticised new procedures being implemented by the company.

The Government and trade unions have reached agreement on a deal to facilitate the break-up of Aer Rianta, according to SIPTU.