SIPTU issues wake-up call on union decline

AS the proportion of workers in trade unions continues to fall, unions were told they would have to become more relevant to workers’ needs if they are to be able to represent them in the future.

Ten years ago, 60% of workers in the private sector were union members, but the number is now between 40% and 50%, said Brendan Hayes, vice-president of the country’s biggest union SIPTU, which has 250,000 members.

“Our membership is actually increasing, but is not keeping pace with the growth in employment. An issue of serious concern is that the proportion of the overall workforce in unions in dropping,” he told the south west regional SIPTU conference in Tralee, Co Kerry.