SIPTU to review link with Labour

SIPTU, the country’s biggest union, it to review its historic links with the Labour Party.

Labour, whose relationship with the trade union movement stretches back to its foundations almost 100 years ago, receives tens of thousands of euro from unions each year.

However, there is discontent within the union over its lack of input into policies put forward by the Labour Party, with some arguing for more effective ways to have its voice heard.

A committee is to be established, headed by former general secretary John McDonnell, which will examine all elements of its relationship with the party in the months ahead.

Mr McDonnell played down any suggestion that it would disaffiliate from the party, but said the election of a Labour leader provided an opportune time to reassess its links.

“We haven’t been satisfied as to whether the relationship works,” he said. “There are 250,000 members in the organisation, representing people from all different political parties. It’s accepted that we need a political arm as well as an industrial arm. The Labour Party have been the vehicle for that. But we’re not satisfied that that has worked as well as it should.”

SIPTU provided Labour with an annual donation of 78,587 last year. This money was raised from a levy on members who each contribute around 63 cent to a special fund. While each member automatically contributes, members have the right to opt out. Funding links between unions and Labour stretch back to its establishment in 1912.

The party was formed as a result of a motion proposed by the Irish Transport and General Workers’ Union leader, James Larkin, and seconded by his colleague, James Connolly, at the Annual Conference of the Irish Trade Union Congress.

When SIPTU was formed in 1990, as a result of the amalgamation of a number of unions, its national executive council decided to affiliate to the Labour Party and continue their funding link. The union has previously said it would only cut off its funding links with Labour if State-funding of parties was approved by the Government.

While the review will include this funding link, it is expected to focus mainly on how it can improve its lobbying role.

Mr McDonnell said the British Labour party, for example, sponsored a number of MPs to represent their views in parliament.

“We don’t have a system like that here. I’m not saying that this is the answer, but we need that relationship to be gelled together in a more effective way.”