Labour still favoured by Siptu vote

It’s still Labour’s Way for Siptu after trade union delegates yesterday rejected a motion calling for a cutting of its ties with the party.

Motion 29 was tabled by the education sector of the public administration and community division of Siptu at its biennial delegates conference held in Cork, with proposer Kieran Allen claiming the historical link between Siptu and Labour was akin to “an abusive relationship”.

Referring to “the small matter of a general election in the next few weeks or months”, he argued issues such as water charges had led to people turning away from Labour, with the party an “enthusiastic and active collaborator” in implementing unpopular policies. Due to the historical affiliation between Siptu and Labour, the trade union’s political fund can be used to provide some financial support to Labour candidates in elections but not for Siptu members running for other parties.