Voting begins for SIPTU general secretary

Voting gets underway today for the post of general secretary of SIPTU, one of the most powerful positions in the Irish trade union movement.

Three candidates are vying for the position.

Joe O’Flynn, the union’s regional secretary in the south west, is the favourite to succeed John McDonnell as general secretary.

The other two candidates are Noel Dowling, the national industrial secretary, and Des Derwin, of the electrical and engineering branch.

All 225,000 SIPTU members can vote with the ballots being distributed through the branches.

Voting concludes on October 9 with the result known later that day.

The winner will join SIPTU president, Des Geraghty, and vice president, Jack O’Connor, as the three top men in the union.