May Day 2025: Pay, collective bargaining, and marching  

There is no shortage of events for union members this May Day. In addition to branch-led local activity being held as part of Trade Union Week, members are invited to three national events. 

Members are invited to attend an Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) seminar taking place in Nerney’s Court, a Fórsa online meeting on collective bargaining, and the Dublin Council of Trade Unions annual march. 

ICTU symposium: The minimum wage: 25 years on - 9.30am - 12.30pm 

As part of their Trade Union Week celebrations, the private sector committee of ICTU is hosting a symposium to mark the 25th anniversary of Ireland's minimum wage in Nerney’s Court on Thursday 1st May.  The event begins at 9.30am and runs until 12.30pm.  

For more information on the event read this flyer. To register to attend the event email unionweek@ictu.ie   

Fórsa briefing on collective bargaining public consultation - 1.00pm - 2.00pm 

A public consultation on collective bargaining opened this week. The purpose of the public consultation is to inform the Government’s action plan to promote collective bargaining, required under the terms of the EU Adequate Minimum Wages (AMW). It will be open for four weeks.  

Fórsa will make a submission on behalf of our members to the consultation, and we are encouraging members to also put forward submissions.  

This online meeting will discuss the importance of making a submission, hear from ICTU general secretary Owen Reidy and Fórsa general secretary Kevin Callinan, and cover key points to include in submissions.  

Your input will play a key role in shaping the future of collective bargaining in Ireland, so come to the briefing and take part! You can register for our webinar here.  

Dublin Council of Trade Unions march and rally – 6.30pm 

Each year the Dublin Council of Trade Unions holds a march for May Day. It’s an opportunity for trade unionists from all unions to come together and stand in solidarity with workers everywhere. 

Assembly will take place from 6.30pm at the Garden of Remembrance. At 7pm the march will begin and proceed to Beresford Place (Liberty Hall) for a rally with speakers and music. A social will follow in Cois Life bar in Liberty Hall. The rally will be addressed by the following speakers: Paul Gavan (ICTU), Aisling Hedderman (CATU), Roh Perera (Le Cheile – Diversity not Division), and Mags O’Brien (Trade Union Friends of Palestine).  

Join a union that wins. Join Fórsa.