In a wide-ranging speech, President Michael D. Higgins has spoken of the importance of the Irish trade union movement in rising to the economic, social, and ecological challenges facing the country and the world.   

The comments came at an event held at Áras an Uachtaráin on Sunday 30^th June. The gathering was to celebrate the success of the Better in a Trade Union campaign which saw thousands of people across Ireland joining a union for the first time earlier this year.

The President warmly welcomed the collected union members, including a sizeable Fórsa contingent. A lifelong trade unionist and founder of the teaching section of the Workers’ Union of Ireland, he introduced the theme of the party ‘Celebrating the Trade Union Movement’ as a subject very close to his heart, and that of this wife and fellow committed trade unionist, Sabina.

He called on unions to “to play a leadership-defining role in the coming years as we build the future of our economy and our society.” A future he envisaged as one where all workers, and people from all backgrounds, can flourish.

He laid the blame for the various crises the country faces at the feet of our current economic model, which he described as having failed, and having “left huge residues of inequality, environmental degradation.”

To build towards a better future, the President emphasised the importance of engaging with the public saying unions would need to increase their membership and foster “an expansion in economic literacy and rights-based thinking.” In a powerful plea for clear use of language he said: “There is not a concept beyond the understanding of our citizens if it is explained correctly.”

The President acknowledged the EU as a key battleground where many advances have been won for workers through international cooperation between unions. He lauded the recent EU Adequate Minimum Wages European Directive which requires Member States to put in place policies and legislation that increase collective bargaining coverage and to facilitate the right to exercise collective bargaining.

He praised the Irish trade union movement for its history of international solidarity, from cooperation through with unions from other countries and in international alliances, as well as supporting trade unions facing violence and suppression across the globe. After paying tribute to the Dunnes workers boycott that heralded the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa, he said: “The trade union movement is strongest when it is a movement that knows no borders.”

Before thanking all the workers who had contributed to the successful event, the President rounded off his speech by calling all in attendance to “affirm our commitment to playing our part in the creation of a society that removes the obstacles standing between so many of our people and their full participation.” He concluded “The world will be a better place when we’re all in trade unions.”

Attendees were treated to lunch and refreshments, with entertainment being supplied by a variety of young Irish musicians.

The full speech can be found here.

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