Negotiations on the implementation of changes in public service certified sick leave arrangements, which emerged from a binding Labour Court process last year, are at an advanced stage with unions expecting agreement by the end of this month. Under the 2012 Labour Court recommendation the new terms will generally be in place on 1^st January 2014.

LRC talks between Aer Lingus cabin crew and management continued through the night and concluded at 5am this morning (Friday). The settlement proposals that emerged would mean that the Shannon cabin crew base will be retained and that work on new transatlantic routes will be carried out by Aer Lingus employees if the proposals are accepted.

The Labour Court has ruled that the public service recruitment and promotions moratorium can’t be used to stop fixed-term workers applying for permanent posts. An IMPACT member recently won €9,500 in compensation when the union successfully took up her case after Teagasc management told her she could not apply for a post.

IMPACT has denounced European Commission plans to weaken workplace health and safety protections. Union official and health and safety expert Dessie Robinson said  the proposals were a direct attack on workers’ rights, which risked increasing the number and severity of occupational accidents and illnesses.

IMPACT’s central executive committee has approved a €100,000 donation to support Concern International’s work with refugees in north Syria and neighbouring Lebanon. The cash comes from the union’s developing world fund, made up of 3% of each member’s union subscription, which helps trade union solidarity and development projects around the world.