IMPACT is currently campaigning to protect library and fire services from amalgamation in a number of counties, with a concerted effort to organise the lobbying of general election candidates in the communities where amalgamations have been proposed.

Proposals to amalgamate library services in Carlow, Cavan, Cork, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath have been the subject of a continuing campaign by the union since early 2015. The union is also campaigning against the proposed amalgamation of fire services in Carlow, Cavan, Galway, Kilkenny, Laois, Longford, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath.

Trade unions representing staff in the Institutes of Technology need to develop a unified position on the merging of the institutes, in order to ensure a more central role in the merger process.

The call was made by IMPACT trade union’s deputy general secretary, Kevin Callinan, who was addressing the Mergers in Higher Education symposium, which took place on Friday 12th February at St Laurence’s DIT, Grangegorman, Dublin. IMPACT represents clerical and administrative staff in the Institutes of Technology, and the symposium was organised by the union’s Institutes of Technologies branch.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is asking voters to think about what type of society they would like to see in the coming years before casting their vote in the general election on Friday. Congress asks, “What needs to be done to ensure society will be fairer and more equal?”

Congress has said the key components to create a fairer Ireland are a living wage, decent jobs, fair pensions and good public services and that it makes sense to support the parties and candidates who back these measures.

Representatives of IMPACT, Mandate and SIPTU have notified the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) that they have formally withdrawn from the joint staff/management forum because of concerns over the Authority’s plans to resume paying state dividends.

The joint negotiating forum on the ‘New Engagement Model’ has been working on various change management issues in recent weeks. National media reports emerged two weeks ago stating that the board of the DAA intends to resume paying a dividend to the State for the first time since dividends were suspended in 2009 due to the economic crisis.

Cornmarket and General Motors Ireland have teamed up for an IMPACT members' draw which could see one lucky winner drive away with a 161 Opel Corsa Excite. Two runners up will win an iPad. To enter you must be an IMPACT member. Deadline for entry is April 30th 2016. To enter, simply click on the panel above (links to an external website).