The trade union-backed Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) is predicting slower employment growth over the next two years. Its latest Quarterly Economic Observer  predicts employment will increase by 1.1% in 2014 and 1.2% in 2015, compared to 2.3% this year.

IMPACT has demanded that management produce stronger service level agreements (SLAs) to ensure that water services are maintained and improved when they transfer from local authorities to Irish Water next month. In a meeting this week, the union told management that the SLAs tabled so far were too weak because they don’t properly define the staffing and other resources that will be committed to future water provision.

IMPACT is among the sponsors of a new schools’ pack that explains the significance of the 1913-1914 Dublin Lockout  to our lives today. The pack, launched yesterday (12^th December), will supplement the existing ICTU Youth Connect programme, which has delivered lessons about working life, trade unions and international solidarity to thousands of school children over the past three years. The programme was initially established with a substantial grant from IMPACT’s former Tax Officials’ branch.

IMPACT’s central executive committee has approved a €150,000 donation to an international trade union appeal for assistance in the Philippines, which is still reeling from the impact of typhoon Haiyan. The November typhoon, which was the worst ever to hit the country, killed over 6,000 people and left thousands homeless and destitute.

IMPACT members can get half-price tickets for the Abbey theatre’s production of James Plunkett’s The Risen People. Premium tickets for the play, which inspired Plunkett’s best-selling novel Strumpet City, retail for €40. In a unique offer, IMPACT members can buy them for €20.