Johnny Guirke: Demand for Legal Collective Bargaining Now
Johnny Guirke addresses unions and calls for legislation to guarantee the legal right to organise and for collective bargaining as May Day approaches in 2026. He highlights Oireachtas broadcasting staff, young workers and the cost of living crisis to press for a minimum wage in line with the living wage and legal workplace access for unions.
Key demand: legal collective bargaining
Johnny Guirke urges government to legislate a legal right to organise and to deliver collective bargaining, and to grant unions legal access to the workplace. He stresses that many TDs backed a pledge before the last election and says promises must become law.
Workplace examples: Oireachtas broadcasting staff
Guirke draws attention to Oireachtas broadcast workers who face low pay, lack of employment protections and insecure work when the Dáil is not sitting. He says fairness in workers' rights must extend to those who keep parliamentary business visible.
Young workers and cost pressures
Referencing the National Youth Council of Ireland, he highlights how young workers confront rent, insecure jobs and rising insurance costs. Guirke calls for the minimum wage to be brought in line with the living wage without further delays.
Political context and protests
Guirke cites recent protests and criticises ministers who chose escalation over talks. He frames the debate as a test of whether government will stand with workers facing the cost of living crisis or continue to leave them behind.
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Firstly, I want to welcome all the unions in the gallery today and thank them for their ongoing work in standing up for workers' rights. I want to also acknowledge the Northern Ireland Minister for the Economy, Sinn Féin's Ciaoibhe Archibald MLA, who is currently proposing a Good Jobs Bill in the north of Ireland, and this represents the most significant piece of workers' rights legislation. As we approach May Day, we are reminded that this is not just a moment of reflection, but a call to action and a time to reaffirm our commitment to securing workers' rights fit for the 21st century. Workers are the backbone of our society, yet here we are in 2026 when the state is awash with money but thousands of workers feel undervalued, underpaid and overlooked. They are working harder than ever, but struggling more than ever, as the cost of living crisis continues to bite in housing, groceries, childcare and healthcare. We believe it is essential to legislate to give workers and their trade unions the legal right to organise and to deliver a legal right to collective bargaining. Government needs to provide that right to collective bargaining through a union and provide unions with legal access to the workplace. 56% of government TDs supported a pledge for collective bargaining before the last general election, including yourself Minister. It reminds me of Pat Rabbit, isn't that what we do before elections? Make promises. While we are talking about workers' rights, we need to look at the rights of workers here in Leinster House, such as the Oireachtas broadcast workers, and look at how unfairly they are being treated, while being denied employment protections. I have previously highlighted the poor conditions under which Oireachtas broadcasting staff operate, paid a pittance, denied employment protections and forced to rely on social welfare when Oireachtas is not sitting. They must go from the Dáil to the Dáil when we are in recess. But if this debate is truly about fairness, dignity and workers' rights, then we must also address the complete neglect of young workers. I want to acknowledge the concerns raised by the National Youth Council of Ireland. They have made it clear that young people are being left behind. Young workers starting off face the same cost of living pressures such as rent, insecure jobs, with higher insurance costs hitting over €2,000 in a lot of cases. This is another cost this very government have failed to get on top of. We have seen good, decent people protest recently to stand up against the cost of living during the Fylde protest. Instead of being on the side of workers, the very people who keep this country running. Threats were issued by government ministers who chose escalation over talks. We need the minimum wage in line with the living wage. Further delays to 2029 should be scrapped and it should happen now. Fifty-two per cent of workers do not believe they are fairly paid for the work they do. The figure is higher for women and people on lower incomes. Workers deserve fair pay for the work they are doing and safe working conditions. They deserve protections if they highlight health and safety issues. They will not be penalised or lose their jobs. Only today, one worker contacted our office and stated how many workers in the workplace are afraid to join their union, SIP2, for fear of losing their job. It is time this government stood up for all workers in Ireland and support this legislation that will enhance workers' rights.
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