The Guinness Staff Union has signed an affiliation agreement with SIPTU the country’s largest Trade Union.
The Agreement was signed on the 9th October at the SIPTU biannual conference held in Corks City Hall .
Some key features of the agreement are that the GSU will remain an independent Trade Union and will continue to work under its existing rules and Executive Committee.
The Affiliation which is completely different to an amalgamation will afford certain agreed supports to be afforded to the GSU and will involve closer cooperation between the two Unions in working for the benefits of all workers in the Drinks Industry in Ireland.
The Agreement was the result of a decision made at the GSU Annual General Meeting in March 2019 where it was agreed that the Executive committee would explore the possibility of an affiliation with a bigger Union , the stipulation was that the Guinness Staff Union would remain an independent Union . Negotiations took place over a number of Months with the final document being the subject of Extraordinary General Meetings which voted on the final proposal on the 10th September. The GSU members voted unanimously to accept the final proposals.
The Agreement was signed on behalf of the GSU by Mark Power Chair of the Executive Committee, Jennifer Spurling member of the Executive Committee and John Dunne General Secretary.
Joe OFlynn General Secretary and Joe Cunningham General Secretary designate signed the agreement on behalf of SIPTU.