In episode number 9 of the ONE Conversation podcast series, The Making of an Activist Fiona Dunne, speaks with Padraig Peyton, Honorary President of SIPTU who is a lifelong activist and dedicated trade unionist.
An outstanding representative of the movement, the conversation begins with his first job in the Sligo mental health services, which incidentally was also his first interaction with a trade union. His membership of SIPTU supported and guided him throughout his career and it is ultimately the one he now leads as Honorary President.
But things were a little different back in his early working days particularly around activism, when his union encouraged membership but not necessarily speaking up until he had a little more experience! How times have changed. However, undeterred Padraig understood the benefits of being a member and the solidarity and support he would receive from colleagues and so there was no question of him not joining.
He likens his first years in work and the union as belonging to one big family and described the hospital as quite union oriented. His motivation to staying involved, even in the early days, came from the realisation that during major change, which was evident throughout the 1980’s, that it involved his future, and that of his colleagues, and so who better to negotiate their own future than themselves. A lesson all workers should learn and understand. It was at this time that he explains the pendulum swung towards younger workers, realising they would be impacted most from workplace and restructuring changes, they began to take the negotiation reins and increase their activism.
He understands that change is constant, and suggests that whilst it often can’t be halted it can be adapted and suggests all trade unionists should consider how change might improve working terms and conditions for themselves and those with whom they work. The conversation moves through all sorts of changes he experienced in SIPTU, some more successful than others, but importantly the recognition that the union is always listening and will continue to improve to ensure members voices are heard and their issues handled. He offers some great tips and advice for activists, such as taking up any training offered by a union, and acknowledging that whilst there are no special skills needed, the best way to learn to handle industrial relations and represent your members is by doing, but with the help, support and guidance of your colleagues.
Learning to deal with management is crucial and his own motto is Prior preparation prevents poor performance. For this and other gems that Padraig has to share, join us to listen to his real-life experiences of negotiating within the health service and how he undertook many activist roles within SIPTU which ultimately led him to one of the highest elected positions for an activist, Honorary President.
If you have ever considered becoming active in a trade union or perhaps becoming active in another area of interest in your life, this episode is well worth listening to, to understand that ordinary people undertake routine tasks every day to make our lives and those of our colleagues, friends and family so much better.
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