About Our Trade Union

We are a trade union whose origins go back to the first labour pioneers, who came together to protect workers from exploitation and in the process improve their pay, working conditions, safety and opportunities for learning.

The Connect Trade Union is the largest Engineering Union in Ireland and the second largest in manufacturing representing up to 40,000 workers. One of our founding principles is the organisation of workers into collective agreements with employers rather than workers being bound by individual contract of employment. The Connect Trade Union is not affiliated to any political party but seeks to advance the political agenda to benefit the welfare of its members and wider society. It does this through its own campaigns, giving active support to those of ICTU and lending support to civil society campaigns in line with current union policy. The union also seeks to build links with like-minded unions abroad in order to foster exchanges of information in support of our activities.

Connect Trade Union Solidarity Links Across the Globe.

The Connect Trade Union has moved from being regarded as a small craft union to a significant force not only in UA Pic January 2015 Ireland but across the globe. Our contribution to international affairs and the influence that we have brought to bear on such issues as the apprenticeship system at home and across Europe is well recognised. We have associations with the Global Power Trade Unions (Electrical) and the United Association already established in the US, Canada, Australia. Pictured across is General Secretary Eamon Devoy shaking hands with UA General President William P. Hite in the Irish Embassy in Boston.

Full details available in our news section. The Union is now on a steady course of being a well-respected force that defends and improves the lives of our members and their families.

Who Do We Represent ?

Connect Trade Union membership is open to all categories of workers in technical, engineering and electrical employment’s. Membership for Apprentices is free.

Employment Categories	Employment Sectors
Administrative	Aviation	Mechanical Contracting
Apprentices	Construction	Motor Trade
Clerical	Electrical Contracting	Oil/Gas Industry
Crafts/Trades	Energy	Pharmaceutical/Chemical
General	Facilities Maintenance	Power Generation/Construction
I.T. Specialists	Health Care	Public Sector
Managerial	Health Service	Refrigeration/Air Conditioning
Professional	HVAC	Transport – Rail
Supervisory	Local Authorities	Transport – Road
Technical	Manufacturing	Transport – Sea
Overhead Powerlines	Film Industry	Alarm Industry
MESBCA Plumbing	Windfarms	Lift & Escalator Industry

We boast the most democratic structures in the trade union movement.

Every member is encouraged to participate in the Union. The Branches hold frequent meetings to which members are welcomed and encouraged to attend. The Branches elect their own officers & a representative to the National Executive Council (NEC). The General Secretary / Treasurer administers the Union under the direction of the Executive Management Committee (EMC) who are elected members from the NEC. The full-time officials attend at Executive Council meetings and may participate in debate but do not vote. The Connect Trade Union has a rich and vibrant history in Ireland its origins going back prior to the inception of the Irish Free State. Some of our Union leaders were prominent activists in the 1916 Rising.