Over recent months, IFUT has been actively engaging with members in the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies at @uniofgalway regarding proposals for Undergraduate Curriculum Transformation. The process began against the backdrop of a public narrative which suggested an urgent crisis in Arts education and the need for significant structural change. From the outset, IFUT challenged that framing and argued that any discussion about the future of Arts should be grounded in meaningful consultation with staff, robust evidence and a clear recognition of the enduring value of Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Celtic Studies. Following a series of meetings with members, the establishment of a representative working group and subsequent engagement with University management, IFUT has now secured a Memorandum of Understanding governing how the process will proceed. While much work remains to be done, the agreement establishes important protections for staff and creates a formal framework through which concerns can be raised and addressed. Read the full story here: ifut.ie/content/ifut-secures… #galwayuniversity #ifut #galway

🇪🇺 IFUT General Secretary @FrankJonesDGS attended the 749th meeting of the European Economic and Social Committee in Dublin Castle today. At the opening of the meeting, Taoiseach @MichealMartinTD included a reference to: 🇮🇪 Ireland’s role in the EU ⬇️ Democracies under pressure 🤝 Workers have a share in developing policy 🗣️Need for effective social dialogue, and pointed out the many benefits associated with Social Democracy in Ireland 📖 One of the best educated workforces in Europe 💬 Structured engagement with social partners, including trade unions #EESC #SocialDemocracy

✉️ IFUT members: sign the important open letter “Concern about Research Ireland’s Strategy and Programme Plan” on the future direction of research funding and academic freedom in Ireland. 🖊️ Sign here openletter.earth/concern-abo… #IFUT #AcademicFreedom

Check out our latest article: 📢 New Letter in The Irish Times – Frank Jones, IFUT General Secretary linkedin.com/pulse/new-lette… via @LinkedIn

Good to meet @LauraHarmon01 @labour with our delegation — @paul_gavan @irishcongress, @FrankJones @IFUT, EdwardLahiff (UCC) & @JohnWalshDWest (TCD) — to discuss staff voice in university governance. The HEA Act leaves trade union reps out. That needs to change. #IFUT #HEAAct #Governance #HigherEd

"Since October, 2023, all university campuses in Gaza have been subject to intensive bombing, with dozens of buildings completely destroyed and many more irreparably damaged." irishtimes.com/ireland/educa…

“Researchers deserve more than short-term contracts. They deserve security, dignity, and a voice.” Inspiring words from IFUT’s Miriam Hamilton on the urgent need to transform researcher working conditions in Irish HE. 📖 Read more: ucc.ie/en/rsa/newsseminars/s… #Precarity #ResearchersRights #IFUT #HigherEd #AcademicUnion

IFUT welcomes the budget, which features a reduction in student fees— a positive step for students and families — but calls for urgent, sustained investment to properly fund higher education. 👉 ifut.ie/content/ifut-welcome… #HigherEd #EducationFunding #IFUT

📢 IFUT Pre-Budget Submission 2026 is out. Ireland’s higher education system is at breaking point. We’re calling for: ✅ €307m funding uplift ✅ Secure academic jobs ✅ A national sectoral forum ✅ PhD & career pathway reform 🔗 ifut.ie/content/ifut-pre-bud… #Budget2026 #highereducation

Great to see @JohnWalshDWest from the @IFUT_TCD branch presenting at the Trinity College induction day 📚👏 Joining IFUT means standing together for fairness, respect & better conditions in higher education. 👉 Apply here: ifut.ie/content/membership-a… #IFUT #UnionStrong #HigherEd

The @forsa_union_ie school secretaries caretakers campaign for pension equity has been incredibly positive has huge public support This indefinite strike will see pickets from Monday could possibly lead to schools closing. Time for the Labour Court to intervene @irishcongress

No second-class staff! Equal pension rights for school secretaries & caretakers. IFUT backs @forsa_union_ie strike action. Solidarity across the union movement. 📢 ifut.ie/content/no-second-cl… @apike1

🚨 National Week of Action | Sept 1–7 🚨 Precarious work. No right to union recognition. No right to bargain. It’s not just unfair — it’s un-European. 🇪🇺 Join us in demanding real rights for workers. 📢 Sign the petition: respectatwork.ie @irishcongress @forsa_union_ie @siptu @MandateTU @UNITEunionIRE @TUIunion @ASTIunion @INTOnews #RespectAtWork #WorkersRights #PrecariousNoMore

📣 IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones Leads Key Meeting on Higher Education Issues Frank Jones, General Secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT), took part in a meeting yesterday with Deputy Erin McGreehan, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Further and Higher Education, alongside colleagues from the higher education group of unions. The discussion focused on issues affecting over 40,000 staff across the sector — including insecure employment, funding pressures, and the long-term impact of casualisation on both staff and students. Speaking at the meeting, Frank Jones emphasised: “Sustainable employment practices and proper investment in staff are essential to maintaining quality in higher education. We need long-term planning, not short-term solutions.” IFUT welcomed Deputy McGreehan’s engagement and reaffirmed its commitment to working constructively with all stakeholders to improve conditions across the sector. #IFUT #HigherEducation #FrankJones #WorkersRights #UnionSolidarity

At #ICTUBDC2025, IFUT President Dr Michael Hinds @notaprofessor moved a crucial motion calling for urgent public investment in higher education and protection of educators’ wellbeing. The message was clear: defend staff, defend democracy, act now. #HigherEd #AcademicFreedom #TradeUnions

🏘❗️Housing is a workers’ issue. The #RaiseTheRoof rally demands urgent action on Ireland’s housing & homelessness crisis. 📣 All out for housing! 🗓 Tues, June 17 | ⏰ 6pm 📍 Leinster House, Dublin Secure homes = secure lives. #HousingCrisis #UnionSolidarity

Our General Secretary @FrankJonesDGS attending the @EISUnion 179th AGM in Aviemore. Great to stand with our Scottish colleagues as they celebrate a year of progress and set priorities for the year ahead. ✊📚 #EISAGM #UnionSolidarity #EducationUnions