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The Nature of the Union
The PSEU is one of the leading trade unions in Ireland.
The Union was formed in 1890 and has 10,000 members in the Civil Service, Eircom, Vodafone, An Post, the National Lottery,
the Commissioners of Irish Lights, the Irish Aviation Authority, the Health and Safety Authority, the National Pensions
Board, Obair, the Food Safety Promotion Board, the Irish Sports Council, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National
Concert Hall, the Food Safety Authority, and FAS and is the Union recognised for negotiation purposes for the Executive
Grades and others in these employments.
The PSEU is a democratic organisation composed of its members which works within the Rules of the Union. It holds a
Negotiation Licence under the Trade Union Act, 1941.
The Objects of the Union are set out in the Rules and are as follows:
(a) to promote and safeguard the interests of the members by regulating the relations between members and their
employers;
(b) to promote and safeguard the interests of the members by co-operating with other representative bodies of
workers;
(c) to co-operate with other representative bodies and employers to promote administrative efficiency within the
Public Sector of the economy;
(d) to take appropriate steps, alone, or in co-operation with other organisations, to assist in the social,
educational and economic development of the members;
(e) to take appropriate steps, alone, or in co-operation with other organisations, to promote justice and equity;
(f) to affiliate, amalgamate, co-operate or federate with any other Trade Union or Organisation to further the
interests of the members.
(g) to provide benefits to the members in accordance with the provisions of these rules.
The Management of the Union is vested in the Delegate Conference and the Executive Committee.
There are no barriers to any fully paid up member taking part in all of the Union's affairs. The Union's Board of
Management, the Executive Committee, is elected at the Annual Delegate Conference by delegates appointed by the members
attending the Annual Meetings of the Branches. Branch Committees are elected by the membership in their own Branch at
Annual of Branches.
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The Head Office of the Union
The Head Office of the Union is located at 30 Merrion Square, Dublin 2. Tel: 01-6767271;
Fax: 01-6615711; E-Mail: info@pseu.ie, Web-Site: www.pseu.ie.
The General Secretary, other Officials and Administrative Staff of the Union are located at the Head Office.
The Rules provide that the General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary and Assistant General Secretaries carry out the
instructions of the Executive Committee.
The General Secretary, who is also the Treasurer, is the Chief Executive Officer of the Union and is responsible for the
proper management of the affairs of the Union.
The General Secretary, Deputy General Secretary and Assistant General Secretaries are selected and appointed by the
Executive Committee. Each appointment is subject to ratification at the next ensuing Annual Delegate Conference.
As regards other staff, the Rules provide that the Executive Committee may appoint such other staff as may be necessary
for the conduct of the Union's business.
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Service to Members
As would be expected, given the fact that the PSEU is a trade union, much of the work of the
Union is done on a collective basis on behalf of the members generally or groups of members. The most important input in
that respect is that the members have a voice in the issues that affect them in the workplace.
On major issues affecting the membership as a whole, such as National Programmes, this is arranged through ballots of the
members.
On other general issues where, for example, a Delegate Conference has adopted a position on a particular item, it would be
expected that the Executive Committee would handle matters.
Frequently, there are issues which arise in particular Branches where decisions will be taken by the Branch Committee. In
some instances, however, there will be a need for the involvement of the membership generally. The appropriate method of
handling the issue is a matter for judgement – generally by Branch Committees.
Whatever the approach taken, the Union endeavours to keep members up-dated in Circulars and through Union publications.
Union members have easy access to a range of advice about pay and conditions and, should they ever require it, personal
representation is available in times of difficulties, for example, in relation to issues such as bullying/harassment. Where
members have personal problems arising in their employment, they can raise these with the Branch Officers or Committee of
their Branch with a view to securing advice and/or representation to management on the issue concerned. In some instances,
the issue may be such that the member wishes that the details be kept confidential to himself/herself and a particular
Branch Officer.
Obviously, there are situations where the issue involved is such that a member will need representation by a full-time
official. In such instances, the member should contact the Official who has been assigned to deal with the affairs of
his/her Branch. Where there is more than one member involved in an issue and there is a conflict between members, two
different officials will handle the matter involved from the perspectives of the members concerned. In such instances, the
two officials will operate on the basis of “Chinese Walls” between them when dealing with such issues.
In circumstances where a difference arises between a Branch and an Official, the Executive Committee is responsible for
determining the issue.
In all matters it handles, the PSEU is committed to the highest standards of service.
In addition to the most important function of the Union in the workplace, membership of the PSEU confers rights of
participation in a range of benefit schemes, details of which are available on the Union’s Web-Site.
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Enquiries and Information
The PSEU will deal with enquiries with courtesy, sensitivity and minimum delay. The Union
will endeavour to ensure that the information it provides - in person, by phone, e-mail, print or web - is clear,
up-to-date and accurate.
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Equality/Diversity
The PSEU will endeavour to ensure full adherence to the right to equal treatment established
by equality legislation.
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Staff
The PSEU will endeavour to ensure that staff are recognised as internal customers and that
they are properly supported and consulted with regard to service delivery issues.
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How Members Can Help the Union in Service Delivery
We always welcome feedback. If, for any reason, a member finds that the service provided falls
short of expectations, please tell us first (please make contact with the relevant Official, Branch Officer or
Administrative Staff member, as the case may be, in the first instance) and we will deal with your complaint as quickly
and efficiently as possible. In the event that the member is not satisfied, he/she can refer the issue to another Branch
Officer, the Administration Manager, the Deputy General Secretary or the General Secretary, as appropriate in the
circumstances. Likewise, we would also welcome and value your positive comments to reinforce the service we deliver as we
have always prided ourselves on the level of service we provide.
Needless to say, the lay representatives of the members at Branch and other levels, along with the Union’s Officials and
Staff are also entitled to expect that members will be polite and treat them with respect in their contacts.
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Reporting on this Charter
A report on implementation of the charter will appear in the Annual Report of the Executive
Committee each year. The names of individuals will not appear in any such report nor will any statement be published which
might be capable of identifying any individuals.
Nothing in this charter sets aside the provisions of any of the Rules of the Union.
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