We’re thrilled to announce that after years of discussions and negotiations, Praxis is now officially a branch within SIPTU!
We’re keeping our unique identity and will remain a democratic union run by artists, for artists. But now, we have the strength and resources of Ireland’s largest trade union behind us.
With SIPTU’s support, we’re ready to recruit more artists, grow our union, transform working conditions, and build a society that truly values art and artists.
This is a huge milestone for us, one that secures our future and helps us achieve our ambitious goals.
Here’s what the change means for you:
Legal Power
Artists often face substandard workplace conditions with no legal protection.
As a branch within SIPTU, Praxis is now an officially recognised trade union. This means we now have the legal power to bargain for better pay and conditions and to represent you in employment matters at the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission. Plus, you get free employment advice from SIPTU’s Workers’ Rights Centre.
Higher Pay
Artists overwhelmingly work for little or no pay, and current market rates do not reflect the true time we spend working.
SIPTU has a strong track record of campaigning and winning better pay. We’re campaigning for livable pay for artists and SIPTU is investing in our campaign. They have assigned an economic researcher to our campaign to calculate a rate that is fair, based on real living costs and inclusive of factors such as sick pay, holiday pay, and overheads.
Bringing Artists Together
Artists often work alone and are disconnected from peers in other disciplines and types of practice. As a result, we can struggle to represent ourselves as a collective voice within our sector.
As a branch within SIPTU’s Services division, we’ll join forces with Equity and the Musicians’ Union of Ireland and other arts workers. Together, we’ll have a powerful collective voice to advocate for artists in the workplace, in the arts sector, and in the political arena.
