Caldish Trade Union Confederation

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Caldish Trade Union Confederation
Cónaidhm Ceardchumann na Glaíteann (CCnG)
CCnG.png
MottoLe chéile!
Together!
Formation5 August 1897; 126 years ago (1897-08-05)
HeadquartersSpálgleann, Caldia
Location
Membership
1.39 million
Key people
Eeada Nic Cuinneacháin, president
Websitewww.ccng.gl

The Caldish Trade Union Confederation (Caldish: Cónaidhm Ceardchumann na Glaíteann; litrally "Caldish Confederation of Trade Unions"), commonly referred to as CCnG, is a national trade union center in Caldia. It is the largest umbrella organization for organized labour in the country. The Confederation has 17 affiliated trade unions who primary organize blue-collar workers. The organization claims over 1.3 million members out of Caldia's population of approximately 9.8 million. The Confederation maintains close ties with the Caldish Social Democratic Party, with which it is affiliated.

History

The Confederation was established on 5 August 1897. At the time of its establishment, it had 26 affiliate unions. Initially, trade unionists organized in support of the Caldish Section of the Workers' International. After a splinter with the councilists, the CCnG's leaders founded the Social Democratic Party. The PSD served as the Confederation's political arm and was focused primarily on labour reforms. The CCnG grew in influence in the decades following the Great War. It reached the peak of its power during the 1960s.

Following economic crisis and the implementation of neoliberal economic reform in the 1990s, the Confederation saw its membership and influence decline. Changes made to the unemployment system in the wake of the 2005 Global Financial Crisis considerably raised fees to unemployment funds, followed by a substantial decline in union density and density of unemployment funds occurred. Tensions emerged between the CCnG and its affiliates and the PSD during the 2017 election. Following the election of Stiofán Mac Suibhne in 2019, the CCnG saw its outlook improve. Mac Suibhne, who was a former leader of Confederation affiliate COIM, has pursued a number of pro-union policies.

Affiliates

Membership of CCnG affiliates (31 December 2019)
Union Abbreviation Founded Members
Association of Ironworkers and Miners COIM 1989 86,752
Shipbuilders' Union ATL 1932 14,487
Municipal Workers' Association CnOB 1914 405,138
State and Civil Service Workers' Union AOSS 1981 105,891
Caldish Food Workers' Union AOBG 1925 22,119
Caldish Education Association COnG 1956 227,241
Caldish Hospital Workers' Union AOOG 1965 89,408
Building and Allied Trades Union Foirgníochta 1949 96,893
Transport Workers' Association Iompair 1895 39,040
Association of Commercial Employees AFT 1910 99,392
Caldish Communication Workers' Association COCG 1972 51,126
Electric Workers' Union AnOL 1907 16,512
Caldish Painters' Association CPG 1888 10,095
Caldish Printers' Union APG 1920 12,992
Hospitality Employees' Union AFF 1919 19,834
AG AG 2012 37,429
Energy Workers' Union AOF 2004 56,852

Leadership

The Confederation is led by the president. The president is responsible for setting the organization's political direction and overseeing its other activities. Currently, the president is Eeada Nic Cuinneacháin. There is also a vice president, currently Maithi Ó Niallagáin. The organization's leadership also represents the trade union movement on various boards, commissions, and committees.

The CCnG coordinates collective bargaining. It also works to further the interests of its members. It does this by using its position to influence the government in drafting, passing, and implementing legislation. The Confederation's leadership works closely with the PSD and the two have a cooperative relationship. The CCnG has also worked with centre-right governments formed by the Liberty Party. While there has been some cooperation, the Confederation has also applied political pressure in order to further its interests.

List of presidents

  • 1897: Lann Nic Cana
  • 1903: Fionntán Mac an Oighre
  • 1909: Tomás Mag Fhearadhaigh
  • 1921: Tadgh Mac Giolla Chúille
  • 1941: Fionnghuala Ní Ailín
  • 1956: Ruairí Mac Ailín
  • 1970: Daróma Ní Fearraigh
  • 1978: Páid Úna Mac Úna
  • 1992: Ambrós Mac Fhirbhisigh
  • 1997: Rumann Mac Séaghdha
  • 2006: Darragh Mac Giolla ⁊ Gheimhridh
  • 2018: Eeada Nic Cuinneacháin