The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (Ictu) spurned two requests to endorse Catherine Connolly’s presidential bid, setting itself apart from a campaign that united several parties of the left.
Ireland’s largest union Siptu and bar and retail union Mandate backed Ms Connolly, as her team and Labour leader Ivana Bacik separately asked the 48-union congress to throw its weight behind her campaign.
However, Ictu’s leadership resolved to stay out of the presidential election – as it did in previous campaigns.
“We received correspondence from Ivana Bacik and the Catherine Connolly campaign seeking an endorsement,” said Ictu general secretary Owen Reidy.
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“We put it to our two relevant committees – the GPC [general purpose committee] and the executive – and they decided to maintain the status quo.
“This is in line with the historical precedent of not supporting any presidential campaign.”
Ms Connolly’s campaign team did not reply to a request for comment on Ictu’s decision.
In addition to Labour, her campaign is supported by Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity and the Greens.
Asked whether she was disappointed at the stance taken by the congress, Ms Bacik said: “We obviously would have liked to see support from Ictu but we do understand that they’re in a different position to their constituent unions.”
She welcomed support for Ms Connolly from Siptu and Mandate.
Trade unionists familiar with the discussion in Ictu said the congress has never previously backed any presidential candidate. They noted that was the case in the two elections contested by the incumbent, President Michael D Higgins, even though he was strongly aligned with the trade union movement.
In her letter to Mr Reidy, Ms Bacik said it was vital that the values Mr Higgins “embodies, and so passionately articulates” would continue to shape the presidency in the next term.
“I believe that Ictu, and your constituent members, can play a pivotal role in this presidential election and that you can help to mobilise working people across the country to rally behind the candidate whose platform best aligns with our values and vision,” she wrote.
“I firmly believe that Catherine Connolly is the best candidate to continue the legacy of Michael D Higgins and to ensure that the vital agenda of our labour movement – our agenda of seeking progress on workers’ rights, on equality and on social justice – is given prominence during the next presidential term.”
