John McDonnell (trade unionist)

Apr 19, 2026 - 17:32
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John McDonnell (trade unionist)

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'''John McDonnell''' (born 1943) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] former [[trade union]] leader.
'''John McDonnell''' (born 1943) is an [[Irish people|Irish]] former [[trade union]] leader.


Born in [[Mallow, County Cork]], McDonnell began working in the local Érin Foods factory. He joined the [[Irish Transport and General Workers' Union]] (ITGWU), and in 1974 was elected as secretary of his local branch. He focused on supporting union members in the food processing, local authority and health industries, and gradually came to national prominence. In his spare time, he completed a degree in economic and history with [[University College Cork]].{{cite news |last1=Yeates |first1=Padraig |title=New leader of SIPTU promises union 'crusade' |work=Irish Times |date=2 April 1998}}{{cite news |last1=Yeates |first1=Padraig |title=Two to contest SIPTU general secretary post |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/two-to-contest-siptu-general-secretary-post-1.118427 |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=Irish Times |date=23 October 1997}}
Born in [[Mallow, County Cork]], McDonnell began working in the local Érin Foods factory. He joined the [[Irish Transport and General Workers' Union]] (ITGWU), and in 1974 was elected as secretary of his local branch. He focused on supporting union members in the food processing, local authority and health industries, and gradually came to national prominence. In his spare time, he completed a degree in economic and history with [[University College Cork]].{{cite news |last1=Yeates |first1=Padraig |title=New leader of SIPTU promises union 'crusade' |work=Irish Times |date=2 April 1998}}{{cite news |last1=Yeates |first1=Padraig |title=Two to contest SIPTU general secretary post |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/two-to-contest-siptu-general-secretary-post-1.118427 |accessdate=21 June 2018 |work=Irish Times |date=23 October 1997}}


The ITGWU became part of [[SIPTU]] in 1990, and McDonnell was appointed as its south west regional officer, the largest region in the union.
The ITGWU became part of [[SIPTU]] in 1990, and McDonnell was appointed as its south west regional officer, the largest region in the union.
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As leader, McDonnell prioritised expanding the [[social partnership]] programme, believing that the unions could win more concessions, such as a £5 [[minimum wage]] and mandatory union recognition. Because SIPTU, at the time, expected leaders to retire when they reached the age of sixty, he committed from the start to serving a single five-year term.
As leader, McDonnell prioritised expanding the [[social partnership]] programme, believing that the unions could win more concessions, such as a £5 [[minimum wage]] and mandatory union recognition. Because SIPTU, at the time, expected leaders to retire when they reached the age of sixty, he committed from the start to serving a single five-year term.


In 2001, McDonnell was additionally elected as treasurer of the [[Irish Congress of Trade Unions]] (ICTU). After retiring from his union posts in 2003, the ICTU nominated him to serve on the board of [[Fáilte Ireland]], the tourism development agency.{{cite news |title=Bowler new Failte Ireland chair |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2003/0521/38476-tourism/ |accessdate=21 June 2018 |agency=RTÉ |date=26 January 2007}}
In 2001, McDonnell was additionally elected as treasurer of the [[Irish Congress of Trade Unions]] (ICTU). After retiring from his union posts in 2003, the ICTU nominated him to serve on the board of [[Fáilte Ireland]], the tourism development agency.{{cite news |title=Bowler new Failte Ireland chair |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2003/0521/38476-tourism/ |accessdate=21 June 2018 |agency=RTÉ |date=26 January 2007}}


==References==
==References==
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