Tom Creedon

Trade Union Record

I am a Science and Computing teacher in the Waterford College of Further Education.  

I joined the Waterford City Branch of Teachers Union of Ireland in October 1975.  In 1979 I was chosen as a Branch delegate to TUI Congress, and have attended, and spoken at every Congress, except 1981, since then.  From 1980 to 1983, and the beginning of my first term as Area Representative, I was Branch Chair.

Area 4

The Area I represent consists of five Branches in the South East, with members in urban and rural Vocational schools and Colleges, Further Education Colleges, Youthreach and VTOS Centres, Community Schools, etc..

During my first term on the Executive Committee from 1983 to 1987, I was elected as Chair of the Organisation Sub-Committee.

Our Committee formulated the TUI policy on legal advice and representation for members, and initiated a national campaign to improve the conditions of part time teachers.  We drew up a claim for pro rata contract conditions for part time teachers, which, following some years of struggle, culminated in the EPT Contract.  I believe that I earned a reputation as a champion of part time teachers at that time, and have made every effort since then to be worthy of retaining it.

For the 1986-1987 year I was elected Honorary Secretary of the Union, and served as a National Officer during the historic dispute with the Government over the payment of an Arbitration Award.

At the ICTU Conference that year I proposed a TUI motion on curriculum policy in relation to Technology.  It was my second time to be a delegate to the ICTU Conference.

From 1987 to 1991 I was Branch Secretary.  During my second term as Area Representative (1991-1995), I was elected Chair of the Education Sub-Committee.  From 1993 to 2000 I represented the TUI as a Member of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, and am very proud to have been the only serving teacher to be elected as Chair of an NCCA Board of Studies.  Mine was the B.O.S. for Leaving Certificate Technologies, which involved, not only defending the vital interests of TUI, but also co-ordinating the often competing interests of the three existing practical subjects and the new subject of Technology.

In 1997 I was invited to train as an ICTU Union Tutor, and later asked to design a course on the duties of a TUI Branch Secretary, which I have delivered at  number of training events.

From 1996 to 2007, when I began another term on the Executive Committee, I again served as Secretary of the Waterford City Branch.

Waterford Council of Trade Unions

Since 1979 I have represented TUI on the Waterford Council of Trade Unions.  Between 2004 and 2006 I served two terms as President of the Council.  This service included leading and addressing the rally of 17,000 workers in Waterford as part of the ICTU Day of Action on 9 December 2005 to protest at the treatment of workers by the Irish Ferries company, and the threat posed by the proposed EU Services Directive.

City of Waterford  VEC

I have been a member of the City of Waterford VEC for ten years, from 1999 to 2005 representing the Waterford Council of Trade Unions, and from 2005 to date as an elected Staff Representative, along with my TUI colleague, Susan Callanan.

Despite advice from the IVEA that employees should not be members of a VEC Audit Committee, I established that there was no statutory or legal basis for this position, and took up a position on our Audit Committee, over the vigorous objections of the CEO.  I have since been elected, and currently serve as Chair of the Audit Committee.

Having made submissions to the last three Presidents, proposing a forum for TUI members on VECs to coordinate their work, to inform the Executive Committee of developments around the country, and to be kept advised of current Union policy, I was pleased that a preliminary meeting was finally held in early 2009.  This, I believe, has the potential to improve the service which the TUI can give to members working in VECs, if it is used effectively.

Further Education

My school has over the years extended its post Leaving Certificate service and has now become a College of Further Education.  I am currently serving my second term as Chair of the TUI Further Education Committee.  Along with the familiar PLC issues this also involves me as a TUI representative on AONTAS, and in chairing the TUI Working Group on Adult Education.

Congress Organising Committee

I have also served on four TUI Congress Organising Committees.  As Secretary in 1982, Production Manager in 1989, Chair in 1995, and Journal Editor in 2008.

Equality Council

Currently I serve as the Waterford City Branch Equality Officer, and as a member of the TUI Equality Council.