DCU Business School Welcomes Dr. Gareth Murphy for Insightful Lecture on the Role of Unions in Achieving Fair Working Conditions

DCU Business School was honoured to host Dr. Gareth Murphy, Head of Industrial Relations and Campaigns at the Financial Services Union (FSU) as a guest lecturer to our undergraduate Business Studies, Aviation and Pilot Studies and Psychology students. He engaged them in a critical discussion on the role of trade unions in promoting fair and equitable working conditions. Dr. Murphy’s insights underscored the pivotal contribution of unions to safeguarding workers’ rights, advocating for fair treatment, and ensuring that employee concerns are voiced and addressed within organisations.

Dr. Murphy presented findings from the FSU’s recent 2024 Respect at Work report, which highlights the challenging context for workers’ collective voice in Ireland. One of the report’s most striking revelations was the substantial level of employer hostility toward unions, even in unionised workplaces. This finding opened a dialogue on the complexities that union members often face when advocating for fair working conditions, even in environments where union representation is formally recognised.

The class response to Dr. Murphy’s lecture was both engaged and thought-provoking. Students demonstrated a clear interest in understanding the dynamics of worker representation and the importance of having a collective voice in the workplace. Their questions and discussions reflected a keen awareness of the practical challenges workers face and the essential role unions play in navigating these issues. The interaction underscored a strong student interest in understanding how union advocacy contributes to more sustainable and ethical workplace practices.

Dr. Aurora Trif expressed her gratitude to Dr. Murphy for his impactful lecture and commended the students for their enthusiastic engagement. She noted that the discussion reinforced the relevance of union advocacy within the current and future landscape of work. We extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Gareth Murphy and the Financial Services Union for providing our students with invaluable perspectives on the crucial role of collective representation in fostering fair workplaces.