The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT; Gaeilge: Cónaidhm Éireannach na Múinteoirí Ollscoile) is a trade union representing university staff across Ireland. IFUT represents a wide range of grades within its branches, including Lecturers, Researchers, Tutors, Librarians, and other academic and professional staff.
IFUT is the only trade union in Ireland that exclusively organises workers in the university sector. This unique position enables the Federation not only to represent members in individual employment matters and through collective bargaining, but also to lobby and campaign on issues of wider concern. These include the protection of academic freedom, increased public investment in higher education and research, and the respect and recognition of the vital contribution made by university staff—not only to students and institutions, but to society more broadly, both nationally and internationally.
The union originated among a group of teachers at Maynooth College, now Maynooth University. IFUT was formed in 1965 and held its first general meeting in 1966. One of its founder members was Kader Asmal, who also founded and led the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement.
IFUT is a federation of branches, each operating under its own rules and supported by the IFUT Head Office team, led by the General Secretary, Frank Jones. IFUT currently has branches in University College Cork (UCC), University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin (TCD), Dublin City University (DCU), Maynooth University, the University of Galway, Mary Immaculate College Limerick, the Education Research Centre, Marino Institute of Education, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI). In addition, members based in other institutions are represented through the Central Branch, including members in the Royal Irish Academy and the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies.
When IFUT first registered as a trade union in 1970, it had just fifty members across Irish universities. Today, membership exceeds 3,000 and continues to grow steadily. IFUT is affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and to Education International.
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