John Clinton

John is a highly experienced leader, manager and industrial relations professional with national and international policy and practical experience in IR and HR development. His extensive experience as a public sector trade union leader in Ireland and Europe has developed a depth of knowledge and skill in public sector and employment matters generally.

He has significant and specialist expertise in the management and operation of uniformed, 24 hour, and essential services, rooted in his early career with the Irish Defence Forces and Prison Service, and built over two decades leading the Prison Officers Association. He has delivered lasting solutions addressing reform and modernisation; the introduction of annualised hours systems; on working time directive issues; staffing and prison overcrowding; and tackling safety and violence in the workplace.

Committed to fair, evidence-based and progressive approaches, John works to deliver effective sustainable solutions. Skilled in conflict resolution, and with his hands on experience of organisations and their management and development, he builds practical outcomes and solutions in complex situations.

John has been a long-time member of the Executive and the Public Services Committees of the ICTU, and a member and vice president of EUROFEDOP, the European Federation of Public Service Employees. He holds a degree in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations (UCD), and an Advanced Diploma in Applied Employment Law (King's Inns).