A decision on whether to demolish Liberty Hall and replace it with new premises or to keep the existing structure is to be taken by Siptu in the autumn.
The union has begun an extensive consultation with members on what to do with the landmark 15-storey building, which is in need of refurbishment.
It is considering options which include having the building refitted, sold or demolished. Even minimal refurbishment, the union says, would cost several million euro and would involve the premises being empty for up to two years.
A decision is to be taken at the October meeting of the union's national executive council.
The 40-year-old building, in Dublin's city centre, is one of the tallest in the Republic and is on a site which has had associations with the labour movement since 1912. Siptu owns the premises and has had its headquarters there since the early 1990s, when it was formed through the merger of the ITGWU and the FWUI unions.
In a booklet circulated to members, the union says the building is no longer the "magnificent" structure it was when opened in 1965: "It can no longer meet the needs of the membership, nor the demands that reorganisation will place on Siptu in the 21st century."
The booklet invites submissions from members on what should be done with the building. A committee, comprising senior union officials and external advisers, has already recommended three main "affordable choices".
The first would involve a major refurbishment of the building, after which Siptu would return to occupy some or all of it. This option would involve Siptu maintaining ownership of the recently refurbished Performing Arts Centre, which is housed in the building.
The second option would see Siptu leave Liberty Hall permanently while retaining a presence on the site through the Performing Arts Centre.
The third would involve replacing the building with a new complex. If this proposal were adopted, staff currently based at Liberty Hall would vacate the site for three years to allow for demolition of the building.
"A new building would be erected with sufficient office space to accommodate all existing Liberty Hall staff, together with those of Siptu College and the union's other city-centre premises," the booklet states. "The new development would incorporate a theatre and public function space."
It would also "contain additional office space, which would be available for sale or leasing, to generate revenue and offset costs".
Should the union opt instead for a major refit, staff would have to relocate for three to four years. The building could then be fully reoccupied by the union. Alternatively, Siptu could continue to use some floors, while putting others on the market.
If the union decides to maintain a presence on the site through the Performing Arts Centre only, it would seek new headquarters elsewhere in Dublin. Such headquarters could be in the west of the city or in the docklands area, the booklet suggests.
It invites members to consider what priority Siptu should give to its historic associations with the site and whether there should be an "absolute veto" on leaving it.
The union's general secretary, Joe O'Flynn, said that a large number of submissions were already being received from members.
There had been a positive reaction to the booklet, he said, in that people appreciated that the options had been explained.
Liberty Hall: future options
The main options being considered by Siptu for Liberty Hall are:
- Minimum refurbishment, requiring staff to move premises for two years;
- Major refurbishment - staff would move for three to four years, after which Siptu would either fully reoccupy the building, or partially reoccupy it and sell some floors;
- Selling the building and opening new Siptu headquarters elsewhere in Dublin, while maintaining a presence on the site through the performing arts centre; and
- Demolishing the building and replacing it with a new structure.
