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Strike Action the Only Option

18/07/08

The hardship effecting working people as a result of the current economic crisis has been highlighted over the last two days through the actions of public sector workers in the Six Counties.

Members of the UNISON, UNITE, NIPSA and SIPTU trade unions began a scheduled two-day strike which began on Wednesday.

Thousands of workers were involved in the industrial action as they staffed picket lines across occupied Ireland.

The strike was a response to the public sector workers’ local government employers’ derisory offer of a 2.45 per cent pay increase.

Given the soaring rise in food and fuel costs, acceptance of the employers’ offer would effectively mean acceptance of a pay cut.

The Consumer Prices Index for June was at 3.8 per cent (well above the British government’s 2 per cent target), while the Retail Prices Index stood at 4.6 per cent.

Criticism from affected companies like the Ryanair airline (notorious for their anti-union policies) has been rebutted in stark terms by striking workers.

On Wednesday, Belfast cleansing worker Michael Burns said: “Nobody wants to be losing money but, at the end of the day, we need to have enough money to live.

“All we are asking for is a fair wage for a fair day’s work.”

Michael continued: “For me, going to work every day I am paying £8 to £10 (€13-16) more a month in fuel alone.

“Now that’s just fuel, nothing to do with bills, groceries.”

“You want to do things for your grandchildren. Even if were to get the extra 50p – every bit helps.”

Despite handwringing by local government employers, including DUP councilor Jimmy Spratt, that the strike was “particularly regrettable”, the unions have blasted their refusal to negotiate with officials.

éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson has expressed the party’s support for the workers in their struggle for a living wage.

“The industrial action decided upon by the trade unions in the Six Counties was the only viable option available and will hopefully be successful.

“The local government employers of these hard-pressed workers have continually alleged that their pay offer is the best deal available to their staff, given the circumstances.

“This claim is made a mockery of by the recent revelation that tax-payers in the Six Counties were forced to foot a bill of over £300,000 (€380,000) for the visit of George W Bush.

“Surely if the working public, of which the striking public sector staff form a large part, are expected to pay for the visit of a war criminal, it is not too much to expect that public funds can also be used to provide living wages.”

Brian concluded: “As the capitalist recession hits hard, workers and their families, across Ireland and beyond, will be expected to tighten their belts and go without basic necessities to facilitate the greed and incompetence of others.

“It is to be hoped that industrial action of the kind we are seeing will provide a warning to employers, in both the private and public sectors, that working people will not sacrifice for their gain, but will stand firm in defence of their families’ rights to a decent standard of living.”

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