Vol. 17 No 1 February 2018 ISSN 0791-458X Section 39 campaign Precarious Work Political Winter by Sector Olympics Page 5 Page 8-9 Page 34 Changes needed to precarious work Bill by Scott Millar Proposed legalisation on precarious work cannot deal with the problem and must be changed in five key areas if it is to benefit the hundreds of thousands of people enduring unac - ceptable working conditions. In order to secure an effective end to the spread of precarious jobs in all sectors of the economy, SIPTU is involved in a high level political campaign to drive home to the Government and opposition politicians the need to amend the Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017. SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley who is lobbying the Government for the union along with Congress and affiliates said: “Unfortunately, as the Bill stands it is largely toothless in dealing with the scourge of precarious work which is destroying the quality of life of workers across the country. It simply does not go far enough in a Amy Kelly, USI Vice President for Campaigns and SIPTU/DCTU Activist Des Derwin at the National Homeless and Housing Coalition number of key areas to provide workers with the protections they need meeting in Liberty Hall on Saturday 10th February. Activists are planning a national protest on the housing crisis on 7th April. See pages 18-19. in order to achieve fulfilling work and home lives. Photo: Dan O’Neill “This Bill is a response to the SIPTU campaign against precarious work and similar drives by other unions. We remain committed to bring the fight for secure and fair work to a successful conclusion.” Solutions to the Crossword

5 6 3 4 She added: “In this fight we have been greatly encouraged by the level 1 2 8 of support shown by all the major opposition parties for the series of Page 35 Housing Crisis 10

13 amendments proposed by Congress which seek to ensure this Bill does 2 1 14 what the Government claims is its aim – to put a stop to precarious Page 18 -19 16 17 0 work.” 19 2 Continued on page 2 22 WORKERS RIGHTS CENTRE 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday - Friday wrc@.ie 2 Liberty In this month’sLiberty FEBRUARY 2018 News

NI Women’s Football Team demand respect Page 4

Restoring tax relief for union subs Page 14

Liberty View Liberty Page 15 Photo left to right: SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn with Mary Maguire, Mary Hunter, Aileen Hennigan, Marilyn View Roantree, Máire Byrne from the Irish Guild of Embroiderers. Photo: Dan O’Neill Tapestry volunteers honoured at Fat Cats Pay Page 16 reception in Liberty Hall On Monday 19th February, SIPTU hosted an afternoon of appreciation for the volunteers who made the Great Lockout tapestry in Lib - Working in the erty Hall. The tapestry, commissioned by SIPTU, and designed Port of by the late Cathy Henderson and renowned artist Page 22 Robert Ballagh, was a large collaborative visual arts project made by volunteers who created over 30 pan - els to commemorate the 1913 Lockout and the of 1916. SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn presented cer - Turkey’s climate tificates of appreciation to over 50 ac - tivists who contributed to the project, as well as of fear members of the Irish Guild of Embroiderers, the Irish Page 27 Patchwork Society, RADE (Rehabilitation through Art, Photo left to right: Mary Enright and Mary O’Reilly from the Drama and Education), the Irish Countrywomen’s As - Liberty Hall Tapestry group discussing the life of Thomas sociation, a number of schools and other com - Ashe. Photo: Paddy Cole munity arts groups.

The Strike Continued from page 1 — Changes needed to precarious work Bill Trade unions are demanding the tablished with a maximum of five working hours cannot be reduced Against War Bill is amended so that it ends ‘if hours intervals. Currently up to 13 below a certain minimum. Page 28 and when’ contracts, introduces hour bands are proposed in the 5) Strengthen penalty clauses in workable banded hours contracts Bill. i.e. rather than a contract spec - the Bill. Increase the amount an and includes effective deterrents ifying that a worker can be ros - employer must compensate a for employers who breach its con - tered to work each week anything worker for breaches of the legisla - ditions. between 11 to 24 hours there must tion, from a maximum of four In order to achieve these aims be a tighter specification, of, for ex - weeks’ pay to 104 weeks’ pay, the Editor: Frank Connolly, SIPTU Head of Communications Congress has proposed amend - ample, working between 11 to 15 latter figure being the norm in Journalist: Scott Millar ments in five areas; hours a week. This means the most industrial relations legisla - Design: Sonia Slevin (SIPTU), Joe Mitchell (Brazier Media) & William Hederman 1) Radically tighten up the defi - number of bands specified in the tion. Shift the onus of proof of a Publications Assistant: Deirdre Price nitions in the Bill of various cate - Bill will have to increase from the breach in adherence to the legisla - Administrative Assistant: Karen Hackett gories of workers, in particular proposed four to eight. tion from the worker to the em - Produced, designed, edited and printed by trade union labour. casual employees, in order to re - 4) The ‘look back’ period which ployer. This will mean that Printed by , City West, Dublin. move a loop-hole which could be is reviewed in order to adjudicate employers, if challenged, will have Liberty is dedicated to providing a platform for progressive news and views. exploited by unscrupulous em - on average weekly hours worked to to be able to prove they are adher - If you have any ideas for articles or comments please contact: ployers and actually lead to an in - be reduced from 18 months to 12 ing to the legalisation. Congress [email protected] crease in precarious work. months. This means that workers General Secretary, , Liberty is published by the Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union, 2) Establish a minimum three- will be able to secure contracts that said: “We are confident that there Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 hour payment for workers, at their more accurately reflect the average is sufficient support for the SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn • SIPTU General Secretary Designate, Joe Cunningham • SIPTU Deputy General Secretary - Private Sector, Gerry McCormack • normal rate of pay, when they are amount of hours they work each changes we have put forward and SIPTU Deputy General Secretary - Organising & Membership, Ethel Buckley • called into work, even if they are week in a 12 month period. Being are hopeful they will be realised at SIPTU Deputy General Secretary - Public Service, John King. sent home immediately because able to secure a contract that more the next stage of the legislative Production: SIPTU Communications Department, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, work is not provided. accurately reflects hours worked process, in order to deliver greater Tel: 01 8588217 • Email: [email protected] 3) Narrow the bands in banded can assist in securing loans and protection for workers.” hour contracts so that they are es - benefits and ensure that See page 8-9 Liberty 3 News FEBRUARY 2018 Workers and students join forces in ONE project THE ONE Galway initiative was publicly launched on Thursday, 15th February, at a meeting in the Mick Lally The - atre in the city which was at - tended by more than 100 trade union and student ac - tivists from across the county. ONE Galway is about organising workers, their families and com - munities to influence change and create a future in which there is ac - cess to decent work, decent pay and a decent standard of living for all. The launch was attended by rep - resentatives of trade unions oper - ating in Galway city and county, NUI Galway Students’ Union, Gal - way and Mayo Institute of Tech - nology Students’ Union and the Irish Second-Level Students’ Union. The meeting agreed to focus on two key campaigns initially. These are precariousness at work and the housing crisis. Among those who addressed the meeting was SIPTU General Secre - tary designate, Joe Cunningham. Dr. Michelle O’Sullivan, right, of the He said: “ONE Galway is a collabo - University of Limerick speaks about the rative initiative comprising trade impact of precarious work during the and student unions operating in ONE Galway launch (above). National the Galway area, supported by the Pictures: Dan O’Neill Irish Congress of Trade Unions and face workers – particularly stu - Homeless the Galway Council of Trade dents, younger workers and those and Housing Unions. from our migrant communities. Coali tion “It will be led on the ground by “It involves a much deeper level officials and activists of both of collaboration b etween all such or - movements collaborating on key ganisations at workplace and societal concerns to workers and students, levels to organise, campaign, educate creating partnerships with organi - and communicate with workers and plac e application in quality place - sations who share common goals listen to their concerns.” ments. in order to improve conditions and The students’ unions are keen to achieve decent work for all.” become involved in such initiatives to “We believe that this can be He added: “ONE Galway will also secure a better future for students. achieved through greater co-oper - work to better equip and increase NUIGSU President, Lorcán Ó ation and collaboration with the the capacity of the trade union Maoileannaigh, said: “It is vitally im - trade union movement and we movement in Galway city and portant that we ensure students get look forward to working closely county to deal together with the the best opportunities to consolidate monstration many different challenges which their learning through practical work - with it into the future.” National De . 7th April at 1.00 p.m Saturday, are, Dublin rance, Parnell Squ arden of Rememb Assemble at the G Saturday 7th AprilSUCCESSIVE Housing crisis: time to act #April7 GOVERNMENTS CREATED The National Homeless and people to have decent homes. The Coalition is calling on all WE FACE A HOUSINGat 1.00 NATIONAL EMERGENCYp.m. THE HOUSING CRISIS BY: Approximately 150 people at - sections of society to come and join • not investing in local Housing Coalition held their • 8,600 in emergency accommodation first organising meeting on tended the meeting in Liberty Hall us on #April7 to make our voices authority housing. Saturday 10th February in the with participants committing heard to highlight this terrible plague • 120,600 households on public housing lists • selling many billions of themselves to working together to euros worth of property drive to put together a mass of homelessness and housing through NAMA to vulture make #April7 a massive mobilisa - • 72,500 in mortgage arrears mobilisation of people for a distress. If you want to join the funds and private street protest on 7th April. tion. coalition and participate on #April7 • 900,000 people renting face soaring rents developers. Representatives from trade Whatever your personal There is a growing acceptance you can contact the coalition on unions, groups, stu - and many the threat of eviction housing struggle, don't feel that the housing and homeless sit - or Twitter. dent groups and political parties, isolated join the protest on uation is out of control and that Rising rents, no security of tenure, 7th April. from across the country were at something drastic in terms of pol - escalating house prices, illegal ise, Protest, the meeting. Those who couldn’t @_HousingCrisis Ar icy change needs to be done. evictions, homeless children having Organise! make it will be involved with The coalition is also fully sup - to live in hotels – don’t be silent on NationalHomelessandHousingCoalition #April7th follow up local planning and porting the ICTU Housing Cam - this matter, every voice counts so LetsOrganise organising meetings being held # paign on the adoption of the make your voice one of those! over the next number of weeks. Housing Charter for the right of 4 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 News NI women footballers demand fair play SIPTU Sport representatives being left in a position where they These players take great pride in are seeking a meeting with are unable to afford the loss in playing for Northern at the Irish Football Association earnings they must endure when international level and believe that (IFA) to discuss a claim by part of the international squad. a fair resolution of the issues that women members who play This results in players withdraw - concern them will benefit the for the Se - ing and a lack of consistency in long-term future of their sport.” squads which, in turn, is under - nior International Football The call for a meeting with the mining the ability of the team to Team for adequate pay to IFA follows a successful campaign cover the expense of playing qualify for major tournaments.” international games. He added: “The right of female last year by the Republic of SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser, athletes to organise as part of a Ireland’s Senior Women’s National Denis Hynes, said: “We have writ - union has been accepted by a num - Team, backed by SIPTU and the ten to the IFA Chief Executive, ber of international football asso - PFAI, for better pay for loss of Patrick Nelson, on two occasions ciations, including those in the earnings and better conditions. in recent weeks, requesting a , Scotland and Northern Ireland's women are in meeting to discuss our members’ England. the same World Cup qualifying concerns. Our members’ central “Our union and its members in group as the Republic of Ireland. concern is a lack of adequate pay - the Northern Ireland Senior After opening defeats by Norway Women’s International Football ment to cover the expenses of and the Republic of Ireland, they members of the squad of the se - Team are seeking to have their sit - defeated Slovakia last November nior women’s football team when uation resolved swiftly and amica - they are representing Northern bly. to earn their first win of the Ireland in international competi - “This can be achieved by the IFA campaign. The Northern Ireland tion. accepting our request for a meet - women's next qualifier is away to “These insufficient payments ing where issues can be discussed European champions the are reWsulting in oplayerms regularley annd solus tions to them found. Netherlands on 6th April. ‘Respect Those Who Stay’ camDpaayi gAnD launched ENDING the scandal of health SIPTU Health Division Organ - happened. workers who choose to work iser, Paul Bell, told Liberty : “In “With the exception of one cat - beyond 65 years of age being 2017, Minister for Finance, Paschal egory of staff, health workers who forced to accept major cuts in Donohoe, announced that he opt to continue working after they their pay is the focus of a new would bring forward legislation in turn 65 are being forced to sign a campaign by the SIPTU Health 2018 providing public servants one-year fixed term contract as a Division. with the option of continuing on new entrant and accept major pay The ‘Respect Those Who Stay’ in their jobs after the current re - reductions. SIPTU Health Division campaign will raise awareness of tirement age of 65. is campaigning to end this unac - the plight of workers in the HSE “At that time the Minister stated ceptable situation and to ensure and related agencies, who are that he would introduce an in - that any proposed legislation will being forced to sign one-year fixed terim measure to cover workers be fair and supportive of our mem - term contracts on new entrant’s wishing to stay on before the com - bers who do opt to stay on in em - pay if they opt to work beyond 65 prehensive legislation is intro - ployment after 65 years of age.” years of age. duced. However, this has not International Womens Day

SIPTU supports the Votes will assemble outside the Irish Cois Life bar, Liberty Hall. for Repeal march which Congress of Trade Unions An International Women’s will take place in Dublin offices at 31-32 Parnell Square Day march will take place from on International Women’s from 5.15 p.m. Writer’s Square, SIPTU Equality in 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. SIPTU Day Thursday 8th March conjunction with the ICTU members are invited to attend from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Women’s Committee will hold with their union. Assemble at Members are invited to an International Women’s Day the SIPTU Office, Antrim Road march with their union. SIPTU social after the march in the at 10.30 a.m. Liberty 5 Health FEBRUARY 2018 Section 39 campaign forges on and take a stand for pay justice.” The agreement at a glance... SIPTU Organiser, Damian Ginley, By Paddy emphasised that unless the man - • Link between Section 39 workers and HSE workers R ECOGNISED. agement of Section 39 organisa - Cole • INDEPENDENT assessment and analysis of pay data submitted tions stepped up to the plate and by Section 39 Organisations to report by 31st March 2018. co-operated with all stakeholders Earlier this month, SIPTU to produce a detailed analysis of members in Section 39 organ - • Pay Restoration implementation group E STABLISHED. pay data across the sector then the isations deferred a day of na - • RESTORATION to commence on a phased basis this year. deferred action would be live again tional strike action following • STRIKE ACTION not cancelled but deferred for six weeks to very quickly. an agreement, facilitated by allow time for assessment and analysis report to be produced. He said: “The feeling on the the Workplace Relations Com - ground is that we have a six-week mission (WRC), to start a pro - way ‘to be completed by the end of window to organise and allow Sec - cess that could potentially March 2018. This will identify Our objective is to get into a position tion 39 organisations the opportu - lead to the restoration of pay which Section 39 organisations nity to get under the bonnet and for tens of thousands of unilaterally cut the pay of SIPTU where our members can start to feel establish what cuts were made and health and social care work - members and to what extent as the benefits of this agreement in their when. ers. well as establish any pay linkage “The HSE will then produce a de - The agreement sets out a viable with HSE organisations. pay packets sooner rather than later tailed report of the findings and mechanism, starting immediately, Bell added: “The ball is now we move on with the job of getting that commits the Health Service firmly in the court of the manage - our members back their money. Executive (HSE) and the Depart - ment of the Section 39 organisa - of our members immediately.” age between ourselves and our “Our objective is to get into a po - ment of Health to restore the pay tions. They must now play their Maureen Gannon, a SIPTU shop colleagues in the HSE and that any sition where our members can that was cut from Section 39 work - part in co-operating with the steward in the National Learning process towards pay restoration has a start to feel the benefits of this ers throughout the crisis years. newly-established implementa - Network, part of the Rehab Care beginning, middle and an end. Mem - agreement in their pay packets SIPTU Health Division Organ - tion group to bring about pay Group, claimed the agreement gave bers believe that through our collec - sooner rather than later. iser, Paul Bell, told Liberty : “After restoration for their staff. Section 39 workers hope of light at tive action we have achieved that. “If there is any unreasonable months of intense campaigning, the end of the tunnel. Gannon added: “I hope our ac - delay in that process our members SIPTU representatives have finally “In particular, we are calling on She said: “It was very important secured an independent, struc - Section 39 employers with out - tion gives other workers in Section will be taking to the streets to win tured and transparent agreement standing Labour Court recommen - to get the recognition from the 39 organisations the confidence to pay justice. It’s as simple as that,” that will see pay restoration for dations to start restoring the pay Minister for Health of the pay link - organise over the coming weeks Ginley added. SIPTU members in Section 39 or - ganisations commence on a phased basis in 2018. “This agreement commits the Heartbroken Radiography HSE, the Department of Health Catherine Power, a and their paymasters to a mecha - campaigner with the review enters nism, underpinned by strict time - South East Advocacy lines, that will put a healthy sum Group telling the of money back into the pockets of harrowing story of final stages thousands of our members.” her brother Thomas, A national organising and Bell confirmed to Liberty that an who died after recruitment campaign is initial pay data review is under suffering a cardiac under way i n radiography ser - arrest. 40-year-old vices as a national review Thomas had pre- enters its final stages before sented to University completion later this year. Hospital , SIPTU Sector Organiser Kevin but was transferred Figgis told Liberty : “The National by ambulance to SIPTU ambulance Radiography Review Group has Cork as cardiac completed 11 site visits around facilities do not oper- the country so far with two to go summit in April ate at the weekend. and the feedback from members SIPTU Health Division is to Picture: Paddy Cole so far has been insightful, practical host a one-day national con - and encouraging. ference for SIPTU shop stew - “It is our intention to identify ards working in the National and address all the significant is - sues that are causing any difficul - Ambulance Service on Friday, ties recruiting and retaining staff 6th April. in radiography services.” The conference will hear from He continued: “This is the first a range of trade unionists and Calls for solidarity to fix health service review of the service in nearly 20 experts from Ireland and abroad years and we must seize this op - portunity. We see it as a once in a and will focus on meeting the Organised by the Still Waiting said that fixing the health service Health campaigners, unions generation moment to frame the challenges facing the service. Campaign, delegates heard per - would take “the largest solidarity and political activists met in future service as well as a chance The event, which opens at sonal stories from workers on the movement ever seen in Ireland”. Liberty Hall last month to to sign up any radiation therapists 10.00 a.m, is to be held in the SIPTU Health Division Organ - launch a national campaign frontline of the health service, or radiographers yet to be organ - iser, Paul Bell, said that a national Communication Workers Union demanding improvements in prominent better health advo - ised.” HQ in Dublin. the health service. cates, a broad range of politicians campaign was imperative and urged all SIPTU members to be - SIPTU members working in Details of how to register are The Still Waiting Campaign aims and family members of those af - radiography services can get available by downloading the to increase hospital beds, restore fected by waiting lists. come involved through local cam - paigns, unions or political groups. involved by downloading the SIPTU Health smart phone app. lost services, and work towards a The co-ordinator of the Still SIPTU Health Division smartphone single-tier health system. Waiting Campaign, Cyril Brennan, app. 6 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 News

Legislation needed on working past 65 94% vote for BNM deal The has called for the speedy introduction of Members of the Bord na bers in the BNM fuels and peat options have been agreed with a legislation to raise the manda - Móna (BNM) Group of Unions business based in Littleton. It has one year settling-in period, if dur - tory retirement age of public in the company’s peat bri - been agreed that the plant will ing which a worker believes the servants to 70 years. quette production facility in continue after 31st March this year move is not working out for them : ‘Flawed’ Labour spokesperson on Rural Littleton, County Tipperary, with the redeployment of 40 jobs. they can leave on the agreed re - and Community Affairs, Willie have voted 94% in favour of “The terms also include the con - dundancy terms.” Penrose TD, said: “The current proposed redundancy terms tinuation of an excellent outplace - Connect Trade Union official, arrangements which are being Govt bill fails ‘if in a ballot counted on 8th ment training programme, which Darren Erangey, said: “The redun - implemented on an interim or ad February. was agreed after the company an - dancy terms include six weeks’ pay hoc basis, pending the passage of and when’ workers Bord na Móna Group of Unions nounced it intended to close the per year of service inclusive of the necessary legislation, are Secretary and SIPTU Organiser, briquette factory.” statutory entitlements, plus al - neither attractive nor rewarding in my view, to those people who are Labour’s Employment Affairs John Regan, said: “The redun - Unite the Union Organiser, Ed lowances, a 500 voucher and € in good health and volunteer to and Social Protection dancy terms apply to union mem - Thompson, said: “Redeployment other benefits.” spokesperson, Senator Ged work on beyond the age of 65.” Nash, has described the Gov - ernment’s Employment (Mis - cellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017 as flawed because it fails to cover ‘if and when’ con - NCT workers vote to accept Labour tracts. On 13th February, he said: “‘If Irish Rail and when’ workers will not be classed as employees under the Court recommendation on pay mentoring Bill and will therefore be unable to access any of the remedies, to give SIPTU members employed by recommendation. We have for - by the company that on accep - dispute set them more security in terms of Applus National Car Testing mally contacted the company to in - tance of the proposals, it will their incomes and working hours. (NCT) service have accepted a form it of our members’ decision. begin a process of moving those “Without urgent amendment, Labour Court recommenda - “The recommendation includes staff currently on fixed-term con - for Labour the growth of insidious ‘if and tion on pay and conditions a 2% pay rise backdated to 1st April tracts into permanent positions. when’ arrangements will increas - which includes permanency 2017, a further 2% pay rise on 1st “The state contract for the NCT Court ingly become the precarious con - for employees currently on April 2018 and a 2.5% pay rise on service is due to go out to tender tract of choice for bad employers.” fixed-terms contracts. 1st April 2019. Our members will shortly and will be awarded for a hearing SIPTU Organiser, Robert Pur - also receive a €500 voucher to new period beginning at the start field, told Liberty : “Our members cover the period from July 2016 to of 2020.” PLANS to introduce com - Artists’ scheme voted by an overwhelming major - March 2017.” Purfield added: “This agreement pulsory driver mentoring ity to accept the proposals con - He continued: “The recommen - provides our members with cer - by Irish Rail management tained in the Labour Court dation also contains a commitment tainty ahead of that process.” have been referred to the ‘not fit for purpose’ Labour Court following Sinn Féin has called on Minis - discussions at the Work - ter for Culture, Heritage and place Relations Commis - the , Josepha Madi - Debate on illegal settlements trade Bill adjourned sion (WRC) which gan, to redesign completely concluded on 13th Febru - Debate on a Bill seeking to partners on the matter. Debate on the Bill is expected to ary. the Artists’ Social Welfare resume before the summer. pilot scheme after only 24 end the import of goods pro - Introducing the Bill, Senator The WRC discussions be - artists and writers have duced in illegal settlements Frances Black said: “A ban on set - Labour and Sinn Féin, as well as tween management and trade availed of the scheme to date. in Palestine was adjourned tlement goods is not a radical ask. several independent Senators, union representatives followed have voiced their support for pro - Senator, Fintan Warfield, said: during February, following a It is a dissociation from clear drivers’ rejection, by a majority “Under the current scheme, writ - breaches of international human - hibiting trade with the illegal set - of 83%, of a previous Labour ers and visual artists can only re - request by the Government to itarian law and human rights tlements. Court recommendation that in - ceive Jobseekers Allowance for up give it time to hold discus - abuses. It is a modest and tangible cluded the removal of the vol - to a year without being activated. sions with its international step we can take.” untary nature of the driver Such a time-frame does not reflect mentoring arrangements. the reality of working life for vi - SIPTU TEAC Division Organ - sual artists and writers.” iser, Greg Ennis, said: “It has been agreed to refer the alleged breach of procedure by the Arts funding linked SIPTU members in Kerry Foods plant company, namely its intention to force changes to train to workers’ rights drivers’ terms and conditions, to vote on strike action to the Labour Court for adjudi - A Sinn Féin Bill has been in - cation. troduced to the Dáil to enable SIPTU members at the Kerry SIPTU Organiser, Jim McViegh, dancy scheme and a fair package “Notwithstanding this refer - the Arts Council to ensure Foods plant in Carrick - said: “On Thursday, 15th Febru - for those who wish to leave. ral both SIPTU and NRBU will that funding is contingent on macross, County , ary, our members balloted on “As a consequence, we will be conclude their ongoing ballots for strike action in relation to compliance with employment will ballot for strike action company proposals to make 31 balloting our members for strike law. members of the workforce com - action on Friday, 23rd February. this dispute by 28th February. It proposes that those in receipt on Friday (23rd February) if pulsorily redundant. In this vote SIPTU representatives will be In the meantime, Irish Rail has of funding from the Arts Council management refuses to re - they overwhelmingly rejected meeting management between agreed to put a stay on any who break employment law, and move a threat to make 31 the proposals. Our members now and then to try and reach an changes to the existing mentor - do not act on recommendations of workers redundant without have instead asked the company agreement that would allow us ing arrangements.” the Workplace Relations Commis - agreement. to agree to a voluntary redun - to avoid strike action.” sion, could have their funds with - drawn. Liberty 7 News FEBRUARY 2018 Could you help solidarity go global? Each year, college students compete in a 36-hour global challenge to raise vital funds for and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. In teams of two, the stu - dents have 36 hours to travel to a mystery location some - where in the world without spending any of their own money. Throughout their travels, the students highlight human rights work through social media. Two students have ap - proached SIPTU asking if they could work with SIPTU to use the opportunity to highlight workers’ rights issues across the globe. Cárthach Ó Faolán and Ellen O'Rourke tell us about their project...

“TO INTRODUCE ourselves, we are two students, one from UCC, one from Trinity; one a native Gaeil - góir, one with a Gaeilge-grá, both passionate about social issues and making a change. Cárthach Ó Faolán and Ellen O’Rourke with SIPTU Last year, we served on the Na - Globals’ Yvonne O’Callaghan on the roof of Liberty Hall tional Student Executive of the Picture: Dan O’Neill Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU), Cárthach as Vice- It is fair to say that human rights adults, and children who bear the in donating to the cause – at President and Ellen as Interna - and Amnesty International have brunt of living in a household that https://www.gofundme.com/tharle tional Officer. been synonymous for the last 25 struggles to make ends meet. arjailbreak18. Anything would be Our aim is to This year, we are continuing our years. From international affairs to There is no doubt in our minds appreciated! bring more than activism by taking part in Jailbreak internal national rights issues, that Jailbreak ‘18 will benefit these All money raised on the Go - funding... to further 2018, the largest student-led Amnesty International has been at charities with monetary assis - FundMe page will go to the two highlight the cru - fundraiser in Ireland, raising the forefront of standing up for tance, which they have promised charities. Our target is €400 by 1st awareness and funds for two wor - political prisoners, minority to use on specific projects in Ire - March but we hope to raise even cial role solidarity thy charities – St Vincent de Paul groups who encounter hate, land. Our aim is to bring more more than that! plays in addressing (SVP) and Amnesty International. racism or discrimination of any de - than funding, that being to further You can follow our journey on the issues at the We have also decided to high - gree. highlight the crucial role that soli - social media by liking our Face - heart of the work - light the important connection be - SVP have been known world - darity plays in addressing those is - book page “Foireann/Team 30 El & tween what these charities work wide since their formation as a sues that are at the heart of the Cár thar lear.” – ers’ rights move - for and the crucial work SIPTU, charity that focuses on improving workers’ rights movements. facebook.com/tharlearjailbreak18 – ments along with trade unions world - and aiding the lives of those living We have set up a GoFundMe or following us on Twitter wide, are active in realising. in poverty, homeless youths and page for those who are interested @tharlearjb18” No Brexit deal ‘bad for workers’ COPENHAGEN Economics What is certain is that there will that many of these jobs are not lo - ernment. They now have a clear re - wages for lower-skilled workers, it produced its impact assess - be job losses in those sectors worst cated in urban centres with alterna - sponsibility to put in place a clear, revealed. ment of Brexit on the Irish hit under the four types of Brexit tive employment opportunities. coherent and properly-resourced King added: "Congress has persis - economy for the Irish govern - scenarios – a European economic Responding to the report, strategy to offset the threat to jobs tently argued that government has ment last week. The impacts agreement (similar to Norway) Congress General Secretary, Patricia and living standards across the econ - an obligation to protect the security have been modelled out to customs union (similar to the King said that "from the outset omy, from Brexit. of these 'at risk' jobs. Retraining and 2030 and are stark. If there is arrangement with Turkey) a free Congress has consistently warned "In the absence of such an overar - upskilling programmes are vital and trade agreement or no agreement. that workers and their families ching strategy, Brexit has the poten - no agreement, the impact on should be instigated immediately.” Agri-food, manufacturing, retail/ would bear the brunt of the UK's de - tial to inflict serious damage on the output (GDP) and exports will Meanwhile, the regional impact of wholesale and air transport will be cision to exit the European Union economy, which will in turn impact be a decline of the order of 7% Brexit in the UK was the focus of an - over the next 12 years. worst hit and carry two very serious and our fears appear to be con - on the incomes, living standards and other report published recently The study suggests that there implications: distributional – those firmed by findings of this new study livelihoods of workers.” will be no hit to overall employ - with fewest formal skills and educa - from Copenhagen Economics on the The study showed that up to which showed that Northern Ire - ment (some sectors will grow, oth - tion will be disproportionally af - likely impact of Brexit on the Irish 30,000 jobs in the agri-food, pharma land would see its output reduced ers will contract) but that real fected in terms of their limited economy.” and chemical sectors could be at risk by 12% over 15 years under a no deal wages under a ‘no deal’ scenario ability to source alternative work in She continued: "This report when the UK exits the EU. Brexit scenario. could fall by up to 8.7%. other sectors; and geographical, in should set alarm bells ringing in gov - would also impact negatively on See page 12 8 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Precarious Work Combatting precarious work

By Scott Millar

HE TERM “precarious Being forced into such an em - workforce. With the onset of employment. workers” refers to low- ployment situation means these the global financial crisis, its in - “Precarious work practices im - paid, part-time employ - workers are unable to secure crease has become a key con - pact not only on the workers ees who work irregular loans or mortgages or to make cern for workers in nearly all caught up in such forms of em - oTr variable hours, or those on financial plans. Precarious em - sectors of the economy. ployment but also wider soci - full-time, short-term contracts. ployment is also linked to neg - SIPTU Deputy General Secre - ety, with many having to turn to Many people in these situations ative physical and mental tary for Organising, Ethel Buck - social welfare payments to sup - are paid only for the hours they health, as well as offering little ley, said: “Not only have plement their incomes and a actually work and therefore opportunity for career progres - workers’ rights to secure em - general undermining of em - their income is insecure. From a sion. ployment been eroded, workers' ployment standards. workers' point of the view a Precarious work is not a new very relationship with their em - “This is why the fight against simple definition of precarious concept. In its current guise it is ployers is becoming increas - precarious employment is the work is employment which is linked to the spread of neolib - ingly casualised through most important struggle that perceived to be “insecure, un - eral economics and the empha - SIPTU’s Ethel Buckley outsourcing, sub-contracting workers in our union must cur - certain or unpredictable”. sis placed on a ‘flexible’ and an increase in bogus self- rently organise to confront.” Worker insecurity: sector by sector

much of their energies into apply - management claiming it may not issues facing contractually Precarious work practices have spread ing for new employment rather be in a position to say what kind of precarious workers are seeping throughout the economy. These are just than focusing on publishing or staff needs they will have in the into the working conditions of doing research. future. For “permanent” staff in permanent workers. some of the sectors affected where this sector there is also a growing Financial sector trend towards ‘performance Home care sector SIPTU members are organising to The financial sector has also seen management’ which means that The sector has three types of confront them an increase in temporary contracts over a two-year period a contract provider – public, voluntary and and outsourcing. In the credit can be terminated on the grounds private. The first two are fully unions, new entrants are being of capability. Therefore, while funded through the HSE. The Childcare sector cated and professional staff can - brought in on one-year, fixed-term permanent workers may not be average rate of pay for a public There are 23,000 workers in this not be retained. contracts. This has followed contractually precarious, they do sector Home Help is €15 per hour; sector, who are predominantly changes relating to mergers and feel precarious, and this is an the voluntary sector rate is female and whose average rate of Third-level education sector amalgamations, resulting in example of a sector where the €11.50– €12.50 per hour, and in the private sector, the rate of pay pay is €10.27 per hour. They have There have always been workers ) averages approximately 10.50 per employed in a precarious manner 0 no pension scheme, very few . € 2 hour. In the private Home Care workplaces have paid maternity in this sector doing occasional lec - D N - Y Sector, “if-and-when” contracts are turing and tutoring. However, it is B leave, and they receive the

C

C estimated that there are now at ( the norm, meaning not only do statutory minimum of 20 days’ H

S workers lack guaranteed hours but holidays. least as many people on precarious : e r contracts as permanent contracts. u they also don’t know from week to Early Years educators get paid t c i for the hours of contact time they Lecturers and tutors hired on a P week what hours they will be have with a child per day. How - part-time hourly basis are paid for working. ever, this does not take into ac - the hours they teach. This pay - The lack of security extends to count the extensive work that is ment is said to be inclusive of complaints made against them by done outside of those hours such preparatory work. However, they a client; if a client makes an allega - as observation reports, prepara - are not being paid for follow-up or tion against a carer they are in - tory work and administration. administrative responsibilities. stantly let go. Precarious home care The precarious nature of work Many others are retained on workers in the private sector re - in the sector results in an annual short-term contracts. The implica - ceive statutory maternity leave, but staff turnover rate of approxi - tions this has for academics are it is unpaid. While they are enti - mately 26%. This is a conse - wider than simply the direct tled to take holidays, it has to suit quence of the limited scope for impact on their lives. It also creates the employer. There is also a large career progression, including pay an atmosphere of self-censorship, There are now at least as many university amount of unpaid work in the pri - increments for Early Years educa - meaning they are less likely to par - vate sector in the form of travelling tors. A high turnover in the sector take in vigorous academic debate. lecturers on precarious contracts as time from one client to the other. has further implications for the Many are also constantly anx - Staff turnover is high in the private quality of childcare services in ious about reaching the end of permanent contracts sector. Ireland because the highly edu - their contract and having to put Liberty 9 Precarious Work FEBRUARY 2018

often tired, working a split shift late CASE STUDIES into the night, before coming in again early the following morning. There is so much pressure to be flexible and I am only paid the minimum wage.”

Eoin O’Mahony, University Fruit and vegetable pickers are Lecturer often paid per weight of the product "I worked two jobs in Dublin universi - they pick. Picture: RollingNews.ie ties for a year and earned an hourly wage in both. You are only paid for con - Henr y Silke, formerly taught tact hours with students, that is stand - English as a Foreign Language ing in front of a group actually Teacher The construction sector teaching. The rest of the time, marking “We typically had three-month con - Since the financial crisis, the papers, doing administration, sorting tracts, but teachers were often told on construction industry is organised Deborah Reynolds, out assessments, catching up on new a Friday not to come back Monday and differently to how it was previously CASE STUDY Kilkerrin Playschool, research, attending internal meetings no one ever asked for the terms of the when large construction employers Galway is all unpaid. Most students see you as contract in case they might not get had high levels of direct a professor and not someone who I have worked in the Early Years sec- called back. At Christmas we were let go employment. works just above minimum wage and with a note for social welfare who al - Now, the predominant form of em - tor for over 11 years. I have commit- many staff do not know the precarious most never paid out. Before unionisa - ted to study to upskill over the past conditions you work under." ployment for technical operative tion, which took about two years, the grades is through agencies that em - few years, taking out loans to fund culture of fear in the school was really my education. Due to the low levels A restaurant worker intense. There was an underl ying sense ploy them on an if-and-when basis. “Usually I find out if I have work on of being watched and a fear of losing Among the trades, bogus self-em - of funding and consequent low pay Monday by email on Sunday night. It's your job on the whim of a manager. ployment features highly. in the sector, I am unable to move rare that we get a complete roster When we finally unionised and were It is also rare for agency workers out of the family home and also work until mid-week. Not knowing my hours recognised, much of that fear lifted and to be offered a mandatory pension means I never make plans which af - a second job on a Saturday. If I suffer we immediately began to receive sick scheme to which the employer con - a financial emergency of any kind, fects my relationships and stress lev - tributes. Often construction work - pay.” such as a car els. My inconsistent hours mean I am ers have disputes with the agencies break down, I need to over holiday pay that is outstanding get a loan to overcome it or just ac- Restaurant sector In many cases people do not to them. Bogus self-employment in cept it as not possible to rectify. Due Most people working in restaurants have a written contract. It is also the craft trades is forced on the to the way the sector is funded I also are employed on a casual basis, with common for workers to live to - workers; they are told that if they sign on the dole for Easter and the part-time contracts and irregular gether in crowded accommodation want the job, they must register as summer months. hours of work. Workers often only and pay rent to their employer. self-employed, or else the job will find out from week to week what When it comes to fruit and veg - go to someone else. By forcing a their hours will be. People etable picking, workers can also be self-employment status on trades’ employed in the restaurant sector paid on a productivity measure - people, this leaves them bereft of often work long hours on a flat rate. ment system, for example being any protection in employment law. Workers often report unpaid work paid for the total weight of the such as doing overtime, where product they pick. Hotel Sector management will attempt not to There is a high turnover of peo - A generation ago, a hotel was KEY STATISTICS pay them for the extra hours they ple, and the precarious nature of considered a good place to work worked. Furthermore, when they the work leaves people feeling too because there was career are paid for overtime, it is on a flat vulnerable and frightened to act progression. Now it is very rare to REPUBLIC OF IRELAND rate, regardless of whether they collectively to improve their work - find contracts in the sector with full- 8% of the workforce in the Republic of Ireland – nearly 160,000 worked day or night. It is difficult for ing conditions. time or even part-time guaranteed hours. This was triggered over 10 workers – have significant variations in their hours of work workers to challenge management from week to week or month to month. in these circumstances , because years ago, when employers began to they can be punished by not being hire people with neither 10% of the workforce are self-employed without employees. put on the roster or having their qualifications nor experience to hours decreased. Another issue is work in the sector. This culminated 7% of the labour force were working in temporary employment workers being asked to work Home care in the de-skilling of the workforce, in 2016. unpaid for a “training period” and consequently employers could justify diminishing the contract 109,000 fewer workers in full-time, permanent employment than before they are officially employed. workers’ lack in 2008, despite the workforce being larger. of security terms and conditions for new Agricultural production entrants on this basis. 44% of workers aged between 18 and 29, (equating to just under sector extends to The biggest problem for a lot of 100,000 people) are on short-term contracts or ‘self-employed’. During the economic “boom”, workers in the hotel sector is ros - employers and agencies in complaints – if tering. They can be rostered in for industries such as meat production a client makes certain hours and on certain days, and vegetable processing specifically only to find out on their arrival to NORTHERN IRELAND targeted certain countries to bring in an allegation work that they are not needed. 11.4% of the workforce are self-employed without employees migrant workers on minimum Workers in the hotel sector are also wage, with no security of against a being pushed to do more work in 6% of the workforce are employed in temporary, non- employment or entitlements. less time, with housekeep ing staff, permanent arrangements carer, they are in particular, suffering from so- Typically, contracts in the meat or 25% increase in the number of workers who are in temporary vegetable processing industries let go called ‘speed up’, resulting in in - would be on an “if-and-when” basis creased incidents of injury. employment over the period 2008 to 2016. and would involve something instantly along the lines of “up to 48 hours”. 10 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 News

James Connolly Heron, SIPTU’s Yvonne great grandson of the 1916 leader, has called on Culture Minister to save the historic O’Callaghan battlefield site at Moore After ruling, Street following Court of Appeal ruling appointed to Fairtrade Minister must Ireland role SIPTU Organiser, Yvonne O’Callaghan, has been appointed the new chair of Fairtrade act to save Ireland. O’Callaghan , who is also the secretary of the SIPTU Global Solidarity Committee, has been working with the organisation for a number of years and will now help oversee its development. Moore Street She told Liberty : “Fairtrade is a partnership between the most dis - THE great grandson of James tion orders is in the hands of the advantaged workers in the devel - Connolly has reacted to the Minister and not the courts. These oping world and the people who overturning at the Court of buildings on Moore Street were oc - buy their products. Fairtrade is key Appeal of an earlier High cupied by the volunteers in 1916 to delivering decent work and a Court ruling that various and are without a shadow of a living wage for workers.” buildings on Moore Street, doubt national monuments. They Her appointment comes in the Dublin, were a national mon - are now being threatened with de - run up to Fairtrade Fortnight ument by claiming that pro - molition, which is why the Minis - which takes place from 26th ter must act.” tecting the historic site was February to 11th March 2018. Lord Mayor of Dublin Mícheál This year, Fairtrade Ireland is now in the hands of the Gov - Mac Donncha said: “The people of ernment. asking people in Ireland to Check Dublin and the people of Ireland Out Fairtrade during the fortnight Heron said that want to see the Moore Street battle and change their shopping habits the Court of Appeal Ruling on 14th site preserved.” in a way which will support global February, confirmed that the fu - Madigan has stated that opening development. ture of the site lies within the the final headquarters of the 1916 Among the new Fairtrade sourc - remit of the Minister for Culture, Rising leaders to the public re - ing programmes is one for cocoa Heritage and the Gaeltacht, mains a “top priority” and that of - with significantly greater volumes Josepha Madigan. ficials in her department were being sold in Ireland. There is also He said: “The fight is far from currently considering the implica - a significant growth in Fairtrade over. We now have confirmation tions of the Court of Appeal deci - coffee sales, especially through that the power to issue preserva - sion. Picture: RollingNews.ie Bewleys. Better training call for ONE Cork lobbies on housing film and TV industry PUBLICISING and lobbying in health groups which are organising support of the new ICTU inter-union committees in major UNIONS and employers must trainees in the industry and housing policy will be a cen - workplaces across the county. work together to agree train - SIPTU is suggesting that a certi - tral activity for union activists The ONE Cork group in Cork ing structures to create sus - fied logbook system be put in in the ONE Cork initiative University Hospital is organising tainable and quality place for this. This will prevent over the coming months. seminars on pensions, sick leave employment in the film and abuse of trainees by keeping them The local authority-led housing and other public sector terms and TV industry, an Oireachtas as trainees for far too many years. strategy proposed in the ICTU doc - conditions. Work is proceeding on Committee has been told. This would ensure that all trainee ument is based on an initiative organising ONE Group groups in Addressing the Joint Committee roles are taken up by trainees and originally recommended by ONE the Brothers of Charity and Cope on Culture, Heritage and the are not just positions filled by ex - Cork activists. It is also an issue that our mem - Foundation, both Section 38 or - Gaeltacht on 31st January, SIPTU perienced people being used as ONE Cork Co-ordinator, Sharon bers in the local authorities and ganisations providing care to peo - Services Division Organiser, cheap labour.” Cregan, told Liberty : “Teams of construction sector will be key to Karan O’Loughlin, said: “There is ple with intellectual disability. O’Loughlin added: “There trade union activists and officials solving – if the political will is a definite gap in the industry ONE Cork has also brought to - needs to be a structured develop - have been brought together under found to adopt the ICTU proposals, when it comes to upskilling, train - the ONE Cork umbrella to visit which is the most realistic plan to gether INMO, Fórsa and SIPTU ac - ing and development structures ment system for all grades so that local politicians in their con - address the crisis that has tivists to campaign for the for the sector. It is our view that there is room for progression.” stituency offices and brief them on emerged.” Ballincollig Community Nursing structures need to be jointly And she also called for the set - the ICTU housing policy. As else - While the housing campaign has Unit to be brought back under di - agreed and implemented to create ting up of a film and TV sector where, the housing crisis is a mas - been a major focus for ONE Cork’s rect HSE management. It is cur - sustainable and quality employ - stakeholder forum including rep - sive issue in Cork. activities, a number of other initia - rently managed by private ment in the industry.” resentatives from trade unions “The crisis directly affects trade tives have also been advanced. company Mowlam Health Care but She continued: “There are cur - and industry. union members and their families. These include education and its contact runs out in August. rently no controls on managing Liberty 11 Comment FEBRUARY 2018

By Vic Duggan

A hundred years from now, catastrophic climate change may have completely changed the way our children and grandchildren live, work and farm. Possible doomsday sce - narios include a shutdown of the Gulf Stream, which Ire - land depends on for its rela - tively mild weather, leading to another ice age. The science is incontrovertible. Global warming is man-made, and emissions of carbon and other gases are the main culprit. Sure, Ireland makes up only a small amount of total emissions. Be - cause of its size, China alone ac - counts for more than a quarter of all emissions annually. The US, an - Athlone under flooding threat during Storm Frank other 15%. in January 2016 But, we rank highly in emissions Picture: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews.ie per person and total emissions are going in the wrong direction, up 3.5% in 2016 when the Govern - be unfairly hit by any methane tax, ment is targeting a 5% reduction. making their produce less compet - While the worst environmental itive and costing jobs. impacts of climate change might This could be coming at a time still be some way off, we could be when Brexit increases the cost of facing a bill of nearly half a billion Time Ireland got real exports to Britain while a new euro every year from 2020 on - trade deal with South America in - wards unless we get our house in creases competition from lower- order. cost imports. The best way to As part of European and global introduce such a methane tax efforts to reduce emissions, we would therefore be at EU level, have committed to a reduction of with ‘methane content’ incorpo - 20% (from 1990 levels) by 2020. on climate change... rated into the newly-reduced im - Ireland is one of the few EU port tariffs from outside the EU.

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0 . That way, Irish farmers would countries on course to miss its tar - 2 dairy cows increasing by 22% in

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B get, leaving itself open to annual the past four years, and raising av - not be put at a competitive disad - C

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r erage dairy incomes to over vantage, although the burden fines equivalent to widening the a t l a

B would instead fall on consumers standard income tax band by 90,000 in 2017. n € a 2,500 or building 2,500 social o But, this comes at an environ - by way of higher prices. X

€ : n The distributional impact of o mental cost that neither farmers houses. i t a r t nor consumers currently have to green taxation should also be So, what to do? Transport and s

u l l energy each account for about a I pay. One option that is being con - taken into account more broadly. fifth of Ireland’s total emissions, sidered in New Zealand is a tax on People with lower incomes tend to and both have started to pick up in methane emitted by cattle – in - spend a larger share on food or fuel recent years alongside economic evitably dubbed a ‘fart tax’. Again, to heat their homes or drive their activity. Much has been done to funds raised in this manner could cars, for example, than those with move Ireland to more fuel-effi - be used to reduce other taxes, or to higher discretionary incomes, who cient transport and to more renew - invest in rural broadband, for ex - save more and spend more on ser - able energy, but more remains to ample. The point is to change be - vices, activities which are less car - be done. havior, not raise revenue. bon-intensive. For too long, reduced excise on New or higher taxes, combined So, increasing the carbon tax diesel has effectively subsidised with fewer or lower taxes in other while reducing taxes on labour its use ahead of petrol, which pro - areas, creates both winners and (which are already low to non-ex - duces less emissions. Equalising losers. For example, beef and dairy istent on low incomes) would lead excise on diesel to the same level farmers will argue that they would to increased inequality if no off- as on petrol would bring in more setting measures are introduced. than €300m, which could be used While the worst This could be tackled by increas - to reduce taxes or increase invest - environmental ing subsidies for the low paid and ment elsewhere while removing welfare beneficiaries or by increas - incentives to switch to diesel. impacts might still ing welfare rates and introducing a A quick-win in power generation be some way off, refundable tax credit. That is not would be to phase out the use of to say that green taxation is politi - peat by 2020, instead of Bord na we could be facing cally easy, as the water charges de - Mona’s 2030 target date. In 2014, a bill of nearly half bacle made clear. peat generation accounted for only Policymakers should be aiming 8.8% of our electricity require - a billion euro every for a policy mix that is ‘win-win- ments, but 21.8% of our carbon there is an agreed transition from Ireland’s greenhouse gas emis - year from 2020 win’, supporting economic growth, emissions from power generation! non-carbon based fuel production sions is the agriculture sector, ac - social equality and environmental Not only that, but energy con - with workers in the industry counting for about a third of the onwards unless we sustainability. But it’s high time sumers pay an annual subsidy of whose jobs must be protected and total. The 2015 abolition of EU get our house in that Ireland took its climate re - many of whom are SIPTU mem - milk quotas has been a boon to roughly €140m for the privilege. sponsibilities seriously, matching This can only be achieved when bers. By far the biggest source of Irish dairy farmers, the number of order... green rhetoric with green policies. 12 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Brexit

ROI — UK €33.6bn It’s Brexit 10% of t otal e xports but it ac counts for mor e than 45% crunch time of food and liv e animal e xports

cember 2017 must be translated into a legal agreement by the time By Marie of the EU leaders’ summit in Sherlock March, 2018. To date, the UK gov - ernment message remains deeply entrenched in wanting to exit the IT WAS too good to be true. customs union and single market. Just two weeks before Christ - For workers on both sides of the mas, the British government Irish border, the stakes are high. UK — R OI averted Brexit negotiation The UK government’s regional stalemate and signed up to an analysis of the fallout from Brexit €29 .4bn agreement which committed finds a potential hit to Northern to no hard border between the Ireland of 2.5% in economic 11 % of t otal imports in 2016 but ac counts Republic and Northern Ire - activity over a 15 year period if land. there is a Norway-style agreement • for o ver 60% of fuel imports As we said at the time, instead of (access to single European market • mor e than 40% of food and liv e working out how to avoid the re - with EU regulatory alignment and animal imports turn to a hard border, the British contribution to EU budget); an 8% • and o ver one thir d of all in war d trips government crucially focused on hit if there is Canada-EU type trade the what. Now the time has come deal (bilateral customs agreement to the R epublic b y non-citizens ). to determine the how. on goods, no regulatory alignment) The diplomatic agreement of De - or a 12% hit if there is no deal. Source: CSO, NISRA, Intertrade Ireland, HM Revenue & Customs These are the hard facts... Brexit Q&A... 1) What is ‘regulatory that the UK will become a “third alignment’? country” i.e. a country with which As members of the EU, Ireland the EU does not have a specific and the UK are members of the Sin - trading relationship and which gle European Market. This regulates will be subject to standard tariffs the movement of goods, services, registered at the World Trade people and capital across the EU and Organisation by the EU. These can 8,295 people commute 7,300 businesses in 385,000 heavy good standardises rules covering product range from 0% to 80%. Live animal from the Republic to Northern Ireland (15% vehicles and light vans and service safety and public pro - trade between Northern Ireland Northern Ireland to study of the total) export to the cross the border each curement. and the Republic would be subject or to work; 6,456 go from Republic, of which 90% month. The “regulatory alignment” pro - Northern Ireland south - have fewer than 50 posal is designed to minimise the to tariffs of over 24%. wards to study or to work. employees. need for border checks. Failure to agree t o a system of regulatory 3) How interdependent alignment poses a serious control are Northern Ireland and competition issue for produc - and Republic of Ireland? ers here using imported goods Northern Ireland is not a glob - from the UK. It will necessitate alised economy. Only 20% of all Almost 14% of goods sold outside of border checks. Given the scale of goods and services produced are Northern Ireland go to the Republic of the North/South and East/West sold into Britain, with a further Ireland. trade, the need for checks will 14% exported to the Republic, the pose significant costs. A key con - EU and beyond. Less than 2% of Republic of Ireland exports cern is whether regulatory align - Food and live animals are North - go to Northern Ireland. ment will also cover workers’ ern Ireland’s biggest export to the rights provisions contained within Republic; machinery and transport In terms of imports, less than 2% of the EU law. equipment are the Republic’s Republic’s imports come from Northern biggest export into the North. Ireland. 2) Why is a free trade agree - ment with the EU needed? A hard border would impose a A large share of Northern Ireland imports from Ireland and the UK are currently major shock on Northern Ireland the Republic are intermediate inputs used for members of the EU customs producers. With regards to the the production of final goods. One quarter of union, whereby no tariffs are ap - Republic of Ireland, less than 2% of Northern Ireland milk is processed in the plied on goods and services being its exports go into Northern traded within the EU. Failure to Ireland. Republic. agree a free trade deal will mean Liberty 13 Economy FEBRUARY 2018 Finally, movement on pensions ment, this falls to 48% for females. Increasing female employment By Marie rates, technological adaptation in Sherlock the workplace and introduction of a new second-pillar occupational One small step in one very big (and growing issue). Pensions in Ireland. In January, the Minister for Ireland’s Social Protection Regina Doherty finally announced changes to the pensioner State pension system that will end support ratio is some of the gross unfairness of how eligibility for the State pen - expected to sion is calculated. more than For the 50,000 women or men who worked at home prior to 1994 double from 4.7 to care for children, parents or rel - atives, this is a welcome break - workers for every through. A new homecarers credit retiree in 2015 up to a maximum of 20 years will be made available. The changes to 2.1 workers will take effect from early 2019. The backdating of payments will to one retiree only go back to March 2018. the medium-term challenge when tiree in 2050. age. For Ireland, pursuit of this in 2050 The second and more critical el - we look at Ireland’s ratio of work - The solution? The conventional strategy as the only way to resolve ement of the reform package is the ing age population (aged 20-64) rel - approach adopted by many other our pension problem would be move towards total contributions ative to those older and younger. western governments has been to particularly shortsighted. As a (as opposed to total years spent in Ireland’s pensioner support ratio increase the State pension age and start, our below EU average pension scheme are critical to en - and out of the workforce) from reduce benefits. At its most basic, is expected to more than double employment rate must improve. suring timely and adequate 2020. from 4.7 workers for every retiree there is a limit to which we can Whereas 64% of men aged For those with gaps in their in 2015 to 2.1 workers to one re - keep increasing the State pension between 55 and 60 are in employ - incomes in retirement. work history for reasons other than caring duties, this is of huge importance. Seasonal workers or those who have taken time out for sickness or other reasons and who Supporting Quality for members will retire before 2020, can apply to be assessed under the new regime from 2018 on. These changes form part of a wider package set out in 2010 for Lo wer your pension reform in Ireland. By far the most significant of energy costs with planned changes will be the in - crease in the State pension age to Sol ar Photo valt aic 67 by 2021 and 10 years from now, the age will rise to 68. By 2028, Ire - land will have the highest pension (PV) panels fr om age across advanced industrialised economies. Ireland is currently Electr ic Irel and just one of three countries across the OECD that plans to increase • Generate clean, renewable energy the state pension age to 68. These • Lower your energy bills for 20 years policy changes are being intro - • Reduce C O emissions duced against a backdrop of a 2 wider debate across advanced economies about the impact on Find out more at the public finances and the labour www .electricir eland.ie/solar-pv market of an ageing society. or call 1850 3 72 333 today On the face of it, Ireland has a ticking demographic time bomb. Those of retirement age and older have been the fastest growing co - hort of the population of the Re - public of Ireland since 1996. Those aged 65 plus have increased by 54%, compared with a 40% in - crease in the so-called WAP (Work - ing Age Population, those aged 20-64) and a 9% increase in those aged up to 19 years of age. Smar te r L iving Dependency as measured by age is a very crude measure. However, we get some idea of the scale of

14 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Comment Minister must restore tax relief on trade union subscriptions Prawo Pracy –

workers who are in a union not re - ceive comparable tax treatment to those who are members of a profes - postępowanie sional body? However, the real concern is not simply this inequity of treatment, it is that this cut happened during a recession when wages, hours and dBy Byarnabas Dorda cyplinarne conditions were being actively eroded and workers needed their unions more then ever. Fundamentally, trade unions are ZdarZa się, że pracownicy są karani upomnieniami albo zwalniani a public good. They improve labour z pracy z powodu przewinień. Pracodawca ma prawo wymagać od standards, secure fairness for work - ers and help deliver social and eco - pracowników różnego rodzaju zachowań, ale czy pracownik ma nomic cohesion. And as a public good they need to be encouraged jakieś prawo do sprawiedliwej obrony przed zarzutami? Z pomocą przychodzi orzecznictwo i prawo, a zwłaszcza rozporządzenie si Tax relief is today 146 of 2000. Rozporz dzenie to okre la standardowe procedury i odwołuje si do still granted to the naturalneąj sprawieliwo ciś, do ogólnych reguł jakimi powinien si ękierowa self-employed for pracodawca. Na przykłaśd: ka dy pracodawca ma obowi zek by pęracownik ć membership of By Alice-Mary Higgins wiedzał czego si od niego wżymaga i jakie kary gro ząa niespełnienie professional IRELAND'S flat-rate tax relief oczekiwa . Zazwęyczaj te reguły okre lone s w prożceą durze dyscyplinarnej. on trade union subscriptions – bodies. This is Dlatego wńarto zainteresowa si co pśracodaąwca tam umie cił. which came to about €100 on clearly unfair and the standard rate tax – was re - Je li na pracownika zło onćo sękarg , pracodawca powiniśen przeprowadzi moved in Budget 2011, in a discriminatory deeply inequitable move. ledśztwo i je li dojdzie dżo wniosku,ę e najprawdopodobniej pracownik mać Last year, during the Seanad de - ś ś ż bate on Finance Bill 2018, I strongly za co odpowiedzie – zaprosi go na spotkanie dyscyplinarne. pressed the Minister for Finance to and protected. Ale pracownik osćkar ony o niewła ciwe zachowanie ma prawo otrzyma restore this relief. Like many, I expressed serious Prior to Budget 2011, the Govern - concern at some provisions in the wszystko na pi mie: jażsno sprecyzowśany zarzut, kopi skargi, zeznania ć ment had proposed, as an austerity Public Services Pay and Pensions ś ę measure, to remove tax relief on Bill 2017 that could potentially wiadków (je li takie s ), słowem wszystkie dowody jakie s w posiadaniu both trade union subscriptions and discourage or penalise trade union śpracodawcy nśa danym eątapie post powania. Pracownik te nąie mo e by subscriptions to professional bod - membership. We will need to ies. But when the 2011 Finance Bill monitor and challenge any such zaskakiwany now dokumentacj ędopiero na spotkaniu. ż ż ć was published, while the tax relief impacts. Przede wszystkimą jednak pracoąwnik ma prawo aby by reprezentowany w on union subscriptions to trade The Government needs to show unions was abolished, the tax relief that it is listening and that it under - post powaniu dyscyplinarnym przez swojego przedstawćiciela zwi zkowego. stands the importance and value of on subscriptions to professional ę ą bodies was not. union membership. The proper Dlatego te je li tak si zdarzy, e zostaniecie wezwani na przysłowiowy Tax relief was and is today still enshrining and recognition of the dywanik –ż konśiecznie pęoszukajcżie swojego przedstawiciela zwi zkowego, granted to the self-employed for right to join a union must be a clear membership of professional bod - priority. albo skontaktujcie sie z Workers Rights Centre, 1890747881. Je ąli nie ies. Professional fees paid by em - However, a further small gesture, ś ployers on behalf of their of both practical and symbolic jeste cie jeszcze członkiem zwi zku – koniecznie si zapiszcie! employees to many professional value, might be the restoration of ś ą ę tax relief for trade union member - bodies continue to be paid tax-free Uwaga, powy szy artykuł nie jest wykładni prawa, wiele zale y od indywidualnych okoliczno ci, ship. While my proposal may not and businesses receive full tax re - ż ą ż ś lief on subscriptions to bodies such have been accepted for 2018, I will dlatego w ka dym przypadku polecamy kontakt z SIPTU, eby omówi indywidualn spraw . as IBEC and ISME. However, if you be renewing pressure in of ż ż ć ą ę are an employee and subscribe to Budget 2019. a union, you get no such relief. Alice-Mary Higgins is an This situation is clearly unfair Independent Senator and discriminatory. Why should Liberty 15 Liberty View FEBRUARY 2018

Liberty View Precarious work - the challenge for workers

E live in precarious pay. Pushed into long term, low paid of the insecure jobs they provide, is the workforce are equally times. Tens of precarious work, often without any massive. marginalised when it comes to thousands of workers contract of employment, young Over 160,000 workers cannot rely decent work and properly paid jobs. in Ireland wake up workers are unable to secure the By driving down wages and Wearly in the morning unsure loans, mortgages or the rent they standards, casualisation will also whether they will earn a living need to make plans for a decent undermine those with ssecure, better that day, or whether they will home and family life. paid jobs across the economy. earn anything at all. Ending the For employers, the attraction of It is deeply shocking The attempt by employers to drive scandal of precarious work is a casualised employment, or of that 44% of workers down wages and demolish significant challenge facing outsourcing work to sub-contractors, between 18 and 29 employment protections in Ireland workers and their trade unions in means they are freed of their years, or almost 100,000 will undoubtedly intensify when Ireland. It affects workers across obligation to meet their Brexit takes hold as their competitors a range of employment sectors, responsibilities to provide for the young people, are on in the UK seek to remove hard including hotels and restaurants, health and well-being of their short-term contracts in earned worker’s rights, as well as the early and third level education, employees including their the Republic environmental and consumer retail, child and home care entitlements to normal career protections, required under EU laws. services, home care, construction progression, holiday and sick pay SIPTU has joined with Congress and agriculture, to name just a and decent welfare and retirement and other interested organisations few. benefits. and groups in determined efforts This is not a new scandal. Indeed, on steady and guaranteed hours being made to strengthen the law The spread of casualisation, ‘if and the modern Irish trade union from day to day, week to week or and the rights of employees and to when’ and zero hour contracts under movement, including SIPTU, was month to month. The abuse of bogus get rid of zero hour and so called ‘if which mainly low paid workers are moulded in the resistance of low paid self-employment means that 10% of and when’ contacts, most recently forced into uncertain irregular hours workers to casualisation, low wages workers in Ireland are wrongly under the Employment of employment and short-term and extreme poverty in the early described as sole traders who do not (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill contracts must be stopped. years of the 20th Century. employ anybody else. currently passing through the Over decades of struggle, It is deeply shocking that 44% of Oireachtas. The Bill is an important improvements in wages and in their workers between 18 and 29 years, or piece of legislation to assist terms and conditions of work, almost 100,000 young people, are vulnerable workers but is flawed, in including the reduction in working on short-term contracts in the many respects. Many of those welcome hours, were won across the economy Republic. The figures in the North are The Government has claimed that changes are in danger and the country by an organised and similar with a 25% increase in the under the proposed legislation, zero of being reversed on unionised workforce. Advances were number of workers in temporary hour contracts will be banned. the new battleground made by women workers demanding employment since 2008. However, this is disputed by equal pay for equal work, the These figures make a lie of the opposition parties while SIPTU, the where workers are introduction of, and increases to, a claim that the economic recovery is ICTU and other unions are lobbying forced into anti-social minimum wage and in the creation of lifting all boats. There has certainly for substantial amendments in order work practices which industrial relations machinery to been a dramatic reduction in the to ensure that precarious work is tackle exploitation and numbers of unemployed which has tackled in a meaningful way and that undermine hard won discrimination by ruthless employers. come down from over 15% in the zero hour and ‘if and when’ contracts employment standards Many of those welcome changes depth of the recession to just over are completely eliminated. are in danger of being reversed on 6%. Behind this statistic, however, is The first defence for workers facing the new battleground where workers the cruel reality that many of the jobs unscrupulous employers seeking to are forced into anti-social work created in recent years are in low diminish their wages and conditions The system destroys the physical practices which undermine hard won paid, precarious employments. is to join a trade union. For SIPTU the and mental health of workers and employment standards. Women, in particular, who have scandal of precarious work is a top forces them into a cycle of endless The spread of precarious, taken up tens of thousands of jobs in priority among the various poverty. Precarious employment casualised work is endemic across the recovering services sector, find campaigns which union members are means a worker only gets paid for the country, as it is across other EU they are unable to meet the costs of pursuing across all employment the hours they work, often doesn’t states and the scale of mistreatment childcare, rent and other basic needs sectors in which we organise. Join know when they will be employed by some employers of workers, over from the wages they receive. Migrant the campaign in the battle against and are denied the benefit of even whom they exercise control by virtue workers and young people entering precarious work . meagre pensions, holiday and sick 16 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 CEO Pay Calibrating what CEOs pay themselves

By Martin Fitzpatrick IT’S THE guts of 20-odd years since the Rainbow Govern - ment sanctioned a Commis - sion on Corporate Governance in Ireland. The smartest people available were appointed to the Commis - sion and one of its tasks was to de - termine whether the example of the British corporate sector should be followed and that the salaries of executive directors in listed companies be revealed for the first time. Illustration: Jurgen Appelo (CC BY 2.0) Irish business had a curious Bank was probably the first to fondness for salary secrecy, de - allow his remuneration committee spite lagging way behind the to sanction an annual pay package British system which, for years, for him of €1 million; he was the had been much more open about first on €2 million – and he was such things. The fear seemed to be well on the way to going over €3 that envy and resentment would million a year when he handed over get in the way of business people the reins. The CEO of Bank of Ire - being free to do whatever they land, Brian Goggin, wangled a pack - wanted. on the average industrial wage age worth €4 million before the The high-powered Commission bust put paid to all that. would have to be working for 270 (in which the Left had a big sway), Multi-million pay and perks pack - years to earn as much as the CEO of thought long and hard about forc - ages in quoted companies were very Cement Roadstone Holdings was ing executive directors to follow might be directed at their daugh - ...a worker on ters of marriageable age! common up to 2008. Then the reces - paid last year. the lead on disclosure of sion happened and shameless pay Importantly, the study shows the pay – or should that be ‘earnings’. Either way the idea was rejected. hikes became markedly less obvi - gap between executive and wor In the heel of the hunt, it the average It took some more years and an - k- other government – which in - ous. ers’ pay is widening. Also, it shows backed off. It appears that some industrial wage But the big question these days is: voices in the Commission were es - cluded industry minister Mary an interesting insight into what is Are fat-cat salaries becoming ‘hip’ pecially compelling. One sug - Harney – to bite this bullet and to happening in Britain at the mo - would have to be once again? gested that if the country’s do so with excellent effect. From ment. Prime Minister Theresa May the Millennium Year, all the ac - Dr Peter Rigney and Eileen business executives and bankers working for 270 is anxious to highlight the disparity counts of quoted companies were Sweeney at the Irish Congress of were forced to publish their in - between those at the top of British comes and if that dangerous infor - years to earn as obliged to include a remuneration Trade Unions have set to the task in companies and ordinary workers. mation was to appear in the much as the statement. The crime statistics, as the last couple of years of answering newspapers, these unfortunate far as can be ascertained, showed this question. They’ve done a splen - She has promised to stiffen up the chaps – for most of them were in - CEO of Cement no discernible spike in kidnaps. did job, considering the data avail - rules on disclosure. deed ‘chaps’ – could face the risk But what the statistics did show able to them is so limited. Their Campaigners for s imilar candour of kidnap for them or their fami - Roadstone was that from 2000 until the boom latest briefing document, Because in Ireland could have an unex - We’re Worth It, has been published lies. One defender of the corpo - burst, companies listed on the pected ally. Holdings was in recent weeks and it offers unique rate sector even suggested it Irish exchange showed an unparal - Download Because We’re Worth would be a bad idea because if a leled generosity to each other. insights into the world of executive It at http://bit.ly/2Dh4ej8 fellow’s hefty salary was revealed, paid last year Bankers led the charge. Sean pay. unwelcome and caddish attention FitzPatrick, the CEO of Anglo Irish It tells, for instance, that a worker

IPTU If you're a S he member in t n, Dublin Regio in rkin the Jim Lark La ENING in Jim OP nion re interested Credit U If you a dit Union, ion URS: m Larkin Cre t Un HO n for joining the Ji edi is ope or email Cr NEED A l 01 8721155 WE ALL HURSDAY cal ETIMES RTANT T .m. you imlarkincu.ie SOM HE IMPO .m. - 8:15 p info@j N FOR T 7:00 p LOA IFE GS IN L SATURDAY THIN :30 a.m. 9:30 a.m. - 11 Jim Larkin Credit Union, Liberty Hall, , Dublin 1 Liberty 17 Big Start FEBRUARY 2018

Sharon Harding Nikki Ololabi Big heart for Big Start By Darragh O’Connor ous seasonal contracts. This has re - “98% of the people working in sulted in a staff turnover rate of childcare are women. We have On Valentine’s Day, SIPTU 28.2%. been underpaid and undervalued ‘Big Start’ activists and sup - SIPTU Organiser, Shonagh Byrne for years and now people are look - porters highlighted the value told Liberty : “Despite having big ing for jobs elsewhere. We need of quality childcare with the benefits for children and society, the Government to recognise our #LoveEarlyYears social media childcare is low paid for workers work and support decent pay.” campaign. and very expensive for parents. Parent and Big Start supporter, High quality early years educa - This is because successive govern - Frieda Donohue, said: “I have tors are shown to have a positive ments have not seen it as a valued come to appreciate the expertise impact on children’s development, public service and have not made and care that early years educators particularly if they are from a dis - the investment needed. offer on a daily basis. I have found advantaged background. “The Big Start campaign is about myself increasingly indignant at However, historic underfunding organising workers and to make the low remuneration that they re - by successive governments has led the childcare sector a priority and ceive for same. for Government to underpin the to a staffing crisis in the sector. On “Like primary education, pre- pay and conditions of the sector school education should be fully average, a qualified early years ed - with a Sectoral Employment subsidised and supported and the ucator earns just €10.88 per hour Order.” excellent early years educators Emma Ward and 39% of all staff are on precari - SIPTU activist Paula Doyle said: should be rewarded fairly.”

Bí páirteach i BEO: Gaelach & Bródúil , an fhéile Ghaeilge sráide is mó le linn Bhliain na Gaeilge 2018 , a bheidh ar siúl ar 3 Márta i m Baile Átha Cliath . Ar an lá seodéanfaidh muid ceiliúradh agus léireoidh muid ár mbród don teanga os comhair an saol mór. Beidh deis againn chomh maith aghaidh a thabhairt ar na dúshláin atá le réiteach. Beidh mórshiúl spreagúil againn ó Chearnóg Parnell, ceolchoirm spleodrach ag Cearnóg Mhuirfean agus réimse de cheardlanna éagsúla do theaghlaigh sa Chearnóg fhéin i ndiaidh na ceolchoirme. Bímid ag súil le ceol, craic agus comhluadar den chéad scoth! Is féidir teacht ar níos mó eolais faoi ag www.PEIG.ie/beo Bí Gaelach — Bí Bródúil — Bí Ann! Conradh na Gaeilge invites you to be part of BEO: Gaelach & Bródúil , the largest street festival during Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 , taking place on March 3rd in Dublin city centre. We will celebrate and show our pride for the language in front of the whole world. We will also have the opportunity to address the challenges facing the Irish language. There will be an inspirational procession from Parnell Square, an action-packed concert at Merrion Square and a variety of workshops for families after the concert. Expect great ceol, craic and comhluadar! More information can be found at www.PEIG.ie/en/beo 18 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Housing Crisis

Policy responses lack vigour... housing has The greatest been the dog that doesn’t bark prehensive fashion by various speakers. The time has come for urgent action on a local authority- led public housing programme,” crisis in a he said. During the session, Sinn Féin’s Eoin O’Broin, Jan O’Sullivan of the Labour Party and Richard Boyd Bar - rett of People Before Profit whole - heartedly endorsed the Congress charter. generation... This position was backed by a Housing expert Lorcan Sirr number of spokespersons for Housing NGOs. Niamh Randall, of the Simon By Scott Millar lower levels of home ownership. had worsened, he added. political issue. Communities, demanded that the Some 67% of the population cur - Sirr told the conference that the The trade union movement Government show the “political THE FULL scale of the housing rently own their home, a ratio not property developer lobby was intends to do this by building on will” to “move away from private crisis was set out at a special seen since the end of the 1960s. much more powerful in shaping initiatives pioneered by the One sector reliance and the commodi - conference last month organ - He pointed out that there had government policy than those Cork and One Galway projects fication of housing” and towards ised by the Irish Congress of also been a considerable increase fighting for the rights of those in which focus on promoting a policy the “increased provision of hous - Trade Unions and attended by in the role of the private sector as housing need. of local authority-led public house ing to meet different income the State withdrew from housing He concluded that to date the trade unionists, politicians building schemes. thresholds”. provision. State response to the housing Chairing a meeting of politicians Threshold CEO, John Mark Mc - and leading experts in the And that this transfer of respon - emergency had consisted of “pol - from , Fianna Fáil, Sinn Cafferty, focused on the actions field. sibility from the State to the indi - icy responses that had been weak, Féin, the Labour Party and People Addressing the event at the vidual had been a major factor in policy formation that has been ad Before Profit, SIPTU General Secre - needed to protect those in the Communications Workers Union the massive rise in the wage-to- hoc and lacking rigour, and politi - tary, Joe O’Flynn, said that the so - rental market. Among the propos - Hall, Dublin, urban planning ex - house-price ratio. This meant that cally housing has been the dog lutions to the crisis had been set als he presented were tackling un - pert, Lorcan Sirr, explained how more people had less hope of af - that doesn’t bark.” out at the meeting but there was a sustainable rent increases through housing provision had changed in fording their own home. Following It was clear from trade union marked lack of urgency on the part enforcement of rent certainty and Ireland in recent years. This had the economic crisis of 2008, and representatives at the conference of the two largest political parties. introducing the deposit protection seen a large increase in the num - the introduction of strict credit that it is their intent to ensure that “The solutions have been set out scheme while progressing towards ber of people renting as well as limits for purchasers, the situation housing will now be made a major here today in a detailed and com - a cost-rental model. HOUSING FACTS...

Extracting a profit from a crisis... the average cost of property provided as affordable housing

Built by Built by Built by e.g. private sector Local Authority housing co-op €330,000 €191,000 €200,000 Extra 35% price of private build due to cost of land and property developer’s profit Liberty 19 Housing Crisis FEBRUARY 2018

The housing and homelessness ICTU’s 5-step crisis is the defining issue of our time. It demands an urgent, coherent plan to tackle and significantly enhanced social response

4) End evictions that force people into homelessness housing crisis Evicting a family or an individual into homelessness must be prohib - ICTU General Secretary ited by law. THE Irish Congress of Trade and socially inclusive housing that Patricia King: ‘Housing • No eviction should be allowed Unions has launched a major includes public homes, affordable crisis is not intractable, it can be resolved’ to proceed legally in either the pri - political campaign aimed at rental accommodation and homes vate or public rental sector, until forcing the Government to to buy. suitable alternative accommoda - take effective action to end the • Housing prioritisation for es - tion has been found for the family housing crisis. sential service workers particularly or individual in question. The campaign will support pub- in the major urban centres. • Local authorities are given a lic protests and direct lobbying of • Housing programme to priori - statutory duty to provide housing elected representatives calling on tise decent working conditions for for those who are homeless within them to back a set of policies those employed in its delivery. their area. which would immediately help homeless people as well as lay the 2) Legally enshrine 5) A national land basis for a long-term solution to a right to housing management policy the dysfunctional property market A right to housing would create a Create an overarching policy ap - in Ireland. basic level of protection for all citi - proach to property in Ireland with The One Cork and recently- zens and require the State to up - the core aim of policy protecting launched One Galway projects are hold and validate this right in all its the citizen’s right to housing. engaged in similar drives in both decisions and policies. • Aggressively target ‘land hoard - cities. • There must be a commitment ing’. Data from the CSO shows Launching the campaign at a con- to hold a constitutional referen - there are 13,900 hectares of ser - dum or introduce legislation that ference in the Communications viced land available nationally affirms the right to housing for SIPTU General Secretary Workers Union Hall on 23rd Jan- which could be used for house con - every citizen of the State. Joe O’Flynn, left, chaired the uary, Congress General Secretary, struction. Patricia King, said: “The housing • The right to housing is recog - political panel with Maria Bailey (FG), Jan O’Sullivan (LAB) and • All public land must be re - homelessness crisis is the nised in the constitutions or en - and Barry Cowen (FF) served for public housing to supply defining issue of our time. It de- shrined in the laws of many affordable housing for renting. mands an urgent, coherent and sig- countries. Housing provision is • Land Value Capture mecha - nificantly enhanced social also a cornerstone of the Universal nisms to capture private windfall response. The crisis is symp- Declaration of Human Rights, the gains from rezoning and ‘better - tomatic of increased social divi- International Covenant on Eco - ment’ arising from infrastructural sions and greater inequality and its nomic, Social and Cultural Rights resolution could help tackle this and the European Social Charter. development. growing divide.” • Introduction of a Vacant Site She added: “The housing and 3) Protect tenants’ rights Levy with proceeds ring-fenced for homelessness crisis is not in- Legislate to ensure that all ten - public housing provision. tractable and it can be resolved – ants within the rental sector enjoy • The use of Compulsory Pur - but this will require significant so- security of tenure and certainty in chase Orders to acquire land for cial policy change.” relation to rent and standards of housing. In line with the Kenny Re - The Congress Housing Campaign accommodation. port (1974) local authorities should is based around five key principles: • Ensure there can be no evic - have the resources to purchase tions in the buy-to-let sector for land for housing at less than mar - 1) A major public housing the purpose of renovations or to ac - ket value – existing use value, plus building programme commodate a member of a land - Eoin O’Broin (SF), Richard 25%. Boyd Barrett (PBP), Joe Declare a national housing emer- lord’s extended family. O’Flynn and Maria Bailey gency and initiate an emergency • Introduce ‘indefinite tenan - (FG) The long-term aim housing programme led by the cies’. The development of a ‘European local authorities. • The Residential Tenancies Cost Rental Model’ run by the State or local authorities as envisaged in •The programme will cost €1.8 Board must have the power and au - billion annually and deliver a min- thority to determine if rules on the NERI paper Ireland’s Housing imum of 10,000 new homes each rent are being applied by landlords, Emergency - Time for a Game year for a five-year period. as opposed to the current situation Changer. This will help create a • Local authorities will co-ordi- where tenants must police the sys - more stable rental sector, with nate across geographical regions to tem. Continuous abuse of system greater security and allow much draw together the skills and exper- would see landlords being de-regis - greater State management of the tise required to implement effi- tered. property market. It will also deliver ciently the building programme. savings, given that the State has • The programme will form part spent some €5.5 billion since 2002 of a national strategy aimed at pro- in rent supplement for private viding well-planned, mixed income Pictures: RollingNews.ie landlords. 20 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Supporting Quality

Irel an d Liberty 21 International FEBRUARY 2018 When war changes its address By Frank Connolly HEN Brian Maguire landed in Damas - cus, Syria in March 2017, he found a Wcity damaged but not destroyed. Much of the extraordinary archi - tecture in the historic core of the city was intact, although the suburbs had been pounded dur - ing several years of aerial bom - bardment and street fighting. What was also intact, to his great surprise and encouragement, in the heart of the predominantly Sunni Muslim city, was the Christian Church where Saint Paul found refuge after his biblically famous 'Conversion on the Road to Damas - cus.’ Unguarded and untouched, dur - ing the recent years of destructive conflict between the forces of Bashir Assad, backed by Russia and Iran, and the varied Syrian opposition groups financed and armed by Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and other US al - lies in the region, its survival was, in Maguire’s view, a testament to the tism of fire that greeted his por - the bars of Irish jails, Maguire's humanity and tolerance that per - ‘I am an artist and I paint what I trayal of war-torn Syria since his re - work is always discomfiting, and sists amid the chaos. turn from the Middle East. His rightly so. Moving with his artistic and see. I try to portray the lives of the simple observation that there is “I am an artist and I paint what I media colleagues through the city of people I have met. In Aleppo, I more to the conflict than the narra - see,” Maguire said. “I try to portray Homs and on to Aleppo – one of the tive so often presented by a some - the lives of the people I have met. world’s oldest cities – the scale of have painted the streets where times biased western media, has In Aleppo, I have painted the streets destruction became more horrific by been scorned by some commenta - where people have been killed in the hour and the day. He met and people have been killed in huge tors, including Syrians who have huge numbers and where their heard the voices of young and old, found refuge in Ireland after fleeing friends and families still live and students and fighters, pro-govern - numbers and where their friends the awful conflict. He has honestly survive. It is up to others to inter - ment and anti-Assad people all recounted the views of some he met pret.” joined in the common victimhood and families still live and survive. who were saved by government When you enter the small rooms of suffering in a war zone. forces and of others who were bru - in IMMA where his large paintings After 12 days of photography, as - It is up to others to interpret’ talised by them. are on display, it is as if you are sisted by a courageous young guide, As with his paintings made in standing amid the chaos and de - Maguire returned home with a se - ‘When War Changes its Address’. burst of colour. other places where he has captured struction of Aleppo, as a close wit - ries of images which, over several All sharing the title Aleppo , these Speaking to Liberty at the Irish the brutality of conflict, including ness to the horror of it all. months, he turned into detailed, new paintings are made in a Museum of Modern Art where the the murders of women in Juares in A series of talks and other events shocking and truly graphic paintings washed-out palette of browns, greys exhibition continues until 6th May, Mexico, of young people in the fave - accompanies this exhibition. See in his exhibition movingly entitled, and blues, with the occasional small Maguire is recovering from the bap - las of Brazil and of prisoners behind www.imma.ie for details.

EBLANA F ORUM DÚN LA OGHAIRE TRADE UNION OC CASIONS

The Eblana F orum in D ún Laoghair e will host tw o important tr ade union e vents: Thursday , 1st M ar ch Thursday , 5th April A talk will be g iv en on the f ounda tion of tr ade unions in the D ún The Eblana F orum will mar k the c en tenar y of the an ti- conscr iption na tional Laoghair e ar ea o ver 100 y ears ago – including inf or ma tion on str ike thr oughout I reland dur ing A pr il 1918, with a talk b y hist or ian and opposition fr om the local C atholic cler gy and members of the author P adr aig Yea tes and other r eadings fr om those times . Eblana Club – the loca tion f or the talk .

Both e ven ts t ak e plac e in the Dún Laoghair e Club , 3 Eblana A venue , Dún Laoghair e c ommencing at 8. 00 p .m. on the r espectiv e e venings . En tr y t o bo th oc casions is b y v olun tar y donation. 22 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Workplace Committee

Ship-shape employment: SIPTU Committee members Leonard McElroy and Darren Buckley with SIPTU Organ - iser Jerry Brennan at the Port of Cork Photo: Scott Millar Port of Cork: the jewel of the south

By Scott Millar processes all the port’s container various other unions. I am the know what agreements that we they are looking at moving its cargo with bulk cargo divided be - shop steward in Tivoli. We try to work to.” operations down to Ringaskiddy.” There is a long and proud tra - tween facilities in Ringskiddy and have one person from each section There has been increased Since 2000, the Port of Cork has dition of trade union organi - the quays in the city. At the facility on the union committee.” interaction with management invested €72 million in improving sation in the Port of Cork. The at Whitegate crude oil and diesel is SIPTU Committee chairman, recently focused on work at the port infrastructure and facilities. SIPTU connection with the imported. Leonard McElroy, began work at Tivoli Terminal. Due to its favourable location on workforce dates back to the There are approximately 60 the port in 2000 as a crane opera - Leonard said: “Over the last the south coast and its modern beginning of the last century SIPTU members employed by the tor. He is now employed as a three years there have been a lot of deep-water facilities, the Port of when the ITGWU organised Port of Cork. This is from a total berthing master, overseeing the ongoing negotiations concerning Cork is ideally positioned for the workforce of about 150 which in - tying up of ships which are dock - bringing an extra shift into Tivoli.” additional trading with the Euro - dockers in the Cork harbour ing at any of the port’s facilities. area. cludes office staff, pilots and oth - The port is continuing to de - pean mainland that is likely to fol - ers, spread right along the coast He said: “I have been in the velop, Darren said: “The amount of The port has developed greatly low Brexit. from Cobh to the city. There is union all my working life. Prior to cargo going through the Port of since that time. Cork was the first SIPTU Organiser, Jerry Brennan, even one person employed in working in the port, I was em - Cork is going up every year for the port in Ireland to set up a planning pointed out that the Port of Cork Crosshaven to assist fishermen. ployed in Irish Steel for nine last four years. Containers are up a was a major transport hub in Ire - and development department. years.” Darren said: “The SIPTU mem - lot, in particular refrigerator units. land and played an ever-increasing By 1972 this produced the Cork According to Leonard, relations bers include the cargo handling op - Tivoli operates on a 24-hour basis role in the import of goods for the Harbour Development Plan which between workers and management eratives, some of the maintenance at the moment but we are re - Irish market. contained a blueprint for the fu - in the port are “generally good”. crew workers and the pilot launch stricted by tide, as well as noise at He said: “When you consider ture expansion of new facilities, crew. Other workers would be in As the port grows, union mem - night and other issues. That is why such at Ringaskiddy. The Port of bership is also increasing. “There that 96% of all commodities come Cork currently runs a number of is an agreement that all workers in into Ireland by sea you realise the facilities along the south coast of the port must join their respective importance of the work carried out the county. ‘There is an unions. This means that as the ‘Most of the time on a regular and routine daily basis SIPTU Committee member, Dar - agreement that all port develops so do the unions.” things run well, by the men and women working in ren Buckley, has worked in several workers in the port “A lot of our union work would everybody knows our ports. of them. He said: “I have worked in involve local day-to-day issues in “Equally important is the export the port over 15 years. I started must join their terms of interpretation of agree - where they are, what facility provided by the Port of working on the water as a relief on respective unions. ments”, Darren said. “There are al - they want to do and Cork. Irish-based companies in the tugboat. I was then a relief This means that as ways going to be one or two they know what manufacturing that create and crane driver in Ringaskiddy but for the port develops fellows who look at things differ - agreements that we provide employment in our econ - the last eight years I have been a ently. Most of the time things run omy are totally dependent on a driver in Tivoli.” so do the unions’ well, everybody knows where they work to’ timely and efficient shipping The Tivoli Container Terminal are, what they want to do and they service to export their goods.” Liberty 23 Comment FEBRUARY 2018 The Drinks Bill that will save lives

By Eunan McKinney 60,000 children will TODAY , three people’s deaths will be alcohol related. begin their, drinking careers Tomorrow, three more will this year die, and every day thereafter, until we begin to address the In 2017, alcohol-related problem of alcohol misuse harm cost the State that runs like a river through all our communities and more than €2.35 billion families. But what about individual More than 1.35 million people choice, I hear you say? What harm in Ireland already have a harmful is my drinking to anyone? Well relationship with alcohol currently, more than 10% of our annual health budget is devoted to those who didn’t think they had an issue with alcohol; over 1.35 million of us already have a harm - can be a significant step in shaping • Product separation in-store. ful relationship with alcohol. a progressive public health policy. Ensure alcohol is separated The working lives of our front The Bill tackles the principal in-store breaking the line medical teams – the drivers of consumer demand for ubiquitous link to everyday paramedics, the nurses, the allied alcohol: price, promotion, product grocery items and lessen the professions – are all made immea - and product placement with impulsive power of intrusive surably more difficult because of landmark regulations proposed on: visibility. alcohol-related harm. One third of • Minimum Unit Pricing. The market will not resolve our self-harm cases are alcohol related, • To ensure the cheapest, problem with alcohol; the State while four in every 10 road colli - strongest alcohol products on must have the right to protect all sions are wholly attributable to al - the market cannot be sold its citizens, especially its children cohol. below a defined price, – 60,000 of whom will inexcusably More widely, funding for much- determined by the unit of begin their, all too early, drinking needed public services are dimin - alcohol contained. careers this year. ished because it is drawn to • Alcohol advertising content, International agencies and evi - combat utterly avoidable harms. placement and promotion. dence-based research dictates that Last year, alcohol-related harm This measure does not action must be taken to bolster prohibit alcohol producers cost the State more than €2.35 bil - public health initiatives that aim lion. from advertising their product to curb our high-risk alcohol con - but restricts the conceptual Most people recognise that Ire - sumption. And where the interests approach to priming brand land simply drinks too much. Our of private economic forces collide followers. consumption has grown threefold with advancing public health, we • Health labelling on alcohol in two generations. In 2016, our must be able to rebalance those product containers. Informing consumption rose to 11.46 litres of rights to allow for pragmatic public consumers of the health risk, pure alcohol per capita – that’s the intervention. equivalent of 46 bottles of vodka including fatal cancers, with Eunan McKinney is for every person over 15 years old. consuming alcohol. Head of Communications and Advocacy at Alcohol Action Ireland The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill PICTURE: James Cridland (CC BY 2.0) 24 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 SIPTU College

Night of celebration for TUS students FULLY FUNDED THERE was a night of celebra - representatives as well as develop - SKILLS FOR WORK COURSE tions in Waterford recently ing their own knowledge base. with the awarding of SIPTU Buckley said: “I’m delighted to certificates to the ICTU/ be invited to Waterford to make SpreAdSheetS SIPTU Trade Union Studies these presentations as I believe group that had successfully passionately in the role of trade SIPTU College is offering union members the opportunity to take part completed their training. union education and training for in the Skills for Work Programme. In her opening remarks, SIPTU our activists to assist them in tutor Margaret de Courcey wel - representing our members to a comed the successful students, greater level of success.” Classes start Tuesday 20th February 2018 and run to end of May 2018. their families and friends. She also She pointed out that education Time: 6pm to 8.30pm – Tea/sandwiches from 5.30pm welcomed special guest SIPTU’s and training was part of her brief SIPTU College, 563 South Circular Road, Dublin 8 newly-elected Deputy General Sec - as deputy general secretary of the retary, Ethel Buckley, as well as union and added that she was SIPTU National Executive Council This programme aims to equip the learner with a range of skills in looking forward to being fully Trustees, Trevor Skelton and Brid - spreadsheet application for use in their social, personal and work life and to involved in that role. get Burrow, to the packed event. encourage the learner to have the confidence to use these skills in their daily lives. In her address after presenting Concluding, Buckley thanked the certificates to the students, the families of the students for Ethel Buckley expressed her de - their support and wished the For more information contact: light at being invited and congrat - students a wonderful day at their Email: [email protected] or ulated the students on their conferring ceremony at the success and achievement. National College of Ireland, Tel: (01) 586470/8586498 She said the qualifications Dublin, where they receive a www.skillsforwork.ie would add value to the successful Certificate in Trade Union students’ roles as workplace Studies (TUS Level 6).

Letter to the Editor Don’t delay on making occupational pensions mandatory

Back row, left to right: Trevor Skelton, SIPTU NEC Trustee; Margaret de Dear Editor pinned by domestic demand relatively small number of multi - Courcey, Tutor; Veronica McCabe; Vicky Hanrahan; Brian Quinlan; Keith THE Central Bank has recently re - based on rising employment lev - national corporations with a Condon. Front row: Ronnie Moore; Mairead Bennett; Deputy General Secretary vised upwards its forecast for els and a steady increase in con - significant presence here. Ethel Buckley; Mark Dobbyn and Bridget Burrows, SIPTU NEC Trustee economic growth this year. The sumer spending. Given that it is now over 10 more positive outlook comes as The bank predicts an addi - years since early initiatives on the bank says surging job creation tional 89,000 people will be hired making occupational pensions is bringing Ireland back within here over the next two years. mandatory is it not time now to sight of full employment. That would bring employment to begin the enrolment of all staff In its latest quarterly bulletin, 2.3 million, past the peak of who are not currently covered in the Central Bank predicts overall 2007. such schemes as a matter of ur - economic output or GDP will rise “The recovery has been an in - gency when all the CSO indica - by 4.4% in 2018. That is half a come and not a credit or asset- tors are so positive? percentage point higher than its driven phenomenon,” it said. P.S. Let us not allow the previous forecast in October last The quarterly bulletin identi - harbingers of doom on Brexit year. fies a number of risks on the delay this matter any further. The bank said the upgrade is horizon. The Central Bank says due to a more favourable interna - Brexit will have a “negative and Like many other items, there is tional outlook. The IMF recently material impact” on the Irish never a good time to start, but upgraded its forecast for global economy, the severity of which those who have not got an occu - growth in both 2018 and 2019. will depend on the terms on pational pension should join The Central Bank sees Ireland which the UK exits the EU. those of us who have, now. benefiting from improved export It also warns of uncertainty in Jack McGinley performance due to higher than the “international taxation envi - Section Organiser Participants in the basic shop stewards training course under tutor Margaret de expected demand from its trad - ronment” given Ireland's depen - TCD-SIPTU Section Committee. Courcey, left, which was held in Limerick in January. SIPTU Early Learning Campaign’s ing partners. dence on investment and Margaret Young contributed to the course as did SIPTU Organiser Tony Carroll At home, growth is under - corporation tax receipts from a Liberty 25 WRC FEBRUARY 2018 Workers Rights Centre Sick Pay Trust Scheme brings ‘positive changes’ network to expand in 2018 construction workers.” SIPTU TEAC Divisional Or - ganiser Greg Ennis has wel - And Greg Ennis singled out Welcome Centres are now lo - soon be opening in Galway, Limer - comed what he called the former SIPTU Construction Sector cated in Dublin on Eden Quay (be - ick, Letterkenny and Waterford “positive changes” in the Organiser Eric Fleming in particu - lar for his “commitment and By Rachael side Liberty Hall); Connolly Hall in with more to follow. new Sick Pay Trust Scheme, Ryan Cork; The Dan Shaw Centre in which came into effect on efforts in bringing these positive Advocates in the WRC and staff changes about”. Navan; Connolly Hall in Tralee; in the Welcome Centres also took January 1st 2018. He told Liberty : “This is Outstanding issues on travel SIPTU’s Workers Rights welcome news indeed and it fol - time, retrospective application of the SEO increase and other pay- Centres (WRC) secured €5.4 lows the recently-enacted Con - million in settlements and struction Sectoral Employment related matters are to go before a awards while representing Order (SEO), which has resulted full hearing of the Labour Court on members pursuing individual in a 10% basic pay increase for all February 20th 2018. workplace issues during 2017. This figure brings the total for awards and settlements since the Workers Rights Centres were set up in 2010 to €34.8m. Construction The Workers Rights Centre has 24 Advocates with legal expertise Workers’ Sick in bases across the country. They represent members at local enter - Pay Trust prise level as well as at hearings in the various employment rights l Benefit is payable to active members up to age 66 (subject and adjudication and appeal bod - to qualifying criteria) for a maximum of 50 days in a year ies. During 2017 members were represented by WRC Advocates at l Sick pay benefit increased to €40 per day a total of 652 hearings. (€200 a week) from 1st January 2018 Cases are taken by Advocates on behalf of members under a variety l Benefit is paid in addition to any payments from the of employments rights legislation Department of Social Protection as well as under the Industrial Re - l lations Acts. In 2017, some 1,047 Sick pay cover is now an essential element of the Sectoral individual employments rights Employment Order (SEO) for specified workers in the cases were taken while 1,085 cases Construction Industry which came into effect on the were run under the Industrial Re - 19th October 2017 lations Acts. l With the continued aim of and the SIPTU offices in Hanson part in other projects involving The Construction Workers’ Sick Pay Trust fulfils the bringing the union directly back Retail Park, in Sligo. members and potential members requirements for sick pay benefit which is set out in the SEO into members’ communities Plans for two more centres to during the year. These included SIPTU rolled out the opening of open in the first quarter of 2018 providing training on the SIPTU Contact us for further information: more Welcome Centres during are well under way. One of these College’s employment rights mod - Phone: 01 497 7663 2017. centres will be located on Patrick ule of the Trade Union Studies Email: [email protected] Welcome Centre staff offer help Street, Kilkenny with the other in programme as well as providing Write to: CWPS – Sick Pay Benefit Department, Canal and advice to union members and the SIPTU offices on Barrack Street House, Canal Road, Dublin 6 potential members on a range of information on workers’ rights to workplace issues. in Carlow. Further centres will students in the ISSU. 26 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 International

Trump’s sanctions seriously affect the country’s ability to restructure its foreign debt or to conduct its daily financial transactions and international payments, thereby severely impairing its ability to import food and medicine

they won the National Assembly From April to July 2017, Venezuela’s right-wing opposition launched a elections in December 2015, but vicious campaign of street violence. now under pressure from the US Picture: Venezuela Libre (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) government, its most extremist sec - tor refuses to participate. President Maduro's response has always been dialogue so as to re - solve Venezuela's domestic prob - lems peacefully and without external interference. Thus, a Dia - logue Process between the Bolivar - ian Government and the Venezuelan opposition, which dates back to Venezuela’s voters 2016, was organised in the Domini - can Republic with the mediation of former presidents Jose Luis, Zapatero (Spain), Martin Torrijos (Panama), Leonel Ferrer, a special envoy from the Vatican, and the ministers of foreign relations of the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Chile, among others. bet on democracy However, the Venezuelan opposi - tion refused to sign the agreement By Marcos García for peace reached in January 2018. The US agenda for Venezuela ENEZUELANS went to port food and medicine. As part of government engineered a ferocious voking articles 347, 348 and 349 of clearly collides with a political agree - the polls three times these sanctions, CITGO, a Venezue - diplomatic offensive led by Luis Al - the 1999 Constitution of the Bolivar - ment within the framework of lan oil company operating in the US, magro, Secretary General of the Or - ian Republic of Venezuela, called the in 2017: on 30th July democracy. The US master plan is has also been prohibited from repa - ganization of American States elections for a National Constituent to elect members of currently in its most aggressive triating any funds to Venezuela. (OAS), with the sole aim of isolating Assembly. On 30th July, with the na - Vthe National Constituent As - phase of further sanctions and an In January 2018, the European Venezuela and imposing even more tion sickened by right-wing vio - sembly; on 15th October to Union, in support of Donald sanctions. This offensive was de - lence, more than 8 million intensification of the financial elect the governors of 23 states Trump's aggression against feated by the unity of the progres - Venezuelans voted in this election. blockade against the Venezuelan and on 10th December to elect Venezuela, unilaterally sanctioned sive forces present in the OAS, but Venezuela’s right wing boycotted economy. mayors for the country’s 335 seven Venezuelan officials, most of Venezuela was forced to withdraw this election but the violence ended On 16th August, 2017, President municipalities. whom are representatives of the from the organisation. on 1st August, 2017. Trump did not rule out the military Despite this vibrant manifesta - country’s public institutions. Between April and July 2017, the Subsequently, on 15th October, option in Venezuela. Secretary of tion of Venezuelan democracy, on These sanctions violate both in - right-wing opposition launched a vi - there were elections for governors State Rex Tillerson and CIA Director 25th August, 2017, the Trump ad - ternational laws and the sovereignty cious campaign of street violence of 23 states. The PSUV (United So - Mike Pompeo have openly and re - ministration issued an executive of Venezuela, which as an indepen - with the explicit aim of overthrow - cialist Party of Venezuela) obtained peatedly confirmed US objectives of dent country has the right to elect ing the democratically-elected gov - 18 governorships. Again, a section of order imposing sanctions on the strangling Venezuela from a political its representatives without the in - ernment of President Maduro. This the opposition boycotted these elec - government of President Nicolás and economic point of view. Maduro. These sanctions prohibit tervention of any foreign power. It campaign resulted in 123 deaths – tions and on 10th December, there should be noted that in March 2015 including 29 Venezuelans burned was the election of 335 mayors. The Venezuelans continue to bet on US citizens and banks from trading democracy and demand respect for Venezuelan bonds, seriously affect - President Obama issued an execu - alive in the streets – 233 transport PSUV won 304 of these mayoralties the right of our people to elect their ing the country’s ability to restruc - tive order where he described workers physically assaulted, the de - and once again a section of the op - ture its foreign debt or to conduct its Venezuela as an "unusual and ex - struction of public and private prop - position boycotted the election. representatives in peace. daily financial transactions and in - traordinary threat to the national se - erty, as well as attacks on hospitals It should be noted that Marcos García is first secretary of ternational payments, thereby curity of the United States." and military installations. Venezuela's right wing has been call - the Embassy of the Bolivarian severely impairing its ability to im - At the beginning of 2017, the US On 1st May, President Maduro, in - ing for early general elections since Republic of Venezuela in London Liberty 27 International FEBRUARY 2018 Climate of fear and paranoia By Yvonne spending has meant cuts in fund - And the KESK confederation has ing for vital services such as health evidence collated from their O’Callaghan and education. branches revealing the deteriorat - Reporting from Under the state of emergency im - ing mental health of dismissed Ankara & Istanbul posed after the alleged 2016 coup, members. Some 43 are known to the administration consistently tar - have committed suicide. Last week THREE years ago, I witnessed gets trade union leaders and union it was reported that a teacher and how trade unionists gathering members. Most of the executive of her two young children drowned for a May Day march in Istan - the KESK confederation (Confeder - on the Turkish-Greek border while bul were met with tear gas, ation of Public Employees Trade trying to leave to start a new life Unions) have been dismissed from water cannons and rubber elsewhere. bullets. their public-sector jobs, branded as ‘terrorists’ and have had their pass - With no end in sight for the This time – although not visible state of emergency and associated – the overt, brutal repression by ports cancelled as part of the travel ban that comes with decrees dispensed at a whim by the state has been replaced with a the pugnacious President Erdogan climate of fear that lingers heavily decrees. Activists have been dismissed fro m his palace, repression has in the air. become a daily reality in Turkey. A culture of citizen informants is for a range of reasons – from sim - ply being a member of a trade While in Ankara I saw first-hand at being fostered in which any idea the congress of the main opposi - that is not in line with govern - union, to signing petitions, to call - ing for a re-engagement by the gov - tion party, the People’s Democratic ment propaganda is seen as a ernment in resolving the conflict Party (HDP) that civil society, trade crime that should be reported. As with Turkey’s largest minority, the unions and progressive forces are such, a climate of fear and para - Kurds. noia is enveloping life in Turkey. uniting in their fight for democ - For the many trade union mem - racy. Trade union and human rights bers who were dismissed it means activists are being subjected to a As progressives remain resolute that they will no longer be allowed in their unity for a democratic re - cycle of intimidation, harassment, to work in the public service. In - surveillance as well as prolonged public – they need our interna - deed, they are shunned also by the tional solidarity to amplify their detention and judicial proceedings private sector – having been by the state. voices and speak out at the ever-in - branded as ‘terrorists’ – thus mak - creasing undemocratic, unconsti - Poverty, inequality, unemploy - ing them unemployable and pre - tutional, and unjust practices ment, violence against women and venting them from accessing any small gun ownership continue to state financial support. being forced upon Turkish society. rise at a rapid pace. Conservatism These dismissed workers are It is only with our international is drip-fed into society through the also failed by the judicial system, solidarity that repression can be education system in which boys as under the emergency decrees fought, and hope sustained. and girls are separated and the they cannot access the labour court Yvonne O’Callaghan is vice chair of dropout rate for girls entering sec - system. They must now in the first the ICTU Global Solidarity Committee. instance present their case to a body called the ‘Inquiry Commis - Trade union and sion on the State of Emergency With no end in Measures’. sight for the state human rights It is a commission made up of activists are seven people, all appointed by the of emergency and subjected to a cycle Pugnacious: government. Only when an indi - associated decrees President Erdogan vidual’s case is heard, and a ruling dispensed at a of intimidation, given by the commission can they harassment, proceed to the labour court. whim by the However, with just over 150,000 pugnacious surveillance as workers dismissed, this would well as prolonged mean that it could take up to five Erdogan from his detention and years to get a ruling for each case. palace, repression The families of dismissed work - has become a judicial ers are also being affected – proceedings... spouses and other direct family daily reality in members are subjected to the Turkey travel ban.

ondary school is increasing. The welfare system also incentivises women to stay behind the walls of their homes. Any idea that differs from that of government line is seen as a crime. The economic situation within the country governed by a ruling AKP party that is pursuing a neo- liberal agenda continues to ensure a deterioration in workers’ condi - tions. The current minimum wage is around €230 per month. The government has sought to Inside, the recent opposition privatise public sector services left-wing HDP Congress. leading to increased job insecu - Outside police officers, right, rity. And its focus on security is - keep a watchful eye... sues and increased military 28 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Reviews Striking against war in the trenches

By John Dorney position of conscription and brought the country to a standstill on 23rd April, 1918 – the largest In 1915 James Connolly wrote strike to date in Irish history. that a general strike would Everywhere outside of unionist- have prevented the bloodbath dominated Belfast, the country that was then enveloping Eu - lurched to a halt; transport, even rope: “As workers, they were the munitions factories set up for indeed in control of the forces the war ceased work for the day. of production and distribu - Cumann na mBan, the republican tion, and by exercising that women’s movement also called a control over the transport ser - day of protest, lá na mban (‘the vice could have made the war impossible.” ... a one day This did not happen in Ireland or anywhere else in Connolly’s general strike lifetime. More than 200,000 Irish - against the men served in British forces dur - ing the war. In part as protest, imposition of Connolly threw in his lot with the conscription Republican insurgents of 1916 and was executed as a result. brought the But just two years later, Irish workers did with a general strike country to a halt an attempt by the British Anti-conscription rally – by 1918 there was little appetite for war among the Irish population... standstill... government to extend conscrip - tion to Ireland in its tracks. The general strike of 1918 be - man offensive of that year. day of women’) in which they came possible due to the rapid By 1918, there was little appetite urged women not to take the jobs wartime growth of the ITGWU, for more war in Ireland and virtu - of men conscripted for the army. from just 5,000 members after the ally none for conscription. All the Lockout of 1913 to more than nationalist parties campaigned Not long afterwards the British 60,000 by 1918 as workers, both against it, including Sinn Fein and government let the Conscription urban and rural, tried to bring the Irish Parliamentary Party, Act lapse. The general strike had wages up to the level of rising which withdrew from Westminster wartime food prices and inflation. in protest. demonstrated that more troops What was more, by this time Ire - The Irish Volunteers, hugely in - would be needed to implement land was also in political turmoil. creased in numbers but largely dis - British rule had been fatally com - armed since the Rising, prepared conscription in Ireland than would promised by the repression un - to resist it. But it was the action of be gained from the draft. Irish leashed by the rebellion, but even The one day general strike brought the trade unions which did most to Ireland outside of Unionist-dominated labour had struck a decisive blow more so by the threat to impose Belfast to a standstill defeat conscription. The Irish conscription on to Ireland in the Trade Union Congress called a one against the war and for Irish inde - spring of 1918 following the Ger - day general strike against the im - pendence.

Bord na M óna gets Supporting Quality plaque The workers and management of been a member of the campaign for Bord na Móna (BNM) were pre - three years. During this time the firm sented with a Supporting Quality has shown itself to fully support the campaign plaque at an event in concept of quality employment being Boora, County Offaly, on 8th an essential component of the produc - February. tion of quality products.” BNM Group of Unions Secretary, John Regan, said: “Bord na Móna has Back row (left to right): SIPTU shop stewards Damien Brazil, Kevin Brazil, Colman Hines, Seamus Kearns and Barry Kelleghan. Front: BNM CEO Michael Barry, SIPTU Sector Organisers John Regan and Willie Noone along with SIPTU shop steward Finian O'Neill Liberty 29 Reviews FEBRUARY 2018 Removing the shroud of silence Review by work of the Irish Labour History son ( Over the Bridge , about sectar - and though only recently coaxed Society). The opening chapter by ianism in the shipyards) into publication they nevertheless Michael David Convery analyses the nature namechecked, cheek by jowl, with stand shoulder to shoulder with Halpenny of the Irish working class and writers who straddle home and more ‘established’ works of work - notes in its early rural base, a emigration, such , ing class literature. marked historical difference from Robert Tressell ( The Ragged In a similar vein Heather Laird A History of Irish the dominant image of a primarily Trousered Philanthropists ) and looks at working class women in Working-Class Writing industrial and urban working class Donal MacAmhlaigh ( Dialann Deo - Ireland and in the process con - – Edited by Michael Pierse imported from the British experi - rai” – Diary of an Irish Navvy ). trasts their almost clichéd depic - (Cambridge ence. Thus its literary footprint is Paradoxically, however, you’ll tion in the works of writers such University Press) 2018 differentiated, not to say more di - find no mention of Brendan’s as O’Casey with the realism of verse. brother, Dominic, whose more modern authors such as To complicate matters it is a DECLAN Kiberd introduces McAlpine’s Fusiliers and Building Roddy Doyle or of Frank McGuin - very migratory footprint at that Up and Tearing England Down this book with an old joke ness’s play Factory Girls . and, as the book also reminds us, were the soundtrack of a genera - which goes roughly like this: This is an ambitious work by the British have a class system the Irish in the US, Australia (and tion of Irish migrant building Britain) often discovered their workers. dedicated scholars, rich in its di - and are obsessed with it; the Irishness at the same moment as versity, whose purpose is to re - Americans have a class system On the other hand, one of the they became members of the in - most interesting chapters is one by move what the editor calls the but pretend it doesn’t exist; digenous working class – hence Tony Murray on the Irish nursing “shrouds of silence” from the sto - the Irish have a class system at an examination of that conun - their frequent role as key players experience in Britain. The stories ries of the Irish working class. but won’t tell anyone what it drum by illuminating a panorama in the trade union, suffragist and of the women who kept the NHS It is hard to disagree with Declan is. of Irish working class writing: labour movements. going can be found in works such Kiberd’s assessment that it will What follows is an attempt by poems, plays, novels, biographies, Thus you will find Dublin’s Sean as Maeve Kelly’s Florries Girls and likely set many of the terms of cul - an impressive group of academics O’Casey and Belfast’s Sam Thomp - songs and histories, (including the Sixty Years a Nurse by Mary Hazard tural debate for years to come.

Reports from the frontline of the early PEOPLE’S 20th century Irish women’s movement

The campaign for women's votes in COLLEGE Ireland coincided with the nationalist HISTORY TALKS movement, the First World War, the rise of the trade union movement, the 2018 cultural revival and, of course, the 1916 Rising. It culminated in 1918, with The People’s College is hosting a Ireland electing the first woman to par - liament in London. series of talks to commemorate However, the Irish suffrage movement was not the centenary of one of the most a single-issue group. It did not merely campaign for votes, but also presented a feminist critique of important years of modern Irish the plight of Irish women in early twentieth- century society. The Irish Citizen newspaper, as history, 1918. the voice of the suffrage movement, provides an important insight into the various campaigns and concerns of this fascinating movement. The paper was self-consciously feminist, and, in The first of the talks will take place addition to covering the major events of this tu - multuous period, it addressed taboo subjects like on Wednesday, 28th February rape, domestic violence and child abuse. This book brings together extracts from the paper with anal - in the Teachers’ Club, Parnell Square, ysis, commentary and informative contextual background. First published in 1996, this new Dublin. The talk is entitled: edition has been comprehensively updated and revised. No Conscription! Stand Louise Ryan, originally from Cork, is a professor of United! The Anti-Conscription sociology at the University of Sheffield. She is the author of Irish Feminism and the Vote (1996) and Campaign of 1918 (with Margaret Ward) Irish Women and the Vote (2007), as well as numerous academic papers on and will be delivered by John Dorney. suffragism in journals including Women's History Review and Women's Studies International Forum. 30 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Reviews A struggle for equal rights that resonates today

Review by Kate Kirwan An array of utterly absorbing accounts of how far we have come, and the immense struggle of women from a wide variety of backgrounds and political interests and beliefs, in the quest to achieve equal Irish Women And The Vote: rights and Becoming Citizens citizenship Edited by Louise Ryan and Margaret Ward Irish Academic Press

HERE is much to cele - demand for the vote.” brate and admire in This book is not without its humour, in a very broad sense, as this comprehensive the essay entitled ‘Great Gas’ and collection of essays, ‘Irish Bull’ by Cliona Murphy looks Twhich has been republished to at how the suffragist campaigns coincide with the centenary were portrayed and written about year of the passing of the Rep - during the early 19th century. William Murphy gives an account resentation of the People Act. of the treatment of those militant The essays, from a variety of activists in Ireland, and England, scholars and historians, give frage movement in Ireland. Louise Ryan’s essay on sexual abuse complexities of the struggle for who found themselves imprisoned fascinating accounts of the It recounts the women who be - and domestic violence, which re - women’s franchise against the back - for their activism. struggle for women’s emancipa - came the “Poor Law Guardians” and counts the efforts of Marion Dug - drop of profound world events and Finally, Caitriona Beaumont tion across the island from those who became active trade gan, L.A.M McCracken and the nationalist movements. writes about the period after the union organisers. Thirteen essays in - Watching the Court Committee, and The conditions of working-class vote was given, quoting Hanna Belfast to Galway and Dublin. clude Feminism: Citizenship and describes cases in which scan - women in the textiles mills are dis - Sheehy-Skeffington stating “the con - Themes include the First World Suffrage from Mary Cullen and dalously lenient sentences were cussed in Denise Kleinrichart’s ac - tribution made by women to the na - War, nationalist and unionist poli - Women of the West which outlines handed down because “women were count of the work of Winifred tionalist cause and to the formation tics, from the pioneering use of the campaign for the vote in early barred from practising as lawyers Carney and her efforts to organise in of the new state was ‘long forgotten’ hunger strikes as a weapon of 20th-century Galway by Mary and could not sit on juries (until the linen mills, her work with Con - and the guarantee of equal citizen - protest, to Hanna Sheehy-Skeffing - Clancy. 1919) which resulted in male domi - nolly and the relationship between ship for Irish men and women re - ton after her defeat in the 1943 Gen - In December 1913, the Irish nated institutions that did not pro - socialism and the suffragist move - duced to a mere ‘empty formula’.” eral Election asking the question “Is Women’s Suffrage Federation spon - vide a system of justice for women ment. Irish Women and the Vote pre - the Dáil a fit place for a woman?” sored the Dublin Suffrage Week and girls”, an essay that still res - In her introduction Kleinrichart sents an array of utterly absorbing Edited by Louise Ryan and Mar - which included the premiere of onates today. states: “The suffragist movement in accounts of how far we have come, garet Ward, and with forewords Ibsen’s play Rosmersholm and a Rosamond Jacob: Nationalism and Ireland, primarily middle class, did and the immense struggle of women from Rosemary Cullen Owens and “dizzying array of activities”, which Suffrage , Irish Suffrage and the First not fully embrace women labourer’s from a wide variety of backgrounds Linda Connolly, the collection is a Paige Reynolds discusses in her World War and Ulster: debates, de - experiences, nor address how the is - and political interests and beliefs, in powerful insight into the wide vari - essay entitled Staging Suffrage . mands and divisions: The battle for sues of wages and working condi - the quest to achieve equal rights and ety of themes and aspects of the suf - A sometimes harrowing read is (and against) the vote , illustrate the tions could be factored into the citizenship. Liberty 31 Reviews FEBRUARY 2018 What next for neo-liberalism?

historical linear framework: firstly re-asserted itself in the guise of defining neoliberalism as “a form austerity, after some flirtation with of capitalism where market rela - Keynesian economic measures. It tions and market forces operate begs the question: how does this relatively freely and play the pre - model endure? dominant role in the economy”; then tracing its rise, examining the I am not convinced by Kotz's cen - causes for the financial crisis of tral thesis, that “capitalism has un - 2008 and concluding by sketching dergone significant restructuring of the likely trajectories for the US its economic, political and cultural and global economy in the decades dimensions throughout its history. ahead. The book has a very Ameri - Each previous restructuring can focus. emerged from an economic crisis Kotz is at his best when tracing the rise of neoliberalism. He de - of the preceding form of capital - scribes two key structural changes ism.” He uses the example of the in the US economy in the late post-war settlement being born out John Maynard Keynes 1960s and early 1970s that were at the Bretton Woods of the depression of the 1930s. the undoing of the post-war con - conference in 1944 Ronald Reagan He goes on: “History shows that sensus and paved the way for the normal economic expansion can - dominance of a new economic or - not resume without major institu - The Rise and Fall of thodoxy a decade later. Neoliberal Capitalism The breakdown of the Bretton The decision by Ronald Reagan to tional change, until that occurs, By David M. Kotz Woods system of currency valua - take on the air-traffic controllers' stagnation and economic instabil - Harvard University Press tion gave rise to a much more un - ity persist.” He thus characterises predictable global trading union signalled the beginning of an the post-2008 period as one of stag - AVID M. Kotz, who environment and this coupled with nation. This is questionable when the opening up of the US domestic open season of hostility against gave the inaugural one looks at growth rates in the US market to Japanese and European and Europe. Kevin McMahon imports began a chain of transfor - unions and the cutting of labour costs Interestingly, Kotz does conclude Lecture in Liberty mative events. D Profits and productivity began to by conceding that “the future can - Hall last November, is an en - tions cut labour costs and began to a rising number of asset bubbles decline across US industry. This led not be predicted on the basis of gaging speaker. The great clar - lobby to reduce tax obligations and and an alarming increase in home - to the collapse of what Kotz calls any one social theory but economic ity and insight he displayed in avoid regulatory restraints. lessness. Growth has been “co-respective competition” be - changes will be the outcome of his lecture – on the causes of The neoliberal tide was sold on achieved through increased con - tween big corporations. The com - struggles among various groups the demise of the Soviet the basis that it would lift all boats sumer spending and indebtedness promise between large business and classes in the coming years . . . Union – is also reflected in his and organised labour collapsed. – Kotz argues it has failed in this rather than through investment. in the realm of ideas, economics, writing. The decision by President Reagan regard. The period has been typi - It did seem that after the 2008 The Rise and Fall of Neoliberal to take on the air-traffic controllers' fied by rising inequality between crash, for a brief moment, another politics and culture.” Notwith - Capitalism reads more like a text - union signalled the beginning of profit and wages and among house - world was possible but this oppor - standing the weakness in his cen - book than a critique of neoliberal - an open season of hostility against holds, increased job insecurity and tunity quickly receded as the ne - tral thesis, this is a worthy book. ism. He uses a well-tested unions in the US. Large corpora - casualisation of the labour market, oliberal orthodoxy very quickly Review by Adrian Kane Radical lives that defined the Left in Ireland

Left Lives in Twentieth portant political and cultural roles ITGWU leaders P T Daly and upon new interviews and re - Century Ireland but have not been the focus of James Fearon along with unionist search to outline the life of writer Edited by Francis Devine major studies. labour leader William Walker. . Launched by SIPTU General Sec - The more modern personalities The latter’s often overlooked and Kieran Jack McGinley retary, Joe O'Flynn, in Liberty Hall studied include John Swift, John role in creating the political re - Published by in October, Left Lives in Twentieth Mulhall, Jim McFall of the Belfast publican tradition through the Umiskin Press, Dublin Century Ireland contains 12 essays Boilermakers, equal rights cam - writing of such seminal ballads as paigner Evelyn Owens, Labour written by 11 authors about 13 and Come Out Party leader Frank Cluskey and HIS book is an infor - people. The essays map out impor - ye , is thankfully Inez McCormack. mative and ground- given its correct emphasis. tant stories from all corners of the Importantly, the book also gives breaking The book can be purchased island and beyond. The personali - proper attention to important examination of fig - ties covered hail from an eclectic cultural figures within the from the Library Shop, Trinity T College Dublin; O’Mahony’s of ures from the history of the range of working class and radical working-class movement. There is Irish Left in the 20th century. backgrounds. a contribution from historian Limerick; Campus Bookshop It steers clear of merely repeat - In the main the figures covered Conal Parr on the northern Protes - UCD; Books Upstairs D'Olier ing the widely known biographies are drawn from the political and tant working class playwrights Street; and the Book Nest Sligo or of leading personalities, instead trade union Left. From the early Sam Thompson and James Ellis, bought online via PayPal at focusing on those who played im - part of the century, they include while Michael Halpenny draws www.umiskinpress.wordpress.com 32 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Obituary

TRIBUTE Vincent Wynter Front line organiser with the heart of a poet The following is the oration son of Jim Larkin, founder of the tle for improved wages and condi - hurling, in particular, following his given by SIPTU’s retiring Vice- ITGWU and the WUI, Young Jim tions for workers. Alongside his favourite county teams and attend - President Gene Mealy at the was a pivotal figure in the Irish busy work responsibilities, Vin - ing matches whenever he could. funeral of Vincent Wynter in trade and labour movement for cent had a fulfilling personal life, Vincent was also a well read and Tullamore, Co Offaly on Friday many years. Vincent always de - married to Bernie and with her cultured man who had a keen in - 5th January, 2018. scribed himself as a Larkinite. raising their young family in Tul - terest in poetry and was a founder lamore. Vincent became a full-time offi - member of the Tullamore Poetry Vincent was also a popular pub - Vincent Wynter was a proud Cork cial of the WUI in 1962 when he Society. He was also known to take lic representative serving on Tul - man, born and reared in Cork city. was appointed branch secretary of lamore Town Council from 1967 pen in hand himself. He first came to work in the the newly-formed Central Area until 1985. He narrowly missed a A keen film buff, he and Bernie Botanic Gardens in Dublin in the Branch which organised across the seat on Offaly County Council in travelled to Dublin through his re - late 1940s. A qualified horticultur - private and public sectors in the 1967 but went on to win it in 1974 tirement years almost once a week alist, he joined the Workers’ Union midland counties. and served until 1979. He retired to go to the cinema and he was an of Ireland in 1949 and became ac - During those years it meant or - from his position as union branch excellent film critic, to which tive in the No.2 branch which or - ganising in many local industries, secretary in 1989. Bernie and many of his friends can ganised in , including the bacon curing facto - However, he remained an active testify. including the Fire Brigade, the City ries, textiles and in Bord Na Móna member of the Labour Party and Predeceased by his son Francis, of Dublin VEC, the Dublin Port and as well as in the local authorities Veteran organiser Vincent the Tullamore Council of Trade Vincent will be sadly missed by his Docks Board and related employ - Wynter’s trade union links and health boards. He was also Unions for many years after his re - loving wife Bernie, daughters Mary ments. stretched back to the 1940s prominent in the Tullamore Coun - tirement. Apart from his interest and Deirdre, son Vincent, son-in- No.2 was a very active branch, al - cil of Trade Unions on which he in trade union and labour politics law Dermot, daughter-in-law Lor - ways on the left of the union, or - ing as chair from 1959 to 1962. held a number of officerships over Vincent always retained a keen in - ganising in a tough front line, in a During this period, he was the years. terest in horticulture and their gar - raine as well as his grandchildren, trend-setting and highly competi - deeply involved in the affairs of As a leading figure in the trade den in Clonminch in Tullamore great grandchildren, sisters-in-law, tive inter-union environment. the wider union and labour move - union and labour movement, he was the envy of many, particularly brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, He soon became a member of ment and was well acquainted was a key player in many trade during those retirement years. relatives and many friends. May the branch committee on which he with the then general secretary of union campaigns for better public A dedicated GAA enthusiast, he he rest in peace. served for about 10 years, includ - the WUI, Young Jim Larkin. The services, fair taxation and the bat - was a devoted supporter of Cork Gene Mealy

TRIBUTE Bernard Browne Veteran activist who didn’t suffer fools gladly I first met Bernard in 1969 Bernard was successful in his ap - the advancement of the union’s fore SIPTU was born and which the when we both worked as post - plication for a job as an official agenda. FWUI usually won. men in the Finglas District Of - with the Workers’ Union of Ireland He was seconded to the partner - For some years after retirement fice of the Department of (WUI). Initially, he served as an as - ship project for a period of time he continued to attend social and Posts and Telegraphs. sistant branch secretary in the but due to changing circumstances other functions in Liberty Hall. He had previously worked in Sugar and Confectionery Branch both within the trade union move - Some things never change and at May Roberts and had spent some where Ambrose O’Rourke was ment and the employers’ body, it such events he was never short of time in the UK with his close and branch secretary. ran out of road. an opinion or an acerbic comment. lifelong friend Mick O’Reilly from After that he became branch sec - In 2001, he was diagnosed with He never was one to suffer fools Unite, working in the car industry retary in the RTÉ Branch which, to Parkinson’s Disease which turned gladly. In later years, he became say the least, was an interesting out to be a particularly aggressive in Coventry. much more restricted in his ability and challenging place to be at that form of the illness. He took early During his time in the post of - to get around. However, Mick fice he became involved in the Post time trying to navigate through the retirement in that year. O’Reilly managed to get him to the Office Workers’ Union (POWU) as internal politics of that organisa - After his retirement, Bernard, local swimming pool which he en - a shop steward. He also continued tion. though not one for nostalgia or joyed. his political activity with the Com - By 1990, the ITGWU and the looking back too much, liked to For the last 18 months as the ill - munist Party of Ireland and played FWUI had become SIPTU and talk about football. The soccer va - a prominent role in the Dublin Bernard moved to the position of riety that is. He was a talented ness closed in on him he was hos - Housing Action Committee. branch secretary in the Airport footballer in his younger days hav - pitalised and it was a very In 1975, he and a significant Branch – not exactly a handy num - ing played with Beggsboro and distressing time for Bernard, his group of fellow comrades resigned ber. After several years in that po - Postal Arcadians and we had wife Betty and children Bernard from the Communist Party over sition he moved to the Film and agement were increasingly in play played together on a number of and Rebecca. He passed away on policy differences about the events Broadcasting Branch for a period. particularly in the semi-state teams. 10th December 2017. He will be in Czechoslovakia and the support On his return to the Airport sector and Bernard became very He particularly liked to recall a sadly missed by family and of the CPI for the actions of the So - Branch in the mid ‘90s partnership involved in the Aer Lingus project, number of “friendly” matches be - friends. viet Union. In January 1978, projects between union and man - convinced of the possibilities for tween the FWUI and ITGWU be - Tony Dunne Liberty 33 Obituary FEBRUARY 2018

OBITUARY Seamus Califf Front line organiser with the heart of a poet An ordinary man with extraordinary talents It was with great sadness and indeed by management represen - While relaxing together in the his fellow trade union members. shock that we learned of the tatives who all who turned out in house they would enjoy nothing Seamus was an ordinary man with untimely passing of our dear large numbers to bid him farewell more than sharing a crossword, al - extraordinary talents.” friend and colleague Seamus at his funeral. though the children were only al - We were pleased to attend Califf. He was involved in many diffi - lowed to join in when all else had Seamus’ retirement party last year, A union activist for many years, cult and protracted disputes at the failed to solve the last clue. Sea - and such was the esteem in which Seamus was a former National Gypsum plant but always worked mus would then respond with, “I he was held, officials and activists Trustee and member of the Na - tirelessly for the membership to knew that was the answer but I who had the privilege to work tional Executive Council. achieve a fair and equitable out - just could not remember it at the with and learn from Seamus trav - He began his working career in come for everyone. time”. elled from all over Ireland to work Gypsum Industries in Kingscourt, As a shop steward, Seamus He also enjoyed betting on with the event and, in particular, County Cavan, on 3rd August 1970, worked closely with SIPTU’s full- horses and would scan his news - to demonstrate the warmth and following a path tread by his fa - time officials and, in particular, paper to spot a likely winner. esteem with which he was held. ther, Hugh, and late brother with the late Pat McKiernan, a for - After his retirement his Seamus is greatly missed by ev - Sonny. Seamus’s two sons, Shane mer Cavan Branch Secretary, with favourite day of the week was Sun - eryone who knew him in SIPTU and Ronan, are both SIPTU ac - whom he forged a great friendship. day – the day after he normally and by his wide circle of friends tivists at the works. All the other full-time officials went to Mass. He would sit at the right across the country. And Seamus himself had only who worked with Seamus held back of the church with his friends He was a respected figure whose retired recently as an operator in him in the utmost esteem. and family, even if this did inter - work for our union has benefitted the Kettle Room in the plant. Seamus developed a close bond rupt his armchair coaching of GAA current members and ensured the Seamus was a native of County with the activists he worked with, teams on TV. greater likelihood of decent work Meath but had lived in Kingscourt whether in Gypsum, Kingscourt In - Seamus’ family sorely miss his for generations of union members for many years where, with his Seamus Califf: a wise and dustrial Section, Cavan Branch presence every second of the day: to come. experienced negotiator wife Annette he reared their four Committee and Regional Executive “We are lost without him and Sincere sympathies to Seamus’ children, Sinead, Orla, Shane and elected to the EE&IP Sector Com - Committee – most notably Martin things will never be the same. Our family from SIPTU’s National Ex - Ronan. mittee and to the Manufacturing Kerley, Seamus Bennett, Philip lives are now so different in the ecutive Council, officers, staff and Elected as a senior shop stew - Divisional Executive Committee – Gargan, Tom (Toastie) Clarke, Patsy worst ways possible. We will never activists. forget the best Daddy that he was.” ard, Seamus held the post for serving on both bodies until 2016. McEntee, Seamus Murray, Seamus Seamus is survived by his lov - his daughter Orla said. almost 30 years until his retire - The highlight of Seamus’ union Kelly (RIP) as well as activists in ing family, his wife Annette, O’Reilly Bros, Kingspan and SIPTU Deputy General Secretary ment in 2017. activity came when he was elected daughters Sinead and Orla, sons Kingscourt Brick. Gerry McCormack said: “Seamus And over the years, Seamus was to the highest member position in Shane and Ronan, his sons-in- elected to many positions in the A dedicated family man who en - was a great friend and trade union - the union as National Trustee and laws, daughters-in-law, grand - ITGWU/SIPTU. He was a member joyed nothing more than having ist. He used his many talents to member of the National Executive children, nieces, nephew, of the Kingscourt Industrial Sec - fun with his grandchildren, Sea - secure decent terms and condi - relatives and friends. Council. tion and, following the formation mus was always there for his chil - tions for his colleagues in Gypsum “It matters not what someone is Seamus worked tirelessly on be - of SIPTU in 1990, was elected to dren providing help, support and Industries and also at a national born, but what they grow to be.” the Region 7 Executive Committee half of workers at every level in the quiet advice as required. He was level. He was a wise and greatly and later to the union’s National union and was a shrewd negotiator very proud of his house and gar - experienced negotiator. Deputy General Secretary Gerry Rules Revision Committee. and advocate for workers’ rights. den and he and Annette would “While a dedicated family man McCormack, Seamus’ daughter Orla Califf, He was highly respected by the he was also hugely dedicated in Martin O’Rourke, Lead Organiser and After new structures were put spend many happy hours ensuring Martin Kerley, Retired Members Section in place in 2009 Seamus was SIPTU membership in Gypsum and everything was at its best. every of his work to serving contributed to the writing of this article.

OBITUARY Seamus Pattison Losing a living link to the first Dáil The name Seamus Pattison ther's footsteps and became the In his first term as Dáil Deputy near the Ceann Comhairle’s chair. It has become synonymous in union's branch secretary in the Seamus was a bridge between three is 28th June 1963 and the focal point Kilkenny with the words Kilkenny area where he fought for generations insofar as on his retire - is President John F. Kennedy. trade union and in particular and improved the pay and working ment he had served with the grand - Out of those 169 faces of Deputies with the ITGWU, now SIPTU. conditions for so many. fathers and fathers of a number of and Senators, Seamus is the only Seamus could not ignore politics. In 1961, when Seamus won his Deputies and was also the link be - one who remained a member of the He was following a tradition dating first election, his political oppo - tween members of the first Dáil Oireachtas until his retirement in back to the 1890s when his grandfa - nents taunted him that his election having served with TDs who were 2007. During his political life, Sea - ther, William Pattison, was an active was just an accident. It now appears veterans of 1916. mus was an MEP from1981 to 1983; secretary of the Labour League in that Seamus had a great number of Political reporter Ursula Halligan a member of the Council of Europe Seamus Pattison: embodied the history of the Dáil Kilkenny. accidents – as he said: “I’ve been wrote in an article about Seamus in from 1989 to 1990; a member of the Picture: RollingNews.ie When he decided to contest his having accidents every election 2003: “Imagine looking at a photo - British-Irish Parliamentary Body first election in 1960, Seamus had since” referring to the 12 General graph of yourself and your work - from 1993 to 1997; the Minister of When President already served his apprenticeship to Elections he contested and won be - mates taken 40 years ago and State, Department of Social Welfare stepped down, Seamus, as an ex of - his father, James P. (Jimmy), who tween 1961 and 2002. realising that you are the only one from 1983 to 1987 and a member of ficio Member of the Presidential throughout most of his life had Not only was Seamus one of the still doing the job; that every other the Dáil Public Accounts Committee Commission together with the been deeply involved in serving his longest-serving Deputies ever person in the photograph had died, from 1973 to 1997. Chief Justice filled the vacancy until community, whether in trade union elected to Dáil Éireann, he person - retired or lost their job.” Seamus was also the first person activities, local government or na - ally encountered and worked with Such a photograph hangs in Lein - ever from the Carlow/Kilkenny con - the inauguration of the new Presi - tional politics as a TD for over 20 TDs who served in every Dáil – from ster House – 169 mostly male faces stituency to be elected Ceann dent. years. Seamus followed in his fa - the first to the 30th. gaze at a tall, elegant figure standing Comhairle. 34 Liberty FEBRUARY 2018 Sport

Tess Arbez of Ireland following the Ladies Giant Slalom on day six, Arbez was only the seventh Irish woman to compete in a Winter Olympics. Games of hope By Kevin Brannigan in Korea

light sheeting of your choosing. athlete to qualify for Team USA. and the arch conservative. Olympics environment all this snow covered the This Winter Olympics though Before departing for Korea, This was all in stark contrast to hope could quickly be dashed but, schoolyard while the has been laden with metaphors Rippon was asked his opinion of the charm offensive being put on from what I've witnessed, Koreans handheld Unified and symbolism. Pence by the North Koreans, with local - south of the border, want peace KAorean Peninsula flags, which The opening night kicked off Korean media going into and an end to being used as a with the Trump Regime's second overdrive analysing every hand proxy in the great games of have become de rigueur at in command - Mike Pence, and eye movement made by the foreign powers. this Olympics, backed by an refusing to stand and high level DPRK delegation, led by It’s hard to watch the Olympics icy wind, flew with purpose. acknowledge the unified Korean “Koreans sorting Kim Yo-Jong, the sister of the without being cynical. When is a Standing watching the now team when they made their way ruling dictator. Russian not a Russian? At the infamous North Korean out into the stadium for the out their differences Watching the - again highly Winter Olympics this has been a cheerleading troupe and a opening ceremony. symbolic - Unified Korea versus popular joke amongst hacks, lesser known Brass Band The irony apparently lost on themselves has Japan women’s ice hockey game commenting on the presence of from beyond the very hard Pence was the parallels that could in a downtown bar not far from the Olympic Athlete from Russia Korean border was mostly an be drawn between his action and the venue none of the Koreans (OAR) contingent at the games. older crowd alongside young for me made this a parents with children and a the NFL footballers 'taking a knee' present offered anything but However, the presence for the keen eye for history. during the US national anthem to successful games.” positivity about the first time, of openly gay athletes, highlight police brutality against rapprochement that had been of a US women’s Ice Hockey team Behind me over a fence and African-Americans. The latter act brought about by the games. reaching the final only a year after across a small road, the Olympics has been roundly condemned by The familiar refrain when the taking strike action for better pay Medals Stage was occupied by a K- the Trump Regime for bringing question of the North was and conditions (sound familiar?) Pop band which was being met politics into sport. brought up that night was 'we are and the possibility that a genuine with loud approval by local As the opening days skated by, "You mean Mike Pence, the one people' with some suggesting opportunity could emerge for teenagers. When the Brass section Pence and the American same Mike Pence that funded gay unity within the next decade, steps towards Koreans sorting out from the Democratic Peoples diplomats present were involved conversion therapy? I’m not though by then the game was in their differences themselves, has Republic would stop to take a in more awkwardness this time buying it.” its last quarter and we had been for me made this a successful breather, the wind would carry involving one of their own As Rippon became one of the heavily indulging in Soju! games. the K-Pop the short distance. If athletes; figure skater Adam stars of the games a war of words When US/South Korean war The political manoeuvring beats you were being lazy it would be Rippon. The first openly gay erupted between the figure skater games kick off again in a post watching Curling any day. easy to use it as a metaphor of Liberty 35 Crossword FEBRUARY 2018 prIZe drAW to win a €200 One4All voucher Liberty courtesy of JLt Insurance Crossword (see back cover) 1 2 3 4 5 6 ACROSS DOWN 7 8 7 Gunpowder using weapon (6) 1 A western celt (4) 8 Not a star or character actor (6) 2 Badly done or made (13) 9 10 9 What is more (4) 3 Not at sea (7) 10 Rodents native to Syria (8) 4 League members (5) 11 12 13 11 Brand of shoe (7) 5 An ability in directing the affairs

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*Correctly fill in the crossword to reveal the name and address and you will to be entered into a The winner of the crossword hidden word, contained by reading the letters prize draw to win a €200 One4All voucher competition in the December in the shaded squares from top to bottom. the winner of the crossword quiz will be issue was Mike English, Cahir published in the next edition of Liberty. email the hidden word to [email protected] or post to Co. Tipperary. *Terms and conditions apply. Communications dept., Liberty hall, dublin 1 along with your Answer: CAROLS

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Subject t o u nderwriting a nd a cceptance c riteria. T erms a nd c onditions a pply. J LT I nsurance B rokers I reland L imited trading a s J LT I reland, J LT F inancial S ervices, G IS I reland, C harity I nsurance, T eacherwise, C hildcare I nsurance, J LT 1890 3 0 0 7 4 5 Online, J LT T rade C redit I nsurance, J LT S port i s r egulated b y t he C entral B ank o f I reland. J LT F inancial P lanning L imited trading a s J LT C orporate B enefits a nd J LT P rivate W ealth i s r egulated b y t he C entral B ank o f I reland. www.siptu.j ltonline.i e

Ca r • Tax Refund s Financ e • Tax Re tu rn F ili ng • Inter na tiona l T ax S er vices Call: 1890 22 22 22 Vis it: postins ura nce .ie 1800 9 8 9 4 5 4 WA RNING-You w ill n ot o wn t hese g oods u ntil t he fi nal p ayment i s m ade. www.taxback .c om/siptu Post Insur ance C ar Finance Agr eemen ts ar e ar ranged and administer ed by First Citiz en Finance D AC, tr ading as P ost Insur ance C ar Finance . First Citiz en Finance D AC, tr ading as FREE t ext ‘ PAYE’ t o 5 3131 Post Insur ance C ar Finance is r egulated by the C en tr al Bank of Ir eland. Ca r TRAV EL INSUR ANCE Insur anc e +35 3 1 525 7 901 Call: 1890 22 22 22 www.qu ickcover.ie Vis it: postins ura nce .ie Certain a cceptance c riteria a nd p olicy t erms a nd conditions a pply. A.R. B rassin gton & C o. L td. t radin g a s Acceptance c riteria, t erms a nd c onditions a pply. O ne D irect ( Irela nd) L imited, QuickCover.ie i s re gulated b y t he C entral B ank o f I re land. trading a s P ost I nsurance, i s r egula ted b y t he C entral B ank o f I rela nd. O ne D irect (Irela nd) L imited i s a w holly o wned s ubsidiary o f A n P ost.

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