Vol. 18 No 3 June 2019 ISSN 0791-458X Seanad EPSU Big Tips Bill Congress Start Page 3 Page 4 Page 14 SIPTU health workers strike by Paddy Cole

SIPTU members working as support staff and chefs in 38 hospitals and health care facilities are set to begin a series of 24 hour work stoppages from Thursday, 20th June. The action will involve up to 10,000 SIPTU members providing portering, household and catering services and employed as Health Care Assistants, Maternity Care Assistants, Laboratory Aides, Chefs and Surgical Instrument Technicians. The workers are in dispute with the Health Service Executive (HSE) over what they claim is a breach in the Public Service Sta - bility Agreement (PSSA) by its failure to implement the findings of an agreed job evaluation scheme. Speaking to Liberty SIPTU Deputy General Secretary for the Public Sector, John King, said: “Our members accepted the provi - Some of the thousands who protested for public housing and affordable homes at the Raise sions of all the public service agreements since 2010. The Gov - the Roof rally in on 18th May. See pages 8 and 13. ernment must now honour its obligations contained within these Photo: Derek Speirs agreements. It is time to deliver for these workers. It is unaccept - able that workers should be forced to go into an official dispute in order to get what they are owed.” SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “Health em - ployers accepted the recommendations of the evaluation scheme SIPTU Organisers Crossword in 2017 which set out which staff members should be upgraded Page 7 Page 31 Continued on page 2 wanted WORKERS RIGHTS CENTRE 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday - Friday wrc@.ie 2 Liberty In this month’s JUNE 2019 News Liberty

More Power to You Page 7

Students demand climate action Photo: David Joyce

School students in their thou - ment inaction on climate change. “SIPTU gave us very good tips on Greed and the sands, took to the streets SIPTU members played a signifi - how we can structure our events in across the country on Friday cant role in supporting the stu - a better manner and organise our housing market 24th May to demand action dents with many union activists group structure in a better man - Page 8 on the climate crisis. asked to assist with stewarding ner” said Theresa Rose Sebastian, Coinciding with polling day for and logistical arrangements in 15, Mount Mary college. local and EU elections, the march some of the larger demonstrations The Government released its gave young people - many of in locations across . On Climate Action Plan on Monday whom could not vote on the day as Friday, 14th June, student groups (17th June) which failed to commit they are not of age - a chance to and SIPTU representatives the State to zero target carbon Liberty View Liberty have their voices heard and for discussed future plans for action emissions by 2050. Page 11 View their frustrations around govern - on climate change. Home care for people not profit SIPTU representatives have She said: “The Government be run for people not for profits.” said that any plans to intro - claims that investment in home Speaking to Liberty, Secretary of Centre opens in duce a new home care scheme care has increased by 50% since the SIPTU Health Care Support Belfast must prioritise people over 2015 and that there is €450 mil - Assistants (HCSA) Committee, the profits of private care lion being spend on the service Katherine Dowling, said: “Directly Page 17 companies. Over recent days, this year. However, our members employed home care support as - it has emerged that the Gov - are asking where is all that money sistants provide exceptional value ernment will not in a position going? The elephant in the room is for money and enable elderly peo - to meet the demands on the that tens of millions of euro is ple to remain in their home or be service or to deliver on its being paid into private hands. The safely discharged from hospital. Supporting promise of an extra directly Government pays agencies up to The Health Service Executive Quality employed 800 staff and €28 per hour to provide one hour (HSE) has confirmed that it will 670,000 home care hours in of home support. The average not be in a position to allocate Page 18 - 20 2019. wage for non-unionised home care hours to new applicants until SIPTU Sector Organiser, Marie workers is less than €12 per hour. November. This is an effective Butler, told Liberty that until the These healthy profit margins freeze on the most vulnerable drive to privatise home care, includ - should be curtailed and reinvested people in our communities. It’s ing the huge spend on agency staff, in the service. Otherwise, we will not acceptable.” Padraigín Ní is curtailed then any future demands continue to go around in circles. Mhurcú - on the service cannot be met. Any new deal for home care must Reflection Page 29 SIPTU Dublin Bus talks on pay SIPTU representatives are diversity of the membership in increases in pay prior to the expected to enter talks with Dublin Bus was key to winning expiration of our previous pay Dublin Bus management over accumulative increases of 11.25% deal. Sport the coming weeks to build on for all members in recent years. “While discussions on a new pay rises the union has He said: “SIPTU is the largest deal have not commenced as yet, Page 30 in Dublin Bus with we have repeatedly reminded secured for members between more than 1,800 members across Dublin Bus management that 2016 – 2018. all seven grades and the only when we do open negotiations we SIPTU Transport Sector union to have representation will demand that any pay Organiser, John Murphy told rights in each. increases be backdated from Liberty that the strength and “We submitted claims for January 1st 2019.”

Continued from page 1 — SIPTU health workers strike Editor: Frank Connolly, SIPTU Head of Communications Journalist: Scott Millar, Paddy Cole and remunerated accordingly. The We also provide a canteen service for the last 12 years told Liberty ball is in the court of the Govern - for the thousands of staff,” she that members in household ser - Design: Sonia Slevin (SIPTU), Joe Mitchell (Brazier Media) ment and the Minister for Finance, told Liberty. vices are striking for recognition Publications Assistant: Deirdre Price Public Expenditure and Reform, “The employers have reneged on and respect. Administrative Assistant: Karen Hackett Paschal Donohoe, in particular. our deal and broken their promise She said: “We come to work Produced, designed, edited and printed by trade union labour. Printed by The Irish Times, City West, Dublin. Our members voted overwhelm - to thousands of our members. We every day and do our job with a Liberty is dedicated to providing a platform for progressive news and views. ingly by 95% in favour of taking have bent over backwards to help heart and a half. I don’t think that If you have any ideas for articles or comments please contact: strike action and will not back the country and we are getting no is appreciated. We want to be [email protected] down until they win their cam - recognition for what we do. We recognised for the work we do and Liberty is published by the Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union, paign for pay justice.” have to take a stand. I want to the standards we keep.” , Dublin 1 SIPTU member Bridget Manning come to work, do my job to the The initial 24-hour strike will be SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn • General Secretary Designate, Joe Cunningham • is a catering assistant in Uni - best of my ability but know I am followed by five more full days of Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley • Deputy General Secretary, John King • Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack versity Hospital. being appreciated for the work I do strike on June 25th and 26th, and Production: SIPTU Communications Department, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, “We provide a service to people and be paid properly.” July 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Tel: 01 8588217 • Email: [email protected] who need it most. We cook, plate Anne Sweeney, a SIPTU member and serve the food to all patients. in Letterkenny General Hospital Liberty 3 News JUNE 2019

SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn and General Secretary Designate Joe Cunningham, centre, join USI Vice President of Campaigns Michelle Byrne, fourth from left, and Deirdre Curran NUIG, eigth from left, with OneGalway, OneCork and SIPTU activists on the plinth of Leinster House following the successful passage of Senator ’s ‘Tips Bill’ through Seanad Éireann on Wednesday 12th June. Photo: Aoife Ní Shúilleabháin Tips Bill passes all Seanad stages By Frank Connolly ployment. (RAI) for advancing incorrect asser - The minister, , re - “What is the Bill about?,” Sena - tions about the impact the Bill will jected calls for the Government to LEGISLATION to ensure that tor Gavan asked. “It is about a The issue of taxation has have on low-paid hospitality work - support the Bill and said that she restaurant and hotel workers woman I met in Limerick who was ers, many of whom do not earn was instead introducing legislation receive their tips passed all taunted in a night club in Limerick been brought up, but it is enough to become liable for tax. stages of the Seanad on to force employers to place a pub - by her employer… about the fact an absolute red herring. “The issue of taxation has been Wednesday, 12th June. that she would never see her tips brought up, but it is an absolute lic notice about their tipping policy Proposed by Sinn Féin senator, and that there was nothing she The position is clear. One red herring. The position is clear. on their premises. The proposal is and former SIPTU Organiser, Paul could do about it. One is obliged to pay tax on tips. also included in Gavan’s bill. Gavan, the National Minimum is obliged to pay tax on tips. “The Bill is about the man in the That is the law and the Bill does Senator of Labour, Wage (Protection of Employee west who works in a five-star hotel That is the law and the Bill not change it in any way or fashion Tips) Bill 2017, seeks to force em - who was told that he would get his Sinn Féin senators Niall O’Dong - does not change it in any whatsoever. ployers to give their staff the tips tips at Christmas. “It has been suggested that in haile and Rose Conway Walsh, Sen - which customers make in cash or “He left the position in October way or fashion whatsoever giving workers a legal right to re - ator of Fianna Fáil in card payments in the hospitality and when he called to the hotel, he ceive their tips an army of Revenue and independent senator, David sector. was told, ‘I am sorry, but we are inspectors will descend on these Norris were among those who also In his address to the Seanad, not going to give you the tips be - low-paid workers who are on or spoke in favour of an amendment Gavan said that the legislation, if cause you are no longer an em - their staff, at a commercial disad - earning just above the national to the Bill, which was passed by 25 passed by the Oireachtas, will be a ployee’; "He said the list of reasons vantage minimum wage to demand their victory for low-paid workers and for withholding tips “include “It is important to note that tip money. That is without any to 14. can help put an end to the abusive breakages; the employee is a there are many good employers, credibility whatsoever and it is sig - The decision was welcomed by a practice by many employers who trainee; it has been a slow night; or but there is a problem in the sec - nificant that the suggestion origi - large crowd in the public gallery of use tips to supplement the poor a fiver is missing from the till. All tor. We know that 67% of the estab - nally came from the RAI.” the Seanad which included SIPTU wages of their staff. of these reasons are trotted out.” lishments that were inspected last Gavan was supported by Inde - year did not comply with basic em - members and organisers from the He cited examples where em - Gavan pointed to research which pendent Senator, Frances Black, hospitality sector as well as ac - ployers in some restaurants de - shows that one in three workers ployment law.” who told the Seanad that tips were tivists from One Galway and One prive workers of their tips on does not get their tips which are He criticised the Minister for So - the difference between her being spurious grounds including be - pocketed by the employer. This cial Protection, Regina Doherty, able to afford a bag of coal when Cork who have lobbied in favour of cause of breakages, till shortages or practice, he argued, puts decent who is opposing the Bill and the she worked as a waitress as a the legislation over the past two because a worker had left the em - employers, who pass on tips to Restaurants Association of Ireland young single mother. years. 4 Liberty JUNE 2019 EPSU Congress Organising young workers key to cracking climate change

President Higgins Donald Trump, who was due to arrive slammed President Trump over US in Ireland the following day, on his climate policies By Paddy administration’s decision to with - in a speech to EPSU Cole delegates a day draw its support for the Paris Agree - before his arrival in ment on climate change. Ireland Photo: Paddy Cole Urging the US to re-consider its “re - “IT IS clear that precarious gressive and pernicious” position, work is no longer a private President Higgins called on the EU to sector phenomenon. Inse - set binding emission targets and a cure work and poor pay are plan for full decarbonisation of Euro - creeping every day into the pean economies by 2050. delivery of public services “There exists now a great opportu - right across Europe,” nity to give leadership and for trade warned SIPTU Deputy unions to play a strong role in push - General Secretary for the ing for fair, ambitious and binding in - Public Sector, John King, ternational agreements on during the 10th Congress of greenhouse gas emission reduction the European Federation of targets,” he said. Public Service Unions Speaking to Liberty , Fórsa Senior (EPSU). General Secretary, Kevin Callinan King, who led a SIPTU delegation supported the calls from President over the four-day conference held in Higgins and said that unions would the RDS in Dublin, stressed that un - become irrelevant to young people less trade unions appeal to the young workers of today, the movement will SIPTU Deputy General Secretary John King and General Secretary Joe O’Flynn leading SIPTU delegation at EPSU Congress struggle to defeat the challenges of to - Picture: David Laird morrow. Trade unions will “As trade unionists, we need to en - Without these two things we cannot sure that our unions are representa - quickly lose any tive of and reflective of young relevance they have fight, negotiate and bargain as work - workers. “It is crucial that these work - for young people There exists now a ers. Over the next five years, EPSU ers, who are confronting a world of great opportunity to will continue to work to grow our work that is becoming increasingly if we fail to put strength and deepen our resolve.” non-traditional, precarious and digi - give leadership and ourselves at the EPSU is Europe’s largest trade union talised, with their ideas about how a Fórsa for trade unions to just and fair society should be devel - front of the fight for Deputy federa tion and represents eight mil - General play a strong role oped, see the trade union movement climate justice Secretary lion public service workers from 265 as the progressive and strongest voice Kevin in pushing for fair, trade unions. The Brussels-based fed - Callinan to deliver such a society,” he said. Photo: eration organises workers in the en - RollingNews.ie ambitious and Throughout the conference, more ergy, water a nd waste sectors, than 550 delegates from 26 unions and others if they failed to prioritise binding health and social services as well across Europe heard from a wide climate change action. international the single most catastrophic threat range of speakers and guests includ - He said: “Trade unions will quickly as local, regional and central gov - facing humanity.” agreements on ing President of Ireland, Michael D. lose any relevance they have for ernment. Higgins and ETUC Deputy General young people if we fail to put our - Newly-elected President of EPSU, greenhouse gas Its Irish affiliates include SIPTU, Mette Nord, told Liberty that the so - Secretary, Esther Lynch. selves at the front of the fight for cli - emission reduction Fórsa, the Irish Nurses and Mid - During his rousing address, Presi - lution to these challenges, as with mate justice. Unions must go beyond wives Organisation (INMO), the dent Higgins talked of the potential the protection of the people we di - others, is to organise. targets (ESU) and and pivotal role trade unionists must rec tly represent, to embrace and “Trade union power is built on play in winning the battle for climate lead the imaginative policies and our strength of numbers, but also the Association of Higher Civil and action. He also assailed US president, difficult actions needed to confront the strength of our commitment. Public Servants (AHCPS). Liberty 5 Pay deals JUNE 2019

SIPTU winning pay rises Bus Éireann across private sector pay deal ballot Winning pay agreements, se - results will follow. one of a number of firms where Some of the 18 deals struck by agreements were reached in recent curing better terms and condi - SIPTU representatives in ann staff working as road pas - tions for workers as well as SIPTU representatives during May weeks. Bus Eireann are currently senger drivers. The terms of fighting for union recognition included CG Power Systems in Organising initiatives are up and Cavan, Teva Waterford, Henkel Cork in the process of balloting is the bedrock activity of running across the private sector the recommendation include and Kerry Foods. with workers in Irish Pride Bakery more than 600 members pay increases of 7.75% in a SIPTU across the private sec - SIPTU members in these work - in Wexford, Mac Roads in Tipperary on the outcome of a re - three-year deal that runs until tor. places will see pay rises of up to 6% Over the last month, SIPTU mem - and Bremis, county Offaly, all sign - cent Labour Court recom - 2021.” over the next three years. ing up to SIPTU. bers up and down the country have Agreements across the financial mendation. The ballot He added: “SIPTU represen - Meanwhile, workers in Virgin won significant pay rises, while and insurance sector will guarantee will be complete by 28th tatives are currently process - shop stewards and activists have Media, Limerick, are holding organ - June. wage increases of up to 3% a year for ing claims for increases in pay also been busy organising work - workers in AIB, Bank of Ireland and ising days to recruit new staff into SIPTU Transport Sector Or - places. Following months of hard AXA, while workers in Roscrea the union. ganiser, John Murphy said: for all other Bus Éireann work on the ground, a collective Credit Union will see a boost in pay However, the sector is not with - “This recommendation was grades. It is likely that the re - out its potential strife, with workers agreement for union recognition of 2% backdated to March 2019. the culmination of our claim, sult of the drivers ballot will in Pfizer ready to take action ito pro - was secured by RAP workers in Separately, in the Agriculture, In - submitted in April 2018, for shape the outcome of all other Donegal. This landmark victory tect hard-fought-for terms and con - gredients, Food and Drink Sector, increases in pay for Bus Éire - grade proposals.” gives workers across the country workers at Granby in Dublin re - ditions, including sick pay and hope that when they stick together, ceived an annual pay rise of 2% – defined benefit pension schemes. New SEO for construction Security Sector ERO has improved pay workers sees and secured guaranteed hours 5.4% pay rise over 2 years LAST month, SIPTU mem - bers in the construction in - dustry secured a pay increase and other improve - ments granted under a re - vised Sector Employment Order (SEO). According to SIPTU Construc - tion Sector Organiser, John Regan, the new SEO will see rises in pay of 5.4% over two years for the union’s 14,000 construction oper - ative members as well as confirm - ing the 39-hour working week and overtime terms. “While we welcome the SEO Sector Organiser Diane Jackson (front left) and Sector President Christy and its confirmation of pay in - Watters (sixth from left) with SIPTU security officers in Liberty Hall. Photo: Paddy Cole creases and working time provi - sions, we are disappointed that the new entrant rate will now run for two as opposed to one year. On 1st June, SIPTU members 8% over the last three years role in our society and deserve to ments in the terms and condi - Travel time also stands still and re - in the security industry as well as putting in place have their work appropriately tions of our members.” SIPTU mains as it was in the previous reached the final phase of an guaranteed minimum work - valued. Contract Services Sector Presi - SEO. Employment Regulation ing hours. “This is an industry that has dent, Christy Waters said: “Over “However, there are positive Order (ERO) An agreement The Employment Regulation been traditionally characterised the course of this agreement se - and significant changes to pen - that won pay increases by Order (ERO) for the Security Sec - as one of low pay and insecure curity workers achieved a living working hours. The provisions sions and sick pay which are now more than 8% over the last tor was agreed following inten - wage and will have more secure included in this latest review of sive negotiations between SIPTU set out in the ERO have gone three years and guaranteed hours of work. the SEO. shop stewards and organisers some way towards improving “This outcome shows the “Also, the definition of who is security workers minimum and employer representatives conditions of employment for se - included under the SEO is clearly working hours. within the Joint Labour Commit - curity officers but there is still power of low-paid private sector, identified and all functions of con - An agreement brokered by tee (JLC) structure. more work to do. service workers when they join struction workers are now cov - SIPTU on behalf of workers SIPTU Sector Organiser, Diane “It is vital now that we keep or - together and bargain collectively ered. That’s a step in the right in the security industry has Jackson, told Liberty : “Security ganising across the sector and through their union.” direction.” seen pay rise by more than officers carry out an important campaign for more improve - The SEO becomes effective on 1st October, 2019. 6 Liberty JUNE 2019 News

Congress conference returns to Dublin By Macdara Doyle THE Biennial Delegate Confer - verse topics and issues to be de - of Brexit, north and south. ence (BDC) of the ICTU runs bated. In the run up to BDC 2019, as Among the confirmed guest part of the wider trade union cam - from 2nd to 4th July and will speakers are: An Taoiseach Leo paign for radical action on the be hosted in a new flagship Varadkar, former President Mary conference centre in the Trin - Robinson – who will discuss cli - housing crisis, Raise the Roof has ity Business School, located in mate change and Just Transition – organised an online petition in Trinity College Dublin. It is along with Channel 4 news anchor support of the Right to Housing. and author, Matt Frei, on the rise This call for a Right to Housing is the first BDC to be held in the of the far right in politics. fully backed by Congress and all af - city since 1988. Conference will debate some 55 filiated unions. It was a key recom - The theme for BDC 2019 is motions on a wide diversity of is - Building a Better Future for All sues critical to workers, their fam - mendation of the 2014 which Congress General Secretary ilies and communities, including Constitutional Convention but has , describes as sum - the ongoing and deepening hous - never been acted upon. A Right to marising the trade union move - ing crisis, union rights, bogus self- Housing has also been backed by ment’s essential mission “to employment, pensions, Just the UN Special Rapporteur on achieve an inclusive economy that Transition, the crisis in the Retail Housing and in a Dáil motion of combats inequality, rather than re - Sector, the future of the NHS in October 2018. inforcing it.” and public ser - Former President Mary Robinson will The Right to Housing The conference will hear from a vices across the island, public be a guest speaker at Congress BDC range of national and international transport, the murder of journalist Photo by: RollingNews.ie petition is available on speakers, reflecting the range of di - Lyra McKee and the implications www.raisetheroof.ie Padraigín Ní Mhurcú Hundreds of mourners at - before she became a worker rep - fitted from her wise judgements. tended the funeral of resentative on the Labour Court “It is with heavy hearts that we Padraigín Ni Mhurchu, on in 1984. proclaim today that Padraigín now Saturday, 8th June, in Mount Ethel Buckley said: “Padraigín’s takes her place in our history, join - Jerome cemetery, in Dublin. record of service to the trade union ing the ranks of the legendary Addressing the large gathering movement in advancing the inter - IWWU women who have gone be - of mourners, which included her ests of workers, and particularly of fore her, women like Delia Larkin, family, many friends, activists and women workers, will ensure that Helena Molony, and retired union leaders, SIPTU she will always have a place in our Helen Chevenix who led that deputy general secretary, Ethel movement and will be an inspira - proud struggle on behalf of the Buckley, recalled Padraigín’s con - tion to current and future genera - working women of Ireland.” tribution to the movement and tions of activists and officials. See reflection on page 29. her role as general secretary of “She will be missed by us all and Padraigín Ní Mhurcú the Irish Women Worker’s Union by the many thousands who bene - Major breakthrough on fishers rights THE International Transport day and be paid for each hour; “Human trafficking is Workers Federation (ITF) has Receive at least four weeks widespread in this industry across • achieved a “major break - paid annual leave, plus all the pro - the world, as it is in other sectors through” in its campaign to tections available to other workers ranging from construction, to tex - such as pay slips, minimum notice end trafficking in the Irish tiles and the sex industry. fishing industry with the and public holiday entitlements. Workplace Relations Commis - Abuses such as deducting legal ‘Working as trade union organis - sion (WRC) publishing a set of expenses for permits from fishers’ ers in these areas is challenging, new guidelines on the issue. wages, refusing to allow fishers to not alone because of the difficult, The guidelines were issued after change employers, instant dis - often barely accessible and danger - the ITF took the Government to missal and refusing to pay for their ous locations, but also the aggres - the High Court earlier this year for repatriation can now incur serious sive tactics of employers with penalties. However, according to failing to meet its obligations scant respect for the law. under EU, ILO and other interna - the ITF, much more needs to be tional agreements. done – complaint forms online, for “Nevertheless, turning a blind Migrant fishers from countries example, are still only available in eye to such grievous abuses is not such as Egypt, Indonesia, The English. an option. Human trafficking is a Philippines and Ghana will now Ken Fleming, the ITF Co-ordina - bigger part of the international have to be given: tor for Ireland and Britain, told Lib - black economy today than drugs. A contract for a minimum of 12 erty : “The new scheme represents • If it is allowed to flourish it will months, with a copy in their own a major breakthrough for hundreds make legitimate employment un - language; of vulnerable migrant workers, Be paid at least the minimum many of whom now realise the competitive and, with it, • Catch being sorted on an wage of 39 hours a week; value of joining trade unions such Irish trawler PICTURE: RollingNews.ie unionised workers and trade Work a maximum of 14 hours a as SIPTU. unions.” • Liberty 7 News JUNE 2019 More Power To You locally! SEVERAL regional launches of of more than 22%. the ‘More Power To You’ cam - Dr Murphy said Irish local paign for more funds and democracy had been eroded by power for local government austerity-era budget cuts and staff took place in the weeks lead - reductions; the centralisation of ing up to the local elections in services such as water, driving li - May. These included events in cences and higher education Sligo, Kilkenny, Limerick, grants; as well as the privatisation Mullingar, Cork and Dublin. of services such as refuse collec - tion and housing. The meetings were well at - She also pointed to excessive ex - tended by local representatives ecutive direction and new manage - from the constituent unions of the ment processes which had campaign, SIPTU, Fórsa, and CON - increased bureaucratic powers at NECT and by TDs, local election Cross-party appeal: More Power To You the expense of political represen - candidates and contenders for the camapign with supporting TDs outside the Dáil tatives. European parliament. Photo by: Conor Healy This is the first phase of the Ten national political parties, campaign and the Local Authority who between them fielded more water and environmental protec - the , People Before phy of Maynooth University. It Sector plans to have follow up than 1,000 local election candi - tion. The pledge also called for a Profit, Solidarity, Independents 4 found that Irish local authorities meetings with the newly-elected dates in the council elections, referendum on the public owner - Change, Aontú and the Workers perform fewer functions than mu - county councils in the autumn. signed up to the trade union ship of water. The ‘Local Power Party. nicipalities across Europe, and that Further initiatives under the pledge to increase local authority Pledge’ was endorsed at national Before launching the campaign only 8% of Irish public spending ‘More Power To You’ campaign will funding and restore local council level by Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the in March, the unions commis - occurs at local government level, be rolled out over the coming powers in areas such as housing, , the Social Democrats, sioned research by Dr Mary Mur - compared to an average EU spend months.

STRONGER TOGETHER Strike action ballot Can you make a difference to our team? for CAA workers WORKERS in the Cork “The Labour Court rec - at least 12 months, Cregan Association for Autism ommended that the paid emphasised that members (CAA) will be balloted maternity leave would be “could not wait that long”. for strike action on restored and that premium Wednesday, 19th June, pay on annual leave would She added: “On foot of Organisers Required in a dispute over the be paid to all of our mem - the HSE’s refusal to pro - Health Service Execu - bers. However, despite nu - vide the funds to the CAA merous meetings with the tive’s failure to fund an to honour this recommen - SIPTU is Ireland’s largest trade union, changing situations. Good IT skills and a employer and the HSE, the outstanding Labour dation and on the basis of fighting for the rights of workers full clean driving licence are essential. Court recommendation. issues remain outstanding. throughout the island of Ireland in the However, above all else, you will need to SIPTU Industrial Organ - “The HSE is the interim our members’ absolute iser, Sharon Cregan said: service provider pending frustration and agitation public and private sector. We are see this as something more than just a job. “There are currently 69 the takeover of the CAA by with these outstanding is - establishing a panel from which vacancies It’s certainly that, but it also requires a set for Organiser positions over the next year of values and a trade union ethos to ensure SIPTU members employed another organisation. The sues, we have received a in the CAA with the major - service has recently gone to or so may be filled as and when they arise. you are comfortable working on behalf of from SIPTU mem - ity of the members work - public tender.” Being an Organiser, you may find yourself workers throughout the island of Ireland. ing as intellectual disability Pointing out that this bers to ballot for industrial working in our Strategic Organising care assistants. process is expected to take action.” Department, engaged in one of our If this opportunity interests you, we would campaigns on precarious employment, invite you to send us an up to date CV housing and childcare, in one of our together with a letter of application setting industrial divisions or in our Workers’ out why you would like to work for us and, Rights Centre, dealing with individual based on your experience to date, how you Have your say on CPD Health employment rights cases. believe you can make a contribution to what we do. To do this job, good organising, negotiating first term of our partner - bers across all our grades to OVER the summer, and representation skills are necessary. ship, we are running this ascertain the short-term You can email your SIPTU Health Division is You will need to be experienced at to announce a suite of survey to identify the on - and medium-term educa - analysing and planning and have good CV and letter of new Continuous Profes - going training, continuous tion, training and CPD decision-making and problem-solving application to sional Development education and professional requirements with rele - development needs of our skills. You should be able to work as part (CPD) courses in vance to staff needs, ser - [email protected] members.” of a team but also be comfortable working partnership with the vice/patient needs and to arrive not later than He added: “Our mem - on your own initiative. The position will Royal College of regulatory requirements.” bers’ participation is vital require an ability to handle responsibility Monday 15th July 2019. Surgeons Ireland (RCSI). The survey takes 30 min - in assisting and shaping and to be adaptable and resilient in SIPTU Sector Organiser, the education and training utes to complete and is Kevin Figgis told Liberty : our college will provide. available on the SIPTU “Following the successful This survey allows mem - Health Division app. SIPTU is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all sections of the . 8 Liberty JUNE 2019 Housing Crisis Greed and the housing market makers who create and maintain more return than two rent paying made in co-living arrangements. out of Dublin (this is already hap - markets (yes, governments create, tenants. But it gets worse. Co-liv - Money for developers. pening) raising questions of sus - By Michael organise and structure markets – ing developments drive up land This could lead to a two-tier tainable work/life balance and the Taft they are not some natural phe - prices due to the expectation of a housing market, especially in cost and time of getting to work. nomenon). And the Irish housing higher return for an acre of land. Dublin. Tiny, co-living apartment Eventually, this process will market is structured to favour the This will increase normal apart - spaces and developments geared push up prices outside of Dublin THERE is a tendency to dis - highest return, regardless of social ment rents and new house prices. towards the high-end of the mar - (again, this is already happening). cuss property developers and need or economic efficiency. Why blame developers for pur - Minister for Housing, Eoghan suing the highest return? They are landlords in terms of ‘greed’. A communal eating area at a co-living The implication is that if Murphy’s recent love affair with apartment development in Seattle following the logic of the market. there was less ‘greed’ in the co-living developments is an exam - But this logic is a political one and area of housing, we might be ple. Co-living involves a number can be changed by government pol - closer to the goal of afford - of rental units in a complex which icy – at both national and local ability – whether that means share kitchen facilities and other level. affordable rents or house common areas. SIPTU has emphasised the need prices. The actual living quarters are to use land that is already publicly tiny (16 square metres; prison cells owned to provide public housing are 7 square metres) with pull for all – for those on waiting lists down beds. One proposed devel - and for workers. Public housing The actual living opment will see 42 people – all development is not based on land quarters are tiny paying market rents – sharing one prices, developers’ margins or prof - kitchen. its. (16 square Murphy says people should be However, we also need the pri - metres; prison ‘excited’ about these develop - vate sector to operate in tandem cells are 7 square ments. But as a leading housing with public need. All private hous - commentator, Mel Reynolds, has ing developments should be led by metres) with pull pointed out, it’s the developers democratic regulations that re - down beds who will be most excited. quire proper living accommoda - Why? Because they can cram in tion accessible to a wide range of more people and, so, more rents Land can account for up to one- ket where rents can rise to €3,000 income groups. It should not be into a smaller space. Instead of third of the cost of a housing de - per month or more. led by developers’ interests. However, the private players in two normal rental units (two- velopment. No balconies, no This will leave low and average It is up to both councillors and the housing market are acting ra - beds), a developer can now parking and no obligation to pro - income workers (and even higher- TDs to draw up the regulations to tionally. They follow the market squeeze in five units into the same vide the legally mandated 10% so - paid workers) without any supply. ensure, whether public or private, signals. They attempt to maximise space. cial housing that every other They will have to choose between that housing policy serves the in - their investment. The maths are pretty simple. developer has to sell to the State at un-liveable units or un-affordable terests of people and not the high - The problem does not lie with Five rent-paying tenants will yield a discount: there is money to be units. Or, they will have to move est yield. their behaviour. It lies with policy Seminar probes case for worker co-ops WHAT can be done to pro - eratives active in industry and ser - “get re-acquainted” with each mote and encourage worker vices; and Bridget Carroll, Centre other and construct an agenda of co-operatives in Ireland was for Co-operative Studies, Univer - achievable steps in terms of co-op - the subject of a one-day semi - sity College Cork. eration between them. nar held recently in Liberty Simel Esim, in his contribution, The Society for Co-operative Hall. referred to the need for innovative Studies in Ireland is a voluntary, The seminar, titled Economic solutions in response to the ‘fu - member-based organisation which Democracy and Worker Co-opera - ture of work’ debate as highlighted aims to co-ordinate and promote tives – the Case for Ireland , which in the report of the Global Com - the development of research and mission on the Future of Work. took place on 9th April, was hosted education into co-operatives in Ire - Worker co-operatives are seen to by the Society for Co-operative land. play a role in addressing shared Studies in Ireland in association It is made up of co-operators, co- needs across a range of contexts, with SIPTU. operative representative bodies, such as youth employment, busi - academics and other interested Taking as its starting point the ness succession and as a response parties, north and south. Its activ - need for a wide democratic agenda to the gig-economy. A panel session at the seminar in Liberty Hall. ities include the organisation of a and the benefits of more democ - Co-organiser Bridget Carroll told racy at enterprise level, the semi - Liberty : “Ireland has comparatively national seminar, publication of an nar examined the opportunities fewer worker co-operatives than worker co-operatives can be pro - erative model. e-newsletter, the making of sub - and challenges associated with other European countries. In the moted and supported, including Possible actions include re-invig - missions on issues relating to co- worker co-operatives in Ireland. current context of the changing na - the role that trade unions could orating the existing all-island operatives, and currently, Speakers included Michael Taft, ture of work across Ireland, now is play. The idea that trade union Worker Co-operative Network or development of educational re - SIPTU Researcher; Simel Esim, the time to ask why this is and support for worker co-ops had exploring the setting up of a net - sources on co-operatives for Head of the Co-operatives Unit in what we can do to address it. been tried and failed in the past work to include worker co-opera - schools. the International Labour Organisa - “We hope this event will offer an was challenged. tives, emerging multi-stakeholder tion (ILO); Richard Higginson and opportunity for those interested in What are the next steps? Speak - co-operatives and other co-opera - The Society welcomes Ryan McAuley of the Belfast Love - worker co-operatives in Ireland to ers and attendees called for educa - tives not already represented by new members. works Co-operative; Sion Whel - share knowledge and ideas on how tion, training, information and the existing umbrella bodies. Contact Gerard Doyle at: lens, Vice-President of CECOP, the the model can be encouraged.” other supports to be developed It was suggested that trade [email protected] European Confederation of coop - Key to the discussion was how and provided to support the co-op - unions and co-operatives should See Vic Duggan on page 9. Liberty 93 Economy JUNE 2019 Measure well being - not just GDP

By Vic Duggan

YOU can’t eat Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet it is the in - dicator that economists pay closest attention to. GDP gained currency during WWII as a way of keeping track of war production, and has since remained the dominant mea - sure of economic output. More than that, it has become a byword for living standards. Looking across countries, eco - nomic output per person, or per capita, adjusted for price differ - ences is still a reasonable proxy for average material living standards. At least up to a point. It is not nec - essarily a good indicator of individ - ual happiness, or of societal wellbeing, however. The main problem isn’t with measuring GDP per se, but that maximising it has become the over-riding target for economic policymakers. They have lost sight of the fact that increasing eco - nomic output should be a means Liz Cloherty, Emer Kelly and Annette Carpenter at SIPTU Health to an end, not an end in itself. The conference in Croke Park, Dublin on 17th May. Photo: Tommy Clancy. over-riding priority should be to maximise the welfare and happi - ness of the greatest number or people while ensuring everyone that people are living longer or bet - disease are ravaging communities has a basic, decent standard of liv - ter than in Italy. In fact, a member that the economic recovery, as ing. Unfortunately, there is no con - of the OECD Expert Group and measured by GDP, has completely sensus around how these should Nobel prize winner, Angus Deaton, left behind. calls ‘deaths of despair’, particu - larly among the white working We all know Denmark is a rela - class, have been so dramatic that tively equal country, but it is also 65-year-olds with proof positive that narrower gaps between rungs of the social ladder the equivalent of make it easier to climb. OECD re - a junior cert search shows that someone born education in the Across vast swathes into a family in the poorest 10% of of ‘Trump country’, Denmark’s population can be ex - US can expect to pected to need two generations to live about three suicides, drug over - earn an average income. The same doses and alcohol- child born in Ireland would need years less than related liver disease five generations! those with a sustainable they are. life expectancy also differs by edu - These are just some examples of Together with Joseph Stiglitz and cation level. In every country. And are ravaging what’s emerging from this impor - third-level Jean-Paul Fitoussi, pathbreakers in the difference is bigger for those communities that the tant research agenda. And, policy - degree this field of research, the OECD’s aged 25 than for those aged 65. makers are starting to pay Chief Statistician, Martine Durand, This means the gap is growing over economic recovery, attention. Last month, New has since 2013 chaired a High- time. In every country. as measured by GDP, Zealand’s Labour-led government Level Expert Group to drive this 65-year-olds with the equivalent ushered in the world’s first wellbe - ‘Beyond GDP’ agenda. They aim to of a junior cert education in the US has completely left be measured. ing budget, focused on tackling develop and highlight better mea - can expect to live about three years Among others, the OECD has for behind child poverty and mental illness. years been pushing a wellbeing sures for well-being, making for less than those with a third-level more enlightened policymaking. degree. For 25-year-olds, this Wouldn’t it be great if when Pas - agenda, exploring how best to cal Donohue announces Budget measure it. They emphasize non- A good example is life ex - ‘longevity gap’ is nearly eight 2020 in October it had been fully economic factors that ordinary pectancy. Usually, we look at how years! But in Italy, the same gaps overall U.S. life expectancy has ac - people really care about, like per - long people can expect to live, at are only two and four years, re - tually been falling for three years equality-proofed, tackling our sonal security and work-life bal - birth or at a later age, differenti - spectively. So, the fact that GDP running. Across vast swathes of housing and health crises, and ance, as well as how these differ ated by gender. The OECD Experts per capita is higher and growing ‘Trump country’, suicides, drug making citizens’ wellbeing its over- across population groups, and how go a step further. They find that faster in the U.S. doesn’t mean overdoses and alcohol-related liver riding priority? 10 Liberty JUNE 2019 Economy Unions, it’s time to talk fiscal policy

By Michael Taft

MENTION ‘fiscal policy’ in a crowded room and it will soon be empty. Fiscal space, structural balance, output gap, expenditure benchmarks – this is not the stuff of every - day conversation. However, in the last crisis trade unionists were divided over policy responses, undermining our abil - ity to influence the public agenda. We cannot let that happen again, especially as the economic conver - sation is moving back into auster - Common sense ity terrain – spending cuts, tax rises, deficits, debt, etc. tells us that In its recent assessment the Fis - cal Council raised legitimate con - collective bargaining at In its recent the sectoral assessment the level is the Fiscal Council tax would you raise? It’s as if we it is going to cost a lot more to re - also needs to spread public owner - best way to learned nothing from the previous pair when the economy picks up ship into the market economy raised crisis. Already growth is slowing again. through business start-ups and protect workers’ down from its post-recession/aus - More than 40% of us are unable rescues – especially in cash-starved legitimate terity bounce. Spending cuts and to meet an unexpected expense regions and districts where there incomes and concerns tax increases will only exacerbate (one of the highest levels in the is no incentive for private capital. this slowdown. EU), and common sense tells us And if we want to talk about jobs in a regarding the A real problem is that we do not this figure will only increase in the more productive public services have a definitive measure of our event of a slowdown. (the word ‘reform’ will be thrown downturn country’s public finances. Just as we know Common sense tells us that the out again but, like the last crisis, it that GDP is not a reliable indicator cost of meeting the challenge of will just be code for cuts), then finances of the economy, the Fiscal Rules climate breakdown will go north if let’s introduce an innovation pro - throw up contradictory projec - the economy goes south. cess guided by the people who tions. Common sense also tells us that know best, the people who actu - Do we scope for more spending collective bargaining at the sectoral ally deliver them: the public ser - cerns regarding the country’s increases? Is the economy over- level is the best way to protect vice. The trade union movement finances, especially given the un - heating? Ultimately, we can’t say workers’ incomes and jobs in the needs to start a dialogue on fiscal terprise at local, regional and na - certainty over a hard Brexit, over- for certain. Imagine a business or event of a downturn. In this re - policy on our own terms, drawing tional level. reliance on corporate tax revenue, your own household facing such spect, we should argue that collec - up new starting points – the par - In short, we need to start with Trump’s tariff threats and climate uncertainty over what should be a tive bargaining is an important ticipation of workers in the deci - workers and public activity, the breakdown. The of straight-forward measurement. fiscal tool, not just an industrial re - sion-making process through work and ideas of people who pro - higher deficits and rising debt is Professor John Fitzgerald, for - lations one. comprehensive collective bargain - duce the goods and services. That very real. And so is the inevitable merly of the ESRI, suggests we rely Similarly, in a downturn the pri - ing in the private sector and em - would be a far better fiscal policy public debate. on ‘common sense’. If so, com - vate sector reduces investment. ployee-driven innovation in the than anything the right-wing par - Would you cut spending or raise mon sense tells us that if we enter Therefore, the state needs to in - public service. We need to grow ties and employers are already taxes? What would you cut? What a slow-down with a housing crisis crease productive investment. It public investment and public en - cooking up. Liberty 11 Liberty View JUNE 2019 Liberty View Health workers strike for decent pay

Up to 10,000 health workers in 38 strike action in 2016 and 2018, both euros are being paid into the pockets of selected hospitals and health care resulting in Workplace Relations the privateers running our creaking home facilities are taking action. Action for Commission interventions. Health and care services into the ground. other public service members also voted The Government must now honour its justice. Action for recognition. Action for the Public Service Stability Agreement obligations to health workers. SIPTU for respect. (PSSA) in 2017. members have kept their heads down, The action will see SIPTU members The Health Service Executive (HSE) worked hard and played by the rules. providing portering, household and accepted the findings of the Job The behaviour of the HSE and the two catering services and those working as Evaluation scheme. It agreed that our government departments has been healthcare assistants, maternity care members are doing more work, have interpreted by our members as assistants, laboratory aides, chefs and more qualifications and are subject to disrespectful and dismissive as if nobody surgical instrument technicians take to additional health and safety protocols will miss them if they go on strike. the picket line in their pursuit of pay and practices than their job descriptions Thousands of health workers have formed justice. allowed for. the view that believe that The workers are in dispute with the But when it comes to giving the lowest support staff are not of any great value to Health Service Executive (HSE) over its paid workers in the public health service the health service. failure to implement increases in pay for the respect they deserve, the employers This view has been reaffirmed by the SIPTU members arising from a job are slow to deliver. Just like union evaluation scheme. members across the public service and in However, the roots of this dispute run low paid, precarious jobs in the private We are demanding that the deep. In 2015, following seven years of sector, these workers have to pay Government honours its painful pay adjustments and changes to extortionate rents and mortgage agreement, give our members the work practices, SIPTU members voted in repayments as well escalating childcare justice they deserve or face a overwhelming numbers to support the and other costs of living. summer of discontent in the Lansdowne Road Agreement. The implementation of this agreed job health Seen by members as the first step in a evaluation scheme will cost about €20 service. journey towards full pay restoration, the million, very small change considering the agreement included the re-introduction overall health budget of €18 billion, not of a Job Evaluation scheme. to mention the cost of the Government’s fact that neither the Minister for Health, The scheme had been suspended recent financial mismanagement of public Simon Harris, or the Minister for Finance, during the height of the economic crash projects including the National Children’s Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal in 2008 and its reintroduction gave SIPTU Hospital (NCH) and the rural broadband Donohoe have made any comment or members hope that by staying the plan. intervened in this dispute to date. However, when enough political SIPTU representatives believe it is Workers are in dispute with the pressure is put on them, the money is unacceptable that workers should be almost certain to be found. We saw it forced to go into an official dispute in Health Service Executive (HSE) with the special deal given to the Garda, order to get what they are owed. SIPTU over its failure to implement the rubberstamping of the gargantuan members are not asking for flexibility or increases in pay for SIPTU overspends in public infrastructure for a special deal. We are demanding that members arising from a job projects and the substantial pay out the Government honours its agreement, recommended by the Labour Court in the give our members the justice they evaluation scheme recent dispute involving nurses and deserve or face a summer of discontent in midwives. the health service. This dispute also comes at a time when In the end, all disputes are resolved. course, playing by the rules and working the reintroduction of massive bankers’ Crucially, how this dispute is resolved will with their union there would be brighter bonuses is back on the agenda, when tax undoubtedly shape our members attitude days ahead. reliefs are subsidising the investments towards any future proposals for a Meanwhile, four long years have passed and savings of high earners at the successor to the PSSA. and SIPTU members are still waiting for expense of those on low and middle this recognition. This is despite ballots for incomes and when hundreds of millions of 12 Liberty JUNE 2019 District Council News

Cavan SIPTU Welcome Centre opens SIPTU Cavan District Council the county know there is a centre recently launched its new available to advise them on their Welcome Centre at the SIPTU rights and legal entitlements.” offices on Ashe Street, Cavan. SIPTU Co-ordinator Cavan Dis - The new SIPTU Welcome Centre trict Council, Denis Sheridan, told Liberty that workers who call into will be open to SIPTU members the Welcome Centre will be as - and the general public. Workers sisted with advice in a private and can call in for advice Monday to confidential manner. Friday from 9.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. He said: “Our advocates will and from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. provide all workers in Cavan with SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, representation if they wish to Gerry McCormack said: “SIPTU avail of the expertise and knowl - has a strong and proud tradition of edge of the SIPTU Workers’ Right Cutting of the ribbon at the opening of representing workers in Cavan. It Centre concerning any workplace the new Welcome Centre in Cavan is important that workers across issues. Limerick One in five Limerick workers are low-paid SIPTU Limerick District of the natural slowing down of Council recently hosted a growth, Brexit, trade wars, changes seminar on precarious in international taxation and employment outlining the climate change may see people extent of the problem in experience even more jobs at risk Limerick city and across the of precariousness in the future.” county. The seminar was followed by an Following the seminar, SIPTU event commemorating the researcher, Michael Taft told centenary of the Limerick Soviet Liberty that more than 12,500 full- and the launch of a new SIPTU time workers are low-paid in pamphlet, titled The Irish Limerick. Transport and General Workers’ While these figures appear stark, Union (ITGWU) in Limerick City he warned the future would be even more challenging. and County, 1918-1930, by labour “The increases in automation historian Francis Devine. Students from Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh perform a will not only put jobs at risk; it An excerpt from a play, Baby song from the critically acclaimed play ‘Baby Soviets’ will put the quality of work at Soviets , was also performed by risk,” he said. “The combination pupils of Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh. Waterford Protest march for cardiology service in Waterford Members of the Waterford patients. SIPTU Waterford District and more people are listening to local District Council took part in a Council Co-ordinator, David Lane, radio as a trusted news source. Our march last month demanding told Liberty that the council has members on Waterford District Coun - a 24/7 cardiology service at made special efforts over the last cil have spearheaded our efforts to University Hospital Waterford few months to get the union’s keep better healthcare for all in the (UHW). message for fairness at work and south east on the local media The protest sought to raise the justice in society across through agenda.” lack of interventional care at UHW, local radio and media. On the 30th August, the council where a permanent catheterisation SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, plans to hold seminar on lab operates from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ethel Buckley said: “The impor - precarious work as well as a long ser - Monday to Friday. A temporary tance of local media in getting our vice badge presentation for SIPTU cath lab at the hospital offers a di - message out should never be over - stalwarts from across the city and agnostic service but cannot treat looked. According to Reuters, more county. Liberty 13 Housing Crisis JUNE 2019 Thousands Raise the Roof for housing Over 12,000 people, including trade unionists, housing, stu - dent and community organisa - tions marched in Dublin on 18th May in support of the de - mands by the Raise the Roof campaign for a massive local authority led public and af - fordable house building pro - gramme. The alliance is also seeking proper rent controls, an end to evictions into homelessness and the legal right to housing. A rally at the GPO was addressed by speak - ers from the National Women’s Council of Ireland, USI, housing and direct provi - sion activists and homeless campaigner, Peter McVerry. Singers, Damien Dempsey, Pictured above (Left to right) Paddy Casey, Damien Dempsey and Frances Black performing the Raise the Roof rally in Dublin. Frances Black and Paddy Casey Photo left and below, protesters at the Raise the Roof rally also performed for the enthu - in Dublin. siastic audience.

Comhpháirtíocht an óige

maith, go ndeintear míle iarracht agus an feachtas tithíochta a chinntiú go bhfuil ár nobair Aoife Ní cuimsitheach agus iniatach. Tóg - Shúilleabháin faidh sé iarracht áirithe le seo a dhéanamh agus módhanna nua Go minic labhartar ar cé cruthaitheach le cumarsáid a chomh láidir is a bhí an feach - dhéanamh agus sin féin a eagrú. tas don gcomhionnanais pósta Is gníomhaíocht mhór í an agus an feachtas leis an t- fheachtas tithíochta. ochtú leasú a aisghair de bharr Gníomhaíocht a thugann deis an na daoine óga a bhí páirteach saol a fheabhsú do méid mhór ionta agus an méid acu a daoine agus tionchar a tháinig amach ag léirsiú. Ach dhéanamh ar pholasaithe an ri - ansan curtear an cheist, conas altais do blianta fada romhainn. ná fuil an slua céanna Ach tógfaidh sé tamall chun spás páirteach sna feachtais ar son oiriúnach a chruthú do dhaoine tithíochta? óga las-tigh do seo. Tá deacrach - taí atá éagsúil, deacrachtaí atá Ar dtúis caithfear a thuiscint gur leithleach ag daoine óga inniu go feachtas nua é seo i gcomparáid háirithe nuair a thagann sé go dtí leis na buanna a bhí again le fostaíocht le dearbh agus titíocht déanaí. Nuair a fhéachaimíd siar, go háirithe. Beidh orainn é seo a thosnaigh an feachtas um cearta atáirgeach.Thóg sé na na gníomhaí a bhí lárnach sna agus go bhfuil gá ann anois go thógaint san áireamh agus sin ag chomhionnanais phósta nuair a blianta teacht ar réiteach agus feachtais seo agus an cur chuige a mbeadh ceart chun tithíochta sa brú ar aghaidh. Má chuirtear an thóg David Norris a chás chun na reachtaíocht oiriúnach, blianta bhí acu. bhunreacht. Tá tuiscint níos fearr cheist, “conas ná bhfuil níos mó hEorapa. Thóg sé tamall fada sular fada do léirsithe, gníomhachtaí, Tá fás ag teacht ar an bhfeachtas ag an bpobal ar seo agus níos mó daoine óga ag tógaint páirt?”, dtáineamar go dtí an lá go raibh cásanna cúirte agus óráidí. tithíochta agus tuiscint á fhorbairt freagracht á lórg dá bharr. Ach fós cheart ceistiú chomh maith, “cad reifreann againn le ceart chun B’fhéidir go bhfuil bóthar fada ag an bpobal ar na deacrachtaí atá san, ní thagann tuiscint thar oíche gur féidir linn a dhéanamh chun pósadh a thabhairt do lánúineacha romhainn leis an bhfeachtas seo ann. Tá tuiscint níos fearr againn agus leis sin, tógann sé tamall na spás níos fearr a chruthú do chomh-ghnéis. Tá an scéal céanna chomh maith ach, seans, go bhfuil anois ar an gá atá le tithíocht feachtais seo a fhás is a fhorbairt. dhaoine óga páirt a thógaint.” againn leis an bhfeachtas i dtaobh ábhar le foghlaim againn anois ós shóisialta a bheith againn sa tír Tuigtear an tábhacht, chomh 14 Liberty JUNE 2019 Big Start Big Start launch in Clare THE need to invest in a quality and sustainable Early Childhood Care and Education service was high on the agenda at the launch of the Clare Big Start Committee in Ennis on Monday, 13th May. Practitioners and providers from across the county gathered at the West County Hotel to hear how low pay and the lack of terms and conditions – reflecting successive governments’ failure to invest in the sector – lay at the root of the staff turnover of 18.1% in county problem. Clare, she warned: “Providers are They were joined by Minister Pat moving out of delivering childcare Breen, Senator Paul Gavan, services because it is becoming Deputies and Dr. increasingly difficult to sustain a Michael Harty, Mayor Clare The Clare Big Start Committee launch heard an appeal quality service due to the Colleran Molloy and Labour Party for workers within the sector to unite and press for a SEO recruitment and retention crisis.” representative Seamus Ryan as Photo: Clement Shevlin “The sector is in crisis and well as a number of councillors everyone within the sector needs and local election candidates. to come together as a collective The Committee called on the educating Ireland’s youngest Campaign is unique as it’s Committee will drive the campaign voice and demand change by Government and the political citizens. encompassing all workers from for recognition and respect forward joining SIPTU and obtaining a parties keeping them in power to SIPTU organiser Yvonne the Early Childhood Care and and bring us closer to achieving a Sectoral Employer Order,” invest in professionals delivering McGrath, a Big Start co-ordinator, Education sector. The launch of Sectoral Employment Order.” McGrath added. the critical service of caring and told Liberty : “The Big Start the Clare Big Start County Pointing out that there was a Wexford doubles Monaghan is sign-up to Big Start Getting Organised The Monaghan Big Start Committee was launched on campaign Tuesday, 10th June, at a meet - ing attended by over 60 THE NUMBER of workers become confident and capable SIPTU members and public learners with their own unique signing up to the Big Start representatives. campaign doubled last strengths and interests. month across county Wex - “I felt that it was important to The committee will organise ford. join Big Start to be able to have Early Years Educators across the Early years educators gathered my voice heard and it is provid - county and campaign for high from Gorey, Wexford and New ing hope that better pay and quality, affordable childcare with Ross to get organised in an ef - conditions are possible. This decent pay and conditions for fort to secure decent pay and will keep people that are pas - workers. conditions by winning a Sectoral sionate about working with chil - SIPTU Organiser, Theresa Employment Order (SEO) for dren in the sector.” Thompson, said: “Early years ed - the sector. According to the 2019 sector ucators are not recognised or re - profile published by Pobal (the Big Start activist and educator warded for their qualifications or Irina Karpenko, who organised official funding agency for com - Big Start Committee Chair, Adrienne Kearns, munity and social develop - hard work; a majority of gradu - addresses a packed room of educators in Monaghan. the New Ross event, told Liberty Photo: Clement Shevlin ment), the average hourly rate in ates are earning below the Living that as a newly-qualified educa - Wage while thousands are forced Wexford is €11.67 which falls tor she was greatly disappointed onto the dole every summer. how underfunded the sector is short of the living wage. They are joining SIPTU now said: “The SIPTU Big Start cam - tors, the level of respect that and how strong the lack of Big Start Organiser, Sabrina paign is giving a platform to Early should be extended to us and the awareness of what early child - Ryan, pointed out that the on- because we have a plan and the the-ground reality is most of the hood education and care actu - campaign to change things for the Years Educators that they never pay scales that we deserve. It’s educators in Wexford are work - ally is. better." had before. Finally, our voice is time that the Government recog - ing for far less than the reported She said: “The first few years SIPTU is campaigning for a Sec - being heard by government and nises that too.” average. of a child’s life are the most im - toral Employment Order (SEO) pay is on the agenda. This is the If you would like to find out “Early years educators have portant to their development which will establish minimum power of a union”. more about the Big Start Cam - had enough and membership is and their learning and we aim to Adrienne Kearns, Montessori paign in Monaghan, please con - growing through the hard work rates of pay and conditions for support each individual child to of the members,” she said. the Early Years Sector. teacher and SIPTU Activist added: tact Theresa Thompson at Aisling Silke, SIPTU activist, “We know our worth as educa - [email protected]. Liberty 15 Health News JUNE 2019 SIPTU members explain why they are taking action SIPTU members working as support staff and chefs in 38 hospitals and health care facilities have served notice of a 24-hour work stoppage on Thursday, 20th June over the failure to implement pay rises from an agreed job evaluation scheme.

Anne Sweeney - Colm French - Bridget Manning - Natasha Linehan - Domestic Staff C.S.S.D. Operative Catering Assistant Chef “My job involves keeping the hospital as clean Speaking to Liberty, Colm French, a CSSD SIPTU member Bridget Manning is a catering Natasha Linehan, a chef at St Finbarr’s Hospital as possible,” says Anne Sweeney, SIPTU mem - (Central Sterilising Supplies Department) assistant in Cork University Hospital (CUH), one in Cork, told Liberty that her role and responsi - ber in Letterkenny General Hospital. For the last operative in Sligo General Hospital stressed of the countries busiest and biggest hospital bilities have changed significantly over the last 12 years, Anne has worked in domestic services. that SIPTU members have played by the rules campuses. two decades. She told Liberty her work involves the deep and have been forced to take action. “I think “We provide a service to people who need it She said all chefs have qualifications but their cleaning of each room and keeping the hospital the majority of people don’t know what we do most. We cook, plate and serve the food to all grade is not aligned to any other group in the free of infection. in CSSD but I can assure you the hospital would - patients. We also provide a canteen service for health service. “It’s nearly 20 years since there “Over the years, the job has changed an awful n’t work without us,” he says. the thousands of CUH staff,” she told Liberty. was a specific pay review for our grade. Is it any lot. There is more emphasis on patient “We are moving with the times but our pay “The health employers have reneged on our wonder hospitals have experienced significant infections and infection control. There is also a has stayed stagnant. The results of the job deal and broken their promise to thousands of difficulties in hiring chefs,” she asks. lot more paperwork involved. That’s all just evaluation gave workers in CSSD an 8% our members. We have bent over backwards to Natasha says food is always a major factor in been added to our work and we got on with it. increase in pay. The HSE agreed, but the help the country and we are getting no recog - the recovery of patients but, with a starting The job evaluation was done but the depart - Government has refused to pay the money. Fine nition for what we do. We have to take a stand. salary of about 24,500, more and more chefs ment decided to ignore it and not meet us on Gael are letting us down again. I hope people I want to come to work, do my job to the best are opting to wor€k in the private sector. This also what was agreed. We come to work every day remember that when it comes to the general of my ability but know I am being appreciated is compounded by the fact there is a huge short - and do our job with a heart and a half. I don’t election.” for the work I do and be paid appropriately.” age of chefs nationwide. think that is appreciated. We want to be recog - nised for the work we do and the standards we keep.” Monaghan is Getting Organised Minister supports SEO Minister for Children and Following the interview, Jes - Youth Affairs, Katherine sica told Liberty that the Min - Zappone has called on ister’s endorsement of the Early Years Educators to SIPTU strategy to win an SEO seek a Sectoral Employ - and her commitment to pro - ment Order (SEO) to order vide extra funding has given to improve pay and condi - the Big Start campaign a major tions in the sector. An boost. SEO is only attainable if a “Our sector is going through sufficient number of a professionalisation process. SIPTU Deputy General workers are members of a However, this can’t happen Secretary John King and SIPTU Health Division recognised trade union or without decent pay and condi - Organiser Paul Bell join representative organisa - tions. The Minister’s commit - SIPTU Section 39 shop tion. ment to reduce the turnover stewards outside the rate of staff and to invest in Department of Health to Her comments were made Section 39 workers tode mgand peay resttoration. during an interview with the sector is a great incentive Photo: Jimmy Weldon SIPTU activist Jessica Lee at for our members to continue the Department of Children to organise.” pay restored after talks and Youth Affairs on Thurs - She added: “We must con - SIPTU representatives con - HSE has written to each of the 50 April 2019. day, 14th June. tinue to build a campaigning firmed this month that a pro - Section 39 organisations that were “Negotiations on the application Speaking during the inter - union with SIPTU in order to cess for restoring the pay of identified following the SIPTU of the WRC agreement of October campaign for pay justice to com - view, Minister Zappone, said: ensure the days of qualified thousands of Section 39 work - 2018 for pay restoration for the re - educators workers living in ers has started in health and mence the urgent implementation “I think the best way to im - maining 250 Section 39 organisa - prove pay and working condi - poverty must end.” social care facilities across the of pay restoration for workers. tions is through an SEO. An Research by SIPTU has country. “This directive was accompanied tions will start on Friday, 19th SEO would give workers a rate shown that a majority of The move follows lengthy dis - with a statement concerning the July.” of pay that is considered rea - childcare graduates earn less cussions under the auspices of the provision of funding determined The position of a small number sonable. My department will than the living wage with a Workplace Relations Commission by the HSE for each Section 39 or - of Section 39 and Community ganisation on the basis of the in - not be found wanting when it staff turnover of 24%. (WRC) involving SIPTU representa - Home Help organisations, which tives with Department of Health formation provided to them. comes to supporting the SEO failed to submit a funding applica - process.” and HSE officials. “The initial payment concerns tion to the HSE, will be addressed SIPTU Health Division Organ - the €1,000 agreed and the effec - iser, Paul Bell, told Liberty : “The tive date of payment remains 30th separately with management. 16 Liberty JUNE 2019 MayFest 2019 Highlights from this year’s MayFest

cluded interviews with his family, friends and colleagues, who By Bernie shared their memories of the Bard. Casey The film gave us a real insight into the man, who in the 1980s THIS year’s MayFest kicked had proclaimed himself a “racon - off with the traditional May teur, a bankateer and a Whith - Day March, followed by a worth fusilier”. We had a good great night’s entertainment in crowd in on the night and I was the Cois Life bar, on May Day. delighted to introduce many of The festival ran from 1st May Jer’s family who were in atten - until 12th May. There was some - dance. thing for all the family – just to It would be remiss of me if I mention a few events from the didn’t mention the film-makers, programme, there were art exhibi - Graham Seely and Tim Gannon, tions, a family fun day for home - who did a brilliant job. The night less families, a talk on identity and was an overwhelming success and Irish sport, music and chat from when I spoke to Jer’s family after - the Irish punk community, as well wards, they told me were bowled as a book reading and discussion The late, great Jer O’Leary, subject of over by it. And I would like to for children. The Bard of Drumcondra documentary thank everyone who worked very One of the events which stood hard to make the night one to re - out for me was Songs and Stories member for Jer’s friends, col - for James Connolly. A night of dis - leagues and, in particular, for his cussion from leading historians as family. well as some great music from a Jer was one of Dublin’s great list of artists which included a granddaughter of the late Frank characters, and to paraphrase from Harte, a great Dublin song collector a quote by the late Flann O’Brien, and traditional singer. And, of when he was lamenting the loss of course, I have to mention Paddy another great Dublin character, Casey, who did a great job on the Brendan Behan, he said certain night. streets would seem quieter from It was wonderful to see the Cois now on. Life bar bedecked with the most I think the same sentiment amazing of the late Jer O’Leary’s applies to Jer, and we will all agree banners over the course of the fes - that parts of our city and, indeed, tival. It was especially poignant to Liberty Hall will be for ever qui - see the banners displayed this eter without Jer. year, as we lost Jer over the Christ - Overall the 2019 May Fest was a mas period. great success and I look forward to I was honoured to host the a bigger and even better one in evening, during which we pre - 2020. sented the premiere of the film Sabina Higgins with some of the Songs Bernie Casey is Honorary The Bard of Drumcondra , a docu - and Stories for James Connolly crew... Vice President of SIPTU mentary about Jer. The film in -

Irish rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll (left) joins former Leinster and Ireland rugby star, Mike Ross (right) for the family fun day at MayFest 2019. Picture: David Laird Liberty 17 James Connolly Centre opens in Belfast JUNE 2019 James Connolly Centre opens in Belfast

The James Connolly Centre has attracted huge numbers of visitors from home and abroad since it was offi - cially opened by President Michael D Higgins in Belfast on 19th April. Áras Uí Chonghaile, which is lo - cated on the Falls Road, close to where Connolly lived during his time as an organiser with the ITGWU from 1910 to 1914, con - tains a treasure of artefacts and archived material, videos and pub - lications, which document the life of Ireland’s most renowned social - ist. Visitors can retrace the life of the revolutionary and leader of the school and local community 1916 Rising from his childhood in and served as Acting Secretary of groups and academic institutions Edinburgh, to his arrival in Ireland the ITGWU. from near and far. We are delighted as a socialist campaigner in 1896 His role in the preparations in with how things are going and the and his years in the US from 1903 Liberty Hall for the 1916 Rising, response has been excellent from to 1910 where he worked tirelessly the printing of the Proclamation the local west Belfast community,” on behalf of low paid workers in and his execution are recalled said manager, Seana Walsh. New York. while his own extensive writings The Centre was built with finan - The Centre documents his re - and those about him are on cial support from US trade unions turn to Ireland where he organised display. and Belfast City Council and is also workers in Belfast before moving “Since the opening we have supported by SIPTU, and to Liberty Hall in Dublin where he attracted interest and visitors from other trade unions in Ireland and commanded the Irish Citizen across Ireland, Britain, Europe, Britain. Army, edited The Workers Republic USA, and from trade unions, A Grassroots Tale “Just Guff” — Jim Ward. Produced by Hot Potato Productions

and his award-winning piece, pro - As history is revealed, so is char - ing well into the second half of his duced by Hot Potato Productions, acter – and the audience is drawn life. By Michael was described by one reviewer as in to the open reflections of Sean Critics, opponents and those Halpenny being about “Falling out of love T. (powerfully portrayed by who see themselves as the victims with Fianna Fáil” – which it is.. Michael Irwin). We begin to learn of the party’s years in power will Staged this year during Liberty about more personal aspects of his have little sympathy and ask, STALWARTS of most parties Hall Theatre’s Mayfest, the central being, including an errant son. “How could he not have known?” from right, left and centre (if character, Sean T, (no, not the Sean His monologue is occasionally Others on a human level may there is such) could usefully T [O’Kelly] who went on to be Pres - punctuated by whiskey and by the ident of Ireland), reflects on his life postmistress, Mrs Carew (the im - experience some sympathy for a engage with the subject mat - man cast aside like an old sock not ter of this short play. in the party from the back room of pressive Colette Devaney), who his rural Post Office. comes to seek reassurance on both just by the inevitable march of life While movement in the tectonic Now retired, he is the personifi - matters of business and his well - but, to him, much more treacher - plates of political allegiance is rou - cation of the Fianna Fáil grassroots being. ously by the real love of his life - tinely the subject of competing (a “backwoodsman” to their oppo - Despite Mrs Carew, this soldier Fianna Fáil. pollsters, political analysis in the nents), dedicated to the party, of the Legion of the Rearguard is The narrative neatly encapsu - period spanned by Jim Wards’ sometimes even at the cost of other uncomfortable with the arrival of lates the impact of an unexpected short play Just Guff , life was some - threads to his life. The ground cov - his political successor, Councillor times simpler and more direct. pregnancy on his emigrant son’s ered includes what to later genera - O’Connell (the similarly authentic girlfriend, Vera Kilgallon (the tal - Strong supporters, activists and Republicans would be described as tions might appear history and of Anne Ronayne), now operating in ented Denise McCarthy), and on ‘hatchet men’ of Fianna Fáil and “mad” or “passionate” depending the ancient variety at that: jobbery his old stomping ground. Fine Gael were “rabid”, and in the on the observer. in the 1960s, the influence of ‘Big It is left up to the audience to the shocked-but-sympathetic Sean case of Fine Gael, “rabid In Ward’s play, we are in rabid Business’ through the fund-raising work out if his disillusion results T. himself. Blueshirts”. Strong Labour follow - territory and, in particular, that of organisation called ‘Taca’, the Arms solely from the abandonment of Director, Jenny Bassett, has ers were, certainly in this re - the Fianna Fáil variety. The play - Trial of the early 1970s and the ex - what he sees as principle or from brought out the best from Jim viewer’s experience, referred to as wright himself is a former activist pulsion from office or party of lead - the decline of his own powers and Ward’s script and the actors with a “great Labour man or woman”. in the ‘Legion of the Rearguard’ ing figures and so on. from the fact that he is now play - a clever, understated set. 18 Liberty JUNE 2019 Supporting Quality

Read m ore about o ur b rands o f the m onth i n o ur f eatured a rticles on Fleetwood P aints an d da a

Irel an d

Me2You a re d elighted t o j oin t he S upporting Q uality C ampaign Our g ift c ard i s a m ulti-s tore g ift c ard t hat i s a ccepted i n t housands o f R eta il s tores throughout I reland a nd m akes t he i dea l g ift f or b irthdays, C hristmas a nd a ll o ccasions. To d iscuss h ow y ou c an u tilise Revenue 's T ax F ree S mall B enefit E xemption o f u p t o €500 p er em pl oyee p lea se c onta ct P at D aly a t pat.da ly@ me2you.ie. More i nformation i s a lso a vailable a t www.m e2you.i e, sa les @m e2you.ie or 01 554 2 000.

a jo in t ini tiative www.supportingquali ty.ie Liberty 19 Supporting Quality JUNE 2019 Shopping in some style at The Loop... THE Loop at Dublin Airport is Passengers at Dublin Airport are sories, which recently opened its the ultimate luxury shopping now presented with even greater new flagship Irish travel retail destination, showcasing the choice, through the introduction of store in T2. new beauty brand arrivals, such as best of Irish and international Passengers travelling through bareMinerals, Too Faced, Hour - brands across beauty, liquor glass, Ren Skincare, Living Proof Dublin Airport can also shop on and confectionery at Ireland's and Pestle & Mortar, to name but a www.theloop.ie. Our convenient main international gateway. few. Click & Collect service allows you There are lots of amazing offers, One of the most exciting addi - to shop online up to three months including everyday savings of at least tions to the ever-expanding beauty before you travel, right up to the 15%* across fragrances, cosmetics brand portfolio is Le Labo, which day beforehand and collect pur - and skincare with up to 40% off se - is a first-to-market Irish retail ex - ENDORSED BY: lected lines*. clusive and a European travel retail chases at the airport upon depar - For shoppers looking for some - exclusive at The Loop. ture or upon arrival home. thing unique that cannot be pur - Available in both T1 and T2, the The Loop also offers a free ‘Shop Amazing offers: The Loop in Terminal 1 chased downtown/on the high street, pop-up boutiques encapsulate the & Collect’ service to passengers there is also an extensive range of at - soul of Le Labo ‘the laboratory’ Picture: DAA travelling within the EU, whereby tractive airport and world exclusives, and represent the brand’s New The Loop, as well as numerous tion of iconic and exclusive one can shop ‘til you drop in-store, only available at The Loop. Featuring York roots. Customers at Dublin complimentary beauty services. In- whiskies in the world. The collec - leave purchases in storage and col - more than 100 beauty brands includ - Airport may also avail of a compli - store whiskey and gin ambas - tion features an impressive range lect them upon returning home ing international favourites Jo Mal - mentary personalised service, sadors are also on hand to impart of local and international whiskies from travels. one, Tom Ford, Crème de la Mer, whereby labels can be customised extensive product knowledge. to suit all tastes. Dior, Estée Lauder, Clarins, Clinique, while one waits. The Loop is also home to ‘The We’re also delighted to welcome So, for a unique shopping expe - Lancôme, Bobbi Brown, M.A.C and Expert advice is available from Irish Whiskey Collection’, de - Coach to The Loop, a global design rience, visit The Loop, Dublin Air - Chanel, The Loop is home to one of knowledgeable staff and beauty scribed as the most diverse collec - house of modern luxury leather port or shop online at theloop.ie Ireland’s largest beauty emporiums. brand ambassadors throughout goods, apparel and lifestyle acces - *compared to downtown prices

Mission P ossible FRA GRANCES Our Car P ark s Team ar e on-hand 2 4/7 and won ’t le t a fla t tyr e or dead ba ttery ge t in the way o f your jour ney. SA VE 40% COMP ARED T O DO WNT OWN*

Don ’t for ge t to pr e-book your car parking on dublinair port.com. *Saving applies to select pr oducts, based on a comparison of average non-pr omotional prices against select downtown competitors. 20 Liberty JUNE 2019 Supporting Quality

FLEETWOOD Paints is an Irish brand which has ex - ported its products and unique colour mixing service Getting the right mix across Europe. A family business founded in Dublin in the 1950s, the company initially utilised parts from Jacob Biscuits tins to produce ferrules in business and quality for paint brushes, and its name was inspired by the iconic Fleetwood Cadillac car operate an extensive array of Water-based paint production is a During the 1970s, the company mixing machines in Ireland and much safer and cleaner process.” moved into paint production and throughout the world. He added: “There is major went into partnership with the US Whatever “Whatever colour you want you emphasis on ensuring that our company Sherwin Williams Paints. can get it. It is a unique selling production process and products The Fleetwood Paints main colour you want point that we can mix any colour have as little environmental production plant in Virginia, from a fan deck. This gives impact as possible.” county Cavan, has been in you can get it. customers great flexibility.” These environmentally conscious operation since 1979. SIPTU Shop Steward, John measures include the extensive A recent addition to the It is a unique Young, says that the Irish cleansing of the large volume of Supporting Quality campaign, the consumers appreciate of the high- water used in the production company employs more than 70 selling point that quality, ready-mixed paints process, the introduction of energy- SIPTU members in manufacturing, we can mix any produced at the Cavan plant has saving LED lights within the 90,000 also led to its growth. square feet warehouse space and colour “When the plant opened there was around 25 people employed here,” he said, “Out of that original We operate workforce there is still four employed here, so that kind of 230 mixing administration and distribution at indicates it is in general a good the plant. place to work.” machines Liberty visited the facility to He added: “Most of the workers witness a production process, are from the Cavan and North throughout which has the capacity to produce Meath area, there are also a lot of Ireland and up to 30 million litres, in more families who have more than one than 250 colours, of paint member employed here or have a the world annually, and meet some of the history of members working for SIPTU members involved in this the company.” Irish success story. However, the last 40 years have Technical Manager, John seen major changes to the the use of paint containers made of Hetherton, said that the paint production process as Production recyclable plastic. mixing service offered by the and Environmental Health and “Making our products of the company was central to its growth. Safety Manager, Kieran O'Carroll highest quality and also of a “The company offers a unique outlined: “The plant would have sustainable nature is a key concern service for mixing paints to exact initially used solvent based paints of Fleetwood Paints, now and into specifications,” he said, “ We and switched to water based. the future.” Liberty 21 International JUNE 2019

Trump visit to Ireland Cuban ‘hug’ for ICTU solidarity THE Cuban trade union eral law that strengthens and federation (CTC) has continues the embargo. Thousands marched thanked the Irish Congress However, he thanked the in Dublin against of Trade Unions for its con - Irish trade union movement in the May visit of tinuing support in resisting particular for its “will, decision the decades-long US trade and commitment… to join us President Donald in this hard struggle.” Trump including embargo on Cuba. He concluded the letter by CTC International Secretary trade union, sending Irish trade unionists “a Ismael Drullet Pérez wrote to very fraternal and supportive student and women ICTU General Secretary Patricia hug” from the CTC along with a activists. Palestinian King on 6th June praising the vow to strengthen the relation - and human rights Irish Government’s opposition ship between both organisa - to Title III of the controversial campaigners also tions “in our struggle for a Helms-Burton Act, the US fed - better future.” joined the protest. Palestinians Boycott Bahrain conference Palestinians have refused to en - According to the Palestinian am - tlements. By concentrating exclu - ment in return for illegal settle - gage with a conference involving bassador to Ireland, Ahmad Abdel - sively on economic issues, it en - ments in the occupied territories Arab states on the future of their razek, his government will not courages the continuation and and to deny the right of our people country due to take place in participate in talks that do not in - expansion of illegal settlements on to return.” Bahrain at the end of June. The volve negotiations on a political our lands,” he told Liberty. Last week, the US special envoy Palestinian Authority leader, solution to the conflict or an end “They also want to bargain with to the Middle East, Jason Green - Mahmoud Abbas, has said his to illegal settlements by Israel. The the right of Palestinian refugees to blatt, said that the Trump admin - government will not attend the conference, he insists, is also in - return to their homeland by giving istration may delay the publication conference where representa - tended to ensure that Palestinian money to the host countries to of its long-awaited peace plan to tives from Egypt, Morocco, Jor - refugees scattered across various keep them. They propose to give November 2019 until after Septem - dan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab countries do not get the right the money paid to the United ber elections in Israel. He also ex - Arab Emirates and Qatar will to return to their homeland. Nations Relief and Works Agency pressed support for comments by discuss investment in the west “The Bahrain conference ignores (UNRWA) to the host countries and US ambassador to Israel, David Bank and Gaza. The conference the necessary political solution to to take them directly from the Friedman, who said that Israel has is supported by the US adminis - the problem. The US and Israel Palestinian refugees. These are the a right to annex parts of the West tration, which is due to publish Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland claim they want to help the econ - main reasons why we refuse to Bank. a controversial ‘peace plan’ for Ahmad Abdelrazek omy of the west Bank which, for participate0 in the conference. Put the region later this year. them, also includes the illegal set - simply, they want to offer invest - Around the union

SIPTU Construction Sector Organiser John Regan presenting a cheque on behalf of the sector to St Aidan’s CBS transition year student Jack Nolan as a contribution to Tanzania Project, SIPTU From left to right; President of the SIPTU TEAC Division, organisers Jimmy Coughlan (third from left) and Peadar Nolan Tommy Wynne, SIPTU Industrial Organiser, Paul Cullen (second from right) were also at the presentation. This October, 13 with SIPTU Shop Stewards Gary Blake and Robbie Bowe Irish Veterinary Nurses Association (IVNA) AGM in students and 4 teachers from St Aidan’s will visit Tanzania as part of presenting Johnny Jackson (centre) with a long service on Saturday 25th May. Photo from left to right: Ann Marie project with Sinon High School in Arusha, Tanzania. The donation plaque to mark his retirement from Irish Rail. Johnny was Byrne (IVNA); Elaine Collins (IVNA); Geoff McEvoy (SIPTU); will be used to help fund a refuge home for young girls and an an active member of the ITGWU and SIPTU for 43 years. Ciarán Lloyd (IVNA); Olivia Flanagan (IVNA). orphanage in Tanzania. 22 Liberty JUNE 2019 SIPTU Reading Circle An enlightening read about the Dublin of then... and now

By Ann McNulty after their husbands and unfortu - nate children – no wonder the city IN February this year, I joined is starving." The Reading Circle meets once a month at SIPTU College the Dublin workers’ reading So this got me thinking – how at 6.00 p.m. and spends no more than an hour and a half circle, which meets every much has changed for women? If sharing their thoughts on the book under discussion. month at SIPTU College. you look at the way society is set Our first book of choice was up, they do the major workload in the home even though most The relaxed atmosphere is the perfect setting to Strumpet City . As a group we spent encourage interaction with topical material that gets to the next few months reading and women are in full-time employ - the heart of social issues. Reading materials are provided, then discussing this book in detail. ment. The logistics of organising It has been most enjoyable com - work, home and family are carried all are welcome to come along and join the discussion. paring the then and now. The out in military style throughout group is made up of women – not the country daily, and, for the Reading Circles are also running in Limerick – by design, it's just how it hap - most part, this is not even recog - contact Dan O’Neill or [email protected] nised as a skill. pened. and Longford – contact Niall Philips – [email protected] Our union has been built on James Plunkett’s novel is beauti - for further details. fully written and we were taken on strong principles. Our representa - a journey through all aspects of tives are democratically elected. Dublin, the good, the bad and the very ugly. When comparing then the recent local elections only circle. It's a great way to read a and now, we agreed that the more All the same 28.7% of candidates country-wide book through other people’s eyes. things change, the more some attitude towards women, and their role within the union. problems remain were women. Do women have the Watch out for our next book on things stay the same. same opportunity within the One example was the housing For example when Countess the SIPTU College Facebook page. with us in 2019 union as their male counterparts? situation back then – overcrowd - Markiewicz and Maud Gonne set Hope to see a lot of new faces and ing, rogue landlords and slum up the soup kitchens in Liberty Just by attending the reading cir - We strive for fairness, equal oppor - have plenty of lively discussion building. All these same problems Hall, they were nicknamed ‘Mad cle it has opened up my mind and tunity, and inclusion. This is our To find out more about the SIPTU still remain with us in 2019. Gonne’ and ‘Mrs Desperate’. Opin - inspired me to write this. I would motto and belief. But do we actu - Another of the many striking ion was, "Imagine women wanting urge anyone with a spare hour workers reading circle, contact ally practice what we preach? In moments within the book was the a vote, should be at home looking once a month to join the reading Eira Gallagher on 087 985 8371 Liberty 23 Liberty Hall Theatre Events Guide JUNE 2019

DR ESSING ROOM 1 PRESENTS

To uring Ir eland No vem ber 2 019 by EEdd WWaWauWaugWaughaugh & TTrrerevrevorevorr evor WWoWooWoodood Directed B y R ic ha r d Mansworth

By arrange ment with DDaavaviavida vid BBoBowBownBowneBownesownes Over 16’s Only

For Liberty Hall Theatre bookings contact Laura Woods, E-mail : [email protected] or Tel: 01 858 6354 for more information. 24 Liberty JUNE 2019 Book Reviews A passionate case for public housing

icy design. This accessible and eru - dite work carefully traces the con - By Macdara tours of policy formation, Doyle revealing an alarming continuity. From the senior Cumann na Home: Why Public nGaedheal TD asserting that hous - Housing is the Answer ing was an “economic problem”, By Eoin Ó Broin urging citizens to “rely less on gov - ernment”, to inform - Published by Merrion Press ing a 1931 debate on slum clearance that “the ratepayer…will THIS IS the story of a State tell you that money spent on slum central to that litany. In his fore - that has repeatedly and clearance and rehousing the slum word to Rebuildling Ireland (2016 ) shamefully failed to meet the dweller is largely wasted.” Taoiseach Leo Varadkar declared it housing needs of its citizens. Nonetheless, the prevalence of Sinn Fein TD Eoin Ó Broin speaking at the local launch of Home: would “fully and finally” address Of a State that, from inception, Why Public Housing is the Answer in Connolly Hall, Waterford such slum conditions eventually the housing problem. has harboured deep ideological in May. forced action with the new Fianna In June 2019, the Government suspicions of public and affordable Fail government introducing mea - conceded to a Dáil committee that housing. Housing policy was cast and institutional prejudice saw came the new normal. sures that saw official housing out - even their ‘best case scenario’ saw as a hierarchy: wealthier home public housing become synony - That warning sign was missed, put (built and funded) reach the housing crisis worsen until owners at the privileged apex, with mous with deprivation, while the as was another other portent of 12,000 homes per annum for much 2023. those of lesser means and greater of the next decade, the first con - unregulated rental sector was a the catastrophe to come. “Home” chronicles the growing need forced ever further down the certed effort to tackle housing pri - gombeen landlord’s paradise. Rental supplement was created public and political anger at this slopes. vation on the part of the fledgling Official output of public housing as an emergency measure in 1977 inbuilt policy dysfunction – high - This coincided neatly with the state. dropped by 30% in the same – 20 years later it supported the interests of a burgeoning private However, those dramatic figures decade and a 1991 plan confirmed housing needs of twice the num - lighting the important Raise the developer class that became the hid an inbuilt policy bias towards there would be no return to local ber catered for by local authorities Roof campaign – arguing that mainstay of housing provision in the better off (and private owner - authority building on the previous and approved housing bodies. As “there has never been a better the new state. ship) meaning that housing need scale. prices spiralled, so did need. time to force a fundamental Thus, Ó Broin contends, the cur - remained high. The 1946 Census Meanwhile, deregulation of fi - Ó Broin forensically unpicks the change.” rent crisis stems not from housing found 310,265 houses without nancial markets provided perfect litany of failure that comprises the With this passionate and astute policy that has failed, or a frac - sanitation. The same year housing camouflage for the State’s exit current government’s record on work Ó Broin has provided a com - tured market. Rather, recurrent output dropped to a new low and from housing provision. As the Eu - this issue, without straying into pelling case for such change and crises are hardwired into the sys - the seeds of the next crisis were ropean mortgage market doubled party politics. Bullish predictions for a housing policy built on more tem and follow logically from pol - own. In the 1980s, official neglect in size, house price volatility be - and claims that defied reality are inclusive, equitable foundations. The Long March – more lives on the Left since then. He has survived black - historical, Yes, We Have No Ba - the North ( Holy War in Belfast ) listing on building sites, been in - nanas was also an indication of his and on labour history ( The Rise of By Michael volved in activism for the non-sectarian left politics, describ - the Irish Trade Unions ) but also Halpenny unemployed and housing over the ing as it does the Outdoor Relief made the time to write for Glas - decades and today, approaching marches of the early 1930s when gow’s left-wing Forward (James Left Lives in Twentieth his 90th year, he is secretary of the unemployed workers from both Connolly was a contributor in his Century Ireland Volume 2 Dublin Council of Trade Unions the Falls Road and the Shankill day), The New Statesman and the Editors Francis Devine & and this year attended his 59th joined forces to oppose welfare cut oldest continuously published consecutive May Day rally. by the then Northern Ireland state. American magazine, The Nation . Kieran Jack McGinley Sam’s story and that of many Others who ploughed that often Other pieces include Mags Published by Umiskin Press others active in the movement lonely furrow of working class O’Brien on the late Sylvia Meehan, over the last century, and this, are study and politics in the North and a giant of both the labour move - The above quote – “The Long contained in this welcome second who receive long overdue coverage ment and the fight for equality; March” – comes from the sub - volume of Left Lives , edited by the are historian John J Boyle (Mike the refreshing voice of Des Derwin ject of a piece in this volume, indefatigable Francis Devine and Meecham) and journalist Andrew on , whose autobi - a man literally raised in the about the late UNISON General Kieran Jack McGinley. Boyd (Emmet O’Connor). ography, Eggs and Rashers was Secretary, – shadow of Joseph Stalin at a Northumbria University histo - Boyle, originally from Dublin, reviewed in an earlier edition of whose father was Irish – and who time in the Dublin of the rian, Connal Parr, writes about his moved to Belfast and over the Liberty and one by Seamus Dooley gave great support to UNISON in 1930s when you would be grandfather, the late Paddy Devlin course of a long professional life as on former NUJ leader, Jim Eadie the North and to the late Inez drowned in holy water and – former republican prisoner, left an historian did ground-breaking under the title The Accidental Of - McCormick, in particular. blinded by the light of Sacred activist, SDLP leader and leading work bringing Labour history in ficial , a heading which may accu - Finally, Irish Labour leader Bren - Heart lamps. ITGWU official. from the margins where, according rately describe the circumstances dan Corish receives a triple assess - The large portrait of the Soviet The pen portrait, titled Left from to Meecham, it was even seen by of his appointment but certainly ment from Brendan Halligan, Niall leader had been mounted in the the Margins , describes a man some as “off bounds”. not his great contribution in the Greene and Tony Brown while the hallway of the family home for all whose autobiography, Straight The heading to O’Connor’s chap - challenging world of representing last word goes to the “Bannermen” to see by Sam Nolan’s left-wing fa - Left , tells the story of a man an - ter on Boyd, Persona Non Grata , workers in the media, masterfully who (literally) provided colour and ther. At its sight, he says, people chored in the working class of tells of “one of the great working told by Dooley. dash to that “Long March” of would bless themselves and scurry Belfast, who eschewed sectarian - class autodidacts” of 20th century Francis Devine’s pieces on labour and trade union politics: on. To borrow the title to the ism and did what he could from Ireland and offers “a unique per - Belfast trade unionist Sam Munroe Drogheda’s W.L. Reynolds, Irish chapter on him, Sam Nolan, has the centre ground of left politics spective on Irish politics, one that and Luke Dineen on Cork’s Robert Citizen Army veteran Thomas been on the “Long March” of left- for his class. was socialist republican in Day provide “geographical bal - Kaine and, more recently, the late wing politics and trade unionism Devlin’s other work, this time essence”. He wrote historically on ance”, while Dan O’Neill writes Jer O’Leary. Liberty 25 Commemoration JUNE 2019 Connolly recalled at Arbour Hill SIPTU Honorary President, ers, vulture funds and landlords to Padraig Peyton, gave the fol - deal with the housing emergency lowing oration at the grave - even when all efforts under its Re - building Ireland programme have side of James Connolly in failed three years after it was first Arbour Hill cemetery on the launched. anniversary of his execution This is not a mistake. It is not on 12th May. some error made by an official in “We gather here today to mark some government department. It is the death on this day 103 years ago a conscious decision to downgrade of James Connolly, the former act - the role of the State in delivering ing general secretary of The Irish public and affordable housing. Just Transport and General Workers as the creaking health care system Union, political activist, socialist ag - has been undermined in order to itator, writer and family man. Due promote private interests over pub - to his role as a key organiser and lic need. leader of the Easter Rebellion of Just as the survival of the planet 1916, during which he served as the is now under threat from climate Photo: SIPTU Honorary President, Padraig Peyton speak - commander of the Dublin forces in change and the destruction of plant ing at the Connolly Commemoration in Arbour Hill, and animal life caused, in the main, the GPO and as a signatory of the Dublin on 12th May. Photo by: Paddy Cole Proclamation, James Connolly was by the all-consuming greed of pri - executed on 12th May 1916. vate financial interests. He was the last of the leaders to The right-wing will undoubtedly be shot by the British army and his For his part, the struggle with country and of the working class on to work longer and harder for a remind us that the market and the death, as he lay badly injured on a Murphy and the ruthless employers sectarian lines, about the danger of lower wage than the other nations cost competitiveness it offers are stretcher in Kilmainham jail, con - of Dublin during the Lockout, the raising the green flag over Dublin of Europe, in order that our middle the reason they are wedded to such tributed much to the anger that need to mobilise union members in Castle without challenging the ex - class may have the opportunity of private interests providing much erupted across the country and the the Citizen’s Army as well as the ap - ploitation of labour by the Irish cap - selling their goods at a lower price housing, health and other public world about the executions and ul - palling housing and living condi - italist class, about the right of than their competitors.” services, for profit. timately to the War of Indepen - tions of the working class in the women to equality at work and in He could also have been writing I would suggest that the recent dence that followed in 1918. city, and the widespread poverty the home are as relevant today as about the curse of precarious work Connolly was an original thinker and exploitation across the country - working harder, faster, for less. and writer whose work was widely under British imperial rule, rein - The words of the Democratic Pro - gramme, the centenary of which we forced Connolly’s belief that the It is time for change, for struggle for the freedom of the na - celebrate this year and which was His central role in that epic tion and of his class were intrinsi - heavily influenced by Connolly’s vi - public and affordable struggle earned him the cally connected. sion, are particularly resonant refer - homes, a fair and efficient deep antagonism of the ring as they do to the reaffirmation health system and for His meetings with Padraig Pearse that “all right to private property Dublin employers led by decent public services and the Irish Volunteers, his expla - must be subordinated to the public William Martin Murphy, nations in The Workers Republic right and welfare.” provided by workers in whose newspaper, The newspaper he published from Lib - Across this State today over secure, properly paid 10,000 people are homeless with Independent, called for erty Hall in the months leading to employment. Connolly’s execution two the Rising, his decision to encour - more than 3000 children forced to live in circumstances that are dam - weeks after the rising and age the ICA to join with the Volun - aging to their long-term health and just two years after the teers and Cumann na mBan on Easter Monday 1916, and his con - well-being. More than 100,000 are Lockout ended on the housing list while the State tribution €1 billion and rising overspend on to the Proclamation put a social - has failed to provide sufficient pub - the National Children’s Hospital read by socialists across Europe and ist and progressive stamp on the vi - lic or affordable homes to meet the has been a financial scandal with in the US where he laboured on be - sion espoused by the revolutionary they were in the first decades of the very basic need for shelter of our the most vulnerable in our society, half of workers of all races, gender movement of the time. 20th Century. people. our sick children, lost in the noise and creed from 1903 to 1910 before Connolly said that revolutionary In the coming months, we face We in SIPTU support the de - about who mishandled the design he returned to Ireland. times require revolutionary action into the uncertainty of Brexit and mands of the Raise the Roof cam - and contract negotiations. His work with Jim Larkin in and at a time when millions of its potential to re-open wounds paign – an alliance of trade union, Equally, the Government deci - building the ITGWU among the young men were losing their lives most of us thought were still heal - political, housing and community sion to hand over the entire broad - lowest paid and most vulnerable during the so-called Great War, and ing, if not healed, since the Good organisations - for a major local au - band infrastructure and its delivery workers in Belfast, Dublin, Cork, conscription to that bloodbath was Friday Agreement of 1998. There is thority led investment in public over the next 30 years to private in - also the threat it poses to the jobs housing, an end to forced evictions Wexford, Limerick, Sligo and other now being imposed in Ireland, his terests, at a cost of at least €3 bil - parts of the country is well docu - decision to join forces with the Vol - and incomes of tens of thousands into homelessness, a legal right to lion with no clear idea as to how mented and within two years of his unteers was both justified and of workers in both jurisdictions and housing and security of tenure and many rural homes will partake of return he was central to the mobil - courageous, despite the manner in we would be wise to heed the rent control for those who are the service, or at what price, is the isation of the Irish Citizen Army which it was so brutally crushed. words of James Connolly as the forced into the hands of heavily height of fiscal irresponsibility. during the Dublin Lockout, the his - It goes without saying that the shadow of a no-deal Brexit still subsidised landlords. It is time for change, for public toric battle with the employers of legacy of James Connolly lives in looms. The housing emergency is, of and affordable homes, a fair and ef - Speaking of the danger of a sim - course, intertwined with the crisis the city over union rights and recog - the one big union he helped to ficient health system and for de - ple exchange of masters, from of precarious work with many peo - nition. form with Larkin and also in the cent public services provided by British to Irish industrialists, in the ple subsisting on wages that fall His central role in that epic strug - political ideas he left behind in his workers in secure, properly paid event of achieving Irish indepen - short of what it costs to put a roof gle earned him the deep antago - voluminous writings and speeches employment. This includes ensur - dence he wrote: over their heads, not to mention nism of the Dublin employers led and which have influenced genera - ing that water supply and domestic “We would quickly find that what goes on child care for many by William Martin Murphy, whose tions of socialists and republicans waste collection are under full pub - under the conditions born of the working families. newspaper, The Independent, on the island. lic control. That is what James Con - capitalist system our one hope of It is no accident that the current called for Connolly’s execution two His perceptive warnings about nolly would demand today. We keeping our feet as a manufacturing government led by Fine Gael look weeks after the rising and just two the carnival of reaction that would should settle for nothing less. nation would depend on our ability to the market, to private develop - years after the Lockout ended. result from the partition of the Go raibh míle maith agaibh. 26 Liberty JUNE 2019 Book Reviews

Occupying force: British troops in Limerick

President Higgins with Ireland’s Soviet author Liam Cahill Forgotten Revolution: of military law on the city. the author said the book goes be - remaining years of the Decade, it The Limerick Soviet 1919 The British government imposed yond the story of the Limerick So - is imperative that historians and severe regulations following the viet and contains intriguing new [The Centenary Edition] researchers actively redress the shooting dead of a policeman and information from the Military By Liam Cahill similar neglect of labour’s role. Price: €15 an IRA prisoner during a rescue at - Archives in Dublin, that shows tempt at a local hospital. Workers events and developments in the “Otherwise, the rest of the were required to get a military pass vital year of 1919 in a new light. Decade is in danger of becoming a A FORMER RTÉ journalist and go through checkpoints four Cahill told Liberty : “From 1916 monotonous parade of ambushes, turned historian, Liam Cahill, times a day. onwards, the British authorities assassinations and raids with the has published a new book Limerick United Trades and saw workers and their rapidly role of workers and their trade telling the forgotten story of Labour Council rejected the restric - growing trade unions as posing as unions continuing to be air - the deep involvement of tions and, instead, took over the big a threat to their power as the brushed out of our history.” running of the entire city for a fort - Irish Volunteers or Sinn Féin. workers and their trade Priced at €15, including a map, unions in the struggle for night, including printing their own “This threat came to a head a Chronology of Events and many Irish Independence in the currency and newspaper. century ago as the First Dáil con - photographs never published be - The strike received worldwide vened publicly in Dublin, as the years 1916 – 21. fore, Forgotten Revolution is avail - Titled Forgotten Revolution [The coverage in newspapers and news - first shots were fired during the able in some independent Centenary Edition] The Limerick reels and became known interna - ambush at Soloheadbeg, county bookshops as well as online as a Soviet 1919 , the book takes as its tionally as the Limerick Soviet. Tipperary and as militant workers Liam Cahill said: “A highlight of starting point the Limerick Gen - Recently, Liam Cahill presented took over the city of Limerick.” the Decade of Centenaries has paperback or e-book from Amazon eral Strike, or Limerick Soviet, of a copy of his book to President Recalling recent comments by been the recovery and honouring and other leading internet book - April 1919, when 14,000 workers Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin. President Higgins at a history sem - of the role of women in the fight stores. protested against the imposition Speaking after the presentation, inar in University College Cork, for our freedom. However, in the Michael Halpenny

Theatre event tells stories SIPTU EDUCATION of Troubles loss and injury & DEVELOPMENT THE terrible human cost of who lost loved ones in the 1972 the Troubles is being brought and 1974 Dublin bombings; Mary SUPPORT SCHEME to the stage at the Liberty Hall Casey, whose father was killed in a premature IRA bomb explosion Í .&.#&3 4*/'63 5)&3  Theatre on 12th July in a dra -  &%6$ "5*0/ matic retelling of the personal in in 1972; and Alan Breck - nell, who also lost his father in Í 4& $0/%-&7&- "8"3%4  stories of 11 people impacted '03.&.#&3 4 "/%' 03  the UVF attack on Donnelly’s Bar,  .&.#&3 4Æ$)*-%3&/ by the 30-year conflict. Silverbridge, in 1975. Blood Red Lines, a piece of ‘ver - Í ("&- 5"$)5 "8"3%4' 03  Peter O’Connor, seriously in -  .&.#&3 4Æ$)*-%3&/ batim theatre’ directed by BAFTA- jured in the 1975 Dundalk bomb - award winner Robert Rea, will also A member , applying on ing, will tell his story as will his /her o wn behalf or on feature music and songs by county former British soldier, Lee Lavis, behalf of his /her child/ Down folk musician Tommy who served two tours of duty in childr en, must ha ve at Sands. Northern Ireland. least one y ear’ s membership of the U nion The participants include Monica Tickets, priced at €16, are avail - and be in benef it when Duffy-Campbell and Aidan Shields able online at www.gr8events.ie Dublin bombings memorial both the application and the payments ar e made.

ECEIPT TE FOR R SING DA ICATIONS CLO ED APPL COMPLET 16 OF BE R2,0 2109 SEpPteTmEMber ) ) 3300tThH S e 19/126/0220017 ardRs D2S0 20 (F(FoOr Ra wAWA Liberty 27 Book Reviews JUNE 2019

By Manus O’Riordan

A Conspiracy Of Lies What lies at the heart... by Frank Connolly Published by Mercier Press that "everyone remembers where they were at the time of the bomb - ON 1st December, 1972 Lib - ings, except those too young, too Frank C onnoll y erty Hall was the target of a old or too dead". bomb attack, while a sec - It was the loyalist UVF which ond bomb killed two bus were blamed, not only for the 1974 workers, George Bradshaw bombings, but those of 1971 and

(30) and Thomas Duffy (23) 1972 as well. But the UVF had not in nearby Sackville Place on done so alone, for those bombings it is now widely believed, were that same night. At the masterminded by British intelli - time, the controversial and repressive Offences Against gence, which also provided the necessary technical expertise.

the State Act was under de - bate in Dáil Eireann. But how to ensure that such his - A But it was the late afternoon of torical facts are kept before the 17th May, 1974, which saw public eye? Justice for the Forgot - Conspira cy Dublin's deadliest bombings, when ten has campaigned heroically in separate car bombs in Parnell that regard. But there is a signifi - cant section of young to middle of Lie s Street, South Leinster Street and Talbot Street wiped out the lives of aged among the Irish public that 26 civilians and a full-term unborn will remain unreached by what child. many of them might regard as That same evening, a car bomb "just" 45-year-old history and yet reader will nonetheless be be - in Monaghan town robbed a fur - one more commemoration. mused by portrayals of some of ther seven people of their lives, Frank Connolly has found a so - Frank Connolly (left) with Stephen Rea (right) launching A Conspiracy of Lies those fictionalised types 45 years lution – a thriller centred on a in City Assembly House, Dublin on 17th April 2019. with the resulting total death toll Photo by: RollingNews back, such as the references to "a being the largest in any single day young man and woman catapulted pliant security correspondent at of the conflict which would not be into first experiencing the trauma the 'Independent'" and "the new of the bombings itself, next be - brought to an end until the 1998 story. A conspiracy was indeed well book on the history of the Garda coming aware of the nature of the Síochána written by the sycophan - Good Friday Agreement. The historical truths are initially under way. Connolly describes the conspiracy behind them, and then tic security correspondent". I was on the other side of O'Con - presented straight from the record historical facts: "Sloppy investiga - setting out to expose it. But, above all, the book is a racy nell Street when the 1972 car – how the Cosgrave coalition gov - tion of mass murder, destruction bomb that killed my fellow ITGWU Indeed Angie, the female protag - thriller, which also evokes the ernment itself sought to deflect of evidence, missing notes and member, Thomas Douglas, thun - onist, gives a fuller description Dublin underworld of the time, the searchlight away from the ac - records. Wrong intelligence, sinis - derously exploded, and the vivid than the book's title when she and also graphically, if gruesomely, tual culprits by winding down the ter forces, political myopia. The sight of that car's roof and other nails it as "a conspiracy of agreed portrays the beatings-to-a-pulp tor - bomb debris shooting above lies". Garda investigation after a mere gardaí handing over the forensic tures inflicted by the all-too-real Clery's is one that remains indeli - Connolly's approach to spread - three months, while the Fine Gael and ballistic evidence to the British Garda Heavy Gang in the wake of a ble in my memory. ing public awareness of the histor - Minister for Justice, Paddy Cooney, Army at Lisburn. A police and se - burglary at the home of the fic - Author, Frank Connolly, recalls ical truth could, of course, have and Labour's Minister for Post & curity failure of epic proportions." tional minister for state security. being a witness to the aftermath of fallen flat on its face if his novel Telegraphs, Conor Cruise O'Brien, Although the book records actual From chapter to chapter the nar - the 1974 bomb in South Leinster was not up to scratch in its own set about a diversionary rhetorical statements from leading politi - rative is filled with unfolding sus - Street and assisting with the in - right. It, however, succeeds ad - campaign to hold the IRA "ulti - cians and real events from the pense, and Frank Connolly's jured, and his novel, A Conspiracy mirably as an exciting thriller, mately" responsible for the time, the characters are fictional, political thriller is to be highly rec - Of Lies opens with the statement which also contains a tender love Dublin/Monaghan bombings. as are those in the media. The ommended for that reason alone. 28 Liberty JUNE 2019 Tradition Liberty Hall’s courageous caretaker

By Paul Ennis

“YOU are quite at liberty…” With these words, caretaker Peter Ennis greeted the early morning raiding party at Liberty Hall on Friday 22nd August 1919. September 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Wicklow-born Ennis’ resulting court martial. On the Wednesday prior to the raid, Christopher Quigley, a news vendor, had induced Private S Mor - rison, of the 3rd Battalion, Wilt - shire Regiment, to procure a rifle for sale. A deal was struck for £2 and the rifle was passed through a window at the Hall. Quigley’s and Morrison’s subsequent arrests led to the raid. A detailed account of the 4am raid and Ennis’ trial is documented in the British National Archives at Kew. Having greeted the raiding party with the words, “You are quite at liberty”, Ennis continued his good- humoured banter by asking, “Are you going to pay me overtime for this, sir?” The search uncovered firearms and Ennis, as the only res - ident, was arrested. He was registered as prisoner 499 at Mountjoy Prison, where he Peter Ennis, top row, stands head and shoulders above this gathering of returned prisoners outside Liberty Hall in 1917. Peter, inset left, was also listed as a ‘hunger striker’. had a few close run-ins with Crown Forces as a result of his role as Liberty Hall caretaker. Peter’s family think the woman with ladle in An approval by the Chief Secretary hand to the right of Countess Markievicz, below, is Mary Kate Ennis of Ireland allowed Ennis to sign union papers while at Mountjoy. union activist and prominent so - Ennis’ court martial took place cialist. He joined the newly-formed on 24th September 1919. He was Socialist Party of Ireland (SPI) in successfully defended by the emi - April 1904 and would remain a nent republican barrister Patrick staunch member, serving on com - Lynch KC, who would later serve as mittees, presiding at meetings and Attorney General. Ennis co-accused speaking on public platforms, be - Quigley, on the other hand, was fore taking a central role in James sentenced to a year in prison. Connolly’s Independent Labour In what seemingly was a reprisal Party of Ireland (ILP) from 1912 to for his acquittal, late one evening 1914. the Black and Tans ‘lifted’ Ennis He was a trade unionist with the from the Hall, brought him to the Custom House railings and beat National Union of Dock Labourers him mercilessly on the head with before becoming a founding mem - revolvers. ber of Irish Transport and General Years later, Ennis’ obituary Workers Union in January 1909. stated that he had “given himself Ennis co-signed the first Rules of up for dead” at the time. Suffering the ITGWU. terribly, he dragged himself back Peter ‘swooned At Liberty Hall, he served three over the cobbles at Beresford Place giants of Irish labour history – Jim to the Hall and was able to close from loss Larkin, James Connolly and the door. According to the obitu - ary, he then “swooned from loss of of blood and William O’Brien. Sadly, his wife blood and lay almost unconscious lay almost Mary Kate who shared his life at until discovered the next morn - the Hall died on 15th April 1914, ing”. unconscious aged only 31. His obituary recalled that this Micheál and Paul Ennis Peter Ennis died on the 2nd Jan - was one of “many occasions” that until the next at Peter’s and Mary uary 1927, aged 51. Rosie Hackett Ennis had “exciting and almost Kate’s grave in morning...’ Killaveny cemetery cared for him in his failing health. fatal encounters with the armed More than 3,000 mourners at - forces of Dublin Castle”. tended his removal, described by During the Easter Rising, and found himself at the centre of sev - the Irish Independent as “an ex - under James Connolly’s orders to eral incursions into the building by when men in ‘plain clothes’ broke fronted by “as murderous a gang of Crown Forces. Ennis was often ceptionally large cortege”. A plaque leave “as the union needed him”, in and poured petrol over the Tans that ever shot a civilian”. he had staged a dramatic escape alone during these raids and his honouring Peter Ennis was erected from the GPO under machine gun apartment was frequently ran - woodwork. Ennis later remarked that “only for in 1927 in Liberty Hall and can be fire to return to Liberty Hall. sacked. Another time, Ennis and William the old bolshie, I was gone that seen today in the Irish Labour As a resident at Liberty Hall dur - On one occasion he saved Lib - O’Brien were bringing “docu - time”. History Society Museum. ing the War of Independence, he erty Hall from certain destruction ments” out when they were con - Ennis is remembered as a trade Paul Ennis is Peter Ennis’ grand-nephew Liberty 29 Reflection JUNE 2019

Padraigín Ní Mhurcú (20th February 1947 – 4th June 2019)

Padraigín, sixth from left, with a group of union officials from her Aer Lingus days

Padraigín in the 1970s Fearless fighter for equal pay and decent jobs By Brenda Doyle remove their union badges. Padraigín, during her working I STILL remember the first life, achieved a great many things day, in 1981, Padraigín was in - as a trade union official. She troduced to us in 48 Fleet showed great determination. She Street in the headquarters of was known to be stubborn. She the Irish Women Workers’ was an achiever and a brilliant ne - Union (IWWU). In came this gotiator. She was one of the coura - woman full of enthusiasm and geous young women in the 1970s ready to take on her role as as - who campaigned for women’s sistant general secretary, rights and, while there is still un - bringing new ideas, new finished business, she will be re - changes which would benefit membered as a fearless fighter for the members going forward. IWWU General Secretary Padraigín Ní Mhurcú, third from left, with staff and equal pay and decent jobs. Her role She brought new light to the Padraigín Ní Mhurcú: Executive Committee members Jenny Murray, Rosaleen Bracken, Brenda Doyle, within the trade union movement women workers’ membership. She brilliant negotiator Rose Thompson, June Winders, Kay Marron and Pat Davis will never be forgotten. worked tirelessly to organise and But, behind all that bravado, the campaign for the rights of workers. tary of the IWWU in 1981. She be - Padraigín we knew was a kind, She loved the buzz of it. She had came general secretary of the considerate and passionate person, found her calling. IWWU on the retirement of the always willing to help others. She Padraigín commenced her work - then general secretary, Maura Bres - never stopped trying to make a dif - ing life in the Civil Service. How - lin, in 1982, a position she held ference and her legacy will stand ever, it wasn’t long before she felt with great pride. the test of time. We were a good the need to move forward to fight She was the last serving general group, we laughed, we had good for the rights of workers and their secretary of the Irish Women times and bad times but we families, particularly for women. Workers’ Union from 1982 until worked well as a team. We have She became an official in the the amalgamation of the IWWU fond memories. Federated Workers’ Union of Ire - with the FWUI in 1984. Padraigín was also an avid land in 1973, one of a number of With the IWWU Committee she reader, an excellent cook and radical young officials appointed at led the negotiations with the FWUI breadmaker. She fought fiercely the time with the intention to and its general secretary, Bill Att - for the rights of married women to breathe new energy and commit - ley. The proposals for a merger remain in full-time employment. ment into the union to face the were devised and accepted by bal - On Tuesday, 4th June 2019, many challenges ahead. lot by the members of the IWWU Irish Women Workers’ Union Padraigín succumbed to her ill - Padraigín was assigned to service in 1984. ness. the membership of the union in Welcoming the discussions to She will be sadly missed by her first female worker representative. work for the movement. Aer Lingus, with particular respon - join forces with the FWUI, two children Eoghan and Ruth, by Padraigín remained as a worker In March 2013, she oversaw the sibility for the cabin crew. She Padraigín said she was “confident her brother Eamon, her extended representative of the Labour Court unveiling of a plaque to commem - quickly established herself as their that the Larkinite tradition of family and friends and all who champion in the many battles they democratic trade unionism upon until her retirement in 2014. orate the founding of the Irish knew her. Perhaps now, for the had with management, achieving which both trade unions are In 1992, Padraigín’s health was Women Workers’ Union with Kay first time in a long time, she is at vast improvements in their pay founded will ensure the successful to suffer a blow. However, with Marron and Margaret McCurtain at peace, no longer in pain and suf - and conditions. outcome of the talks.” By the time the same determination that had Liberty Hall, Dublin. The plaque fering, content that the world she In no time, Padraigín was pro - the merger proposal was formally marked her work as an official, was the result of a long campaign was born into is a better place be - moted to the position of branch agreed by an overwhelming vote of she fought back and continued to by the IWWU Commemorative cause of the work that she did on secretary. Only two women in the IWWU members in June 1984, struggle for workers until her re - Committee which had worked tire - behalf of workers. Not many of us FWUI held that position. She re - Padraigín had been nominated by tirement. Despite the fact that her lessly for recognition of the stand can say that. mained in that role until she was the FWUI and the ICTU to the health worsened over the years, it taken by three young women in Ja - Forever in our heart, Padraigín. appointed assistant general secre - Labour Court where she became its did not stop her continuing her cobs’ factory who had refused to Rest in peace. 30 Liberty JUNE 2019 Sport

Dublin beat Galway on Saturday 15th June Photo courtesy Galwaybayfm.ie Joy for Dublin hurlers By Sean Potts It’s been a long time since the marred by a number of one-sided the championship by going toe-to- a lacklustre league campaign aside, provincial football champi - contests with Waterford particu - toe with Galway until the dying they remain a phenomenal outfit onships could hold their own larly disappointing. minutes when Crummy’s goal se - with an exceptional attitude. with hurling so 2019 is prov - Clare’s victory over Cork proved One major cured a place in the next phase. That attitude is the reason ing somewhat different. too little, too late and they paid a It was a big disappointment for Dublin continue to dominate Lein- As we head towards the half-way heavy price for their poor perfor - difference this Mattie Kenny’s side that they were ster and beyond. With competition point in the season, it would be mances against Limerick and Tipp. denied a place in the Leinster final within the squad managed per - stretching it to say either campaign With the sides meeting again in year is that the thanks to a wonder free by Lee fectly by Gavin, they are relentless has been vintage to date but there the Munster final, the Premier Chin in Wexford Park. However, in every game, showing complete have been a number of excellent County’s victory over the All-Ire - Leinster hurling Dublin now face either of the respect for the opposition, regard- contests, with Roscommon defy - land and League champions in McDonagh Cup finalists, Laois less of status. ing the odds again to claim the Semple Stadium amounted to 70 championship has or Westmeath, with a place against Louth and Kildare were dis - Connacht football title and Done- minutes of shadow boxing. It’s either Tipp or Limerick in the All- patched with ruthless efficiency, gal dismantling Tyrone in Ulster. something of a worry for John outshone Munster Ireland quarter-final at stake. complacency could not be de - However, one major difference Kiely as Limerick’s Munster form by some distance To a certain extent, the Ulster tected, yet one suspects that an this year is that the Leinster hurl- has been erratic, losing twice in and Connacht football champi - improving Meath will provide far ing championship has outshone the round robin phase. onships are keeping the provincial more formidable opposition in the Munster by some distance. That said, Kiely rested a number competitions from flatlining. Leinster final even if they ulti - With Kilkenny, Wexford, Dublin of key players and one suspects Donegal’s impressive victory over mately fall short. and Galway all finishing the exhil- there will be a serious improve - Tyrone has thrust them back into So with Mayo, Galway, Tyrone arating group stage on five points, ment when they return to Semple the spotlight while Roscommon, and Monaghan forced to negotiate scoring difference secured a Lein- with silverware up for grabs. relegated from Division 1 in the the perils of the back door stages, with the Liam McCarthy Cup at ster final for the first two counties Shadow boxing aside, Tipp con- Spring, exposed a very poor Gal - all eyes are on Kerry in the Mun - stake. while Dublin’s epic victory over tinue to impress, particularly their way in Salthill. ster final to see if they can im - It’s hard to separate Wexford, Galway in Parnell Park courtesy of forward division with Seamus Unbridled joy greeted the prove on a disappointing display Kilkenny and Dublin. All three Chris Crummy’s late goal, ended Callanan on fire. But they pose a Rossie’s triumph but looking at the against Clare. have shown resilience and no the 2017 All-Ireland champions’ threat from all sectors, something bigger picture, dispatching Galway On paper, they possess a lethal shortage of ability but none pos - summer and condemned the highlighted by their spread of nine to the qualifiers, is more likely to full-forward line, likely to cause sesses the firepower of Munster’s Tribesmen to their earliest exit scorers against Limerick. impact on how the Super 8’s un - trouble for any side including top two. from the championship since That victory proved very costly, fold and who will emerge from the Dublin. However, it’s the sum of Dublin’s win over Galway in a 1968. however, with Bonner Maher picking chasing pack to challenge Dublin. the parts which make the five-in- gripping battle in Donnycarney The story in Munster has been up a serious injury and Cathal Barrett As they are so dominant, sling - row-chasing Dubs such a daunting was probably the highlight of the the dominance, and scoring tearing a hamstring; both will be ing brickbats at Jim Gavin’s side proposition for the challengers. group games. Without first choice prowess, of Liam Sheedy’s Tipper- badly missed for the re-match. has become something of a na - Kerry are absolutely desperate to freetakers, Paul Ryan and David ary who defeated all-comers to While the Leinster round robin tional pastime for keyboard war - ensure their golden years are not Treacy, and losing their pivotal full- book their place in the provincial was thrilling, there is widespread be- riors and some established eclipsed. If Cork cause them prob- back Eoin O’Donnell in the first decider. However, the Munster lief that the Munster finalists could commentators alike. Yet they con- lems, then the jury will remain half, Dublin pulled off the shock of group stage was untypically meet for the third time in August, tinue to rise above the noise and, out. Liberty 31 Crossword JUNE 2019

PRIZE DRAW To win a €200 One4All voucher Liberty courtesy of JLT Insurance Crossword (see back cover) ACROSS DOWN 1 Blanched (4) 1 Lauding (8) 3 Shepherd's pie ingredients (8) 2 "Ciao!" (5) 9 Item (7) 4 "I ___ you one" (3) 10 Blackboard accessory (5) 5 Building design (12) 11 Area (12) 6 Tangerine kin (7) 14 Bird's beak (3) 7 Benefit (4) 8 Managed to do (12) 16 Award (5) 12 Bing, bang or boom (5) 17 Schuss, e.g. (3) 13 Two-wheeled vehicles (8) 18 By mistake (12) 15 Due to the fact that (7) 21 Amused reaction (5) 19 Adores (5) 22 Advent (7) 20 "Not only that..." (4) 23 By degrees (8) 22 "Is that ___?" (3)

24 A Swiss army knife has lots of them (4)

*Correctly fill in the crossword to reveal the hidden word, contained by reading the letters in the shaded squares from top to bottom. Email the hidden word to [email protected] or post to Communications Dept., Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 along with your name and address and you will to be entered into a prize draw to win a €200 One4All voucher The winner of the crossword quiz will be published in the next edition of Liberty. *Terms and conditions apply. The winner of the crossword competition in the April issue was Lisa Peyton, Dublin. The answer was: B ilateral

Union Pride: Celebrating our Past – Building our Future...

Join us for a celebration of the role of the trade union movement in the struggle for LGBT+ equality in Ireland and an exploration of how the Irish trade union movement can help achieve marriage equality in Northern Ireland.

To mark Pride Month Congress is hosting a conversation in: Book Upstairs Café 17 D’Olier Street, Dublin Wednesday, 26th June 6.00 p.m. – 7.15 p.m. Ca r Maximise your spending power with thousands of Insur anc e offers from top brands. register today at: Call: 1890 22 2 2 22 siptu.group-login.com Vis it: postins ura nce .ie

Acceptance c riteria, t erms a nd c onditions a ppl y. O ne D irect ( Ireland) L imited, t rading a s Post I nsur ance, i s r egulated b y t he C entral B ank o f I reland. O ne D irect ( Ireland) L imited i s a wholly o wned s ubsidiary o f A n P ost. Ov er 50 s Funer al Plan

Call: 1890 22 22 22 Vis it: postins ura nce .ie

Acceptance c rite ria, te rms a nd c onditions a pply. O ne D irect ( Ireland) L imite d, t rading a s Post I nsurance, i s r egulate d b y t he C entral B ank o f I reland. O ne D irect ( Ireland) L imite d i s a wholly o wned s ubsidiary o f A n P ost. Post I nsurance i s a t ied a gent o f N ew I reland A ssurance Company p lc f or l ife a ssurance b usiness. L ife a ssurance p olicies a re u nderwritte n a nd pro vided b y N ew I reland A ssurance C ompany p lc.