Pre-Budget Anti-Austerity Pre-Budget Anti- Protest Green Energy Home Helps Sat 24th Nov at 1pm, Parnell Square thth SI TPUT to MarchMarch wwith i SIPTU t demand that the GovernmentGovernmen Austerity Protest takes a NEW COURSE Fund Launched Campaign for JOBS and GROWTH Page 2 Page 8 Page 22 Organised byb the Dublinlin Council of TradeTrade Unions Vol. 11 No.8 November 2012 ISSN 0791-458X Bankers’ Vita Cortex film hit at pay sparks Cork Festival A documentary film of the public anger long struggle by the Vita Cor- tex workers in Cork to obtain their redundancy entitle- By Frank Connolly ments after the closure of the As anger continues to mount over exces- foam manufacturer last De- sive pay for bankers, thousands of work- cember has been a hit at the ers are mobilising to take part in a Cork Film Festival. The film “161 Days” documents pre-Budget protest against austerity and the lengthy occupation of the plant for jobs and growth in Dublin on 24th at the Kinsale Road, Cork, which November. ended in May when the owners of Following the revelation that over 70 senior the firm agreed to settle the de- executives across the bailed out banking sector mand by the workers for a fair re- are earning salaries in excess of €300,000 per dundancy payment. annum, and some more than €500,000 plus Produced by Wildacre Produc- benefits, the Government has come under tions and the SIPTU Communica- renewed pressure to tackle the wealthy in the tions Department, the forty-minute December Budget. film shows how the sit-in by the Congress and SIPTU have produced detailed Vita Cortex workers persisted proposals that could generate economic recov- ery and restore domestic demand amid worse through the cold months of winter than projected growth figures for 2013. In its in the unheated factory with the pre-Budget submission, Congress has called for support of the local community, an investment stimulus of€ 3 billion over three the solidarity of workers across years to create some 100,000 new jobs and Cork and the wider trade union boost GDP by 2% per annum. movement. The film-makers follow A new 48% tax rate for individual incomes the workers as they bring their over €100,000 and a 1% wealth tax are protest on to the streets of Cork, included in the Congress submission which where five thousand people came also argues for the period of adjustment of the out in support, to Leinster House public finances to be extended to 2017 with a in Dublin and to the homes of the reversal of the planned ratio of spending cuts Vita Cortex owners, Jack Ronan and to taxes. Clancy Tommy Picture: Sean McHenry. In a document endorsed by the National President Michael D Higgins launching the 1913 Tapestry Project in Liberty Hall See page 3 It also documents how a dedi- Executive Council of SIPTU, and entitled cated Facebook campaign attracted “Towards a New Course”, further proposals to expressions of support from high incentivise investment and stimulate consumer profile figures including former spending are outlined including measures to President Mary Robinson, interna- release some of the estimated €5 billion in Play the Liberty 10 key 1 tional human rights activist Noam personal pension savings. 2 Chomsky, actor Cillian Murphy and “There is no quick fix for the economic crisis Crossword and win recommendarecommendationsnoti s 3 comedian Des Bishop. Among but the one-sided austerity approach is not those filmed during visits to the oc- working. We must embark on a New Course,” two nights in a for Budget cupation are footballer, Paul Mc- SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor, told 4 5 Grath and the Catholic Bishop of Liberty. Fair Hotel 2013 Cork, John Buckley, while a tele- The Dublin Council of Trade Unions has 6 7 called on workers across the public and private Page 31 Page 16 - 17 9 phone message of support by Man- Continued on page 2 10 8 Continued on page 2 O R G A N I S I N G F O R F A I R N E S S A T W O R K A N D J U S T I C E I N S O C I E T Y • W W W . S I P T U . I E • J O I N O N L I N E 2 Liberty In this month’sLiberty NOVEMBER 2012 16 Liberty NOVEMBER 2012 Ex-GMB chief Kevin Curran speaks out Pre-Budget Page 7 LAPO workplace Anti-Austerity committee interview Page 14 Protest Liberty View Liberty Page 15 Sat 24th Nov at 1pm, Parnell Square View UT to ch w ithth SI TP Divisional MarchMar with SIPTU Conference Reports Page 18 demand that the Government takes a NEW COURSE for JOBS and GROWTH Hugo Chavez wins Page 26 The bombing of Liberty Hall Page 27 Organised bbyy the DublinDublin Playing on the Left: Council of TradTradee Unions Rayo Vallecano Page 30 Continued from page 1 — Bankers pay sparks public anger sector to join its pre-Budget march SIPTU members from the commu- mobilising for the demonstration against austerity and for jobs and nity, health, home help and con- on Saturday 24th November. growth in Dublin later this month. struction sectors are among those Continued from page 1 — Vita Cortex film hit at Cork Festival chester United manager, Alex Fergu- Theo Dorgan, the documentary ex- The dedication and courage of the son is recalled. plores how the dispute was resolved workers and their SIPTU official, Anne Liberty is dedicated to providing a platform for progressive news and views. A highlight of the fast moving after contacts involving SIPTU Vice- Egar, and the sacrifices made by their If you have any ideas for articles or comments please contact: documentary is a concert by Christy President, Patricia King, and Manu- families during the longest occupa- [email protected] Moore, Declan Sinnott with Noel facturing Division Organiser, Gerry tion in Irish industrial relations his- Liberty is published by the Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union, Shine and Mary Greene and their McCormack with the National As- tory as depicted in the film ensured Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 daughter Ellie at a packed Triskel sets Management Agency, the em- a resounding reception when first broadcast at the SIPTU manufactur- SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor • Vice President, Patricia King • Christchurch venue in Cork before ployers group IBEC and the Labour General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn the workers and hundreds of their Relations Commission and follow- ing conference on Friday (9th No- supporters. ing direct negotiations between vember) and during the Cork Film Production: SIPTU Communications Department, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, Festival three days later. Tel: 01 8588217 • Email: [email protected] With a voice-over by Cork poet, SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn and Vita Cortex owner, Jack Ronan. See page 19. SIPTU Head of Communications, Frank Connolly • Journalist: Scott Millar • Design: Sonia Slevin (SIPTU) & Joe Mitchell (Brazier Media) • Publications Assistant, Deirdre Price • Administrative Assistant, Karen Hackett Advertise in Liberty Produced, designed, edited and printed by trade union labour To advertise in Liberty, contact the Communications Department on 01 858 6372 or email communicationsdepart- Printed and distributed by The Irish Times, City West, Dublin. [email protected] • Liberty offers very competitive rates for advertisements which reach SIPTU members countrywide Liberty 3 News NOVEMBER 2012 Ambulance crash highlights dangerous work practices A vehicle accident in West ice expect paramedics in West Cork Cork involving two para- to work an 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. medics who had been at work shift on Monday, Tuesday and for approximately 22 hours Wednesday then to be on call the has highlighted unacceptable following eight hours. The main reason that these arrangements work practices for ambulance haven’t been abolished to date is to crews, according to SIPTU or- do with lack of funds.” ganiser Ted Kenny. Kenny said the union had suc- The paramedics were returning to ceeded in having these working their ambulance station at Castle- arrangements ended in the East and townbere on the morning of Friday, North Cork areas following deliber- 13th October, when their vehicle left the road and struck a pole. ations at the Labour Relations Com- The crew suffered minor injuries mission and Labour Court. while the vehicle was written-off. He added; “These rostering The paramedics had worked their arrangements are also scheduled to normal 12-hour shift but were then end in West Cork on 1st February. requested to go on call for another However, there has been specula- 12 hours. tion that the HSE will then attempt Ted Kenny said: “This incident to cut ambulance cover it this area, highlights rostering arrangements replacing one crew with a para- which the union has long opposed.” medic car. Such a reduction in serv- “Under these arrangements the ices to the people of West Cork HSE and National Ambulance Serv- would be unacceptable to SIPTU.” Imelda May supports James Connolly Bridge campaign Imelda May has voiced her support for the proposal to name the new transport bridge over the river Liffey in Dublin in honour of trade union organiser and 1916 leader, James Connolly. The internationally renowned singer joins numerous promi- nent cultural figures in support- ing the proposal which has also received broad political support. Backing the proposal, which seeks to honour the struggles of all the working people in Dublin during the revolutionary period, President Higgins with artists Robert Ballagh and Cathy Imelda highlighted her own Henderson and tapestry volunteers.