February/ Vol.16 No.1 March 2017 ISSN 0791-458X

Water Learning Europe’s for action last chance? Referendum now Page 6 Page 7 Page 14

Public

transport needs more Statefunds

by Scott Millar An attempt by Bus Éireann to impose cuts which would cause massive damage to its services and workers’ conditions of employment has highlighted a wider crisis in the public transport sector, according to SIPTU repre- sentatives. Early Years educators, Elaine O’Connor, Julie O' Sullivan and Annemarie Sweeney (L-R) from The seriousness of the situation at Bus Éireann, where management Killorglin, with Valentine’s Day cards for their local TDs and senators. Activists is advancing an agenda of subsidising government cutbacks through from across the country are sending cards to politicians as part of their campaign for quality, cuts in workers’ pay and conditions, while also running down a public affordable childcare with decent pay. See page 5. (Picture: Darragh O’Connor) service to the benefit of the private sector, was emphasised by SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction (TEAC) Division Organiser, Greg Ennis. He said: “The issues that have given rise to the current Bus Éireann dispute should be a source of serious concern to all workers across and Migrant Time for a Crossword

beyond the semi-state sector. This is nothing short of ‘Phase 2 6 5 3 4 Page 31 1 2 Workers basic 8

Austerity’ for Bus Éireann workers. It must be vigorously opposed for 10

13

1 12 the sake of the travelling public, our members and indeed workers training income? 14 16 5 17 19 20

8 Page 5 22 Page 10 1

Continued on page 2

WORKERS RIGHTS CENTRE

8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday - Friday wrc@.ie NEWSLETTER 2 Liberty In this month’sLiberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 News ORGANISING TO WIN

In recent years, the Community and Voluntary Sector has been asked by Government to do more with less. Budget cuts of up to 35% have impacted on the sector’s ability to deliver a range of services including youth work, community development and Communityhomeless services sector despite a growing demand. For workers this has meant pay cuts, short time or even redundancy. For communities it has meant stretched services are stretched even further. For SIPTU members it meant action, when they mobilised in their thousands to campaignprotect services and jobs. As the economy recovers there is an opportunity to press for proper funding that supports services and decent rates of pay. Page 6 However, there are also new challenges emerging which we must face. The way community and voluntary organisations are funded is going through a revolution. Department of Expenditure and Reform Secretary General, Robert Watt, has declared the end of the “grant based” funding model that the sector is used to and its replacement by a new “tendering” model. “Tendering or commissioning, call it what you want”, said SIPTU Community Sector Organiser, Darragh O’Connor,“ if left unchecked, could have major implications for workers, organisations and service users. In the absence of nationally agreed pay scales, tendering can drive down wages as organisations engage in a ‘race to the bottom’ to win contracts. “Tendering can also pit organisations against each other as they bid to win contracts. This goes directly against the co-operative ethos of the sector.” As funding arrangements change, workers and organisations have an “We have made a real difference opportunity to protect decent jobs and services. Workers, employers in the l ives of people and and funders now have the chance to agree a standard rate of pay by communities and this needs to b using the recently passed Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act 2015. e A new High Level Forum has also been established between the unions recognised as the economy recovers.” High Courtwhich represent the Community and Voluntary Sector and the De- partment of Expenditure and Reform. By agreeing rates of pay, quality jobs can be maintained and the potential ‘race to the bottom’ of victory ontendering avoided. wages Quality community services cannot be delivered without Page 9 quality jobs.

Strike at Tim Hastings after workers paid no redundancy Liberty Liberty View SIPTU members conducting a the full terms of a Labour Court ment implemented the compul- Page 10-11 strike action at Tim Hastings recommendation concerning the sory redundancy of three of our View Volkswagen in Westport, dispute. Since we began the strike members in the garage. However, County Mayo, have high- we have been overwhelmed with the process by which these workers were selected to be made redundant the level of support from the local lighted the fact that they was not acceptable to our members. have not received any redun- community. “The Labour Court recommended SIPTU Women September/ “Despite claims to the contrary Vol.15 No. 5 October 2016 dancy payments of any kind ISSN 0791-458X that one of the workers made re- no redundancy entitlements, ei- on the moveVision for Apple Members despite claims to the con- dundant be given the choice of re- O’Connell Street tax row consultation ther statutory or ex gratia, have Page 3 Pa g e 1 2 - 1 3 Page 24-25 trary by their employer. turning to his employment or Page 18 been paid to the workers let go SIPTU Shop Steward, Brian accept an ex-gratia redundancy pay- and management has stated that ment. An ex-gratia redundancy pay- Public Vahey, said: “We began our strike it will not respect the recommen- action on 3rd February and will ment was also recommended for transport dation of the Labour Court.” those workers whose positions maintain our work stoppage until SIPTU Organiser, Ashling were genuinely made redundant.” Unions andplan management agrees to implement Dunne, said: “In August, manage- repealing neededthe 8th Page 19 by Scott Millar Public transport workers are demanding that the Govern- ment urgently draws up a long-term strategic plan for the development of the sector. The call comes amid growing con- Support staff vote for strike action in selected hospitals cerns about the future of public transport in . With falling state subvention provoking crises in Bus, Bus Eireann and Irish Rail, workers have insisted that only such a blueprint on how services will be funded into the future can ensure that the public is provided with the transport service they need. The situation has already resulted in a major industrial dispute in Up to 20,000 pro-choice demonstrators marched in Dublin seeking the repeal of the 8th Dublin Bus which could spread to the other public transport companies. Amendment of the Constitution on Saturday, 24th September. (Picture: RollingNews) SIPTU members employed counted on Monday, 13th Febru- dispute involves the granting of SIPTU Transport, Energy, Aviation and Construction Division Organ- iser, Owen Reidy, said: “All three pubic transport companies have seen the level of their state subvention reduced by approximately one third The Calais Big Start Crossword over recent years. To make matters even worse, we have seen the as health service support ary. concessions by the HSE and the National Transport Authority last year unilaterally take €2 million from Jungle Campaign Page 31 Dublin Bus because it deemed its profits excessive. Page “At the heart of the issues affecting our public transport companies Page 19 SIPTU Health Division Organ- Department of Health to nurses is their inability to plan their budgets, and in particular, their 9 staff have voted by 94% to Continued on page 2 6% in favour of taking strike iser, Paul Bell said: “The issues in working in emergency depart- Fishing industry action in selected hospitals dispute include a failure by man- ments which have not been ex- exploitation in a dispute concerning agement to adhere to the fully tended to other workers.” www.workersrightscentre.ie Page 21 breaches of the national binding provisions of the Lans- The strike involving over 10,000 public service agreements downe Road and Haddington health support staff workers will and their exclusion from Road agreements. The most cru- initially take place in 39 acute hos- concessions provided to cial elements that have not been pital facilities across the country. other emergency department adhered to include the re-intro- The list of hospitals where work- workers. duction of a job evaluation ers have voted to take strike ac- Ireland and the The ballot of the over 10,000 scheme and the application of in- tion can be viewed at SIPTU members employed as cremental credit to interns. SIPTUHealth.ie Soviet Union health service support staff was “The other central issue in this Page 26 Continued from page 1 — Public transport needs more State funds across the island of Ireland.” it received in 2008. leagues in Bus Éireann, as they all He added: “A line was crossed in The seriousness of the situation are members of CIE companies this dispute when management at Bus Éireann overshadowed dis- and have corresponding condi- stated that it intended to unilater- cussions at a meeting of SIPTU tions of employment and work lo- ally cut workers terms and condi- representatives from the company cations.” tions of employment from 20th with their Irish Rail and Dublin In a separate dispute in the sec- Editor: Frank Connolly, SIPTU Head of Communications February. These are workers who Bus colleagues on Friday, 10th tor, SIPTU representatives at Journalist: Scott Millar Design: Sonia Slevin (SIPTU), Joe Mitchell (Brazier Media) & Niki O’Brien have not received a pay increase February. This meeting declared Dublin Bus announced the com- Publications Assistant: Deirdre Price in almost nine years.” unconditional support for the mencement of a ballot for indus- Administrative Assistant: Karen Hackett He added that it was completely workers in Bus Éireann as did the trial action over the breach by the Produced, designed, edited and printed by labour. unacceptable that workers were TEAC Divisional Committee at its company of the terms of settle- Printed by The Irish Times, City West, Dublin. being targeted with pay cuts in most recent meeting on 31st Jan- ment agreed at the Workplace Re- Liberty is dedicated to providing a platform for progressive news and views. order to subsidise a publicly uary. lations Commission (WRC) in If you have any ideas for articles or comments please contact: [email protected] owned transport company, which SIPTU Transport Sector Organ- September 2016. Liberty is published by the Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union, has experienced a 35% reduction iser, Willie Noone, said: “The rep- The management of Dublin Bus , Dublin 1 in its state subvention between resentatives of our members in has refused to accept that any in- SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor • Vice President, Gene Mealy• 2009 and 2015. Bus Éireann did re- Irish Rail and Dublin Bus have in- crease in basic pay must be recog- General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn ceive €40.8 million of state sub- dicated that they are willing to nised for pension purposes from Production: SIPTU Communications Department, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, Tel: 01 8588217 • Email: [email protected] vention in 2016 but this was still take whatever appropriate actions 1st February last. almost €10 million less than what are necessary to support their col- See pages 5, 16-17 Liberty 3 News FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Strike ballot underway in Hospitality workers say no more claw Dublin Fire Brigade back on wages ambulance The Low Pay Commission has dispute been informed by a SIPTU delegation that hospitality The refusal of senior manage- workers cannot accept any ment in Dublin City Council to resource an additional four increase in the amount em- ambulances to meet service ployers can deduct from demands in the city has re- workers’ pay for the cost of sulted in a strike ballot by board and lodgings. SIPTU members in Dublin Fire The delegation, which attended Brigade (DFB) which will be a meeting in the Low Pay Commis- completed during February. sion offices in Adelaide Road, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Dublin 2, on Wednesday, 8th Feb- Brendan O’Brien, said: “Due to ruary included hospitality work- ers, SIPTU Organisers, SIPTU SIPTU delegation (L to R) SIPTU Catering Sector President, Margaret Coffey, SIPTU Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley, a hospitality worker who faces the importance of their work victimisation if she is known to be an active trade unionist, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Ed Kenny and SIPTU Sector Organiser, Diane Jackson. pic Paddy Cole our members in Dublin Fire Services Division Organiser, Ethel Buckley and SIPTU Catering Sector Brigade only contemplate in- President, Margaret Coffey. be used by many employers in the for setting forth definitions is an conditions.” dustrial action in the most During the meeting, the delega- sector to claw back the already in- Employment Regulation Order Currently employers can deduct acute of situations. However, tion outlined the contents of its sufficient minimum wage im- (ERO). Unfortunately, the creation €54.13 a week or €7.73 per day for the refusal of senior manage- submission to the Low Pay Com- provements to date.” of such EROs for the hotel indus- full board and lodgings, €32.14 a ment in Dublin City Council to mission regarding board and lodg- “There is no definition of what try and the catering industry is week or €4.60 per day full board adequately resource their ings. constitutes and does not consti- being hampered by the refusal of only and €21.85 or €3.14 per day work so that they can provide Margaret Coffey, said: “In reality tute board and lodgings”, Ethel employers in these sector to en- for lodgings only. Buckley said, “Clear definitions gage in sectoral or enterprise based the necessary emergency cover the imposition of higher deduc- need to be agreed. The best vehicle collective bargaining on wages and for the residents of Dublin is tions for board and lodgings would such an acute situation.” The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has identified that there is a capac- ity issue in relation to the op- Migrant workers attend successful eration of the ambulance service in Dublin. The man- agement of Dublin Fire Brigade advised Dublin City Council that it was prepared to two-day SIPTU training course in Galway put four additional ambu- lances on the streets so that its A successful two-day residen- Emergency Medical Service tial training course which (EMS) can achieve HIQA tar- brought together migrant gets. Dublin City Council has worker activists from ten dif- not made the resources avail- ferent nationalities was held able for these ambulances to by the SIPTU Migrant Work- go into operation. ers Support Network in Gal- SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Or- way on Friday, 27th and ganiser, John King, said: Saturday, 28th January. “There is growing concern Among those who attended the among our members that the two days of training classes in the Clayton Hotel were workers origi- management of Dublin City nally from , , Council is increasingly only , Spain, Hungary, Brazil, concerned with divesting itself Turkey, Malawi, Romania and Italy. of responsibility for providing The training focused on areas of ambulance provision within importance for workplace organis- the city by running down the ing including employment rights, Dublin Fire Brigade service. procedures for addressing griev- This is something which our ances and collective bargaining. members, the public and city The group was welcomed to Gal- councillors have indicated way by President of the Galway Council of Trade Unions and SIPTU they are completely opposed SIPTU Migrant Workers Support Network and supporters in the to.” Organiser, Mark Lohan. He said: Clayton Hotel in Galway on Saturday, 28th January. “The aim of the Support Network Pic: Graham Seeley At their January and Febru- is to organise and support migrant ary meetings, Dublin City workers to effectively and fully Councillors backed motions participate in union activity. Work- Support Network coordinator, across the community sector and Manufacturing Division and SIPTU calling for more resources to be ers regardless of their country of Joanna Ozdarska, said: “Support civil society to campaign for a just, Services Division. made available for the Dublin origin have a shared objective in Network activists work in collabo- inclusive and equal society for all.” Fire Brigade ambulance service. sustaining and improving working ration with like-minded progres- SIPTU Migrant Workers Support conditions.” sive groups and organisations Network is supported by the SIPTU 4 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 News

O’Connor warns of drift to xenophobic nationalism across Europe Speaking at a commemoration of the European project in the eyes of tens of 70th anniversary of the death of millions of workers and young people,” labour leader, Jim Larkin, in Glas- Jack O’Connor said. nevin cemetery on 30th January, He called on left parties “to invest SIPTU General President, Jack O’Con- their political capital in helping create a nor, warned about people being more positive, and productive pro- driven into the arms of xenophobic gramme and strategy. That is the real parties. test of leadership. Look at the example He said the policies of austerity im- that is being provided by the parties of posed by centre-right leaders across the the left in Portugal where they have es- EU have devastated the lives of millions tablished an alliance for government, re- of working people and assisted the rise versing austerity, reinstating workers’ of xenophobic nationalist parties. rights and charting a course for a pro- Jack O’Connor, Stella McConnon the granddaughter of Jim Larkin and Lord Mayor of Dublin Brendan “Their brutal strategy has fundamen- gressive future.” Carr follow the piper at Glasnevin Cemetery on Monday, 30th January Pic: Paddy Cole tally undermined the legitimacy of the

Concern over precarious jobs in third level education The SIPTU Education Sector and John King SIPTU Public Ad- hosted a seminar on the fu- ministration and Community Divi- ture funding and precarious sion Organiser. employment in the third SIPTU Education Sector Presi- level education sector in Lib- dent, Jack McGinley, said: “There erty Hall Theatre on Wednes- was consensus at the meeting that day 18th January. in order for Ireland to have a ARE YOU AN The seminar entitled ‘Towards a world class third level education World Class Funded Education Sys- system it must be appropriately tem?’ was attended by delegates and directly funded by govern- INEXPERIENCED DRIVERR? from third level institutions from ment. across the country including the He added: “SIPTU activists in FULL OR PROVISIONAL main Dublin universities, NUI Gal- NUI Galway, outlined the specific way, and Maynooth. effect of precarious employment Speakers included , in their workplace and the cam- LICENCE HOLDER? chair of the government appointed paign they have launched in order expert group on the future funding to mobilise union members of higher education, Tom Healy, Di- against the continuation of such AGED BETWEEN 17 AND 24 YEARS OLD? rector of NERI, Liam Berney, ICTU practices by management.”

BOXCLEVER is a new, innovative car insurance product BNM unions criticise purchase of UK company tailored to meet your needs! Competitively priced premiums Union members have ex- BNM Group of Unions secretary, based on the amount of purchased kilometres. pressed disappointment at John Regan, said the purchase of Interested in finding out more? the decision by management WMH has raised the of at Bord Na Móna (BNM) to the displacement of existing jobs purchase White Moss Horti- at BNM. culture (WMH), a UK compost manufacturing company. Cork County Council workers ballot for strike action SIPTU members in Cork process and recruit more staff County Council have com- to adequately deliver statu- menced a ballot for industrial tory services. action and strike action in a The ballot is scheduled to be dispute related to the refusal counted in Connolly Hall, Cork of management to engage City on Friday, 17th February. with the workforce planning Airport terminals must stay in state ownership SIPTU TEAC Division Organ- Stephen Kavanagh, has questioned iser, Greg Ennis, has reiterated the continued public ownership of ThenehT cae call oln our tul team naer noww ooom onnw the opposition of union mem- airport terminals was “a further ex- bers to any proposal to sell ample of the agenda of some to Tel:Te :lT e 1890 3981 3000 700 7745540 publicly owned airport termi- drive down the terms and condi- nals to private interests. tions of workers employed across www.siptu.jltonline.ieww inenloltj.utips.ww ei.ine He said media reports on 2nd several state owned transport com- February that Aer Lingus CEO, panies.” Liberty 5 News FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Tesco strike starts on Valentine’s Day An all-out strike by workers ten to their conscience when con- ing Tesco workers. Low pay and in eight Tesco stores across sidering their shopping options zero-hour contracts have increas- the country is due to com- until the Tesco dispute is resolved. ingly become the order of the Bus Éireann workers mence on Tuesday, 14th Feb- According to SIPTU General day,” he said. ruary. Another nine stores President, Jack O’Connor, the The dispute results from an at- are due to join the dispute Tesco dispute is about the imposi- tempt by Tesco Ireland to impose left with no alternative on Friday, 17th February, tion of grossly inferior terms of changes to the contracts of em- while trade union employment on a minority of its ployment for approximately 250 members in several other workforce who have the longest workers employed before 1996 By land. If there was ever a case of service. which would result in some work- talking out of both sides of your Tesco branches are being Greg mouth, well this is it. Already, as balloted to join the strike. “The retail grocery sector is now ers experiencing reduced incomes increasingly populated by non- of up to 20%. Ennis a direct consequence of opera- In solidarity with the striking tional changes implemented by Mandate members, SIPTU General union players who do not apply The list of stores affected by the the decent trade union negotiated strike action can be viewed at the management of Bus Eireann President, Jack O’Connor, called on 16th January, we have seen on all trade union activists to lis- terms enjoyed by the longer serv- tescoworkers.com. A senior management deci- sion to launch a unilateral negative effects on rural PSO attack on their terms and routes resulting in citizens being stranded without their necessary One Cork project calls for Local Authority housing plan conditions has left Bus Éire- public transport. ann workers with little As the dispute at Bus Éireann SIPTU and the Irish Congress The document, “Housing our access land, including vacant prop- choice but to invoke their of Trade Unions are support- Communities: A Sustainable erties the councils already control, has worsened, workers and the ing a proposal that local au- Foundation for the Future” out- and finance from the Housing Fi- mandate for strike action. public have awaited deeds and thorities should engage in a lines how the immediate estab- nance Agency, the European In- Workers across all sections not just flippant words from the major house building pro- lishment of Municipal Housing vestment Bank and other sources within Bus Éireann are cognisant the Minister for Transport, Shane gramme to deal with the Authorities by city and county at a time when the long-term cost of the important public service pressing homeless crisis, councils across the country can of Irish borrowing is at historically role that they provide and are rent uncertainty and the lack develop, fund and maintain an ex- low levels and the public finances acutely aware of the hundreds of of social housing across the tensive building programme by are improving. It can be done thousands of people who depend There is also the issue country. pooling the skills and resources of without breaching Eurostat rules. on their services on a daily basis. These workers recognise that the The proposal, which was en- directly employed construction The proposal to engage in a refur- of establishing a public will be adversely affected dorsed unanimously by the exec- workers, architects and engineers bishment programme of current should strike action commence utive of the ICTU in December, is as well as accessing finance and vacant local authority owned Sectoral Employment on 20th February. based on a detailed analysis of the procurement expertise, land properties using direct labour has However, with a management housing crisis prepared by the banks and vacant council proper- already been accepted as practical Order for the bus team intent on forcing through One Cork project. ties already under their control. and necessary by the Housing and cuts that endanger the very fu- industry, which would One Cork is a group of 20 trade “The new authorities would Environment Strategic Planning ture of our public transport sys- unions in Cork city and county have direct responsibility for the Committee of Cork City Council. tem, particularly in rural areas, remove workers’ pay which has published a radical and public housing portfolio which “There is no reason it cannot be our members in Bus Éireann feel practical proposal as to how local would include construction of rolled out across the State where duty bound to take action. SIPTU and conditions from authorities employing direct new builds and ongoing mainte- tens of thousands of people are will vehemently support our labour immediately begin a house nance of the mixed income rental unable to obtain affordable pri- members in this dispute and competition between construction programme for low properties,” said Barry Murphy of vate rental accommodation or whatever action they decide to and middle income families who the One Cork project. gather the necessary deposits for public and private take. cannot at present afford to buy or “Rather than rely on the private the few houses that are being pri- At its core this dispute is quite rent decent housing. sector, municipal authorities can vately built.” operators simple. The State should not need to operate a ‘for profit’ bus service but rather one that pro- Early Years educators present TDs with Valentine’s Cards vides an efficient and effective Ross. However, he continues to Early Years educators in- educators from across the coun- feel undervalued and underpaid. service to communities across the ‘twiddle his thumbs’ while con- volved in the SIPTU ‘Big try and call upon politicians to Early Years Educators deserve de- country. Recognising this over flict looms large over the whole Start’ campaign delivered show their sector “some love” by cent pay. If we want a quality 300 bus routes across the country transport sector. As it is Govern- hundreds of Valentine’s recognising its importance and childcare service, we need to are categorised as Public Service ment policy which lies at the cen- Cards to TDs and Senators funding it accordingly. recognise and reward those who Obligation (PSO) routes and tre of this crisis it is undoubtedly in Leinster House, Dublin 2, SIPTU ‘Big Start’ Campaign Co- are delivering it.” receive subvention allowing them the responsibility of the Minister, ordinator, Darragh O’Connor, For regular updates on the Big to break even. his Department and by associa- on Valentine’s Day, 14th Clearly, Bus Éireann’s intercity February. said: “It is time for the govern- Start campaign see www.bigstart.ie tion the National Transport Au- operation, Expressway, needs to thority and the Department of The cards are from Early Years ment to show some love to the or follow ‘BigStartIreland’ on Early Years sector. Sadly, many Facebook. be re-examined with certain of its Social Protection to get involved routes needing to be re-cate- in efforts to resolve it. gorised as PSO. There is also the Surely, the travelling public out- issue of establishing a Sectoral side the greater Dublin area are Employment Order for the bus entitled to no less a public trans- SIPTU appeal Clerys development to An Bord Pleanála industry, which would remove port service than that which ex- workers’ pay and conditions from ists within the capital and its An appeal against the grant- the lack of analysis on the archi- She added: “The support SIPTU competition between public and suburbs? Our members in Bus ing of planning permission tectural effect the redevelopment has provided to our members in private operators. This would end Eireann believe that is the case as for the Clerys Department would have on the GPO and the the Justice for Clerys Workers the race to the bottom in the in- they also believe bus workers de- Store site in central Dublin surrounding area, which is of campaign is part of an increased dustry in terms of workers’ em- serve to have decent jobs. That is has been lodged with An major historic significance. The focus on improving the lived en- ployment standards thus why they are committed to perse- Bord Pleanála by SIPTU. The appeal follows an objection to vironments and workplace set- ensuring decent jobs are main- vering until they win the upcom- union’s call for a public Dublin City Council concerning tings of our members. This is part tained and crucially safety stan- ing battle. It is also why they hearing on the proposed de- the development by the union. of the Working City Initiative, dards are upheld. believe that the travelling public, velopment also received the SIPTU Services Division Organ- through which SIPTU wishes to It is sadly ironic that in recent rural TDs and all fair minded cit- backing of Dublin City iser, Ethel Buckley, said: “The new work with the city council and days the government has pro- izens will support them if they councillors at their meeting owners of Clerys have still not local businesses to create a better moted its ‘Rural Ireland Frame- are forced to take strike action. on 6th February. met the SIPTU representatives of and more economically successful work’ and its ‘National Planning Greg Ennis is Head of SIPTU, The appeal highlights the loss the hundreds of staff who lost city.” Strategy 2040’ and yet it seems in- Transport, Energy, Aviation and of retail space in the proposed de- their jobs when it closed in highly tent on presiding over the demise Construction Division (TEAC). velopment and concerns about controversial circumstances in of public transport in rural Ire- 2015.” 6 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Community Funding, pay and privatisation key concerns for Community Sector

THE High Level Forum for the launching a nationwide political tivation area. This process goes Community Sector, bringing campaign.” against the whole ethos of commu- together SIPTU officials and The campaign will include meet- nity development which is not representatives from several ings between community workers about generating profits and government departments, and local TDs to discuss the prob- merely hitting performance targets will meet on Friday, 24th Feb- lems in the sector, meetings be- but is focused on delivering quality ruary to discuss a range of se- tween SIPTU representatives and outcomes in terms of employment rious issues facing the sector. the leaders of the all the main po- and social inclusion.” SIPTU Community Sector Organ- litical parties; and protests to high- He added: “Our members are ex- iser, Eddie Mullins, told Liberty: light the threat to services. ploring every avenue to get justice. “At this meeting SIPTU representa- SIPTU Community Sector Presi- This includes considering indus- tives will be raising three key is- dent, Donnie O’Leary, said: “SIPTU trial action if it is necessary.” sues for workers across the sector members in the Community Sector The campaign pillars of more – these are the funding of the vital provide crucial support to many funding, stopping privatisation and services they deliver, problems as- people within our society includ- improvements in pay and condi- sociated with creeping privatisa- ing people with disabilities, older tions will be the focus of discus- tion and the need for movement people, young people and vulnera- sions at the SIPTU Community on pay and related issues. ble families. Work in the sector is Sector Annual General Meeting in “All three of these issues directly focused on areas such as providing Liberty Hall on 22nd March. impact on tens of thousands of childcare, combating poverty, sup- In the coming days, representa- workers and hundreds of thou- porting those with mental health tives from the sector will also be sands of community sector service issues, human rights advocacy and meeting with leader, users across the country. It is family support. tolerable that employers in the sec- years. Brendan Howlin, to discuss a pri- hoped that progress can be made “It is completely unacceptable tor are ignoring Labour Court rec- “Privatisation is also a growing vate member’s bill he is sponsoring in discussions with the relevant that workers providing such vital ommendations despite being fully threat. In particular, private sector which seeks to ensure community government departments but in services to their communities have funded by government depart- for-profit companies are forcing workers who are made redundant order to get positive action on lost their jobs without receiving ments and that workers haven’t out service providers in the job ac- receive their full entitlements. these issues our members are also their full entitlements. It is also in- had a pay increase in nearly nine SIPTU calls for early referendum vote to ensure water supply is kept in public hands

SIPTU has called for a signif- “The opponents of water charges The SIPTU submission stated icant increase in funding to have correctly argued that given that income tax was “more socially guarantee the highest stan- the essential requirement for equitable and progressive” than dards of Ireland’s water sup- water to sustain human life, that it other types of charges or indirect ply and for an early should be available freely at the taxes, “despite the distorting af- referendum to ensure it re- point of use and funded by pro- fects of various allowances avail- mains in public hands. gressive taxation.” able to the better off”. In its submission to the Joint It continued: “The statement by “However, the benefits which ac- Oireachtas Committee on the Fu- the Expert Commission that the crue to those on lower incomes are ture Funding of Domestic Water Service Level Agreement (SLAs) undoubtedly considerably offset services, the union has argued that with local authorities “could be- by virtue of the requirement to pay “retention of the public water sup- come a barrier in the drive towards for the water that others waste, ply in public ownership and con- ever-improving efficiency” is even if the payment is through trol of its operation and rather unique in the context of the progressive taxation. The concept infrastructure” is essential. overall report. The other conclu- of a full supply of all the water The submission backs the sug- sions are generally reasonably well people require to fully meet all of gestion put forward by the Expert supported by reference and source their domestic needs free at the Commission late last year that material. However, this statement point of use is virtually beyond measures should be taken “to alle- is advanced without so much as a reasonable challenge, but it viate the concerns of those who be- scintilla of evidence. It doesn't doesn’t hold true in respect of lieve that the eventual withstand scrutiny and is repudi- wastage. privatisation of Irish Water re- ated by the experience since the “Accordingly, given the need for mains a possibility”. SLAs came into being. Crucially, conservation the idea of a tariff on In its submission, SIPTU points given the fragility of much of the waste makes sense. However, it out that none of the parties repre- Picture: Sinn Fein (CC BY 2.0) current water infrastructure the should apply only after the level of sented in the Oireachtas have pro- input of the ‘local knowledge’ of a ‘average usage’ as objectively deter- moted the privatisation of the range of local authority staff will sovereign debt were to become an tween the political parties on an mined had been well exceeded and public water supply. be absolutely essential to guaran- issue again.” appropriate wording for the refer- generous provision is made for “All of them now appear to sup- tee secure delivery of supply for SIPTU argued that this could endum in order to allow it to pro- those requiring additional water port the concept of a constitu- several years until major develop- happen if there was, for example, ceed well before the end of 2017. for health or other reasons. tional referendum to amend the “a disorderly departure from the “This entire issue has divided mental and remedial works are “It should also be accompanied Constitution to prohibit privatisa- Eurozone or even the EU by any our society for long enough. The completed. Indeed, otherwise, on by a range of positive measures to tion. Despite the fact that none of country”. amendment should focus on the the issue of efficiency, this cross incentivise conservation. It should the parties currently represented The submission continued: “Ac- wider concept of ‘The Public Water over arrangement also facilitates not in any circumstances be intro- in the Oireachtas favour privatisa- cordingly, it is imperative that Supply’ as distinct from the nar- response in times of extreme duced until after the referendum.” tion, circumstances could change early agreement is reached be- row parameters of ‘Irish Water’. weather events and other environ- For full submission go to dramatically if the solvency of our mental crises. www.siptu.ie/media/publications Liberty 7 Interview - Tish Gibbons FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Learning for action The modern trade union on union education recently movement was born out of adopted by the SIPTU National workers learning how poli- Executive Council. “One is that tics, economics and society we will expand the reach of our existing education programmes; really worked and in whose the second is to design new pro- interest. A commitment to grammes, where needed, and placing such an educational thirdly there will be a focus on drive at the centre of SIPTU making the delivery of all union activities underpins the education more flexible.” plans of the new Head of Fulfilling these aims has seen SIPTU College, Tish the union working on a new learning support and delivery Gibbons, plans over the methods. These include a new coming years. learning support website, sip- “As part of becoming an organ- tulearn.ie, utilising new forms ising union I think there is a of education aids including films very natural inclination to refo- and developing new ‘pop-up cus on education,” she told Lib- training courses’ – which will erty. “In SIPTU College we do see classes delivered to activists training very well in terms of after other SIPTU meetings. how to be a shop steward or There has also been launch of Tish Gibbons, Head of SIPTU College Pic: Paddy Cole union official but now there is a the ‘Educate to Organise’ pro- need to focus on why we are gramme, which seeks to provide building our union.” activists with the knowledge of Tish highlights three key areas history, economic and social the- From a family with a history of which are part of a new strategy ories they need to inform their activity in progressive politics, Last year also saw the launch of the Tish sees promoting learning ‘Educate to Organise’ programme, about the history of the organ- ised working class in Ireland as a which seeks to provide activists with priority. “People must be aware SIPTU College Courses of where what we have in terms the knowledge of history, economic of rights as workers came from. and social theories they need to We are all aware of the great Basic and advanced shop stewards courses – Lockout of 1913, but we must inform their actions. also be aware of how a laun- provides union activists with the skills in terms of industrial, dresses strike in 1945 won us the legal and organising they need to represent workers. right to two weeks paid holidays, that the five-day working week Trade Union studies – actions. Already nearly 100 ac- Mayo she joined the Federated was a result of a strike by con- tivists have taken the course Workers Union of Ireland (FWUI) struction workers. QQI Certified Course which focuses on areas such as throughout the country. in 1982, becoming a full-time “It was not the Government or economics, human resource management, collective In all these initiatives Tish has employee in that union’s Galway the employers that gave workers bargaining, equality and diversity procedures. played a key role, drawing upon office in 1986. She worked for these rights, every bit of it was contacts with international the FWUI Western Area Branch, hard won. It is important that we unions, studies of learning tech- which organised approximately always reflect on that and see the Educate to Organise – niques developed by other organ- 2,000 workers across many sec- politics in it.” a course covering Irish history, economics and social isations and her doctorate in tors “from Cavan to Cork and Over the coming years, Tish everything west of that.” She re- says her aim is to “develop a development which seeks to enhance the political education researching work from London Metropolitan University. mained based in Galway follow- vibrant SIPTU College, that is and motivation of activists. Tish has already had an exten- ing the 1990 merger between the reaching the union’s members sive career in the trade union FWUI and ITGWU which formed with political, skills and movement. Originally from SIPTU. vocational education that they need.” Kerry Group dispute over shift change Four more 24-hour work 24th February. SIPTU Organiser, our members while they are en- stoppages have been sched- Terry Bryan, said: “Workers at the gaging in a legitimate trade dis- uled by SIPTU members at food ingredient plants have al- pute and it would be very much the Kerry Group plants in ready conducted three 24-hour hoped that management will not Charleville, County Cork, in work stoppages as part of this repeat this provocation.” a dispute which results dispute. Unfortunately, the com- The items that are in dispute at from the company’s refusal pany took the highly provocative the Kerry Group plants include to attend the Workplace Re- step of utilising strike breakers to proposed changes to shift pat- lations Commission (WRC). run one of the plants during our terns and terms, job rotation and The stoppages have been an- members’ work stoppage on appointments. Management nounced for Tuesday 14th, Friday Thursday, 9th February. have refused to attend a concilia- “This was done to undermine tion meeting at the WRC 17th, Tuesday 21st and Friday . 8 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Health SIPTU Health is on the move couraging people to get more active in the union. To see what’s going By on, and to know what the story is Paddy Cole nationally and locally. It’s an ice breaker, a conversation starter and Since its launch at the SIPTU a great way to recruit members into our union. No one can say they Health Biennial Delegate ‘never hear from the union’. Now, Conference in October 2016 our union is in their hand.” the SIPTU Health smartphone Speaking to Liberty, SIPTU Health Divisional Organiser, Paul Bell said app has grown from strength that he was encouraged the app is to strength. off to a promising start and is confi- Over 2,000 members have now dent more members will download downloaded the app and it is this exclusive service for health planned that 2017 will bring excit- members, especially when the pub- ing new additions that will attract lic service pay talks get under way more members to use this dedicated in this spring. organising, communications and “The feedback from our Shop campaigning online platform. Stewards has been very positive. SIPTU Shop Steward in Cork Uni- The Division has embraced the fact versity Hospital, Lorraine Collins that the way working people com- told Liberty she found the app to be municate with each other and their a great example of trade unions communities has fundamentally making their message relevant and changed so the labour movement cannot be left behind. Every day accessible to workers who might SIPTU General Secretary, more and more workers are getting Joe O’Flynn, pictured with the otherwise have not engaged with their news and information straight SIPTU Health app available to the union on a day to day basis. download from the App Store into their hand from their phones and Google Play now. “Talking to members around the so it’s important our union can Pic: Paddy Cole hospital, the app is great way of en- compete with that reality.” SIPTU Ambulance Professionals make SIPTU cautiously hopeful about outcome of submission to Pay Commission nursing and midwifery recruitment talks

SIPTU Ambulance Professionals campaigned to secure funding for the future of our National Ambulance Service. Pic: Paddy Cole

A comprehensive proposal We believe to recruit and retain aimed at addressing all is- badly needed Ambulance Profes- sues relating to recruitment sionals it is time to examine our and retention of Ambulance members’ overall pay and condi- Professionals has been sub- tions package in its totality. Our 8th February, to discuss proposals can lay the foundations to restore mitted to the Public Service members believe that to provide SIPTU Nursing representa- a quality public ambulance serv- after a long night of talks nursing and midwifery staffing Pay Commission. tives have said they are cau- ice, we must continue to work concluded at 4.00 a.m. that levels is potentially in place. The SIPTU Sector Organiser, Sean tiously hopeful concerning might and main to ensure that the outcome of talks with morning. The outcome is a small document offers additional scope Nolan told Liberty that the union is now following through on a the National Ambulance Service senior management at the step towards potentially for enhanced recruitment, en- can compete in a volatile labour increasing the level of nursing and hanced educational opportunities strategy devised by shop stew- Health Service Executive ards and members and which en- market. Our submission concen- midwifery posts, structured edu - and includes an assurance from (HSE) and the Department of sures Ambulance Professionals trates strongly on providing solu- cat ional opportunities and management that all graduate Health aimed at resolving a receive the recognition they de- tions that offer a fulfilling career dispute concerning the re- pro vides a roadmap to fill any nurses and midwives will be of- serve. for SIPTU Ambulance Profession- cruitment and retention of nursing professional vacancies, as fered permanent jobs. We are cau- “SIPTU members campaigned als with opportunities for self-de- nurses and midwives. they arise.” tiously hopeful that this provides throughout 2016 to secure the in- velopment and career progression SIPTU Sector Organiser, Kevin SIPTU Organiser, John McCam- an opportunity to begin to mean- vestment for effectively resourc- that gives motivation to meet the Figgis, said: “Our National ley, said: “After difficult and in- ingfully tackle the deficit in nurs- ing the National Ambulance expectations and requirements of Nursing and Midwifery tense negotiations over the past ing and midwifery staffing Service over the next five years. a world class ambulance service.” Committee met on Wednesday, number of weeks, a structure that levels.” Liberty 9 Know Your Rights FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Payment of Wages case outcome significant victory for all workers

way Care took the point of law case Judge Nicholas Kearns’ to the High Court where Judge By Tom legal interpretation in 2015 of Michael White has ordered that remarks by a judge in an earlier the case would be sent back to the O’Driscoll case paved the way for the ‘sig- nificant’ court victory for Com- EAT, as the tribunal fell into an plete Highway Care workers error of law in failing to consider A NUMBER of SIPTU mem- the entirety of the circumstances. bers who were employees of In his decision, Judge White Complete Highway Care Ltd stated that the McKenzie judgment secured a significant victory has “unfortunately […] caused par- for workers throughout Ire- ticular confusion to the determina- land in the High Court last tions of Employment Appeals month. Tribunal and Rights Commission- And in the process they saved ers on the issue of section 5 of the the Payment of Wages legislation Payment of Wages Act 1991.” for use as a valuable weapon in He clarified the fundamental the fight against unlawful deduc- point that McKenzie is “not prece- tion of wages by employers. dent to allow a reduction in wages The High Court in Petkus and which does not offend s.5 of the Others V Complete Highway Care Payment of Wages Act 1991.” Ltd issued a judgment on Friday, Ultimately, he found for the 20th January 2017, the details of workers who argued, among other which represent a huge victory for things, that “the EAT fell into an workers. error of law in failing to consider This judgment reverses a previ- the entirety of the circumstances ously-held incorrect belief among of the matter and failed to prop- many decision makers that a re- erly consider or apply the correct duction in a worker’s income was PICTURE: RollingNews.ie interpretation and intention of not a deduction from their wage tion of the Act by some bodies. future interpretation. that legislation protecting the pay- and therefore the worker involved This arose from a comment by Nevertheless, significant damage It is unfortunate ment of wages of workers under had no case to bring under the the High Court judge in the 2010 was done to the effectiveness of the Act and the Constitution.” Payment of Wages Act 1991. McKenzie decision. On that occa- the Act for workers through this in- that workers There is no doubt that the Pay- A total of 21 SIPTU international sion, the judge gave an opinion on correct interpretation until a 2015 had to wait so ment of Wages Act, 1991 was effec- workers at the Complete Highway the Payment of Wages Act 1991 to judgment by then-High Court Pres- tively decommissioned from 2010 Care company had their wages cut the effect that a reduction in wages ident Justice Kearns in Earagail long for a onwards as an effective foil against by 10% in 2009 as well as having was not the same as a deduction. Eisc Teoranta, which also involved employer attempts to reduce their bonus cancelled in 2010. The Act was not up for interpre- SIPTU members. Mr Justice Kearns comprehensive wages without the consent of SIPTU took a case to the Rights tation in McKenzie – a fact admit- made it clear that the comments decision that workers. Commissioner service, which ted by the judge in his written on the “reduction v deduction” The intention of the Oireachtas found in favour of the 21 workers decision – but nevertheless the issue were indeed said “in pass- has reinvigorated in originally passing the Act was to in 2013. The employer subse- comment was liberally misinter- ing”. protect the wages of workers. It is quently appealed it to the Employ- preted. This argument has been contin- this important unfortunate that workers had to ment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) Subsequently, SIPTU argued at ually submitted by SIPTU at vari- wait so long for a comprehensive piece of decision that has reinvigorated this which overturned the Rights Com- hearings that some tribunals had ous Rights Commissioner and EAT important piece of legislation. missioner’s decision. misinterpreted the significance of hearings. The battle was half-way legislation The old cliché was never so ap- The Tribunal concluded that a re- McKenzie, in particular that the won but it took the Petkus case to propriate as of now – better late duction in wages was not the same comment had been made by the finally give the coup de grace to than never. as a deduction. This decision fell judge “in passing” and therefore this erroneous interpretation. Tom O’Driscoll is Head of SIPTU’s in line with a common interpreta- could not have a decisive effect on The workers at Complete High- Legal Rights Unit/Workers Rights Centre. 10 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Liberty View

Liberty By JACK O’CONNOR SIPTU General President View A new and more brutal phase of capitalism

As we go to press two major disputes In some respects the Bus Éireann dis- bargaining was gradually eroded. How- lished through years of work in the which go to the very core of the reason pute is different – but the core problem ever, there weren’t too many instances unionised sectors, they will take our we must organise the unorganised are is not. Again, this fully unionised com- of full frontal assaults on well-estab- members’ market share through about to commence. They arise in two pany in which workers enjoy reasonable lished and agreed terms of employment. cheaper pricing. Some still think that different sectors of the economy but trade union negotiated terms and con- Regrettably, these have now become the they will be able to insulate public serv- they are both entirely attributable to ditions of employment has been under- order of the day as even the ‘good em- ice jobs from this insidious process. They the fact that the trade union move- mined by the presence of non-union ployers’ join in the relentless ‘race to the won’t because the ‘race to the bottom’ ment, hamstrung by its nineteenth competitors who do not recognise trade bottom’ on the quality of jobs. In the pri- affects whole economies – not just parts century structures has not been able unions for the purpose of collective bar- mal ‘survival of the fittest’ brutal and of them. to organise new entrants to the rele- turbulent world of modern, post crisis vant markets. capitalism there is no place for luxuries There is no easy way. We must win the like decent jobs anymore. forthcoming battles in Tesco and in Bus The Tesco dispute is about the imposi- There is no easy way. We must Éireann. But we must go on to address tion of grossly inferior terms of employ- win the forthcoming battles in Collective bargaining and the level of the organising challenge and secure the ment on a minority of its workforce who Tesco and in Bus Éireann. But trade union organisation required to benefits of collective bargaining for tens have the longest service. The retail gro- we must go on to address the enable it to take place is the key deter- and thousands of workers across the cery sector is now increasingly popu- organising challenge and secure minant of the quality of life for the great economy. It is a battle to win decent lated by non-union players who do not the benefits of collective majority of workers. It is so because it is bargaining for tens and thou- in this process and only in it, that work- sands of workers across the ers get to have some say in how the ben- All that is required is to persuade economy. efits of output are distributed. Even The dumbing down of conditions enough of the workers in the global institutions like the IMF now con- won over several years of trade relevant industry or occupational cede that the exponential growth of in- union work is the common category to join a trade union equality which is destroying the very characteristic of the new and more gaining and who do not apply anything so that it can demonstrate to fabric of the economic and social system brutal form of capitalism now in the remotely approaching equivalent terms the Labour Court that it is itself can be directly attributable to the ascendency in the aftermath of the to their workers. “substantially representative” demise of trade union organisation and great global economic collapse of The dumbing down of conditions won the erosion of collective bargaining ul- 2008. over several years of trade union work timately resulting in the immiseration of is the common characteristic of the new working people. apply the decent trade union negotiated and more brutal form of capitalism now terms of employment for those who do terms enjoyed by the longer serving in the ascendency in the aftermath of It is not just enough to ‘look after our not have them, many of whom are in- Tesco workers. Low pay and zero-hour the great global economic collapse of own members’. It is foolhardy to fail to creasingly working in conditions not far contracts have increasingly become the 2008. It was already well embedded be- realise that if we do not organise the removed from slavery. But it is also a order of the day. fore the collapse as the influence of competition and bring their employment battle to shore up decent levels of pay trade union organisation and collective standards up to the level we have estab- and conditions and job security. The key Liberty 11 Liberty View FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

to it all is trade union organisation and col- (Actually, Ireland was the only country in the A level playing lective bargaining. world to enact legislation increasing collec- tive bargaining rights for workers against The great irony is that the legal environment the background of the economic collapse of for winning collective bargaining rights in 2008. Indeed, these rights have been under field for workers the is now better than it sustained attack in all the so-called pro- SIPTU’s policy researcher Loraine Mulligan gives a cautious has ever been before. Thanks to the gramme countries and many others). welcome to EU plans to revise the 1996 Posted Workers Directive painstaking work of the Labour Party in the last Government a number of significant im- However, if the trade union movement is to By This is a shift from the narrow provements have been achieved. The key in- fully avail of these new legal provisions and Loraine range of entitlements currently struments which protect the pay and assist those who are not yet organised to do Mulligan guaranteed under the Directive. conditions of tens of thousands of lower paid so on a sufficient scale to really begin a fight This is a positive development for workers in Europe but its tangible workers in industries such as security and back for ‘decent work’ it will have to change HE European Parlia- effect in Ireland is less encourag- contract cleaning as well as others, the Em- itself. We cannot hope to win the battles of ment hosted a stake- ing. ployment Regulations Orders (EROs) and the the 21st century with the infrastructure of holder consultation The reality is that, since the sys- on 2nd February over tem to conclude Registered Em- Registered Employment Agreements (REAs), the 19th. That is why we must take our T ployment Agreements (REAs) was a new proposal from the EU were reinstated after they had been struck courage in our hands and press ahead with Commission to revise the struck down by the courts in 2013, out by the courts. On top of this a completely the implementation of the recommendations 1996 Posted Workers Direc- Ireland lacks strong mechanisms tive. to render collective bargaining out- new instrument was put in place – the Sec- of the report of the Commission on trade A ‘posted’ worker is an em- comes universally applicable. toral Employment Order (SEO). This enables union organisation which was adopted in two ployee who is sent by his employer Whereas there was previously an REA for construction, the only parts, virtually unanimously, at the ICTU BDC to carry out a service in another in July 2011 and July 2013. This envisages a Working people, not least those in new united movement entailing all unions Tesco and Bus Éireann, are faced cooperating together to link collective bar- with having to fight battles they gaining and organising and deploying re- sources on an unprecedented scale in a shouldn’t have to fight and many, battle to win for workers. The report also en- many others are facing worse. Its visaged this unprecedented co-operation on way past time to wake up and smell the industrial and organising fronts being the roses! supported by a greatly more resourced Nevin Institute to challenge the other side in the development of ideas, a new workers college workers to win improvements in pay and to reinforce the principle that equality is not conditions of employment and make them only morally, but economically superior so legally binding on all the employers across a as well, a trade union media platform to chal- whole industry, sector or occupational cate- lenge the hegemony of the other side in the gory, without ever having to fight an indus- dissemination of information and the estab- trial dispute for recognition. All that is lishment of joint trade union centres in every required is to persuade enough of the work- county which are open and available to pro- Member State for a temporary pe- REAs that operate now apply at ers in the relevant industry or occupational vide advice, information and assistance to riod. MEP for Ireland, company level, e.g. Bus Eireann. , chaired the event. This does not fall under the scope category to join a trade union so that it can workers. Recognition of the need for a of the proposed Directive. The demonstrate to the Labour Court that it is fundamental review comes after proposed Directive should be Regrettably, unions have been pre-occupied years of lobbying by the European amended to include generally ap- “substantially representative”. In addition to plicable agreements at workplace with their day-to-day work and insufficient Trade Union Confederation that the new Act, which was passed in July (ETUC). level – in line with the recommen- 2015, also provides a way in which the work- progress has been made on the project. The issue raised its head in a dation of the European Economic Meanwhile, those driving the race to the bot- landmark case involving Sweden at and Social Committee. ers in an individual employment can achieve the end of 2007 (known as the The proposed Directive provides improvements in pay and conditions that are tom, dismantling decent jobs, have been re- Laval case) which put limitations the possibility for Member States legally binding on the employer, without hav- lentlessly active in filling the vacuum. on strike action by the Swedish to apply to workers in a sub-con- Working people, not least those in Tesco and building workers’ trade union in tracting chain the same conditions ing to run the gauntlet of an industrial dis- defence of locally bargained pay as are applied by the main contrac- pute to achieve recognition. That piece of Bus Éireann, are faced with having to fight rates and gave rise to concerns tor. This could be strengthened to battles they shouldn’t have to fight and about social dumping. a requirement for the most legislation also includes extensive protection favourable conditions rather than many, many others are facing worse. Its way The new proposal seeks to pro- against victimisation for seeking to persuade vide a level playing field for work- an option under the Directive. fellow workers to join a union. past time to wake up and smell the roses! ers in the provision of cross-border Finally, under the proposal, the services by allowing posted work- duration of postings would be ers to benefit from the elements of capped at 24 months. This is an remuneration that are set down by excessive length of time and law or in collective agreements should be limited to six months. that are universally applicable. 12 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Economy Future proofing the economy

GDP growth. By Tom However, Ireland’s total R&D in- tensity was just 1.49% of GDP in Increasing the McDonnell 2014 compared to 2.38% in the per capita spend OECD (see Chart 2). Publicly-fi- on education to nanced R&D was 0.40% of GDP Nordic country THE WORLD is changing. compared to 0.61% in the OECD Brexit and Trumpism will no while business expenditure on levels would doubt be followed by further R&D (BERD) was 1.09% of GDP and increase Ireland’s shifts and shocks, many of 1.77% in the OECD. Ireland also long-run growth which we can’t anticipate. underperforms if we use GNP as potential by Ireland’s industrial and en- the denominator. terprise strategies will have Ireland spent €182 per capita enhancing labour to evolve to adjust to chang- on public sector R&D in 2014 (see force and ing political, economic and Chart 3). This compares to expen- economy-wide technological realities. diture of €219 in the UK, €462 in innovative and One constructive step that the Sweden, €538 in Denmark and al- Irish government can take to fu- most €600 in Switzerland and in productive ture proof its economy is to renew Norway. While an economy’s in- capacity its focus on innovation policy with ing progress in building up its in- with accessing, using and diffusing novative capacity depends on far a view to building a world class in- novative capacity, its capacity re- new knowledge. Regions without more than just the public spend novation system. Technological mains weaker than in other small access to high-speed broadband are on R&D, it is evident that Ireland vative and productive capacities de- change and innovation have long advanced economies. at a disadvantage relative to the has significant scope to increase pend on much more than the vol- been of fundamental interest to Ireland’s fixed-line broadband rest of Europe in terms of their the R&D budget. ume of innovation inputs. economists because of the belief penetration rate (a useful proxy for ability to generate and diffuse new Ireland also significantly lags Knowledge flows and linkages, as that sustainable long-run eco- broadband diffusion) has remained innovations the leading countries on a ‘per well as compatible institutions and nomic growth depends on the in the bottom half of OECD coun- Perhaps the most fundamental pupil’ basis in terms of spending the quality of capital markets are ability of the economy to produce tries since the broadband diffusion area of concern is the need to im- on primary and tertiary education also important. Even so, the vol- and diffuse new innovations. process began in the first years of prove in relation to innovation in- (see Chart 4). Increasing the per ume of inputs is important for in- It is unwise to conflate innova- the 21st century (see Chart 1). Ire- vestments. This includes public capita spend on education to novative competence and tion with R&D or to treat innova- land also does poorly in terms of supports for R&D and education as Nordic country levels would in- ultimately for productivity-led tion as a linear process. Yet it is access to high-speed fibre broad- well as innovation investments by crease Ireland’s long-run growth growth. In this context, Ireland’s notable that Ireland invests signif- band and access to broadband in enterprises. Economic studies tend potential by enhancing labour systemic underinvestment is a con- icantly less in innovation inputs rural areas. Broadband is important to find that higher levels of R&D force and economy-wide innova- cern. than do other similar small open for innovation because it reduces spending in the economy leads to tive and productive capacity. Tom McDonnell is Senior Economist economies. While Ireland is mak- the barriers and costs associated a short-term average increase in It goes without saying that inno- at the Nevin Economic Research Institute

Chart 2: Public R&D expenditures (% of GDP)

Chart 1: Fixed Broadband penetration rates – subscriptions per 100 persons

Ireland OECD Switzerland UK Ireland (GDP) Ireland (GNP) Denmark European Union

Chart 3: Per capita Italy spend on public sector Portugal Chart 4: Public spending on Rep Ireland R&D in 2015 (€) Spain education institutions per S Korea Rep Ireland pupil (FTE) in 2013 (PPS) Japan Germany UK UK France France Belgium Slovenia US Netherlands Germany Japan Austria Finland Netherlands Iceland (2012) Finand Belgium Sweden Denmark Denmark Sweden Switzerland Austria Norway Switzerland 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000 12000 Liberty 13 Economy FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 A basic income for all –an idea whose time has come?

By Vic Duggan

S FAR back as 1516, Thomas More first suggested a guaran- A teed income as a way to reduce theft. In 1797, En- lightenment thinker Thomas Paine proposed a set of radi- cal reforms in his seminal pamphlet on Agrarian Justice. Among these proposals was the idea of a universal basic income that would be paid to everyone, unconditionally. In the intervening 220 years, polemicists and policymakers have toyed with the idea, without it ever really catching on. What has changed? Firstly, it is increasingly clear that our economic model is leaving more and more people behind. The polarisation in income and oppor- tunities between those with ad- vanced education and skills and those without grows ever greater. Over the longer term, increased Pictures: Gunnar Wrobel (CC BY-SA 2.0); Ulysees Bellier (CC BY 2.0); Public Domain automation could render defunct a est income earners would get a top whole new set of jobs – from fac- Anyone who has seen up. All earners would see their ef- tory workers and bus drivers to ac- fective tax rate fall. Even higher countants and bank tellers. But our the Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake, earners would face a lower mar- tax and welfare system has not winner of the 2016 Palm d’Or ginal tax rate of 40%, rather than been updated or rethought for the at the Cannes festival and a over 50% at present. The authors 21st century. It is riddled with BAFTA award, will certainly see argue that this model of universal poverty traps and perverse incen- basic income would be easier to tives. the appeal of such a shift in administer than the current sys- Secondly, there is increasing po- how we think about welfare. tem, end poverty traps and elimi- litical momentum behind the idea. A universal and unconditional nate welfare fraud, among other Most recently, Benoît Hamon, benefits. newly-selected Presidential candi- basic income can help restore date for France’s Parti Socialiste, French presidential hopeful dignity, integrity and equality Anyone who has seen the Ken Benoit Harmon has resurrected Loach’s I, Daniel Blake, winner of has made it a key plank of his elec- the idea of a basic income for to both the welfare system tion platform. all, first suggested by thinkers the 2016 Palm d’Or at the Cannes as diverse as St Thomas More and the workplace festival, will certainly see the ap- The idea has been gaining and Thomas Paine, right traction in Ireland too. Fianna Fáil peal of such a shift in how we pledged ahead of the 2016 general think about welfare. A universal free, with all other income taxed at election to introduce a basic in Utrecht, in the Netherlands, and and Sean Ward published a paper and unconditional basic income a flat rate of 40%. income equivalent to the basic with 10,000 randomly selected with Social Justice Ireland in De- can help restore dignity, integrity social welfare rate. The Green Party people in Finland. That way, you cember 2016 exploring how it l All tax reliefs and credits, as and equality to both the welfare was on board even earlier, including can see if and how it works, and might work, and how much it well as most other welfare pay- system and the workplace. It may proposals for a move towards a how best to design the system to might cost: ments would be abolished. not be a silver bullet for our creak- basic income in its pre-budget ensure it improves the lives of the l Payment rates ranged from l All other income tax, includ- ing economic model or our out- submission back in 2013. greatest number of people possi- €31.05 pocket money for under ing the USC and employee PRSI, moded welfare system, but it is As a matter of practical public ble. It also helps identify the main 18s to €240.30 for the over-80s. would be abolished while employ- certainly an idea worthy of careful policy, the basic income idea is still challenges for transitioning to the l Residency requirements ers’ PRSI would increase from consideration. very much at the laboratory stage. new system before it is rolled out would be the same as for existing 10.75% to 13.5%. Why not make Kilkenny, The right approach is to pilot the across the country. welfare payments, but there would Under this proposal, the basic in- Ireland’s first city, with a citizens’ idea in a limited geographic area, So, how would it work? be no means-test or work require- come would pay for itself, while income or road-test the idea with or with a particular cohort of the Building on the organisation’s ment. most low to middle income house- everyone born in Ireland in population, as is now being done earlier 2013 work, Eamon Murphy l The payment would be tax holds would be better off. The low- January 2000? 14 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 EU Social Pillar

EC President Jean- By Claude Juncker: Ger Gibbons European Pillar of Social Rights... ‘We won’t be able to make a success of Europe if we can’t make a HE European Pillar of success of the Pillar...’ Social Rights has Picture: European Parliament been top of the (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) T agenda for anyone working on EU social policy and labour matters for the past 18 months but aside from coverage in Liberty it has received scant commen- tary in Ireland. Europe’s The Pillar was first announced in September 2015 as European Com- mission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s flagship initiative in the social field. In March 2016, the Commission presented a prelimi- nary outline of the Pillar and a compilation of EU social rights that currently apply in all member states. The Commission said that last the Pillar was intended to set out a “framework of principles” and offer a “policy compass for fair and dynamic labour markets… and for well-functioning and sustainable labour markets.” It is clear that this initiative should be primarily seen against the backdrop of the debate about the future of the euro. A 2015 re- port by Juncker and the heads of chance? the other main European institu- tions (the ‘Five Presidents Report’) said that employment and social tions were in the main defeated. While the centre-left did have to com- January 19th vote issues had to feature significantly at the European promise in some areas, the final report is a good roadmap towards a more higher in European economic Parliament marks a social Europe. Key recommendations include: policy coordination if the single milestone in the bid to promote a more currency is not just to prosper but ‘social’ Europe survive. Picture: European Parliament Such a limited ‘economic’ ration- (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) • A Framework Directive on below the living wage; this was de- ale for the Pillar would be insuffi- decent working conditions that spite the fact most centre-right cient to meet the social challenges ensures a core set of enforceable MEPs voted for a similar call last now facing Europe after years of rights, including collective bar- September). austerity and would as a result gaining rights for every worker re- only give rise to further disillu- gardless of their employment • A Social Protocol to be included sionment with Europe. relationship and that specifically in the next revision of the treaties However, two major milestones guarantees decent working condi- so as to strengthen fundamental in the campaign to promote a more social rights vis-à-vis the ‘four ‘social’ Pillar were reached in Jan- tions for internships, traineeships uary, in the European Parliament and apprenticeships as well as freedoms’ currently guaranteed by (EP) and in the European Eco- bans zero-hour contracts. the treaties (i.e. free movement of nomic and Social Committee workers, goods, capital, the right (EESC). • That anyone who is engaged to establish and freedom to pro- First, centre-left political groups through online platforms (either vide services). This particular call, in the EP, led by the Socialists and employed directly or as a gen- a core aim of unions, was only just Democrat rapporteur, Maria João uinely self-employed worker) has adopted – 317 in favour, 315 Rodrigues, worked closely with “analogous rights as in the rest of against, and 33 abstentions. trade unions and civil society or- The opinion stated that the Pillar the economy”; the European Trade ganisations to draw up and win • cross-party support for a progres- should apply in all countries, Union Confederation (ETUC) hailed A Child Guarantee giving every sive response to the Commission’s this as a “significant break- child living at risk of poverty ac- 2016 preliminary outline. through”. cess to free healthcare, childcare This report was adopted on 19th that collective bargaining and education, decent housing and January last by 396 votes to 180 • The Commission to “actively proper nutrition, and an appropri- with 66 abstentions, with the sup- should be promoted, and that support” the “wider coverage” of ate level of social investments, port of the Socialists & Democrats, collective agreements and wage particularly in childcare and edu- the European United Left, the the ‘sharing economy’ and other cation. Greens and many European Peo- floors in the form of a national ple’s Party and Liberals MEPs. The minimum wage in all countries. only groups to vote against were new forms of employment (The centre-right groups did man- • New legislation on maternity the Conservatives and the ‘Europe age to delete a recommendation leave, paternity leave, parental of Nations and Freedom’ (i.e. the should not be used to avoid that national minimum wages leave, carers’ leave, access to group based around the French Na- should “gradually attain if possi- quality care services and flexible tional Front). decent wages ble” at least 60% of national me- working time arrangements to bet- Last minute attempts by some ter reconcile work-life balance. centre-right MEPs to delete or di- dian wages and should not be lute a number of recommenda- Liberty 15 EU Social Pillar FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

The EP’s report concludes that unemployed people, and fails to the Pillar should be adopted as an tackle not just popular disillusion- agreement between the main EU ment but popular resentment to- institutions, with the involvement wards the EU, the whole European of unions, employers and civil so- project itself is at risk of disinte- ciety at the highest level, and grating. As the General-Secretary of SIPTU and European should contain “a clear roadmap the ETUC, Luca Visentini, said at a for implementation”. 23rd January conference on the Pil- Many of the recommendations lar: “The EU is in the last chance were also contained in the opinion saloon to tackle working people’s Works Councils of the EESC adopted on 25th Janu- anger towards the EU.” ary. For example, the opinion It does seems to be the case that stated that the Pillar should apply some EU leaders, including Jean- in all countries, that collective bar- Claude Juncker, do understand the

“The training, while classroom based, focused heavily on guest speakers and ‘peer to peer’ learning.” Pic: dreamstime.com

be used as a guide for all in- We expect that some from this By Frank Jones volved in EWC's. This has now Network will meet shortly in been completed and is avail- an effort to design and develop able to any interested member a training course that we can Over the past eighteen to download from the SIPTU be rolled out to all EWC reps in months SIPTU and the website www.siptu.ie or the the near future. Ideas Institute have been engaged with other union partners across the EU in getting a better under- Our partners were from Catalonia, standing and knowledge Bulgaria and Italy and together we of how European Works Councils (EWC’s) can trained over 200 people, each over work best for those that 2.5 days to become more knowledge- we represent in organised able about how these Councils can The EP’s report concludes that employments. Our partners were from Cat- work better for organised workers in alonia, Bulgaria and Italy and the Pillar should be adopted as together we trained over 200 multi-national or trans-national people, each over 2.5 days to employments. an agreement between the main become more knowledgeable about how these Councils can EU institutions, with the involve- work better for organised workers in multi-national or trans-national employments. Ideas Institute website Any EWC rep that is not cur- ment of unions, employers and In each participant country www.ideasinstitute.ie or by rently on this database should three groups were trained. In hard copy from the college. identify themselves so that civil society at the highest level, late 2015, a group of union or- The Manufacturing Division they may be invited onto the ganisers and staff trained in supported by the Services Divi- Network and included in any and should contain “a clear SIPTU college, followed some sion have been building a data- available training. months later by training for base of EWC representatives some Shop Stewards and Sec- over the past 18 months so roadmap for implementation”. tor/Division Committee mem- that a Network can be formed. bers. Finally, in April 2016 there was training for a group of our EWC reps. The training, while class- gaining should be promoted at all dangers. At the close of the 23rd room based, focused heavily on levels, and that the ‘sharing econ- January conference he said: “We Any member guest speakers and ‘peer to omy’ and other new forms of em- won’t be able to make a success of peer’ learning. It was positively interested in the subject ployment should not be used to Europe if we can’t make a success received by all who attended avoid decent wages. of the Pillar – this is our last matter or considering and it was agreed that we have The Commission is now ex- chance.” establishing a EWC in not been using the EWC re- pected to come forward with its But it is equally the case that serve to its full potential their employment proposals for the Pillar in March, many others do not or, more omi- within SIPTU. at the same time as it issues a nously, are quite willing to risk a should email In addition to the training el- White Paper on the future of Eu- break-up. How the Commission ement, the project was respon- Frank Jones at rope, including the euro. and national governments take the sible for producing a booklet to The EP’s and the EESC’s reports European Pillar of Social Rights [email protected] aren’t binding but they do send a forward will play a large part in de- for advice and support. clear political signal that if Europe termining the future (or not) of Eu- doesn’t reconnect with the public, rope over the coming years. particularly working people and 16 Liberty Liberty 17 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Transport FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Ballot for industrial Michael Kavanagh, Bus Driver Sean Enright, Bus Driver action in Dublin Bus Dublin (Broadstone Garage) Tralee “They are proposing to cut our wages by up to 30%, “Our garage is a very small garage and if they take the pensions row that’s nearly €200 a week. They are looking to take Expressway service out of it finished. If management down the Sunday allowance, which has been in place get to do what they want to do it will be the death of all THE ATTACK ON BUS ÉIREANN SIPTU members in Dublin Bus the small depots around the country. Another issue is for 44 years I am with the company, from 100%, down began a ballot for industrial to just 20%. Shift allowances, that are paid to reflect the senior management people that have left in recent weeks, undoubtedly getting massive packages, they Workers in Bus Éireann first dundancy packages. action on 13th February, in a the fact that we can be in work at as early as 5.00 a.m. dispute concerning a breach by and finish as late as 12.00 p.m., are being taken away won’t tell us what they were and they are forcing cuts heard of the alleged scale of In recent months, a new man- on us to fund them.” the financial crisis in their agement team at Bus Éireann the company of the terms of a from us. It is just not acceptable.” company through the media. headed by acting CEO Ray Hernan settlement agreed at the Work- Information from a report on had replaced a longer serving place Relations Commission Sean Healy, Engineering Operative the company by private con- group of managers who left the (WRC) in September 2016. Dermot Hession, Clerical worker Galway Dublin (Broadstone Garage) sultants Grant Thornton was company, with undisclosed sever- The management of Dublin “We are getting hardest hit on the shift pay and Sunday drip fed into the newspapers ance packages believed to value Bus has refused to honour the “The company has taken away flexi-time for clerical staff, the majority of whom are female, a lot are working rate changes. I represent some of the lowest pay work- in early January. hundreds of thousands of euros terms of the WRC settlement ers in Bus Éireann and we just can’t take these cuts. You The leaks first highlighted the each, over recent months. mothers, they just can’t make alternative arrangements which included a stipulation so they will be driven out of the workforce. People are talking about dropping around €180 a week it would report’s findings that Bus Éire- that any increase in basic pay shouldn’t have to feel ashamed of getting a decent just be devastating.” ann’s Expressway intercity service must be recognised for pension wage, we can’t just have everyone involved in a race to was recording large losses and It was through the purposes from 1st February last. the bottom.” could not be allowed to operate as “This is a fundamental issue Peter O’Toole, Bus Driver it was. It ruled out the viability of media that many as our members are facing a Waterford restructuring this commercial arm employees learned Willie O’Donoghue, Bus Driver “For an example of the difference between the private drastic cut to their pension en- of the company and also stated that changes to their Limerick operators and Bus Éireann, take the Waterford to Dublin titlements and it is particularly “If they do away with Expressway there won’t be any that it could not currently be terms and conditions route which has three services which go at the same closed as Bus Eireann did not have unacceptable that this is being connectivity to Limerick from the main towns. The pri- time, two private and one Bus Eireann Expressway. The the monies to fund the resultingre- had been brought imposed by a semi-state body vate operators only work on the motorways, Express- Expressway stops in eight towns before it gets to Dublin which is ignoring the State’s dis- way goes through every town. They are trying to the others just start in Waterford and go to Dublin. So pute resolution mechanisms,” destroy a service which many people completely rely you see people in many towns just won’t have any serv- said SIPTU Organiser, John on.” ice.” Travel Pass Murphy. By the middle of January, the Scheme under media was carrying the meat of the Grant Thornton report - a ‘revision of business plan’ - which outlined to cannibalise the services cur- threat severe cutbacks throughout the rently provided as a public service Users of the travel pass company to generate the funds to by Bus Eireann, with workers’ pay Irish Rail pay scheme, face an uncertain fu- exit Expressway at a later date or and terms and conditions of the ture with increasing reports maintain its operation as on a “low employment the key cost factor to dispute goes to of private bus operators re- cost model” with existing workers be pushed down.” fusing to accommodate them removed. Such private services will also Labour Court and the Department of Social Again it was through the media not stop in as many locations, Protection stating it will pro- that many employees learned that which could result in large swathes vide no extra funding for changes to their terms and condi- of rural Ireland being cut off from A dispute concerning a pay transport providers to cover tions had been brought in direct connections to major towns claim by SIPTU members in overnight without agreement on the costs of the public serv- and cities. It is also clear that clos- Irish Rail has been referred the 16th January. One of the most ing Expressway will do little to ice. to a full hearing of the brutal of these changes was a cur- subvention and competition rules Council of Ireland. During the de- ease the financial difficulties that tailment of flexi-time arrange- that preclude the company from bate Traynor stated private bus faces company. The Grant Thorn- Labour Court following a SIPTU Sector Organiser, ments for clerical staff which has In his correspondence, providing extra funding to it workers were earning “between ton report stated that the closure meeting at the Workplace Willie Noone, said: "Bus Eire- severely impacted on working connections which are not €100 to €120 a day” working cross would transfer €6.2 million of Relations Commission on ann and Dublin Bus services mothers. Hernan also delivered defined as Public Service Obliga- overheads onto the Bus Eireann make no distinction between Within days the acting CEO had an ultimatum that these 6th February. Travel Pass Scheme holders issued two more letters outlining tion (PSO) routes. SIPTU Transport, operations which cater for PSO cuts would be Energy, Aviation and Construction which are subject to state subven- and fare paying customers further massive cuts he intends to SIPTU representatives SIPTU Organiser, Paul Cullen, and accommodate all equally. implement including compulsory unilaterally (TEAC) Divisional Organiser, Greg tions. said: “Our members in Irish Ennis, told the media that there have also highlighted SIPTU representatives have been The same cannot be said of redundancies, redeployment ac- implemented on 20th Rail have not received a pay in- all private operators with in- cording to management orders, the was an attempt to “sacrifice” the the real problems at clear in highlighting that a wider crease since 2008 despite hav- end of shift pay, reductions in pre- February with or terms and conditions of employ- agenda is at play in the current cri- creasing reports of Pass users Bus Eireann, the ing contributed to a significant being left at stops and told to mium and overtime payments without the agreement ment of SIPTU members in Bus Éire- sis in Bus Eireann. In his presenta- reduction in overall payroll wait for the next public bus among many stringent measures. ann “so as to subsidise the abysmal dwindling state tion to TDs and Senators in the costs through agreeing to im- of workers. failure of the State to provide the req- Oireachtas in late January, Willie service.” The cumulative effect for most subvention and plement a series of cost-con- workers of these cuts would be a uisite investment for an essential na- Noone, emphasised that his mem- tainment measures. 30% pay reduction. The letters also SIPTU Retired Members tional public bus service.” competition rules bers were well aware that “some included a derisory pay offer of a political parties and politicians National Secretary, Paddy He also highlighted the clear “Our members have already ob- 1%, 2% or 3% rise on the new re- wish to drive down wages to the Moran, said: “It is totally un- strike action. thrust of the proposals from Bus More operators will provide more privatisation will be all bus work- tained two Labour Court rec- duced incomes when cash flow al- Éireann, and in particular the end- floor”. accepted that some of the On 2nd February the Bus Éire- routes and services to the public ers - public and private, the rural ommendations on productivity lows. ann group of unions announced ing of its intercity service as one most vulnerable people in He also began his presentation and at a cheaper cost to the tax- communities which Bus Eireann which have yet to be addressed In his correspondence, Hernan that if the company would not that was constructed “for the ben- country routes. This compares to a The agenda here is our society are being left in by referring to the Fine Gael policy payer and passenger.” currently services and finally the by management. In light of this also delivered an ultimatum that enter talks without preconditions efit of others” i.e. private bus op- long service Bus Eireann driver’s clear; the destruction whole country as it loses a key doubt about their access to concerning public bus transport as Willie Noone said: “Once you they have requested that the these cuts would be unilaterally and carried out its threat to push erators. basic pay of €624 for a 39-hour piece of economic and social infra- transport, it amounts to a stated in its 2011 election mani- see through all the issuing of pri- of our public bus company make an offer of a flat implemented on 20th February through cuts on 20th February, The pay of private bus workers week. structure.” form of elderly abuse. This with or without the agreement of festo. It stated: “Nationwide Bus vate consultants reports and vari- rate increase without any fur- trade union members “response to was starkly revealed during a radio The closing of Expressway, taken services which are He added: “This has been the situation must be resolved workers. In response workers Competition: We will completely ous claims by management the ther strings attached.” this appalling and unprecedented debate between Ennis and Kevin alongside the recent move to open case in other countries such as the immediately and the future across the five unions in Bus Eire- overhaul the bus market in Ireland agenda here is clear; the destruc- vital to life in rural attack” will be all-out strike action. Traynor, the National Director of at least 10% of Bus Eireann routes tion of our public bus services UK where the privatisation agenda of the travel pass scheme ann have conducted strike ballots by introducing competitive tender- Ireland. SIPTU representatives have also Coach Tourism, at the private sec- to tender, according to SIPTU Or- which are vital to life in rural Ire- won out. The good news is we still assured.” or in the case of SIPTU members ing for all bus routes in the coun- highlighted the real problems at tor lobby group the Transport ganiser, Willie Noone, is a case of land. The losers in this move to have a chance to stop this disaster activated an existing mandate for Bus Eireann, the dwindling state “private bus operators being set up try as soon as practicably possible. occurring here.” 18 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 SIPTU Women

By Karan O Loughlin

HE proportion of women now in the workforce is almost T mirrored by the pro- portion of women members in SIPTU. Women make up just over half the working population now and our fe- male membership currently stands at 49%. In actively promoting the organ- ising of women workers and endeavoring to increase women’s participation in the union we are working to the 33% rule whereby all structural committees must be at least 33% male or female. This is currently serving us well as we have seen the National Executive Council (NEC) female participation levels grow from 33% to 36% at the elections in late 2016. All of the Divisional committees are also currently meeting or exceeding this 33% rule. While there is still work to be done at the level of the sector com- mittees the majority of these are Picture: RollingNews.ie either at or exceeding the 33% threshold. In assisting the sectors Training initiative to boost women’s profile in the union not quite there yet the Campaigns and Equality unit will be working with them to identify and over- come any barriers to participation Organising and for women in these areas. playing an active role in the union The proportion is the most of women now in SIPTU women effective way for the workforce is women to break almost mirrored low pay cycle in by the proportion on the move! the long term of women members in tivists, to mentor women activists work where their skills and quali- 2. Sector of employment – sec- 3. Part-time work – women are and to increase the number of fications are not properly utilised tors of employment in which more likely to work part-time than SIPTU women workers in SIPTU. and from which they have limited women predominate is an impor- men. Studies have shown that em- Campaigns and Equality Organ- prospects of advancement. tant factor. Women workers in Ire- ployees working part-time or on iser Karan O’Loughlin told Liberty: land are disproportionally temporary contracts face a greater “Now that women make up nearly concentrated in low paid sectors of risk of being on the NMW than half of the membership of the the economy such as accommoda- their full-time counterparts. The Campaigns and Equality union, it is important that we en- tion, food and wholesale as well as The 2016 Low Pay Commission unit is also developing and rolling sure that the participation of the retail trade (these two sectors Report acknowledges that these out training specifically designed women at all levels of the work- “Currently, the account for 48.6% of all NMW factors can all be seen to be inter- for women activists. This training place and of the union reflects workers). This is where precarious linked – the high cost of child care started with a three-day course in this. Irish Congress of work practices are a matter for se- leads to many women taking up SIPTU College in early February “Currently, the Irish Congress of rious concern. A critical issue for part-time or temporary work and and is currently focusing on Trade Unions notes that over 70% Trade Unions the trade union movement in 2017 this type of work is most readily will be the role we can play in women at NEC and Divisional level of workers on the National Mini- available in low pay sectors such as but it will be rolled out to women notes that over strengthening regulation and legis- mum Wage (NMW) are women.” retail and accommodation where and sector committees over 2017. lation on precarious work, includ- The three most common reasons women are found in dispropor- The objective of the training is to put forward for this are: 70% of workers ing limits to the use of non-fixed tionate numbers. ensure that women activists in the 1. Cost of childcare – the lack of hour contracts. A good starting on the National Organising and playing an active union have the opportunity to affordable childcare in Ireland is point would be the implementa- achieve equality of outcome in the seen as a key reason for the dispro- Minimum Wage tion of the recommendations con- role in the union is the most effec- workplace and within the union portionate number of women on tained in the University of tive way for women to break this and that a network of trained and the NMW with childcare costs in (NMW) are Limerick publication, A Study on low pay cycle in the long term and experienced women activists will Ireland among the highest in the the Prevalence of Zero Hours Con- our union is very much to the fore- be set up throughout the country OECD. This is pushing many women.” tracts among Irish Employers and front in supporting women work- to increase the pool of female ac- women into low paid, flexible their Impact on Employees 2015. ers to do this. Liberty 19 Comment FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Unions call for Repeal of the 8th

By Therese Caherty “The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard

Workers organise in trade unions to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, primarily to protect pay and con- as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.” ditions. But we also recognise Article 40.3.3 (8th Amendment), Bunreacht na hEireann (Irish Constitution) that issues outside the work- place affect our working lives. So unions have a history of fighting for wider social justice: the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of race, gender, sex- uality, disability, age or religion. The Dunnes Stores workers who, in 1984 began a protest against apartheid in South Africa which lasted almost three years, acted in this spirit of solidarity. In 1983 however, the 8th Amend ment, which makes a woman’s life equal to the foetus she carries, was voted in by refer- endum. Opponents of the Amendment said it would com- promise health care for pregnant women and that women could die. Unfortunately, that has turned out to be true. In effect, pregnant women are denied treatments to protect them in a way that no other group in soci- ety is. Up to 20,000 pro-choice demonstrators At the time, the Irish Congress marched in Dublin seeking the repeal of the 8thAmendment of the Constitution on of Trade Unions unequivocally Saturday, 24th September. opposed the Amendment, saying pic: RollingNews that “the rigidity and inflexibility of constitutional directives on social and moral issues is inap- propriate in a democracy”. That position is unchanged. The Dublin Council of Trade Unions How can you support was equally opposed. nancy, caused by the 8th Amend- public debate on Ireland’s abor- Under current legislation, ment's ban on abortion, by cam- tion ban. And we support individ- framed by the 8th Amendment, paigning to repeal it. ual activists within unions which the campaign? abortion is illegal in Ireland un- With a membership of 800,000, aren’t yet on board in whatever If you would like more information, to less a doctor believes a woman’s over half of which are women, the life, not her health, is in danger. way we can. Our model motion invite speakers or get a copy of our model motion, trade union movement is the Re- has been adapted and passed at This irrational distinction was in- public’s largest civil society or add your union to the list of troduced via the Supreme Court’s branch and conference levels grouping. Most women members supporters, contact [email protected]. ruling on the X Case in 1992. Ms We are supported by the Irish are in their childbearing years. You can also find the campaign on X, 14 years old, pregnant by a Congress of Trade Unions, Unite, Continuing in the tradition set family friend and suicidal at not Mandate, the Communications Facebook (TURepealthe8th). being able to terminate the preg- out by Congress and the DCTU, Workers Union (CWU), the Tech- the Trade Union Campaign to Re- nancy, was considered eligible for nical Electrical Engineering peal the 8th believes that if an abortion here on the basis Union (TEEU), the youth commit- The Trade Union Campaign to Repeal the 8th is urging women are not allowed to make that her life was under threat. tees of ICTU, Unite and the CWU, choices around their own bodies, all our supporters to join us on the March for Repeal Abortion is a reality in Irish the Dublin and the Bray & Dis- life: between 1980 and 2014, at they are denied equality. So we this International Women’s Day. believe Article 40.3.3 should be trict and Waterford trades coun- least 163,514 women registered cils. In Britain, we are supported for terminations abroad. It is removed in its entirety. This is Meet outside the Mandate offices on Parnell Square at by the Trade Union Congress likely that many were workers the only way to safeguard the (TUC) and train drivers’ union 5pm on Wednesday 8th March and union members. As trade health, lives and rights of women unionists, we think the move- and girls in Ireland and because ASLEF. We are affiliated to the Bring your union banners and placards. Bring your colleagues, family, ment should support female the restrictions the Amendment Coalition to Repeal the 8th friends. Like and share the march Facebook page here https:// workers by fighting to ensure puts on health workers compro- Amendment – which has over 66 www.facebook.com/events/284333118649491/ women can get any medical treat- mises their ability to ensure affiliates including Amnesty In- ment they need and end the women do not suffer or die. ternational, the National Let’s make sure that union support for repeal of Article 40.3.3 is visible, stress and expense of going Our campaign works to bring Women’s Council and the Irish vocal and HUGE! abroad to terminate a crisis preg- the trade union viewpoint to Council of Civil Liberties. 20 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Workers Rights Centres

New workers rights Earth View for Tom Redmond Though haggard – the cancer drawing the life out of him – centres opened – and he gathered comrades and friends in the Party bookshop to bid farewells, issue instructions, make sure that the necessary would still be done. there’s more to come When he stared across to me, His eyes were as beautiful as ever they were, Honest, ocean deep, beyond horizon. By Tom While waiting for his breath, O’Driscoll he compelled me to reflect, ignored my political inadequacies, 2016 turned out to be a very addressed me as friend, fruitful year for the setting garlanding me with scarlet ribbons up of Workers’ Rights as Walter Crane bordering his intricacies: Welcome Centres by the elaborately simple, union. intriguing and inexplicable, These centres give a localised with maybe a wee un-resisted touch contact point for SIPTU members of computer aided design there too. as well as catering for potential members who may be experienc- ing difficulties at work. It was mixture of mischief and majesty, Advice is given in a friendly, em- clarion call and matter-of-fact, pathetic environment and, if an itemised list would oblige our class, needed, SIPTU’s expert advocates nothing personal wanted except for a parting embrace. can refer cases on to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Wrapping around his wiry husk, Labour Court, if necessary. my finger tips touching Valparaiso and Vladivostock, 2016 – the centenary of the 1916 I connected with an undiminished strength of spirit and purpose, Rising – was an important year in a full life well lived, our history, and the first centre a standard high set yet not impossible if I can hold was opened in Liberty Hall, Dublin, on the date of the 100th that earth-wrap clinch forever in my mind. anniversary of ’s execution. The centre in Navan opened its Photo from left to right: Rachael Ryan, SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn, doors on 15th November while the Marie Moloney and Tom O’Driscoll centre in Tralee went into opera- tion on 9th December 2016. The Cork centre will formally online for members, we are now launch on 24th February, 2017. getting back on the High Street And the trend of opening Work- where our empathetic, expert and From Outside Left, a collection ers’ Rights Welcome Centres is set to confidential advice and represen- of poems by Francis Devine continue when suitable SIPTU of- tational service for members and Note: new publication-January 2017 fices are identified. potential members will be prop- Each centre has been launched in erly showcased.” conjunction with the SIPTU District She added: “The plan is to see Councils, with the chair of each this service go nationwide.” Council giving the opening address. The centres, along with the Dis- trict Councils, have the shared mis- Derrygreenagh Bord Na Mona sion of prioritising the relationships between local communities and the union. Centres are staffed by advocates, Joe O’Flynn cuts the ribbon to open the Tralee Centre. organisers and information assis- tants. Each centre has had the local telephone number re-instated – which has proved extremely popu- ure substantially in 2017. There is lar among members – as well as hav- a demand out there for union ad- ing access to the central 1890 vice and union representation in number. the workplace. Representation Full contact details on all centres through legal firms can be exorbi- can be found on the link www.work- tantly expensive and we hope to ersrightscentre.ie see a situation develop where the Since opening in late 2016 the local SIPTU office becomes the one combined total footfall of all centres stop shop for workers in trouble.” SIPTU, TEEU and Unite Shop Stewards and front line management is approximately 514, with a com- Ryan continued: “While the on a 3 day course on Team Working and Disputes Resolution bined total of new members of 253. SIPTU Workers’ Rights Centre is or- procedures. The course is a QQI level 4 qualification presented by dinarily accessed by telephone, Project leader, Rachael Ryan, told our colleagues in IDEAS Institute with agreement with the Group through the relevant official and Liberty: “We hope to grow this fig- of Unions and Senior Management in BNM. Liberty 21 News FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Fishing Industry faces renewed scrutiny as further abuses uncovered slaves, not humans. When you work 150 hours a week and are By Padraig paid for just 39 hours.” Hatem El Sisi of the Egyptian embassy, who Yeates attended the Dublin meeting said that fishers “need a system that protects them and respects their The Irish Government is back rights. These are skilled workers in the firing line over the ex- who left their homes in the expec- ploitation of illegal workers tation of good employment”. by the fishing industry. Hun- dreds of millions in EU sub- ventions could also be at risk for blatant disregard of em- ployment legislation at na- tional and European level. At a meeting in Liberty Hall on Monday, 6th February, over 70 mainly Egyptian and Filipino fish- ers, organised by Ken Fleming of the ITF and SIPTU, workers spoke ing met with the Social Dialogue owners do not even bother to re- introduce the scheme last year in of earning €350 on boats where Committee of the EU Commission turn logbooks to the Department the hope it would end the abuse they often worked over 100 hours to give them his findings from in- of Marine, as required by law and was shocked by what he heard Ken Fleming, International Transport a week in dirty, dangerous condi- spections of Irish fishing vessels many of those that do, do not when he attended the fishers Workers’ Federation co-ordinator. tions under a permit scheme intro- that contrast starkly with those by bother entering crew details, meeting in Drogheda. He said “I Pic:?RT duced by the Government last Irish state agencies. These agencies which is another legal require- am absolutely astonished at what Ken Fleming will be presenting May. claim that 75 per cent of vessels in- ment. I am hearing this evening”. On Feb- his case this week to the EU Com- The scheme was introduced spected comply with the permit The ITF is currently dealing with ruary 8th, he told the Seanad the mission with the support of the after a major exposé by the scheme, itself an admission of fail- over 100 cases of fishers with scheme was not working and ITF and SIPTU. Ireland receives Guardian in November 2015. Now ure, but at a meetings of fishers or- grievances ranging from non-pay- needed to be replaced urgently. €140 million a year in subven- Ken Fleming says, “The situation ganised by the ITF in Drogheda ment of wages, to unfair dismissal Mohamed Abbassy, who lost his tions. is even worse than before. All the only four of the forty men present and compensation for serious in- job in Union Hall last September The ITF is also looking at legal new scheme is doing is legitimis- had permits and at the Liberty Hall dustrial injuries. after demanding he be paid at least remedies through the Irish courts, ing slavery.” the National Minimum Wage, the European Courts and the Inter- On Monday 13th February, Flem- meeting, only one had a permit. Senator Ged Nash, the former Two-thirds of fishing vessel Labour Party Minister who helped said:, “This permit system is for national Labour Organisation. .

Cuban ambassador to Ireland, Hermes Herrera Hernandez speaking on the 58th anniversary of the revolution led by the late Fidel ITF officials (L to R) Paul Keenan, Katie Higginbottom, Ken Fleming and Liam Wilson stand behind a selection of clothing and Castro, at the Mansion House, Dublin on Friday 13th January and toiletries contributed by SIPTU members for distribution to migrant workers in the fishing industry, Liberty Hall, February 2017 hosted by Lord Mayor, Brendan Carr (left) Pic: Paddy Cole 22 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Supporting Quality

IIrelandreland

Wishing you a a very Happy St. Patrick's Day! PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE WORKERS BEHIND THE BRANDS AND PROTECT QUALITY JOBS IN IRELAND!

a jointjoa tin initiativeevitaitnii www.supportingquality.ieww qgnitroppus.ww ei.ytliauq

THE PPOWEROTHE WER UNION proud parpr partnertneroud Liberty 23 Review FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Advertisement “IT CAN’T HAPPEN HERE” by SINCLAIR LEWIS (Reprint 2014) SIGNET CLASSICS “I know the Press only too well… plotting how they can put over their lies…”

Sound familiar? Then how about this as well? A pop- ulist politician who has a major problem with Mex- ico? More clues? He’s sup- ported by the religious right, is anti-union and hates the left. Neverthe- less he believes one day his country will have vast Chef is a brand that has been at packaging designs and a new business dealings with the heart of Irish kitchens since bespoke top down bottle for the Russia? 1921 providing Irish consumers No, it’s not Donald Trump, full sauces range. In summer 2016, with tasty condiments to make but Senator Buzz (Berzilius) Chef celebrated its return to mealtimes taste better. Chef’s Windrip, the villain of this pre- Ireland and it’s new look with a unique blend of spices combined war classic written by Sinclair large scale advertising campaign with the very best of tomatoes Lewis, the first US author to spanning nationwide radio, gives Chef Ketchup its distinctive win the Nobel prize for litera- outdoor, online and targeted taste. Chef’s product range ture. points of purchase as well as a includes an array of side of plate First published in 1935 it very exciting sampling and products such as Brown Sauce, was an overnight success with engagement activation at Ireland’s BBQ Sauce, Beetroot, Salad 320,000 copies sold as well as largest summer event, Bloom in Cream, Malt Vinegar & Pickles. a hit stage adaptation which Dublins Phoenix Park. opened simultaneously in Chef is the leading brand in both eighteen different US cities on the Brown Sauce & Beetroot One of the newest additions to the October 27th 1937, in English, categories and like Chef Ketchup, Chef range in 2016, Chef 50% Less Spanish and Yiddish versions. these products bring food to life Sugar and 25% Less Salt Ketchup It was written at a time of with their unique recipe. has been a big hit with Irish general disappointment at the consumers given the current trend Sinclair Lewis. In 2002, the Chef brand was pace of President Roosevelt’s for reduced sugar products. “To licenced to Fruitfield Foods, which “New Deal” to tackle the Great follow up on the success of our now forms part of Valeo Foods, the Depression in America and Chef Less Sugar and Salt Ketchup, largest ambient food supplier in also when there was fear of the in New York’s “All American” the other one - to Canada. we are excited to launch our new Ireland with other market leading spread of fascism, not only in Madison Square Gardens. His Jessup believes that its peo- Chef Less Sugar and Salt Brown brands such as Batchelors, Erin, Europe but in the US itself. “Stormtroopers” are the “Minute- ple just like him who have let Sauce in 2017. “Unlike other Roma, Jacobs, Kelkin, Odlums and And there were powerful fig- men”, a distorted mutation of the the demagogues wriggle in reduced sugar and salt products, Shamrock. ures in America at the time volunteers of the American War without fierce enough protest. this new range from Chef does not who were prepared to justify of Independence and ideological However, while he points the In 2015, Valeo Foods committed a compromise on taste or consistency fascism. The newspaper mag- cover in the form of a radio evan- finger at the individual, his multi-million euro investment into so you can enjoy the great taste of nate William Randolph Hearst gelist, Bishop Prang, is modelled weakness is he doesn’t believe its production facility in Cabra to Chef” said Donna Coffey, Senior famously declared in a line of on the religious “shock jock” of in collective action because he upgrade facilities to bring back Brand Manager in Valeo Foods. reasoning all too familiar the day, Fr Coughlan. views that as the road to abso- the production of Chef range of today- “Whenever you hear a The unlikely hero is a 60 year lutism. “Chef sauces have been enjoyed table sauces to its hometown of prominent American called a old New England small town edi- Nevertheless, he eventually by Irish families for generations. Dublin. This investment in the Fascist you can usually make tor, with the equally clunky name joins the resistance against Irish consumers love Chef because Cabra, Dublin, facility helps to up your mind that the man is of Doremus Jessup. He is an old Windrip’s Stormtroopers the of the distinctive taste, which they support over 120 jobs on the site simply a loyal citizen who style liberal who comes from a “Minutemen”. have grown up with and which is and over 600 jobs with Valeo stands up for Americanism.” passive and pacifistic tradition. Sinclair’s work raises ques- easily recognisable and available Foods throughout Ireland. The Lewis’s story was grounded As Windrip comes to power, seiz- tions of liberty and justice nationwide. Today it’s this well- investment has increased capacity in characters and events al- ing control of the press and uni- which are as relevant today as loved taste for Chef’s sauce range at the facility and opened up new ready on the stage of American versities to consolidate his they were eighty odd years that remains key for consumers, business opportunities and politics at the time. The villain power, the penny begins to ago. It did happen in Europe, with Chef being the ultimate innovation possibilities for the of the piece, Buzz Windrip was slowly drop with Jessup. How- nearly happened in America symbol of quality and tradition Chef range. modelled on the populist ever, its only when trouble comes and, if the Jessups of this proudly made from its new home Louisiana Senator Huey Long to his door that the full import of world don’t protest and , un- When the production of the Chef in Cabra.” who (thankfully unsuccess- what has happened hits him. By like him,organize, it could range was moved back to Cabra, fully) challenged Roosevelt for that time there are concentration again – very easily. the range was revamped with new the presidency. His rallies are camps and refu gees are heading Michael Halpenny not in Nuremburg or Berlin but over the border- no, not that one, 24 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 International Portuguese Left government makes gains for workers

When Antonio Costa was sworn in as Portugal’s new prime minister in late 2015, as head of a minority Socialist Party government, the outgoing centre-right leader said he hoped he wouldn’t be ‘summoned back to a house in flames’.

which held its 8% support. procedures. made, Portugal does face major By Steady implementation of the The new government argues that challenges and its room for Ger GIbbons pact since then has seen the the agreed programme is manoeuvre is limited. Govern ment reversal of many of measures delivering both economic growth debt remains high at nearly 130% introduced during the 2010-14 and improved public finances. of GDP. Economic growth is Perhaps it’s not hard to Troika programme. The govern - This seems to be the case. Port - projected to remain subdued at understand his pique. Des - ment has raised the minimum ugal’s economy grew by 1.6% in pite seeing its vote fall from around 1.5% this year and next and wage, begun restoring public the year to the third quarter of 50% to 38%, the elec tion was unemployment is projected to still sector wages and state pensions, initially seen as a victory for 2016 – the fastest in five years – be above 9% in both years. reinstated public holidays that had while employment rose by 2.2% the centre-right, which Nevertheless the Portuguese been abolished and removed over the same period. In January, retained its position as the people are increasingly confident increases in working hours for the Government announced that largest bloc in parliament. about their future. A November (most) civil servants. the 2016 budget deficit would be The general ex pectation was poll indicated that 38% felt that a minority centre-right The 2017 budget commits to below the 2.3% limit it had agreed government would be increasing state pensions, child with the European Commission. Portugal was now heading in the formed, dependent on Portuguese Prime Minister benefit and social transfers for The prime minister has said that right direction, up from just 18% a Antonio Costa. year previously, while those saying Socialist Party support. Pic: Media India Group low-income families, and to the success of the pact has Contrary to expectations how - reducing income tax. To off-set depended on each party ‘setting that it was going in the wrong ever the Socialist Party, whose vote direction had fallen from 50% to election of a new government. higher spending, it introduces aside the issues on which they 36%. Eighteen months after the had risen from 28% to 32%, and the This government has also been higher taxes on more expensive differed and focusing only on Left Bloc, whose vote had doubled supported from the opposition properties and on apartments sub- policies on which they could election, it’s not looking likely that to 10%, managed to agree an anti- benches by the Communist Party, lets to tourists, a new sugar tax as agree’. the centre-right will be summ oned austerity pact thereby allowing the well as improved tax collection Despite the progress being back any time soon. Restoring collective bargaining central to Greek recovery – ILO Before the crisis, collective ments can now deviate down- pean ‘best practice’ (which wasn’t changes. It concluded that these bargaining in Greece took wards from sectoral or occupa- defined) and any changes ‘should have reduced collective bargain- tional agreements to the national not involve a return to past policy ing coverage to 10%, possibly put- place under a framework minimum wage, which is now settings which are not compati- ting Greece in breach of its adopted in 1990 that cov- fixed by decree and which in any ble with the goals of promoting commitments under the Euro- ered between 70-80% of pri- event has been cut by one fifth sustainable and inclusive pean Social Charter, that the pres- vate sector workers. (and by one third for younger growth’. ent system lacks ‘regulatory National trade union and em- workers). Sectoral and occupa- The reality is that the present stability and certainty’ for both ployer organisations firstly tional agreements now only system is not compatible with employers and employees, ad- agreed a national framework apply to companies that are sustainable and inclusive growth. versely affecting investment and agreement that set minimum members of the employers’ or- Last July, the trade unions and working and living conditions, working conditions and the min- ganisation that negotiate them. employers jointly called for the and that decentralisation has en- imum wage for the private sector. And non-trade union representa- Ministry of Labour to be once couraged the black economy. Building on this, national (or tives can conclude company-level again able to extend agreements, Its overall conclusion was that regional) agreements could set agreements if they represent at and for the national minimum the ‘reinvigoration of collective better conditions and wages for least three-fifths of workers. The wage to be agreed under the na- bargaining… will be central to recourse of unions to arbitration tional framework agreement. ensuring an equitable, job-rich particular sectors or occupations, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. while company-level agreements has also been limited. Pic:?dreamstime.com The independent review and sustainable recovery in could go beyond these again. The All these ‘reforms’ have re- reported last September. It made Greece’. Ministry of Labour could declare sulted in the wholesale erosion major ity and minority recommen- The issue of collective bargain- sectoral or occupational agree- of collective bargaining in Greece; The bailout programme it negoti- dations but broadly supported the ing in Greece is being discussed ments binding if they covered a the number of new sectoral or oc- ated in mid-2015 included an in- restoration of the previous arrange- at the second review of the 2015 majority of workers in that sector cupational agreements concluded dependent review of the current ment where by sectoral, occupa- programme. The key question or occupation. A binding arbitra- each year has fallen from 250 pre- system, to be followed by consul- tional and company agreements facing Greece’s creditors is tion system also existed, with en- crisis to less than 20 over recent tations with international organ- build upwards not downwards on whether an essential element of hanced rights for unions. years. isations, including the ILO. The national agreements and of the Europe’s social model – free col- This framework has been com- Restoring the previous frame- current system would then ‘in right of the Ministry of Labour to lective bargaining – is to continue pletely dismantled under the work has been one of the Syriza- agreement’ with the creditor in- extend agreements. to be effectively denied to Greek 2010 and 2012 Troika pro- led government’s main goals stitutions, be aligned with Euro- In December, the ILO issued its workers. This is a question for all grammes. Company-level agree- since its election in early 2015. evaluation of the post-2010 of Europe. Liberty 25 Review FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

A tale of courage, LOVING challenge and slavery

to live out the future By that they had origi- Michael nally planned for Halpenny themselves among their own people in In 1705 the 5th great grand- the place of their mother of Queen Elizabeth II, birth. Princess Caroline of Ansbach, However, with the gave her hand in marriage to assistance of Bobby King George II of England. Kennedy and the Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton. Twenty odd years later she American Civil Liber- then gave her name to Caro- ties Union (ACLU) they appealed the line County in the British with a restraint and emotional ten- slave colony of Virginia judgement of the Caroline County sion which is all the more effec- which, incidentally, returned Circuit Court all the way to the U.S. Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving. tive. annual tobacco profits of Supreme Court before the great Nominated Irish actor, Ruth £100,000 to the crown. Chief Justice Earl Warren. There, Negga, gives an outstandingly By 1763, African slaves would the U.S. sent a Discoverer I rocket marriage between a “white” per- eight years after their forced exile, comprise half the population of in 1967, the Supreme Court struck graceful portrayal of one of the two into space in the push for the son and a “colored” person, a law central characters, Mildred, while the colony, and slave labour be- “New Frontier” of the 20th cen- which echoed a Virginia slave code down the decision of the Caroline County Court, declaring it a hang- Joel Edgerton gives us a Richard came the engine of Virginia’s econ- tury. In the same year Caroline of 1691. omy. American historian, Edward over from the old slave laws. Their who is an ordinary working class County Circuit Court sent Richard Richard was a “white” man and E. Baptist has even argued in his landmark ruling not only helped man who is proud of his marriage Loving and his new bride, Mildred his wife was of African-American book The Half That Has Never change America’s race laws but was and simply wants to live out that Jeter, into exile because they were and Native-American descent and Been Told, that slavery’s later ex- one of a number of key decisions pride. married and vowed to jail them they had travelled to Washington pansion drove the evolution and under Chief Justice Warren which This is a film which needs to be modernisation of the United both if they returned. DC to get married and had then re- advanced the cause of civil liber- seen if only to remind us that States. It obviously also con- Their “crime” was that by marry- turned home to Caroline County. ties in the United States. seemingly ordinary people faced tributed handsomely to the British ing each other they broke the law So, they were banished by court Writer-director Jeff Nichols’ new with overwhelming odds can, nev- royalty. of Virginia. The State’s Racial In- order and were forced to drive the release, simply called Loving, tells ertheless, achieve extraordinary Two hundred years on, in 1959, tegrity Statute of 1924 prohibited 87 miles north back to Washington this chilling tale of love and hate change.

A United Ireland – about, a classic example of a title On the economic front, he ar- Why unification is accurately describing the contents gues that economic integration inevitable and between its covers. makes a single Ireland inevitable, We need to talk In it he analyses what is termed how it will come about pointing to what he terms the By Kevin Meagher the “94-year-old sticking-plaster solution” (the 1922 settlement) “quiet revolution” taking place in Biteback Publications Ltd, the North West of England where, 2016 about Ireland of which “has endured for, seemingly, no other reason than political iner- under the “Northern Powerhouse” THE recent Brexit vote in the tia”. initiative, Greater Manchester is UK has given new impetus to the future Far from being a successful ini- wresting control of much of its pol- questions of democracy, the tiative, “the creation of Northern icy making. EU, Scottish independence Ireland is one of the He underscores the 2015 study dressed by a wide range of speak- success of the left in worst decisions and a possible united Ireland. ers – of whom it could certainly be Scotland in forcing the taken by any British by Dr Kurt Hubner, of the Univer- In fact, in the resulting public said that they weren’t the “usual SNP to change their government during sity of British Columbia, which debate most – if not all of suspects”. A session, chaired by position on reducing the whole of the makes the case “that Irish unity these – intertwine in the case journalist and author Susan corporation tax. twentieth century”. brings with it massive economic of Ireland. McKay, included (Belfast) Irish One of the more His book argues that wins for both parts of the island”. As in Scotland, the majority of News columnist and historian, interesting speakers through the principle voters in voted to And it is this point that raised a Brian Feeney, as well as Alex Kane, was political con- of consent “hardwired” critical question in the second ses- remain in the EU. Insofar as calls former Unionist Party communica- sultant Kevin into the Good Friday have been raised for a second ref- tions head. Meagher, an asso- Agreement, the state of sion of the conference – where do erendum on Scottish independ- A second session saw barrister ciate editor of the Northern Ireland is in an the interests of working people ence, so also has there been – and political commentator, Noel Labour Uncut ante-chamber “subject to and their families fit into all this? albeit grudging acceptance even in Whelan, and Cat Boyd from RISE – blog and a for- shifting demographic If labour (i.e. working class inter- the strangest quarters – of the Scottish Left Alliance, a prominent mer adviser to trends which are eroding ests) had to “wait” in the struggle need for a discussion on the future figure during the Independence then Northern the once-dominant Union- for independence in 1918-21, it on this island. ist majority”. He sees this campaign, who emphasised the ne- Ireland Secretary, Shaun certainly cannot afford to do so Sinn Fein’s document Towards a cessity of a strong left-wing core to Woodward. point alone rendering a future ref- United Ireland was the backdrop to any debate on independence ei- In 2016, he published A United erendum on the status of Northern now in any current debate on a a recent conference in the Man- ther here or in Scotland. Ireland – Why Unification is in- Ireland inevitable – a “racing cer- united Ireland – North or South. sion House, Dublin, which was ad- To flag this up she instanced the evitable and how it will come tainty”. Michael Halpenny 26 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Review How Irish-Soviet links were quietly forged despite the scaremongers Irish Soviet Diplomatic and Friendship Relations 1917-1991 By Michael Quinn Umiskin Press Dublin (November 2016). AVING successfully completed his doc- toral thesis for HMaynooth Univer- sity in 2014, Michael Quinn set out with the ambition to publish a detailed account of the relationships between the states and citizens of the Soviet Union and Ireland. The resulting book is a fascinating read, providing a comprehensive and scholarly narrative of the 75-year pe- riod from the Russian Revolution in October 1917 to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. While, understandably, the book However, the subsequent failure of Civil Rights movement, the success concentrates primarily on the post- the communist government to ratify of the Cuban Revolution, the Cam- ...the Government, 1970s period when embassies were an Irish/Soviet treaty in 1920, due to paign for Nuclear Disarmament and influenced by a opened in Dublin and Moscow and concerns about its developing trade opposition to the Vietnam War. Friendship societies on the courageous activists who relationship with Britain, ended the A very important of the Catholic hierarchy formed and maintained Irish/Soviet early attempts at diplomacy. The book is the exploration of the formal dominated by a friendship societies over a prolonged Irish Free State maintained some diplomatic relationships between virulently anti-communist The Irish- USSR Society, 1945- period, nevertheless there are some diplomatic relationship with the So- the Irish and Soviet governments 1966. (first meeting 6 December very interesting accounts of the ear- viet Union, particularly through in- through the work of their respective Archbishop McQuaid, 1945) volvement in the League of Nations, embassies and professional diplo- was extremely hostile Founders included; Officers: Helena but the Irish Republic operated in the mats. By utilising the political reports to the USSR Early ( president), Hilda Verlin (née of the Irish ambassadors, now avail- The resulting book is Cold War context of the 1950s and Allberry), Margaret McMackin, Anne the Government, influenced by a able in the National Archives, the a fascinating read, reader is able to gain a real insight to Peache. Committee members in- Catholic hierarchy dominated by a Brennan’s reports also showed an providing a virulently anti-communist Arch- the formal State relationships but cluded two stalwart communists, abiding interest in Eurocommunism. Sean Nolan and Robert Tweedy. comprehensive and bishop McQuaid, was extremely hos- also descriptions of the relevant is- A little-known aspect of Irish ‘diplo- scholarly narrative of the tile to the USSR. sues and activities taking place in the macy’ highlighted in this book was The Soviet Friendship Societies 75-year period from the Quinn deservedly devotes a signif- USSR and the interests, attitudes and participation on the EEC committee icant section of the book to the work responses of the Russian govern- called the Eastern European Working of Northern Ireland, 1953-1991. Russian Revolution in of the three main Soviet friendship ment to events in Ireland, especially Group which presented a challenge Initial committee members included October 1917 to the societies, north and south. This is a during the conflict in Northern Ire- to neutral Ireland as the only non- William Burton, Annie Burton, Sam dissolution of the Soviet unique survey and highlights the land. NATO member and raises funda- Justice, John Warren, Alan Gorman, challenges presented to determined The determination and effective mental questions about the role of Lance Noakes ( mainly trade union- Union in 1991. Irish diplomats in this overly secre- activists and the commitment and role of Fine Gael Foreign Minister ists and members of CPNI) courage displayed by individuals, Garret Fitzgerald in securing the tive structure. liest contacts. often motivated by ideals of peace opening of both embassies in 1974 While the level of primary source material and research detail con- The Ireland-USSR Society, 1966- Revolutionary Ireland forged im- and friendship. The personalities in- following a meeting with Andrei Gromyko at the UN is a history tained in this book may appear 1992. ( first meeting 14 October portant connections to the new Russ- volved and the nature of the activi- daunting to the general reader, in fact ian state seeking arms and political ties undertaken in Ireland and the worth recording. 1966) it is very well written, scholarly and Founders included: John Swift support. On 4th February, 1918, a solidarity visits to the Soviet Union A centrepiece of the book is the accessible. 10,000-strong Russian Republic Re- are recorded. reference to these reports from the Producing a book from an aca- (chairman), Barbara Miller, Frank Ed- ception, chaired by William O’Brien The political environment within first Irish ambassador, Edward Bren- demic doctorate is not an easy un- wards, Nora Harkin, Brendan Scott of the ITGWU, was convened in and which the different societies nan, to the Department of Foreign dertaking, so Michael Quinn must and three others (mixture of mem- around the Dublin Mansion House emerged is sketched out. The ex- Affairs from 1974 to 1980. Ambassa- be congratulated on his excellent dor Brennan monitored and analysed bers of communist and Labour with a declaration of support. The tremely hostile period facing the ear- work. Jack McGinley, editor of Party and non- aligned) reports in the mainstream Soviet Umiskin Press, must also be com- first Dáil under Arthur Griffith de- lier society formed in December media particularly in relation to cided to dispatch a diplomatic mis- 1945 clashing with the Catholic mended for ensuring that this im- Northern Ireland and especially the portant history has been made sion to the Soviet Republic with a Church inspired the ‘Red Scare’. In depiction of the view to establishing diplomatic rela- contrast, the society established in available. Provisional IRA during this crucial David Connolly tions. 1966 was set up in the context of the period. Liberty 27 Review FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

Poignant Liberty Hall performance for Connolly play Curtains up for the Rising Under Which Flag? time but it does highlight the im- The closing words are from the By James Connolly, portance he attached to theatre. old blind freedom fighter Dan, Directed by Kevin McGee, The play, under the skilled direc- who kneels and blesses the young Presented and tion of Kevin McGee, is set in 1867 men going to fight and “the brave Produced by Bryan Murray, but it is impossible to separate it girls who sent them out to battle”. Production Manager: from the events of 1916. As Bryan This rousing speech has to be Pádraig Murray, Murray stated in his introduction, viewed in the context of the period Liberty Hall Theatre, 15th the cast would have been soldiers in which it was written and per- October 2016. and the audience too included formed, although to a modern au- comrades who would have been dience, it might seem somewhat well aware that “some of them nationalistic and simplistic. ON Saturday 15th October, a would never see another play or The play was followed by music very special event took place gather with their friends for a and song from the company, led by at Liberty Hall. This was a re- drink and a song”. Francy Devine. Great young musi- hearsed reading of James In fact, the actor Seán Connolly cians providing support were Connolly’s short play Under became the first republican casu- harpist Teresa O'Donnell, fiddler Which Flag? This is only the alty of the rising. He was shot on Ciaran Mac Aodhagáin and Pádraig Easter Monday 24th April at City Stages theory: James Connolly Introduced play: Og Mac Aodhagáin on the pipes. second time that this play was revolutionary and playwright actor Bryan Murray was performed in Liberty Hall. There was a beautiful reading by Hall. The play tells the story of the Picture: RollingNews.ie Donna Anita Nikolaisen of an ex- planning to emigrate to America It was made particularly memo- O’Donnell family. Mother Ellen formers who are “scorned, spat tract from James Connolly’s daugh- rable by the presence of the Presi- (Sabina Coyne-Higgins), Father Pat and Frank to enlist in the British upon, loathed and despised”. ter’s memoirs. The evening dent of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins (Brendan Conroy), their two sons, Army. Here Connolly shows the pas- finished with Francy’s poignant and by the performance in the play John and Frank, played by Steve The simple family story of the sionate disgust reserved for those rendition of Where O Where is our of his wife Sabina Coyne-Higgins. Cash and Steve Gunn respectively. first half of the play takes a dra- who would betray their country- James Connolly? The play was originally staged at Frank O’Sullivan played their old matic shift when Mary witnesses men. The play ends with the Sabina Coyne-Higgins was Liberty Hall on 26th March 1916 friend and former fighter, Dan, and men secretly drilling like soldiers young men slipping away to fight awarded life membership of Eq- just one month before the Easter Donna Anita Nikolaisen played and in excitement is going to for freedom and with Mary per- uity for her unwavering support Rising. It is astonishing to think Mary O’Neill, an orphan who lives spread the news. However, when suading Frank that for love of her for the union and particularly for that James Connolly took the time with the O’Donnell family and she tells this to blind Dan, he and his country, he must do the her support for young actors to write and produce a play at this who is in love with Frank. John is points out the fate meted out to in- same. throughout her life. Inspired by Count who tried to kill Hitler IRISH artist and SIPTU mem- ber, Eve Parnell who teaches at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin has opened an exhibition at Humboldt University in Berlin inspired by Count Claus Schenk Graf von Stauf- fenberg, the Wehrmacht offi- cer who led the July 1944 plot to kill Hitler. The title of the new show, which runs through February, is ‘Vernehmt und lasst mich traum so Eve Parnell, pencil wahrheit singen’, which translates on tissue paper as ‘Let me sing dreams as words of truth’. Eve Parnell with Deputy First Minister Martin Stauffenberg, who attempted to as- It is taken from a poem written Eve Parnell McGuinness at Stormont in 2016 sassinate Hitler and gave his life in 1923 by von Stauffenberg, who for it, aimed to remove the evil of was executed after the failed at- Hitler from the world. He became tempt, known as ‘Operation ment Buildings, Stormont, at the leading authorities on the German even of dead pigeons expresses a beacon of ideals in a world in tur- Valkyrie’. Irish embassy in Berlin, in Finland, resistance against Nazism, has dream-like compassion and confi- moil.” Parnell, who studied at NCAD in and at the Pontifical Irish College written an introduction to the ex- dence in life, ‘dream as truth’. Last year, to mark the 1916 cen- Dublin, works in the extremely tenary, Parnell was invited to Stor- hibition. “The phrase drew Eve Parnell to delicate and demanding medium in Rome. mont to exhibit a series of of pencil on tissue paper. Peter Hoffmann, Professor of In his introduction, he writes: Stauffenberg’s life, in which she drawings inspired by the poets of The talented artist has already History at McGill University in “Eve Parnell in her delicate draw- saw reflected her themes of com- World War One and the Easter Ris- had her work exhibited at Parlia- Montreal, Canada, and one of the ings of birds, plants, sculptures, passion, freedom and equality. ing. 28 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Tradition My great-grandfather – trade unionist and rebel

By John McCamley

HE crucial role our Thomas was unemployed for the union and its members next 10 months until he got em- played in the 1916 Ris- ployment with Dublin Corporation ing has been rightly at the pumping station at East Wall. Temphasised during this cente- He remained a member of the re- nary year. While much of the named Irish Republican Army and focus has been on celebrating its secretive inner circle, the IRB. the role of the Irish Citizen It was the latter which appointed Army – the armed wing of the Maguire to the so-called Labour trade union movement – we Board, an intelligence unit under should not lose sight of the fact the command of Michael Collins. Thomas and other unit that many Irish Volunteers members’ role was to influence the were also good trade unionists. trade unions to assist the IRA’s One of those was my great-grand- fight. father, Thomas Maguire, whose Thomas, who was on the man- role in the fight for Irish freedom I agement committee of the Sta- have researched. tionery Engine Drivers’ Society, From Nugent’s Lane near Broad- was tasked with others, by the IRB, stone in Dublin 7, Thomas was to create a consolidated Irish craft born into a Catholic loyalist family. union and so, the Irish Engineer- Despite this, he became involved in ing, Shipbuilding and Foundry nationalist political and cultural ac- Workers Union came into being in tivities. 1920, thanks to the Republican He joined the Celtic Literary So- movement. Thomas was on the ex- ciety in 1898 and was closely asso- ecutive of this trade union and ap- ciated with William Rooney and pears to have been appointed by Arthur Griffith. Maguire assisted the IRB to the Dáil’s Labour Arbitra- the former in forming the first jun- tion Tribunal panels (the precursor ior hurling team in Dublin, Fianna to the current Workplace Relations Éireann. Commission and Labour Court). In 1904 Thomas joined the Irish On the purely military side, he Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and was involved in making and hiding was one of the first to enlist in the homemade hand grenades at the Irish Volunteers in 1913. At the foundry in Inchicore. During the same time Thomas was an active War of Independence contact be- trade unionist in his employment tween the various IRA commands on the MGW Railways and by 1915 became difficult. he was the Dublin Branch Secretary Thomas Maguire: However, Thomas’ old railway of train drivers' union ASLEF. lost his job on the friends and comrades helped the As soon as the Easter Rising railways because of his participation IRA by using his home as a ‘letter broke out he reported to his post at in the Rising. drop’. It was as a ‘link man’ that the North Circular Road, to act as a Maguire came into regular contact guide for the explosives party or- with Michael Collins who used dered to the tunnel over the Link Vaughan’s Hotel in Parnell Square Railway, near Liffey Junction. for intelligence gathering. Having done that he reported to When the truce came Thomas the 1st Battalion HQ in Church hung up his gun and was affiliated Street. Cmdt Edward Daly got him to the so-called “Independent IRA” to build defensive positions in which refused to take sides in the their command area. Civil War. He continued his trade After the surrender, Thomas was union activities until his death in transferred to Britain and put in During the War of Independence contact between 1938. Knutsford Prison. He was later the various IRA commands became difficult. Jim Larkin and Máire Comerford moved to Frongoch Prison camp in were among the many trade union- Wales, until his release at Christ- However, Thomas’ old railway friends and comrades ists and republicans who attended mas 1916. his military funeral in Glasnevin Thomas lost his job on the rail- helped the IRA by using his home as a ‘letter drop’. Cemetery. ways because of his participation It was as a ‘link man’ that Maguire came into regular in the Rising (as did other volun- John McCamley is a SIPTU teers in loyalist employments such contact with Michael Collins Organiser as The Irish Times and Guinness). Liberty 29 Obituary FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017

ORATION A celebration of the life of our father, Nealie McCarthy 1930-2017 ‘The Union Man’ –strong, principled, dearly loved

THOSE of us gathered here the Irish Transport and General He has told us that he found his meals on wheels and serving as a today who knew Nealie, will Workers Union and started his life- new job hugely rewarding, working minister of the Eucharist. have our own unique of mem- time involvement with the union with and representing diverse He really loved the time he spent ories and stories of him. We and the labour movement. groups of workers from the staff at the day care centre, listening to hope that we can all celebrate He soon became a shop steward on the ferry boat to Cape Island, to music, playing cards and talking to what we consider to be his re- and worked with the union on a workers in the Fastnet food factory people. He developed a new skill markable life, through this voluntary basis. In 1965, he made in Skibb’ and the Gulf Oil workers in art, especially in the making of ceremony and afterwards. a major decision and applied suc- in the Whiddy Island refinery. the Famine commemorative cloak. Dad was born in 1930 into a cessfully for the job of full-time We are told that he was a strong He had a lifelong love of the GAA small rural community of Colla- union official for the West Cork negotiator, fighting hard to im- which included roles of secretary trum, Lisheen, where he lived with region, servicing a wide area from prove workers’ pay and conditions. and president of his O’Donovan mother and brother, Haullie, after Skibbereen to Bantry and Clon- He spoke at national union confer- Rossa club. He told us his proudest his father died at an early age, until akilty and also doing a stint in ences and as a labour activist or- moment was stepping on to the they moved into the town of Skib- Mallow. ganised and spoke at many local field at Croke Park with the Rossa bereen in the 1950s. Our memories are of lots of rallies and marches. He was a very colours, to present the referee with He lived in an era when life was people referring to our dad as “The strong principled man, always will- the list of the O’Donovan Rossa harder than now in some respects. Union Man”. He sometimes ing to stand firm and fight for his team that won the All Ireland He has told us stories of himself worked very late into the early ideals and for social justice. Championship in 1992. The cele- and friends walking across the hours of the morning during nego- His close family and extended brations were unforgettable. fields with no shoes to get to tiations connected with disputes family were really important to He had an outgoing social char- Lisheen National School, where he Nealie McCarthy: loved and strikes. him. We have very fond memories acter and loved connecting with was a student. It was a tightly-knit connecting with people He educated himself by doing a of Dad, especially on our epic cara- people. We will miss him terribly community made up of a small Social Studies Diploma with UCC, van holidays. He was always there and he will leave a huge gap in our number of houses, a shop and a ally, he got work in Skibbereen which he thought was life chang- for us. We loved him a lot. lives. We learnt a huge amount pub. Dad has told us lots of enter- with Cork County Council, initially ing and opened him up to new He was a heavily involved in the from him and we believe his amaz- taining stories of his childhood ex- breaking stones and working on ideas, and read widely on politics, community in Skibbereen, which ing spirit will live on. periences and of friends and building the roads. Later he be- history and society. As children we included being a founding member Nealie is survived by daughter neighbours and their positive com- came a mechanic in the council played with his many books, espe- of Skibbereen Credit Union, in set- Kay and son Denis McCarthy, who munity spirit. yard, fixing the steam stone crush- cially James Connolly’s Labour and ting up Friends of the Day Care composed this eulogy. It was deliv- Work was hard to find. Eventu- ers. It was here, in 1950, he joined Irish History! Centre and took part in delivering ered at Nealie’s funeral.

OBITUARY Bridget Taylor Lockout martyr’s niece passes away peacefully BRIDGET Taylor, the niece of shot her and all who suffered dur- Lockout martyr Alicia Brady, ing and after the Lockout. They has died after a brief illness. were set against each other by peo- Bridget fully supported the ef- ple who should have known better forts of SIPTU and the 1913 Lock- and who had so much. May Alicia out Committee to commemorate and all who suffered Rest in that epic struggle for workers’ Peace.” rights a hundred years ago. In his funeral oration at Alicia’s Her aunt Alicia was a member of funeral, Jim Larkin said: “It the Irish Women Workers’ Union pleased the all-wise Providence and died as a result of injuries sus- that our sister would be sacrificed tained when a strike breaker on the altar of sweating misery opened fire on a group of women and degradration. in Mark Street, Dublin, on 18th De- ‘Though she was only a young cember 1913, as they tried to pre- girl she had shown great strength vent coal deliveries to commercial of character, and if she had been customers in the area. Alicia died spared, she would, I believe, have of complications two weeks later. been a great woman.” The gunman, Patrick Traynor, Bridget continued to take part in was initially charged with murder, commemorative events and laid but this was later reduced to wreaths at the scene where her manslaughter. He was subse- aunt was fatally injured in 2014 quently acquitted and returned to and 2015. Unfortunately, Bridget England. was too unwell to do so again last Bridget spoke at the commemo- December. She passed away peace- ration held by SIPTU to mark the Bridget Taylor, left, beside a wreath laid in fully on 15th January 2017. honour of her aunt, Lockout martyr Alicia centenary of Alicia’s funeral on 4th Brady at St. Mark’s Church, Pearse Street on A Month's Mind Mass for January 2013 in Glasnevin ceme- 18th December 2015. Bridget Taylor will take place on tery. At the event she said: “We re- Photo: Dan O’Neill Sunday, 19th February in McKee member Alicia and the man who Barracks Church at 11.00 a.m. 30 Liberty FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 Sport

Catch us if you can: Dublin’s Colm Basquel sidesteps Eoin Doyle of Kildare in the O’Byrne Cup semi-final PICTURE:INPHO/Donall Farmer Catching the Dubs this season? Tyrone may have Harte to do it

O’Byrne campaign confirmed his are a good bet to win the under-21s. right to be considered. Dublin have won The most interesting thing about By Paul Hudson of Thomas Davis did Mayo will be to see what impact the Matt Treacy well but perhaps is on the wrong 10 out of the last 11 internal leaks will have. Dumping side age-wise. His main strength too Leinster’s. A pretty managers seldom works, and when is free kicks and Dublin are not the dumped come back with the in- CCORDING to one of side spiel about what certain chaps my sources, Kildare wanting for free takers. Ciaran Red- depressing picture din, Niall Scully, young Hazley, Colm think of other chaps then the conse- people were close to for non-Dubs... quences can be devastating. I suspect Basquel, Eoghan O’Gara’s brother despair following that a team that is already labouring A Killian. All names for the future. We Dublin’s victory in the under multiple monkeys will falter O’Byrne Cup semi-final in shall see. The real issue is whether starts. Faint hearts will not be wear- under the pressure. I don’t think Newbridge last month. Dublin put out their best available ing a blue jersey by then no matter Mayo will be there come August or team and try to win the league or Whatever chance they might have Mickey Harte: bidding to bow what they have done in the past. I September. of beating the Dubs in the summer, out on a high PICTURE:RollingNews.ie rest some big names with an eye on suspect that the level of competitive- Donegal are getting old and just they surely had a shot at home in the summer and autumn. ness will ensure another league title. don’t have the replacements for the January, with more or less a full it five out of the last seven. They are I suspect we will see a pretty ex- After that, the reins will drop. ageing. team against a Dublin side that had also aiming to create a Leinster perimental squad until April. The So, who might beat them? That leaves one team in my hum- not one player who had ever lined record of seven in a row which real work will be done behind closed It would be a foolish chap who ble opinion that might take Dublin out in senior, the inter-county would surpass the great 1970s doors in their famously competitive would write off Kerry, and they are out. Tyrone. It is Mickey Harte’s final league or championship. team’s six. Dublin have won 10 out and no-holds-barred training games. almost certain to meet Dublin at year. He has been ruthless in clear- Not to be. They blew a lead and of the last 11 Leinster’s. The bad news for everyone else is some stage in the championship. It ing the decks and he has the pick of decided not to score for the last 15 A pretty depressing picture for Gavin’s mastery of putting out would seem the most likely final. an All-Ireland 21s champion team minutes or so. Dublin did more or non-Dubs. teams with a fair quotient of chaps However, some indications with re- and good minors. less the same to Louth in the final. What will be interesting to see in eager to make their name. Not un- tirements and the McGrath Cup If any team can beat Dublin it So the question is: can anyone stop the league is who Jim Gavin plays. like his hurling equivalent from the would suggest that Kerry are looking might be the Red Hands. The hard them this year? The O’Byrne Cup win threw some Village. a bit further down the road. They fought draw (Dublin 0-10 – Tyrone What they are chasing is unique. interesting names into the shake-up. Dublin will have to reduce 60 or so have an outstanding crop of under- 1-7) between the two teams on Sun- A fifth consecutive league and a Conor McHugh is a former All-Ire- current contenders down to under age players coming on line but that day (12th February) is a sure sign of third All-Ireland which would make land under-21 winner and his 30 by the time the championship will take another year or two. They better days to come. Liberty 31 Liberty Crossword FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 PRIZE DRAW To win €200 in Arnotts vouchers Liberty courtesy of JLT Insurance Crossword (see back cover) 1 2 3 4455 6 ACROSS DOWN 7 8 7 To stand in line (6) 1 In the raw (4) 8 Circles the larger object (6) 2 Payment for membership of 9 10 9 Lock openers (4) an organisation (13) 10 On the payroll (8) 3 Amazing adventure (7) 11 Bright red (7) 4 Bodies of water (5) 11111212 13 13 A celtic people (5) 5 Scottish cattle breed (8,5) 14 15 Journeys (5) 6 Do not believe in the deity (8) 15 16 16 European nationality (7) 12 Setting alight (8) 18 In charge of a committee meeting (8) 14 Popeye food (7) 17 19 All's opposite (4) 17 Common surname (5) 18 1920 21 Disentangle (6) 20 Cold war relic (4) 22 Where the law is delivered (6)

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*Correctly fill in the crossword to reveal the name and address and you will to be entered into a The winner of the crossword competition hidden word, contained by reading the letters prize draw to win a €200 Arnotts voucher in the November/December edition was in the shaded squares from top to bottom. The winner of the crossword quiz will be Sam Cooke, Tubbercurry published in the next edition of Liberty. Email the hidden word to [email protected] or post to Answer: Poinsettia Communications Dept., Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 along with your *Terms and conditions apply.

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