Vol. 17 No 4 September 2018 ISSN 0791-458X No people’s Housing crisis Palestine budget impact on Page 28-29 Page 10-11 members Page 16-17 Raise the Roof on October 3rd by Frank Connolly Radical political action is required to force the Government to roll out a major, public building programme to deal with the urgent need for social and affordable housing, according to SIPTU General Secretary Joe O’Flynn. He has called on SIPTU members, their families and friends to join the ‘Raise the Roof’ rally to be held outside Leinster House on Wednes - day, 3rd October. The rally organised by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the National Homeless and Housing Coalition, the National Womens’ Council and the Union of Students in is timed to coincide with a Dáil motion on the housing crisis. The motion calls for the immediate construction of quality, afford - able public housing, an end to evictions and the inclusion of the right

to housing in the Irish Constitution. It is supported by opposition par - i _ _ _ r_ . : ties including Sinn Féin, the , People Before Profit/Solidar - ity, the Social Democrats, the and Independents4Change. members and other campaigners have been lobbying Fianna Fáil deputies and senators over recent months to support the call for a massive, publicly led, social and affordable housing pro - gramme. They will seek to have the party support the motion to be tabled by the other opposition parties. “It is no exaggeration to say that the housing crisis is damaging the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and their families. As with any crisis it is working people, those on low and average incomes, who suffer the most,” O’Flynn said. Hundreds of young people in a sit down protest at Oc tober 3r d “Buying your own home is now beyond reach for a generation of the Parnell monument in O'Connell Street, young people. The shortage of public, social and affordable housing on Wednesday, 12th September. They were

protesting againstC the forced removal of housing M

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CMY means that tens of thousands are forced into the rental sector. K activists from a property nearby on the previous “Rents are increasing, as landlords take advantage of the shortfall night. Photo: RollingNews Continued on page 2 OC T 3r d R ally at L eins ter H ouse @12.30- 2pm WORKERS RIGHTS CENTRE 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., www .ic tu.ie /raise ther oo f Monday - Friday wrc@.ie #Raise The Roo f #Homes For All #Oc t3r d 2 Liberty In this month’sLiberty SEPTEMBER 2018 News SIPTU activist injured during Dublin eviction Industrial News Page 4-8

Big Start Campaign Page 9

Liberty View Liberty Page 13 View

Masked private security men leaving North Frederick Street in Dublin after evicting housing activists from a property on Tuesday, 11th September.

Defining workplace A SIPTU activist in Dublin City police van. tion from a member of the Garda bullying University was among those in - He said: “I was not in the prop - which resulted in me being hurled erty but as a supporter of the ‘Take down the steps on to the Page 19 jured during the high profile evic - Back the City’ campaign I was no - pavement. tion of protesters on 11th tified that an eviction was taking “I was then arrested and held in September from a building on at about 6.00 p.m. As we live close Store Street station with several North Frederick Street, Dublin 1, to the building myself and my girl - others. After my release I went to The house was occupied to high - friend cycled to it to see what was the Mater Hospital A&E and SIPTU District light the growing housing crisis in happening for ourselves.” treated for severe bruising.” He added: “We were shocked to The unidentified security com - Council News the city. Seamus Farrell, a SIPTU member see men in masks using a power pany using a vehicle with English Page 22 and activist with Dublin Central saw to force their way into what registration plates removed the Housing Action, complained that was a completely peaceful occupa - activists on foot of a court order. he was thrown down a set of gran - tion. I began to film what was ite steps before being put into a going on and this provoked a reac -

Civil Rights struggle Page 26 Newry Mourne and Down District Council workers set for industrial action

Trade union members in counted on 12th September and camel’s back was the attempt to A league going Newry Mourne and Down showed members were over - force through a detrimental Man - nowhere? District Council have voted to whelmingly in favour of industrial aging Attendance Procedure with - take industrial action in a dis - action.The move comes follows a out negotiation or consultation. Page 34 long-running dispute between This potentially breaches TUPE pute resulting from attempts management and workers follow - regulations and could be detri - to erode workers’ terms and ing the creation of the super coun - mental to workers with disabili - conditions. cil through the merger of Down ties. We are concerned that the The consultative ballot con - District Council and Newry and management side only wants to ducted by the Joint Trade Union Mourne District Council. talk about effective implementa - Side (JTUS), which includes SIPTU, SIPTU Organiser, Niall McNally, tion dates rather than a negotiated NIPSA, UNITE and the GMB, was Editor: Frank Connolly, SIPTU Head of Communications said: “The straw that broke the settlement of our differences.” Journalist: Scott Millar Design: Sonia Slevin (SIPTU), Joe Mitchell (Brazier Media) Publications Assistant: Deirdre Price Continued from page 1 — Raise the Roof on October 3rd Administrative Assistant: Karen Hackett Produced, designed, edited and printed by trade union labour. in supply. Young workers and stu - payments due to financial diffi - those who are profiting from the Printed by The Irish Times, City West, Dublin. dents find it almost impossible to culty. They are then forced into lack of social and affordable hous - Liberty is dedicated to providing a platform for progressive news and views. find decent accommodation at af - unsuitable accommodation in ho - ing which makes life a misery for If you have any ideas for articles or comments please contact: [email protected] fordable prices, particularly when tels or emergency hubs. A genera - so many families across the coun - they work in low paid, precarious tion of children will grow up try,” he said. The SIPTU Dublin Liberty is published by the Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union, , Dublin 1 employment,” the SIPTU General without knowing what a normal District Council is co-ordinating SIPTU General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn • General Secretary Designate, Joe Cunningham • Secretary told Liberty. home is like.” the union’s participation in the Deputy General Secretary, Ethel Buckley • Deputy General Secretary, John King • “More and more families are “It is important that we come rally. It is calling on all members Deputy General Secretary, Gerry McCormack forced into homelessness because out in large numbers to support to stand with the union flag on Production: SIPTU Communications Department, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, rents are too high or because they this call for immediate action that 3rd October. Tel: 01 8588217 • Email: [email protected] cannot meet their mortgage re - puts the public interest ahead of See page 13, 16 - 17. Liberty 3 News SEPTEMBER 2018 Rising Tides for women in music

Harper, Úna Monaghan. Photos by Cathal Mac an Bheatha. Final encore at the Rising Tides event in Liberty Hall on Sunday, 9th September. A large number of singers, musicians and other member, Karan Casey, described how the campaign seeks to ager, Eamon Murray, and the Head of the Worker’s Rights performers gathered in Dublin for the ‘Rising “change the working environment for women in the worlds Centre in SIPTU, Paul Henry. Tides’ conference and concert in Liberty Hall in of traditional and folk music.” Many of those present sang and played at a well attended early September. Organised by the Fairplé cam - “We are advocating for deep societal change, an improve - concert in Liberty Hall theatre on Sunday 9th September, paign and the Musicians Union of Ireland (MUI) ment in the imbalance of line-ups that discriminate against including harper, Una Monaghan, who created a powerful the event highlighted issues of concern to female performers particularly instrumentalists, an end to piece of art about gender balance entitled “What we haven’t women working in Irish traditional and folk sexual harassment and to the macho cultural bravado that Heard?” performed with Pauline Scanlon, Niamh Dunne and music. is endemic within the ,” Casey said. Karan Casey. Other participants complained about the disappointing Exploitation, sexual harassment and bullying in the Other acts included Sile Denvir, Muireann Mic Amh - number of women performers on the line up for music fes - largely male dominated music industry featured in the wide- laoibh, Donal Lunny and Barry Kerr; Emma Langford; the tivals and other major concerts and events. ranging discussions while emerging artists were given advice Friels; Niamh Parsons and Graham Dunne; Atlas; and John Among the speakers were singer-songwriter, Eleanor by more experienced artists on finding their way in the Spillane. McEvoy, who is chairperson of the Irish Music Rights Organ - music business. isation (IMRO), Folk singer and Fairplé co-founder, Pauline In her opening address Faireplé co-founder and MUI Scanlon, film maker, Nuala O’Connor, musician and man -

Raise the Roof campaign launch

Raising the roof for housing: Pictured (Left to Right) Union of Students in Ireland (USI) Campaign Officer, Michelle Byrne, Fr Peter McVerry, Sheila Nunan, Orla O’Connor and Aisling Bruen. ‘Raise the Roof’, a new alliance to of the National Homeless and in the Dáil that day. The motion tackle the housing crisis was Housing Coalition spoke of the calls for real action on the housing launched at a packed press confer - need to mobilise large crowds for crisis. It is supported by Sinn Fein, ence on Thursday 6th September. a rally outside Leinster House on the Labour Party, People Before Speakers including Congress pres - Wednesday 3rd October. The rally Profit, Solidarity, the Social From left: Uilleann Pipers, Jane Walls , Amy Campbell and Sean McKeon ident, Sheila Nunan, the director led by Congress is in support of an Democrats and the Green Party, In - of the National Women’s Council, opposition party motion on hous - dependents4Change with others Orla O’Connor and Aisling Bruen ing that is scheduled to be debated expected to add their support. 4 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 News

Worker praises SIPTU role in Labour Court case A former Dunnes Stores resentation I received from SIPTU At the date of the termination, covery with continued care”. provided written advice from her worker, whose unfair dis - WRC Advocate, Ger Malone. She she was employed as an assistant However, in a letter of termina - doctor indicating that this would missal award was doubled to showed great understanding and manager at Dunnes and her salary tion of employment, Dunnes said have to wait until after she had vis - humanity in dealing with this case was 35,000. She had worked for that the employee had been “un - €30,000 by the Labour Court € ited a specialist. It added that in after the company appealed which was a welcome contrast to the retailer since November 2003. able to provide an indication of a the absence of this specialist infor - an initial decision, has praised the approach of my former em - She was fired in September 2016 date of return to work in the near mation, Dunnes was “not in a po - ployer.” following a two-year period of ill - future” and could not provide any sition to objectively evaluate” her the support and representa - She added: “I was delighted with ness-related absence. update on her illness. The retailer working arrangements. tion she received from the the final outcome of the case.” During this time she attended added that it could not continue to SIPTU Workers’ Rights Centre In a ruling published in August, meetings with Dunnes manage - employ her under these circum - The employee was awarded (WRC) with her case. the Labour Court found in favour ment and in February 2015 she stances. €15,000 in compensation by the The Limerick-based worker, who of the woman who claimed she was asked to see the company doc - The Labour Court said that her Workplace Relations Commission requested her anonymity be main - had been sacked because of a dis - tor. That doctor confirmed that the dismissal followed a meeting in December 2017. The award was tained, said: “I would very much ability, which is a breach of the woman was unfit for work but said where she indicated that she could doubled las month after her appeal like to thank the professional rep - Employment Equality Act. that she would make “a good re - not confirm a return date but had to the Labour Court. SIPTU supports Lloyds strikers O’Donnell the educator and union organiser

Photo: Deputy General Secretary Gerry McCormack and SIPTU Manufacturing Division Organiser, Teresa Hannick with members at Artane Castle in Dublin on 3rd September.

SIPTU Deputy General of work stoppages at its stores affront to normal industrial rela - Secretary, Gerry McCormack, around the country since June. tions processes and procedures.” The workers are demanding that He added: “You [Lloyds manage - has written to the senior man - the company respect the Labour ment] can take this letter as no - agement of Lloyds Pharmacy Court recommendation that they tice of SIPTU’s intention to calling on the company to re - should be represented by the support Mandate members by any spect its employees’ request union of their choice in collective means possible.” and a Labour Court recom - bargaining negotiations. Commenting on the letter, In the letter, sent to the com - Mandate General Secretary, John mendation that workers are pany on 4th September, McCor - Douglas, said: “Your solidarity Photo: Participating in the Peadar O’Donnell weekend on Arranmore represented by the union of mack, said: “The company’s makes a real difference and Island in Donegal were (Left to right) Summer School Organiser, Nora Flanagan, recent actions by failing to imple - demonstrates to our members SIPTU Organiser, Martin O’Rourke, Seamus Rodgers, SIPTU Deputy General their choice. Secretary, Ethel Buckley, Hugh McConville of the Sligo Leitrim Roscommon Mandate trade union members ment the Labour Court recom - that they are not alone in their District Council and Seán Ó Longáin retired CEO Donegal ETB. employed by Lloyds Pharmacy mendation and the clear attempt fight for justice.” have been conducting a campaign at union busting techniques is an The work and progressive Boyle INTO, Bernadette Devlin ideas of Peadar O’Donnell McAliskey and Údarás na SIPTU CPD COURSES STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER IN THE RCSI were the centre of a weekend Gaeltachta Chairperson Anna Ní of discussion on Arranmore Ghallachoir, there were perfor - SIPTU in partnership with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland COST: €70 for SIPTU members mances by sean nós singers and a is now offering SIPTU members the opportunity to undertake €100 for non members Island in county Donegal on fiddle workshop. the following short interdisciplinary Continuous Professional 14th - 15th September. Development (CPD) courses. ****SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER**** SIPTU Deputy General Secretary, SIPTU members can receive of a special The event was opened by retired Ethel Buckley, also addressed the • Safeguarding the Vulnerable Adult at Risk of Abuse introductory offer of €50 per course by SIPTU official, Seamus Rodgers, • Leadership-in-Action Regulatory Standards in Healthcare emailing: [email protected] event. She outlined the activity of Maintaining Professional Competence (Online) who outlined the connection of the Big Start Campaign and called • Strategic Management in Action To book a course please download the O’Donnell to the island where he for support for SIPTU members in Understand the Factors Influencing Safety and Quality in SIPTU Health Division app. Healthcare taught during the early years of their upcoming industrial action at • CPD Planning/Maintaining a Portfolio Leadership Development the last century. and Succession Planning The first 100 applicants will the Rapid Action Packaging (RAP) enter a draw to win a new iPad mini As well as discussions, which in - plant in Gweedore, County Done - * All courses are accredited by the RSCI and the NMBI cluded contributions from John gal. Liberty 5 Manufacturing News SEPTEMBER 2018 SIPTU wins in pharma sector builds on a string of recent successes A MAJOR union organising tween SIPTU representatives and organising drive is taking place in - drive is under way in multina - GE Healthcare. clude Servier Industries in Arklow, tional pharmaceutical and SIPTU Sector Organiser, Alan county Wicklow, and Medtronic in medical devices companies O’Leary, told Liberty : “This major Mervue, county Galway. following recent successes in for workers in GE Health - SIPTU Organiser, Jim Furey, ex - securing major improvements care came after eight years of plained “The SIPTU Pharmaceuti - in terms and conditions for union organising in the pharma - cals, Chemicals and Medical Devices Sector is getting stronger, workers in the sector. ceutical multinational. The effort was led by a remarkable group of with workers in many so-called Among the recent wins is a deal shop stewards who deserve mas - non-union multinational compa - accepted by members in GE sive credit for what has been nies confidentially joining the Healthcare in Carrigtohill, county achieved.” Other plants where the union every day. , in August. In this agreement “SIPTU members in organised pay rises of between 10% to more workplaces in the sector do not than 25% (equalling an additional ...workers in have pay linked to the individual €9,000 on to workers’ basic pay) performance appraisal model. were secured. many so-called Members are instead paid the The agreement came out of a non-union firms same pay rise equally across the deal brokered following a union confidentially board. This is the fairest and most recognition dispute in 2015, which transparent model of pay determi - included strike action by SIPTU GE Healthcare shop stewards Cormac Griffin, Paul Collins and Pat Cotter joining the union nation and it is why pay for work - with PCMD Sector President Jemma Mackey at the vote count over new pay ers in the sector has increased by members. This led to a collective agreement on 25th August every day... bargaining agreement on pay be - up to 25% in the past few years.” Work stoppage planned Brexit ‘played role’ in at Rapid Action Packaging Titan Tanks job losses TITAN Tanks has announced closure is to secure the future op - Notice has been served of a 16- representation for workers. concerning this dispute, even that it was closing its plant in eration of the facility in Portadown hour work stoppage by SIPTU SIPTU Organiser, Declan Ferry, though the company handbook Carrickmacross, county Mon - due to concerns over the impact of said: “The decision to commence states that it will always adhere members in the Rapid Action aghan, with the loss of 18 jobs. Brexit on job orders for the com - a campaign of industrial action with decisions of the State’s in - pany.” Packaging (RAP) plant in Gwee - Managem ent at the liquid stor - follows a ballot of our members dustrial relations mechanisms.” age tank manufacturer, which is a He added: “It is of deep concern dore, County Donegal in the RAP plant in August in He added: “It is worth remind - subsidiary of Kingspan, stated in that the continued uncertainty The work stoppage scheduled which a majority voted for strike ing this company, once again, that August that the plant was closing over Brexit has played a role in to begin at 7.00 a.m. on 24th action and industrial action. it is in receipt of public funds due to concerns over profits. How - these job losses.” September and with pickets to be “Our members have been left through Údarás na Gaeltachta. ever, plant machinery is to be SIPTU members at the Carrick - macross plant accepted a redun - placed on entrances to the plant, with no option but to undertake The public, and in particular the moved from Carrickmacross to an - other company facility in Portad - dancy package negotiated by results from a dispute concerning industrial action in relation to people of Donegal are entitled, own, . union representatives. Most work - a refusal by management to re - this dispute. This is because man - therefore, to demand that this SIPTU Organiser, Denis Sheri - ers in the plant will be made re - spect a Labour Court Recommen - agement has refused to respect a company recognises workers’ fun - dan, said: “Local management in - dundant on 26th October, with a dation in relation to union Labour Court Recommendation damental rights.” formed SIPTU representatives that few remaining on till Christmas to one of the main reasons for the assist in removing the machinery. European Work Councils crucial to Brexit challenge Pat Daly retires A focus on ensuring effective rep - elected workers representatives. they are seeking to change the A presentation of a SIPTU Private Sector scroll was resentation for workers in Ireland “To counter this practice, SIPTU areas which elect members from made by SIPTU General Secretary Designate, Joe on European Work Councils is enacting EWC agreements to separate UK and Ireland regions to Cunningham, to Pat Daly, a former senior Shop just the UK/Ireland. (EWCs) is crucial, particularly in have ballots to elect representa - Steward at Medtronic in county Galway to mark his tives so ensuring SIPTU mem - “In some companies we are the lead up to Brexit, according to retirement from the company at an event on 23rd bers are adequately represented”, finding that this is leading to a de - SIPTU Manufacturing Division Sheridan said. crease in representation for work - August. Pat has been a trade union activist with the EWC co-ordinator, Denis Sheri - He added that Brexit was also a ers in Ireland and that is why it is FWUI, later SIPTU, for more than 30 years. He dan. major issue of concern in relation being opposed by SIPTU.” served on the Pharmaceuticals, Chemicals, Medical SIPTU is currently conducting to representation on EWCs. Discussions are currently ongo - Devices Sector Committee and was a member of an audit of companies regarding Sheridan said, “What is hap - ing between SIPTU organisers and the Manufacturing Division Executive Committee. the representation of workers on pening is that some British com - their colleagues in the Connect During this time Pat maintained a highly effective EWCs. Sheridan said this audit panies do not wish to leave the Trade Union regarding the joint Photo from left: SIPTU General level of union organisation within Medtronic was finding that some companies EWCs as they will have to when utilisation of EWCs to ensure the Secretary Designate Joe which is one of the largest SIPTU organised work - are appointing their own pre - the country leaves the EU. Rather best results for mem bers. Cunningham with Pat Daly places in the country. ferred representatives rather than 6 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Services News SIPTU Sport scores hat trick SIPTU Sport scored three Ireland Senior Women’s Football SIPTU Sport Sector Organiser, more victories over the sum - Team also achieved success during Denis Hynes, told Liberty : “The mer in its drive to effectively the summer. right to be organised into a union organise and represent foot - This resulted in an agreement and represented by professional ball players. between the Irish Football Associ - worker representatives is one that The wins included settling pay ation and FIFPro, the worldwide should be open to all workers, no disputes at the League of Ireland representative organisation for matter what their profession.” professional footballers, on pay clubs Bray Wanderers and Limerick He added: “In the coming and collective-bargaining for the FC, during July, as well as securing months and years SIPTU Sport will a collective bargaining agreement team. continue to organise players in all for the Northern Ireland Senior Footballers Association of Ireland, ers at both clubs had voted to take Since the agreement a £300 per Women’s Football Team. the administrators of Bray Wander - strike action in ballots conducted player payment for international codes to ensure they are respected After direct meetings with SIPTU ers and Limerick FC paid outstand - by SIPTU. duty, improved facilities and med - and receive the best supports so representatives and those of our ing wages to their players. A long-running organising drive ical support have been negotiated they can get on with doing their affiliate union, the Professional However, this was only after play - by SIPTU Sport with the Northern for the team. best to win their games.” UK Labour to tackle ‘gig’ jobs Major SIPTU

FUTURE Labour government pay victory at in Britain led by Jeremy Cor - John McDonnell addresses TUC byn would give everyone in conference and promises action insecure work access to sick on combatting precarious work pay, maternity or paternity G4S cash-in- rights and protections against unfair dismissal, the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell told the Trades Union transit Congress in Manchester. He has also called for a complete Over 500 SIPTU members monthly basis. The recommenda - ban on zero hour contracts. working for the security com - tion also includes increments for On Wednesday 12th September, pany G4S cash-in-transit, in new entrants since 2012 which the Financial Times described Mc - locations across the country, amounts to pay increases of be - Donnell’s proposals as “an assault secured significant pay rises tween 11.3% and 14%. on gig-economy companies such as when they overwhelmingly SIPTU Organiser, Brendan Carr, and Deliveroo and marked an voted to accept a Labour said: “This Labour Court recom - ambitious attempt to reverse a Court recommendation in mendation was secured following major structural change in British late August. prolonged negotiations and sev - capitalism over the past decade.” The deal includes a 7.5% pay in - eral WRC conciliation confer - The paper added: “His interven - crease over the next two years ences. Our members stuck with tion comes amid a broader debate which is back dated to January this process and achieved a very about whether the UK economy is 2018 with increases being applied satisfactory outcome.” failing its citizens because of en - at a rate of 1.25% on a six- trenched income inequality and stagnant real wages.” McDonnell told the TUC dele - gates that the balance of power had dramatically shifted away from workers, with companies employee roles in various indus - Clerys workers re-united using legal loopholes to duck re - tries. John’s absolutely sponsibilities. He said that a Responding to the shadow chan - on the money about Labour government would ensure cellor’s speech, , gen - that workers in the UK’s gig econ - eral secretary of the GMB union, what needs to be omy would have the same rights as said: “John was absolutely on the done to give regular employees, as part of a money about what needs to be much broader package of measures done to give working people power working people that he described as the “biggest over their own lives . . . If that extension of individual and collec - power over their speech becomes a reality after the tive rights our country has ever own lives . . . seen”. These measures include the next election, people up and down reversal of trade union reforms in - the country will see a real, pro - found change in their daily lives.” troduced by David Cameron’s Tory- work when they choose. Gig-economy platforms connect led government that restricted However, the exact status of strikes, and a new levy on compa - workers with customers, without people working at gig-economy nies’ profits that would be used to taking any responsibility for them companies has been established pay dividends to their employees. as employees. In many countries, through a series of legal cases. For McDonnell proposed a system of including the UK, these workers example, an employment tribunal “sectoral bargaining across the seem to fall into a legal no man’s in the UK has recently ruled that economy” in which new sector land: not truly independent be - Uber’s drivers are workers. The councils made up of union organ - cause the platforms often control company is appealing the ruling Former Clerys shop stewards from left: Alan O’Brien, John Finn and Gerry isers and business representatives and monitor them closely, but not and continues to treat the drivers Markey join SIPTU stalwart John Crowe for his 65th birthday celebrations. John would set various pay floors, above quite employees because they use as self-employed. was presented with a framed picture of in recognition of his the minimum wage, for different their own tools and “log on” to service to our union. Liberty 7 TEAC News SEPTEMBER 2018

Will Bus Connects leave Continuing on the docks SIPTU members have agreed concerning rotation sched - MTL/Peel Ports operating in a three-year pay deal with the ules and other issues. Dublin harbour. Galway Harbour Company An agreement to directly em - SIPTU Organiser, Jerry Brennan, passengers behind? said: “This new roster and the ad - which will see wages increase ploy eight new General Opera - by 8%. The deal was reached tives forming an additional team ditional workers are welcomed by SIPTU representatives from after several weeks of negoti - and allow for the development of rest of the workforce who bal - the Transport Sector have ad - ations and also includes im - a newly negotiated four on four loted in favour of it.” dressed several community provements in conditions off roster was also secured with meetings during August and September to discuss the im - pact of the Bus Connects pro - posals to implement major changes to the operation of ‘Red Card’ campaign Aer Lingus Dublin Bus. SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, said: “While we welcome to intensify profit share aspects of the overall plan drawn up by the National Transport Au - A campaign of protests out - thority, which include a €2 billion scheme investment in the network, moves side building sites to highlight to ease congestion and its environ - reports of subcontractors fail - mental impact along with the fur - SIPTU Sector Organiser, John Murphy, ing to comply with legally The claim by Aer Lingus ther integration of public transport addresses a community meeting to binding terms and conditions workers for a profit share discuss Bus Connects in St. Peter scheme has be considered at system, we also have major con - Parish Hall in Phibsboro, Dublin 7, for employees in the industry cerns. on 3rd September. will be stepped up this au - two hearings of the Work - “Central to the problems we see tumn. place Relations Commission with the Bus Connects proposals (WRC), the latest in July. the proposals during the public At the protests, trade union as they are currently configured is members have distributed “red SIPTU Sector Organiser, Neil the impact they will have on some consultation process, which con - McGowan, said: “The DAA is cards” outlining the issues asso - local communities, disabled pas - cludes on 28th September. posting significant profits as a re - The concerns of the union were sengers and the elderly.” ciated with non-compliance in sult of re-structuring pro - also submitted to the Oireachtas At the community meetings, the construction industry, in - grammes which have been Joint Transport Committee which SIPTU representatives have ad - cluding paying workers below and employing people as bogus implemented by our members. It vised people on how they can sub - SIPTU representatives addressed legal pay rates, not contributing self-employed. during July. is now time that our members mit their views and objections to to pension and sickness schemes were provided with Public Admin and Community Division News SIPTU members' pay success in Royal College of Surgeons Staff in the Royal College of the end of September, 2020. Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) SIPTU Organiser, Geoff McEvoy, agreed significant pay in - said: “This agreement represents creases in late August. The the first ‘across the board’ pay in - new pay agreement includes creases secured in the RCSI since increases of 7.5% for all union the collapse of the national wage members earning under agreements in 2009. The RCSI is a €100,000 per year with an in - crease of 3% for those earning private college and not subject to above this amount. the terms of the public sector pay The agreement was negotiated talks. “That this deal was secured by representatives of the Irish Fed - is a credit to our workplace repre - eration of University Teachers sentatives. Their work on the (IFUT) and SIPTU. It has a life span ground in the course of these nego - of two years and nine months with tiations was instrumental to a retrospective starting date of 1st achieving this win for their col - January, 2018. It will conclude at leagues.” Rebuilding communities and public services The focus of the biennial confer - ningham, Assistant General Secretary education sector will also be discussed they provide on a daily basis. We all ence of the SIPTU Public Admin - of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, while delegates will debate a motion know public and community services istration and Community Owen Reidy and Head of SIPTU Col - calling for a national campaign to en - have been under extreme pressure in Division will be on the key role lege, Tish Gibbons. sure the ‘Control of Economic Activity recent years but now we have the op - SIPTU members can play in re - Motions to be debated include a call (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018’ is en - portunity to improve them in a manner building communities and public for a referendum to ensure the reten - acted into law without delay. which promotes jobs and public ser - services in Ireland. tion of water services and assets within SIPTU Public Administration and vices.” Among those who will address the public ownership, how to counter the Community Division, Adrian Kane, He added: “SIPTU members will be two-day conference to be held in Cork threat of outsourcing and privatisation said: “As the economy improves the crucial to any such developments and on 15th and 16th October, are SIPTU as well as closing the gender pay gap. focus of the Division is moving from this conference will act as a spring - PAC Division Organiser, General Secretary Designate, Joe Cun - Ending the increasingly precarious na - defending our members’ terms and board to our campaign to rebuild de - Adrian Kane ture of employment for workers in the conditions to rebuilding the services cent public and community services.” 8 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Health Division News Section 39 members defer strike action the strike by workers will go ahead if an agreement can't be reached. By Paddy Speaking to Liberty SIPTU Health Cole Division Organiser, Paul Bell, said: “It is only through the commitment and collective efforts of our shop stewards and members that this cru- SIPTU members in Section 39 cial engagement has been made pos- organisations deferred strike sible. The decision taken by our action scheduled for Tuesday, representatives to defer strike action 18th September. after accept - was not taken lightly and is down to ing an invitation to the Work- the efforts of the WRC, the Irish place Relations Commission Congress of Trade Unions and our (WRC). members determination to win pay The move comes as the Depart- justice without impacting on the ment of Health and Health Service clients they care for. Strike action is Executive officials confirmed that temporarily deferred and not can- they have a position which may re- celled. Should the WRC engagement solve the pay justice claim of Section not be successful, we will reactivate 39 workers following an interven- strike notice with immediate effect. tion from the Minister for Health, SIPTU members in Section 39 or- Simon Harris. ganisations can get updates from the talks by downloading the SIPTU Despite this positive progress, Section 39 workers Phyllis O’Callaghan, Amanda Grech and Denise Delaney with SIPTU Organiser Liz Cloherty (second from Health App. SIPTU representatives warned that left), outside the Department of Health on August 10th. Photo: Jimmy Weldon SIPTU to end SIPTU seeks precarious work meeting with minister on for home help health workers professionals In early August, SIPTU repre - sentatives secured an agree - pay ment that proposes to end precarious work practices for SIPTU representatives have home help workers in the written to the Minister for Fi- community sector. nance, Paschal Donohoe, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Marie seeking a meeting to discuss Butler, told L iberty that the propos- the outcome and implemen - als are another step towards secur- tation of the first module of ing a quality home care service the Public Service Pay Com - with fully qualified workers provid- mission (PSPC), which deals ing care for people with care needs with medical, nursing and who wish to remain in their own midwifery staff. home, in their own community. Speaking to L iberty, SIPTU Health She said: “Among the tangible Sector Organiser, Kevin Figgis said benefits of this proposed agree - SIPTU representatives presented de- ment is that there will be a sub - tailed and robust submissions on stantial increase in home care behalf of nurses and midwives, am- hours for the most vulnerable citi- SIPTU Health Division Organiser, Paul Bell bulance professionals, radiogra- zens.” with H ired author James Bloodworth, who phers, radiotherapists and is to speak at the upcoming SIPTU Health She added: “It will also see travel Conference in Cork on precarious work phlebotomists to the PSPC. time for home helps being in - “We have sought an early engage- cluded in their take-home pay and ment with the minister and his de- hours of work. It is also agreed the partment on a proposed pathway valuable work performed by these for implementing these findings,” workers will be recognised by a Figgis said. new and more relevant job title and SIPTU call for new direction on Health “SIPTU Health Division will con- the introduction of a set of mini - tinue to work to advance our mem- funding of our health service is the bitious when it comes to cam - mum qualifications for future in - ACTIVISTS in SIPTU’s Health bers’ legitimate claims for pay number one concern for SIPTU takes of home helps. Division will debate several paigning to address these vital is - justice, pay restoration and pay pro - members. “Our members will now consider key motions that call for a sues.” gression through the full utilisation “Over the last number of these proposals and the opportu - new direction on how public CervicalCheck campaigner Vicky of the provisions and mechanisms months we have seen the tragic nity it provides for home helps to health services are delivered Phelan, Minister for Disabilities, available within the terms of the consequences that the outsourcing make the transition to becoming Finian McGrath; broadcaster and Public Service Agreement.” at their Biennial Delegate of vital work has had on our health Health Care Support Assistants.” jo A second module that includes Conference (BDC) in Pairc Ui services. Low pay and precarious urnalist, and James Bloodworth Information meetings on the other grades in the health service, Chaoimh, Cork, on 4th Octo - work also mean that the chances of whose book Hired delves into the new deal for home care workers including ambulance professionals, ber many health workers owning a ever-expanding growth of precari - have been scheduled around the radiographers, radiotherapists and SIPTU Health Division Organ - home are merely a pipedream.” ous work are among the high- country. The times and dates of phlebotomists is expected to be iser, Paul Bell, said that alongside He added: “Our members will be profile speakers who will address these meetings can be seen on published by the PSPC later this housing and precarious work, the debating how we can be more am- the conference. www.siptuhealth.ie year. Liberty 9 Big Start SEPTEMBER 2018

Pre-school transition plan welcomed by SIPTU SIPTU has called on the De - primary schools. partment of Children and Early Years manager and SIPTU Youth Affairs (DCYA) to pro - activist, Mick Kenny, said: “The vide adequate support to the journey from pre-school to pri - pre-school to primary school mary is a big step for a child. We transition plan developed by welcome the plan by the NCCA to the National Council for Cur - support this transition. riculum and Assessment “However, Early Years educators (NCCA). need to be recognised for their The NCCA plan envisages the contribution. It is unreasonable sharing of information on approx - for the Government to ask low- imately 70,000 children who move paid, precariously-employed pro - between pre-schools and primary fessionals, who already do unpaid schools each year. This would in - work because of the chronic under- clude the compiling of reports and funding of services, to take on visits by Early Years educators to more unpaid work.” SIPTU calls on Government SIPTU Organiser Dimma Van Dulmen, far right, meets with Early Years educators from Urlingford Community Childcare in county Kilkenny and its manager Mick Kenny, far left to invest in childcare LEADING economists and fordable childcare given by ade - childcare experts have en - quately paid and motivated staff. Activists call for minister Zappone to deliver Among those who wrote to the dorsed views expressed in an opinion article written by Big Irish Times in support of the Big THE Government announce - proves their school readiness and Start Campaign co-ordinator, Start campaign were Dr. Sinéad ment on Wednesday, 5th life outcomes.” Darragh O’Connor, and pub - Pembroke, of the think-tank TASC, Dr Tom McDonnell, a se - September, of increased fund - SIPTU activist and Early Years ed - lished in the Irish Times on ing for childcare supports and ucator, Jessica Lee, said: “Until the nior economist in the Nevin Eco - 3rd September. nomic Research Institute, and Dr a new regulatory framework is low remuneration of Early Years O’Connor had called on the Gov - a positive move, according to educators is addressed we will still Sheila Garrity, a lecturer in Early ernment “to make a choice about Childhood Studies at NUI Galway. Big Start Campaign co-ordina - rightly feel we are not adequately childcare; continue with patch - tor, Darragh O’Connor. recognised and are undervalued. Sheila Garrity wrote: “If signifi - work policy making that fail every - cant funding increases are not He said: “This announcement is “We need the Minister for Chil - one or make a real investment in forthcoming, expect to hear more a step in the right direction to - dren and Youth Affairs, Katherine order to establish the childcare about increasing number of par - Zappone, to make good on her wards ensuring that children are model that Ireland needs”. ents opting out of the workforce, commitment to radically overhaul safe and the quality of childcare Following its publication, the the shortage of suitable educators the Early Years funding system and provided continues to increase. paper carried a number of letters and setting closures, all due to un - ensure that educators in the sector High quality childcare benefits backing the Big Start Campaign call affordable fees, to poor wages, earn a decent wage for their invalu - children in terms of their cognitive Commitments: Katherine Zappone for investment in the Early Years precarious working conditions, and social development. It also im - able work.” sector to provide good quality, af - and an insolvent financial model.” Big Start article in Irish Times sparks debate Leading economists and child - needs”. Nevin Economic Research Insti - care experts came out in sup - Following the publication of the tute, and Dr Sheila Garrity, a lec - port of the views expressed in article, the newspaper published a turer in Early an opinion article by Big Start number of letters supporting the Childhood Studies at NUI Gal - demand of the Big Start Campaign way. Campaign co-ordinator, Dar - for investment to create an Early Darragh O’Connor said; “If sig - ragh O’Connor, which was Years sector which provides good nificant funding increases are not published in the Irish Times quality childcare, at an affordable forthcoming, expect to hear more on 3rd September. price for parents, with adequately about increasing number of par - In the article, O’Connor called paid and well-motivated staff. ents opting out of the workforce, on the Government “to make a Among those who wrote letters the shortage of suitable educators choice about childcare; continue supporting the aims of the Big and setting closures, all due to un - with patchwork policy making that Start campaign were Dr. Sinead affordable fees, to poor wages, pre - fails everyone or make a real in - Pembroke of the think-tank TASC, carious working conditions, and an vestment in order to establish the Dr Tom McDonnell, a senior insolvent financial model.” childcare model that Ireland economist in the 10 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Budget 2019 Don’t believe the hype on Budget day

By Marie Sherlock BUDGET 20 19 what to expect on 9th October

DESPITE all the talk of • €1.5bn in capital expenditure already announced in the prudence and the need to be 10-year National Development Plan launched in spring 2018. cautious, expect to see plenty of banners on Budget day • €400m for the public sector pay bill agreed under the proclaiming the €3.9bn Lansdowne Road Agreement. budget for 2019. The key issue is that there is • €400m for “demographics” – the increased cost to the very little in this Budget – approx - public services for additional children in the education imately €800m – that has not al - ready been committed. system, older people in our health system and more To put in context, this equates to recipients of state pension etc. less than 0.4% of expected output in Ireland in 2019. • €300m in carryover costs – initiatives commenced Expect to see some small in - in 2017 but full year payment is in 2018. crease in social welfare rates, fuel allowance and the state pension, a • €500m to a ‘rainy day fund’. This is the brainchild small increase in the Affordable of the current government designed to Childcare Scheme and some addi - allocate monies away from public spending tional boost to housing. Last July, over the short-term and fund increased social the Low Pay Commission recom - welfare and other government spending at a mended a pay increase to 9.80 € time of a downturn in the economy. This plan for 2019 so we expect that to fea - ture in the budget speech. may appear prudent at first glance but is On the tax side, the lifting of the deeply flawed. It is a grossly inefficient 9% VAT rate of some parts of the allocation of state resources as near zero hospitality sector will generate in - interest rates means the Irish State will come to allow the Government to generate a zero return when it could otherwise be more increase the standard rate thresh - productively invested. old from €34,550; the point at which a worker pays the higher tax rate of 40%. The long promised • €800m remains to be divided out between childcare, process of merging USC and PRSI education, health and social welfare and all the other may well commence and, if not, areas of government spending. USC is likely to be further reduced. Last year’s budget announced in - come tax changes worth €333m. Expect to see changes costing And we know that structural marginally less in Budget 2019. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe on Budget day last year It’s high time we changes to public service provision Ultimately, the elephant in the cut through all costs money. However, we also room in Budget 2019 is the €900m know from other EU member state in fiscal space available, that the the talk about health systems, that greatly ex - Government is choosing not to panded access to healthcare need spend in order to further reduce ‘prudence’ and... not cost a lot more over the long Ireland’s negligible general govern - term compared with what Ireland ment deficit. address major is currently spending. In effect, the debate about Bud - issues in the Over the past 24 months, one of get 2019 pits those who worry the key recommendations from the about the long-term economic and areas of housing, EU Commission and the OECD to social impact of failing to invest childcare now versus those whose only our Government has been that they focus is the here and now. and health need to do more about “social in - For many of us in the trade clusion.” union movement, we realise the PICTURE: RollingNews.ie These recommendations were long-term economic and social im - ing lists and delays in affordable 2015. This is what ‘prudent’ man - We know that in many sectors it is not motivated by any deep-seated pact of a range of issues – failing access to GP services imposes a agement of the public finances is not. Even more alarming about sense of social justice, rather these to build a sufficient number of greater long-term cost on the about – increasing spending at the the ‘steady state’ perspective is international organisations have houses and the implications of too health system. same rate as tax revenues. How - that it allows no room to talk drawn the link between public little funding of childcare supports For the ‘here and now’ brigade, ever, the exit of a major multina - about significant increases in fu - spending and the long-term on mothers’ wages. Also workplace in the face of such uncertainty tional in the wake of Brexit, for ture demand. This is of particular prospects of an economy. opportunity, pension income and about Brexit, Trump and future in - example, or Trump or interna - concern with regard to future It’s high time we cut through all the wider issue of pensions for all ternational tax changes, it is logical tional tax changes would dent our health demand, pension provision the talk about “prudence” and if there are not enough women at to maintain a very conservative ap - corporate tax revenues. and childcare. highlight that the truly prudent work. proach to the public finances. This latter approach is severely This isn’t a generalised argu - and long-term, cost-effective way of For those who work in the The Department of Finance and short-sighted. This ‘steady state’ ment to increase funding for all managing the public finances is ad - health service and for all of us who the Fiscal Advisory Council argue economic policy that Minister areas of public spending. No, it is dress these major issues in the at some stage in our lives or our that ‘primary’ government spend - Donohoe and others promote as - about ensuring that we have a areas of housing, childcare and family’s lives depend on the ing (not including debt servicing sumes that, outside of infrastruc - funding model in health, in child - health. Because when the down - health service, we realise that the payments) has increased at the tural provision, our existing levels care and in other sectors that is turn comes, ní hé lá na gaoithe lá current system of excessive wait - same pace as tax revenues since of public spending are sufficient. sufficient to meet unmet demand. na scolb. Liberty 11 Budget 2019 SEPTEMBER 2018 Same old story behind the budget

Facing the facts on housing crisis: activists wearing By Michael housing minister Eoghan Taft Murphy masks at a protest in Dublin last month

THERE will be a lot of debate about tax and spending changes in the run-up to the budget but they will only make up a fraction of the over - all package. This is not to dismiss the impor - tance of such changes, but merely to keep it in proportion. We need to uncover the story behind the budget and where the Government intends to take us in the next few years. And the destination they have in mind is not a place con - ducive to prosperity, equality or sustainable growth. As pointed out in the last issue of Liberty , the Government’s own projections show they will in - crease public investment but pay for it by squeezing expenditure on public services such as health and This time must ... Government education. Further, they project that social be different. will continue protection payments will be squeezed as well. Given that pen - Otherwise, we its tax-cutting sions will be increasing, this will leave little scope for enhancing will be doomed agenda, reinforcing supports for workers – family ben - our ‘small state’ efits, illness and injury benefits, to repeat history – temporary unemployment sup - model – one of ports, etc. again and again. Against this, the Government the sources of our has scope for increasing spending over the next three years by €6 bil - boom-and-bust lion within the EU Fiscal Rules but they refuse to avail of it. They economic cycles claim that it would be ‘dangerous’ to adhere to these rules (only a few years ago they were telling us it mal state is employers’ refusal to would be dangerous not to) and bargain collectively and the Gov - that it would lead to over-heating ernment’s indifference to workers’ and spiralling debt. rights. The Government’s claim next recession than we are to the None of this stands up. Debt is that they have “learned the lessons” last. This may seem a bit dramatic not reduced by curtailing spend - from the crash hardly stands up ei - (but who knows what awaits us on ing; it is reduced by growing the ther. Before the crash, there was an the other side of Brexit, Trump economy. And withholding invest - over-reliance on construction and trade wars, rising interest rates ment will undermine that growth. property speculation. Today we have and new corporate tax changes). Take housing, for instance – the an over-reliance on a handful of However, we don’t need to fall into shortage of which is far more dan - multinationals (just 20 multinational recession. Years of low growth and gerous to the economy than over- companies pay half of all corporate heating. Failure to build houses tax – a dangerous concentration). stagnation will impact in a similar will only degrade living standards Before the crash we had a spate Mirroring pre-2008 privatisations, negative and destructive way. the Government signals intention During the last recession and ac- and limit the ability to attract for - of privatisations and that is contin - to sell off AIB PICTURES: RollingNews.ie eign investment. People will have uing. The Government intends to companying austerity programme, to spend more and more on rents privatise AIB. Its new defined-con - the trade union movement and and mortgage payments, which tribution pension framework po - progressives in general were di- means less spending in the pro - tentially privatises the risk of vided in their analyses and re- ductive economy. retirement income (that is, put the sponses. We can’t afford to allow Mea nwhile, in the workplace and risk on workers rather than social - that to happen again. We need a market economy, Irel and suffers ising it through the social insur - of Ireland’s boom-and-bust eco - fits, inequality, minimal workers’ consensus around a new economic framework that is rooted in the from one of the highest levels of ance system). And they also seem nomic cycles. rights, privatisation, the lack of wage inequality in our EU peer- determined to prop up a failed pri - productive economy, a strong so- The story behind the Govern - public provision and the instabil - group (other high-income coun - vate-sector model of childcare. cial state, workers’ rights, equality, tries such as the Netherlands, It is clear that the Government ment’s budget, whatever the de - ity that comes with a low tax-and- and climate change initiatives. Denmark and Germany) and one will continue its tax-cutting tails, entails an intensification of spend economy. This time must be different. of the lowest levels of average pay. agenda, reinforcing our ‘small all these downsides: suppressed The Department of Finance has Otherwise, we will be doomed to A major contributor to this dis - state’ model – one of the sources public services and in-work bene - admitted that we are closer to the repeat history – again and again. 12 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Economy Salad days are over, winter is coming

By Vic The working, if Duggan An Taoiseach has tenuous, assumption SURE as night follows day, said he doesn’t is that ... a deal and winter follows autumn, the economic cycle will ebb want to go back to [will be done] to and flow. Right now, the Irish economy is ‘boom and bust’ avoid a hard Brexit. enjoying something of an Indian That’s still probably summer: strong growth, record employment, rising wages, low in - the most likely flation and low interest rates. And the good times have a while to run outcome, but odds yet. That’s far from saying that every - are lengthening all one is living on the pig’s back, as the time anyone facing the sharp end of the health or housing crises can attest. But the economy is at cruising speed and unlikely to soar higher. imizing the deficit so that the debt At least not safely. burden falls. This means that we Maybe not today. Maybe not to - will have a bigger buffer to spend, morrow. But winter is coming. invest and support the economy Ireland is highly dependent on when the next recession hits. trade and, more than most Euro - The point is this: there is noth - pean countries, closely linked to ing inherently left wing about run - the US and UK economies in terms Central Bank Governor Nothing to sneeze at: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar with ning a budget deficit, no more than of destinations for exports and Philip Lane President Trump, a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist there is anything left wing about sources of investment. printing money to finance it as in Turbo-charged by massive and ir - Weimar Germany or Bolivarian responsible tax cuts, the US is Venezuela. It matters how and probably beyond its cruising when governments spend and in - speed, but is set to slow next year vest, and how it is financed. as the impact of fiscal stimulus None of this is to say that Budget fades. Already, this is one of the 2019 shouldn’t include vastly in - longest economic expansions in creased investment in social hous - modern American history, even if ing, for example, or a meaningful it did come after one of its deepest down-payment on implementing recessions. Odds are high and ris - Sláintecare. These are political ing that the US experiences an out - choices well within the means of right recession before their next our government, with just an Presidential election in 2020. ounce of imagination and clarity of On top of an economic slow - purpose. down is the risk that increased US So-called ‘fiscal space’ is nothing trade protectionism weighs further but a mental straitjacket. For on Irish exports, while their recent starters, an extra billion euro a tax reforms are at best likely to year could be found by ending the slow future US Foreign Direct An extra billion, found from equalising fuel duty, increasing carbon taxes and ending the special subsidy VAT rate for the Involvement (FDI) inflows to hospitality sector VAT subsidy, could build an extra 5,000 social houses each year... hospitality sector ( €527m), equal - Ireland, and at worst lead to a ising excise on petrol and diesel reversal. PICTURES: RollingNews.ie (€328m) and hiking the carbon tax It’s an economic maxim that the calamitous ‘if I have it, I spend by €5 to €25 a ton ( €125m). when the US sneezes, the world it’ approach in the years preceding That’s enough to build an extra catches a cold and Ireland is in the the crisis. As things stand, the Gov - 5,000 social houses every year on frontline. ernment is aiming for a -0.1% bud - top of what the Government is al - The working, if tenuous, as - get deficit in 2019, having pushed ready planning. Enough to put a sumption is that the EU, Ireland back by a year to 2020 the target serious dent in the housing crisis and the UK will come to their date for balancing the books. In while at the same time acquiring senses and do a deal to avoid a the world of forecasting economic assets that will generate revenues hard Brexit early in 2019. That’s growth and budgets, a tenth of a into the future. still probably the most likely out - An Taoiseach has said he doesn’t percent is negligible, a rounding come, but the odds are lengthen - want to go back to ‘boom and error. So, calling for a surplus is ing all the time. We shouldn’t bust’, unconsciously echoing the forget that the working assump - just semantics and signaling. hubris of then UK Prime Minister tion among most pundits back in PICTURE: TaxRebate.org.uk (CC BY 2.0) There was a strong Keynesian Gordon Brown on the eve of the 2016 was that the UK would vote ably inevitable. And it is indige - be running a budget surplus. Many economic argument for a slower global financial crisis. Varadkar can to remain in the EU. nous enterprise rather than the on the left will have felt that this budget adjustment than that Ire - no more hold back the economic Ireland’s economy is the most multinational sector that will bear is simply a voice of the conserva - land endured as a ward of the tide than could Brown. exposed to the Brexit downside, the brunt. tive establishment trying to warn Troika. That was because the econ - People are right to say that now more so even than the UK itself, Why all the doom and gloom? the Government off investing what omy was on the floor and in des - is not the time to increase the bud - even in a best-case, soft Brexit sce - Central Bank Governor Philip is needed to tackle the housing cri - perate need of investment. get deficit. But that shouldn’t be nario. A hard Brexit would make Lane came in for a lot of flak for sis and improve the health service. By the same Keynesian logic, used as a mealy-mouthed excuse to the pain an order of magnitude saying recently that at this stage of In fact, it is common-sense Key - however, now is the time to be, if avoid the investment our society worse, and an Irish recession prob - the economic cycle, Ireland should nesian economics: a far cry from not running a surplus, at least min - needs. Liberty 13 Liberty View SEPTEMBER 2018 Liberty View Raise the Roof on 3rd October

It is no exaggeration to say that affairs. That requires the The latest proposal from A new alliance comprising the the housing crisis is damaging the Government, in particular, to government for a Land trade union movement, women’s lives of hundreds of thousands of recognise the scale of the crisis and Development Agency (LDA) organisations, students and the people and their families. As with to accept that property developers, demonstrates clearly that the housing and homeless agencies any crisis it is working people, builders and private landlords, Government, and in have come together to demand those on low and average incomes whose primary motivation is to particular, is still wedded to the radical action to address the crisis. who suffer the most. Buying your make profit, will not resolve it. false belief that the private sector A ‘Raise the Roof’ rally in support of own home is now beyond reach for can deliver the affordable, quality a D il motion calling for such a a generation of young people. The The current estimates of housing and secure housing to which every á shortage of public, social and need are restricted to the numbers citizen is entitled. affordable housing means that tens of households that qualify for social of thousands are forced into the housing. This currently amounts to While it claims that the LDA will rental sector. Rents are increasing, 85,799 households on local deliver 150,000 new homes over as landlords take advantage of the authority lists. This, however, does 20 years, it concedes that none will It is essential that a supply shortage despite the not include tenants who are in the completed before 2020. The government cap in some parts of private rental sector in receipt of proposal also involves the State powerful message is the country. Young workers and social housing supports like the handing over public land to private delivered to those in students find it almost impossible Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) developers who will then be to find decent accommodation at and the Rental Accommodation expected to deliver ‘up to’ 30% power who continue to affordable prices. Families are Scheme (RAS). The HAP and RAS social and affordable housing on put private interests forced into homelessness because schemes are also very poor value each project. The cost of the rents are too high or because they for money as the State is handing affordable homes will be before the public good cannot meet their mortgage over almost €750 million a year to unattainable for many as wages and in the delivery of repayments due to financial private landlords. They also deepen salaries struggle to keep up with difficulty. They are then forced into the rental and housing crisis by property costs. homes unsuitable accommodation in adding to demand rather than hotels or emergency hubs. A supply. The housing crisis is a crisis Over the past decade the State generation of children will grow up of supply, but it is the lack of social through the National Asset without knowing what a normal and affordable supply that is at its Management Agency has sold lands home is like. heart. on which over 50,000 social and programme for the construction of affordable homes could have been quality affordable public housing, These tenants do not have built. Much of these lands remains to prevent evictions and to security of tenure, as they can be idle as their private owners wait for enshrine the right to housing in the evicted by landlords with little prices to increase before they build Constitution, will be held at If the Government notice and are therefore still in on them or sell. Receivers handling Leinster House on Wednesday 3rd is underestimating the housing need. The official figures NAMA controlled properties October. It is essential that a do not include homeless continue to sell land to the highest powerful message is delivered to real scale of the households, those in direct bidder instead of releasing them to those in power who continue to put problem it is clearly provision, in domestic violence meet public demand. private interests before the public refuges, who are all clearly in good in the delivery of homes. going to be ineffective housing need. There is increasing acceptance, in meeting the actual including by the State’s own There are approximately 35,000 research bodies that a core solution level of housing need home owners over 360 days in to the housing crisis is for the State arrears on their mortgage, and who to build more social and affordable are also clearly in distress. The real housing in the form of new public social housing need extends to housing in well planned, mixed some 185,505 households, over income communities. This can be The housing crisis is a perfect double current estimates. This achieved through cost rental and storm. Unlike natural disasters such demonstrates the real scale of the other forms of social and affordable as hurricanes and earthquakes, crisis. If the Government is provision delivered and managed however, it is one that was underestimating the real scale of by local authorities, co-operatives foreseeable and avoidable. It can the problem it is clearly going to be and a new housing agency and also be fixed if there is the political ineffective in meeting the actual including the use of compulsory will to tackle the vested interests level of housing need. purchase orders to take over vacant that benefit from this state of buildings and sites. 14 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Brexit

By Owen Reidy Trade Union Solidarity AS WE edge closer to the deadline of the October meet - ing of the EU Council for a deal on the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, tensions are in Face of Brexit quite understandably rising. It remains to be seen whether an agreement can be reached or whether the process will limp on beyond the council meeting into November and beyond. The UK parliament will go into recess shortly to allow for the con - ference season. It is doubtful whether Theresa May’s convoluted attempt at putting together a co - herent proposal to negotiate with the EU (the Chequers proposals) will survive the Tory conference. It is not just the hardcore oppo - Meeting of hands if not of minds: sition of the ideologically-driven Theresa May and Leo Varadkar Brexiteers, even some Remain Tory MPs believe it is already dead. It land, Strand 2 reflecting relation - would seem very unlikely that it ships north/south and Strand 3 would receive the majority backing east/west. of the House of Commons. What is The text and the spirit of the of greater concern it that it seems agreement underpinned the plu - impossible to see any proposal at In reading the Good Friday Agreement, rality and diversity of identity and all which would command the sup - it’s clear the British and Irish governments supported the concept of parity of port of a finely-balanced House of of the time pre-supposed they would both esteem between Irish and British. remain within the European Union Commons in near future. Crucially, if you re-read the agree - ment now, it clearly presupposes The Chequers White Paper falls that both sponsoring governments, well short of what the trade union i.e. the and the movement across these islands UK government, would be and re - would like to see, (and remember ma in members of the EU. both the ICTU and TUC cam - We all have a duty to ensure that paigned vigorously and vocifer - whatever the outcome of these ously against Brexit and would Brexit talks we maintain the in - again). However, it was neverthe - tegrity, spirit and intention of this less an attempt at a softer Brexit finely-balanced international agree - ment. while also seeking to square the impossible circle on a range of matters including the border, an independent trade policy etc. We have a duty I represented the ICTU at the TUC conference in Manchester on to ensure that 10th September as the British whatever the trade union movement gathered together to debate key policies for outcome of these the future and also to celebrate its Brexit talks 150th anniversary. The motions on Brexit were we maintain the telling. More and more unions are integrity, spirit and now seeking and demanding that the British people get the right to intention of the a final vote on the Brexit propos - [Good Friday] als. The GMB is the latest union to support this call which makes per - agreement fect sense, particularly as the po - tential for securing a majority in the main impediment to a restora - ment, supported by our colleagues an all-island movement we are the UK parliament for any deal is tion of devolution and a power- in the TUC in England, Scotland obliged to appreciate this. We are one trade union move - very unlikely. Closer to home it is Another potential casualty of a sharing government in Northern and Wales have made it clear to the ment on the island of Ireland clear that Brexit, while not being Ireland, has clearly made an al - EU, the Irish and British govern - hard and chaotic Brexit is the which respects the plurality and ready difficult task doubly so. ments that resulting from Brexit Belfast Agreement (more com - monly referred to as the Good Fri - diversity of our identities, and Despite some rhetoric it is clear we cannot have: More and more day Agreement). shares an outward looking per - that the DUP will support Theresa l A hardening of the border on This agreement, which is 20 spective with the Welsh, English unions are now May’s Chequers proposal and any the island of Ireland; years old this year, represents the and Scottish Congresses. We seeking and proposal (even if it delivers a soft l A border within the UK be - constitutional settlement on the Brexit) as long it doesn’t create any tween Northern Ireland and Britain; island of Ireland having been en - presently have both an opportu - demanding that border within the UK in the Irish and dorsed by the people in a referen - nity and an obligation to protect the British people Sea. l An economic border east and dum across the island in both and strengthen the integrity of Despite Sinn Féin being on the west between these islands. political jurisdictions. these relationships along the three The beauty of this agreement is get the right to a opposite side of the Brexit debate We have adopted this position strands outlined in the agreement, that it reflects the totality of the final vote on the to the DUP, it also realises that a because these three elements are relationships on and between irrespective of the outcome of border in the Irish Sea in the con - essential to protect jobs, workers these islands – Strand 1 focusing Brexit. Brexit proposals text of Brexit is not preferable. and decent conditions in Derry on relationships within and be - Owen Reidy is the Assistant The Irish trade union move - and Dublin, Ballina and Belfast. As tween the people of Northern Ire - General Secreatry of ICTU. Liberty 15 Brexit SEPTEMBER 2018 After Brexit... Partition on steroids

cial informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Salzberg next month. By Marie Whether it will be a free trade Sherlock deal, a regulation and trade deal or no deal, all roads leads to border checks. The question is what type? IF BRITAIN crashes out of the EU, The best we can hope for is that the Irish Government will be re - it will be a low friction border. The luctantly forced to erect border Swedish-Norwegian border is con - checks to remain a member of the sidered to be the most advanced in European Single Market and EU the world. Despite extensive use of Customs Union. technology, a common legal frame - If Britain agrees a free trade work for border operations, plus agreement with the EU, border an economic area agreement which checks will still be required as the sees Norway mirror EU regulatory UK is refusing to sign up to full reg - standards for goods, both coun - ulatory alignment with the EU. Either which way the prospects are bleak for a no land border check scenario on the island of Ire - Whether it will be a land. Despite strong support by the member states towards Ire - free trade deal, a land’s terrible predicament arising The current free-flow of traffic to Northern Ireland is under major threat – prospects look bleak regulation and trade from Brexit, the current or future for a no land border solution. It has taken Norway and Sweden, below, decades to work out a solution and still both countries require pre-arrival declarations of at least an hour... deal or no deal, all Irish Government will face a choice between a no hard border scenario PICTURES: RollingNews.ie; Lars Lanstrom (CC BY 2.0) roads leads to or maintaining full membership of original plan was that negotiators border checks – the EU with all its associated rules would be about to conclude the and advantages. second phase of the exit talks question is what An alternative to a hard border around now in time for October’s type? will only happen in one of two summit of EU leaders. On March ways. In the North, the DUP would 1st, the UK would enter a new have to blink first and concede transition period with the clock that Northern Ireland should have ticking towards December 2020, tries require a pre-arrival declara - special EU protected status. In that the end of the transition agree - tion at least one hour prior to ar - instance, Northern Ireland would ment. rival at one of the 14 border posts remain a EU member when the Sadly, the current mess means rest of the UK would not. The al - that the first phase remains unre - between the two countries. ternative is that UK will remain in solved – the British government Some products can cross un - the EU but it is hard to imagine ei - has backslided from the ‘backstop’ manned border crossing but they ther scenario being realised. – the promise that there would be Best case scenario: we are just 15 no hard border whether not there too are subject to pre-arrival decla - months away from when the UK was a Brexit agreement. the second round; the round that highlight that there can be no rations and additional special con - fully exits the European Union. And the second phase is in tat - would set out the parameters for a cherry picking. There are sugges - ditions. This is the product of six Worse case: this will happen in ters. The so-called ‘Chequers pro - EU-UK trade agreement in advance tions now of a CETA-like deal – March 2019. posal’ agreed in May by the UK of the technical detail being Canadian Europe Trade Agree - decades of customs cooperation Where did it all go wrong? The cabinet was the UK contribution to worked out. EU negotiators rightly ment. More will be known at a cru - between both countries.

Commemorating All Deceased County Louth politicians, Gerry Adams TD of Sinn Féin and Dublin Dock Workers Senator of the Labour Party are among the speakers at a seminar on Brexit organised by Saturday, 29th September at 6.45 p.m. the SIPTU Manufacturing Division which will take place in Dundalk Meeting at the Sean O’Casey Centre, East Wall. on Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th September. To be led by a lone piper to St. Joseph’s Church where at 7.15pm a ceremony of reflection and music will commemorate all dece A senior official at the Department ased dock workers. This will be followed by tea, sandwiches and music from of Foreign Affairs, Orla Keane, and Paul O’Brien in the Sean O’Casey Centre. economists, Paul McFlynn of NERI and Marie Sherlock of SIPTU will also address the two day seminar to which trade unionists from Sponsored by the Dublin Port company and organised by the Dublin Dock Workers’ across the island and the UK have Preservation Society and the East Wall History Group. been invited. 16 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Housing Crisis

By Marie Sherlock For young workers buying THERE has been a lot of hype in recent years about what young workers want. But be - hind all of this, we know that a house is a pipe dream... each worker, whatever their age, requires the basic dignity and decency of having a per - manent roof over their heads. And nowhere are the problems associated with precariousness and low paid work more evident than in the area of housing and the capacity to access affordable housing with certainty of tenure and price, particularly in the main urban areas in Ireland today. Over three decades ago back in 1986, a young worker aged be - tween 25 and 29 earning average wages for his or her age cohort was facing house values worth 4.7 times their annual income. Thirty- one years on, that ratio has jumped to 11.1. It is no surprise then that 45% of all 25-29 year olds owned their house back in 1991 – fast forward to 2016 and that share has plum - meted to 12%. The situation for those aged 30-35 is not much bet - ter – 50% owning their house in 1991 and the share drops to 32% in 2016. For today’s average young worker, the of being able and we can only assume that this For the remaining 75%, those ilies make cash transfers to chil - to buy a house with their own re - ratio is getting worse with each sources anytime soon is remote. For today’s that are on low or average wages, dren. The main difference was passing year. For young workers in precarious average young the future in terms of their hous - that, on average, lower income For a lucky 25% of first-time jobs, that prospect is even more worker, the ing needs is bleak. Currently, the household transferred cash for distant, the difficulties of afford - buyers, the impossible becomes average worker spends just over every day consumption, whereas ability compounded by a set of possible with the help of a gift prospect of being 50% of their disposable income on higher income families trans - rules that require consistency of from parents to help with their able to buy a private rent for a one-bed apart - ferred money for strategically income. mortgage deposit. No official data house with their ment in Dublin, with little or no planned life events such as the And those prospects become on housing down payments is scope of being able to save for a purchase of a house. even more remote as house prices available but we know from 2017 own resources deposit. In effect, older higher income continue to far outpace the in - statistics by the Central Bank that anytime soon is Research from the UK’s Social generations helping younger gen - crease in real wages. House prices in 2014 almost one quarter of remote Market Foundation confirms that erations to buy assets or capital are increasing at almost five times first-time homebuyers had an in - parents from lower income fami - further reproduces inequality the rate of wages in this country heritance. lies as well as higher income fam - between generations.

SIP TU EDU CATION & DEV ELOPMEN T SUPPORT SCHEM E

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Liberty 17 Housing Crisis SEPTEMBER 2018

Students and Seamus Farrell SIPTU member Postgraduate in media studies in ONE Galway in housing I came back from living in and the rent was doable. Chicago in 2014, where I had Rents began to spiral about two years ago. You started hear- worked since 2012 in the ing about people paying 600- community sector. I grew up € protest €700 for a room in a house in Blanchardstown in Dublin share people having to pay and prior to going to the €400 to share a room. People States had rented in like my sister, who is working Maynooth in county Kildare. two jobs on precarious con- The conditions of the rental tracts, cannot now afford to leave home. My brother also accommodation were not just could not find a place he great but the rent was afford- could afford to rent. The major- in Dublin Central. This is be- able. ity of people I knew who were cause myself and others felt Since coming home I have under 35 were struggling to find that we were being badly af- been mainly living in rented ac- anywhere to live. fected by the housing crisis. We commodation in the North I now teach students and you needed to organise to support Inner City. In 2014 the rents hear of more and more having one another because the situa- were beginning to go up, I re- to defer courses because they tion was just getting worse. So member looking for a room in can’t find somewhere to live. we set up tenant support shared accommodation and the The new student accommoda- groups which provide advice on rents were about €300 up to tion being built around the city rights. We also campaign to €400. I felt at that time it was is €1200 a month on nine focus attention on the govern- Photo: Students from NUIG SU, GMITSU, St. Angela’s SU with a number of SIPTU expensive because we were rel- month leases. People just can- ment, banks, letting agents and representatives and Mayor of Galway Niall Mc Neilis atively low paid. I was a youth not afford them. They are just landlords who are damaging our worker. There was mould and fuelling price rises. prospects of a secure home with Students from NUIG and market around the city. And damp in the accommodation Sometime ago I became in- fair rent. GMIT organised an eye-catch - there’s the quality of accommoda - but after a time this was fixed volved in a local housing group ing protest on the accommo - tion and issues around inspec - dation crisis in Galway on tions. It’s a very broad campaign.” Tuesday 11th September. The “There needs to be more social ‘Crisis Campout’ was organ - housing built as well as well as Debbie Reynolds SIPTU member ised in co-operation with more purpose-built student ac - One Movement Galway, a commodation which can take coalition of trade unions, pressure off the private market Early Years educator in Galway students’ unions, and other which in turn can help more fam - I live in a rural area of home of my own unless there is community groups. ilies get accommodation,” she county Galway called Co - some kind of solution to the “We’ve nearly lost students this added. rofin. I work as a housing crisis such as rent con - year because of the lack of stu - The Crisis Campout was fol - playschool leader. My hous - trols or some major change to dent accommodation and it’s the lowed by the ONE GALWAY ac - ing situation is that I live at how housing is provided. ever increasing cost in Galway commodation workshop the home. I started working in Living at home is not the city” said Aaron Burke, President following day in Monroes Tavern childcare in 2007 and as a worst but it would be prefer - of the GMIT Students’ Union. in the city when students joined kind of stop gap I moved able, when you’re in your 30s, are supposed to be a grown up, Both student unions have con - community groups who deal with into my family home but to live out of home. The crisis an adult minding yourself. demned the rise of ‘luxury’ stu - the fallout from the housing crisis my plan to move out and with rents means that currently Among people I know who are dent accommodation with on a daily basis. They included rent never happened. This it is just out of reach for me. In renting, there is also this con - ‘extortionate’ rents that are driv - Threshold, Cope Pieta House, is because the cost of rent my locality rents would be stant sense of a lack of security ing students further and further Simon Community, Youth Work is just out of my reach at about €800 for a small house because it is not a renters’ mar - from Galway city to find afford - Ireland, LGBT, MABS and others. the moment and, as for and there really isn’t much ac - ket, it is landlords’ market. Your able accommodation Those who attended signed a owning my own home, that commodation for single people. home security depends on how “There’s next to no regulation petition calling for more student is just a distant aspiration. Not living independently nice of alandlord you have or around AirBnB, which allows a lot and public housing to ease the cri - It is something that might does have an impact on your you’re just constantly indebted of properties lie vacant” said sis in the city, a demand for in - happen if I win the Lotto. I sense of self, relying on some - to the older generation of your Megan Reilly, President of the creased inspections and higher don’t know how I can have a one else for your housing. You family. NUIG Students’ Union. “It puts penalties for failure to comply further strain on the property with housing regulations. John Lenihan SIPTU shop steward Tralee John Lenihan, is a SIPTU Despite doing everything right, shop steward working in like getting a good education in Borgwarner in Tralee. John University College Cork, securing owns his own house which a good job in Dublin she could not keep up with the cost of rent. She he built in 2003. However, he should have been at a stage in life fears for a future where ei - where she was reaching some ther of his two daughters, modest level of comfort, but the both in their early twenties, cost of rent is so high she had to may not have a place of their live in an apartment that was well own. below standard. She would send He told Liberty that the housing He spoke to Liberty about his us videos that showed, when crisis is not just confined to concerns on the housing crisis there was heavy rain outside, Dublin and that he has seen the and how it is having wide reach - water would leak through the effect spiraling rents in his native ing consequences across the State. roof. Eventually she had to throw county of Kerry are having on “My eldest daughter moved her hat at it and come home. She workers, including migrant work - Photo left to right: Barry Clohessy, USI BMW Officer, Clare Austick NUIGSU Wel - back home recently from Dublin. had no option.” ers. fare Officer, Eoin Walker, NUIG Student and Mollie Fairclough, NUIG Student. 18 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Comment Irish case for new EU Labour Authority How to create a Irish location could be advanta - Siting the new European Labour successful Authority geous. Also, as President Higgins By Dominic Authority in Ireland would bring many advantages. Unions For this Authority to be a success recently noted at the ILO Confer - Hannigan and the Government should work it is vital that the trade union ence in Geneva, the trade union together to achieve this end... movement is involved in its set - movement has been a consistent ting-up, running and oversight. It and courageous opponent of sec - must not undermine national sys - tarianism. Ireland is home to al - Why is Europe setting tems of enforcement and inspec - most 400,000 EU migrant workers. up this Authority now? tion. To do this it needs to be an Locating here could help to curb a The announcement that the Eu - independent and sufficiently well- lack of enthusiasm from some cen - ropean Union is to set up a new funded organisation and the plan tral and eastern European states European Labour Authority is long is that by the middle of 2019 it will towards the setting up of the overdue. Seventeen million work - be operational with a staff of 100 Authority. ers now work abroad compared to We host organisations like Euro - and a budget of €50 million. nine million just a decade ago. The Authority will help workers found, which researches in areas A million and a half people com - get information on their rights, such as employment and social se - mute across borders every day to mediate in cross-border disputes curity and the Posted Workers Di - work. Two million are posted to and support co-operation across rective. Both Authorities would be work in other member states. In Europe on laws and inspections. able to enjoy close and fruitful the absence of adequate protec - Discussion is ongoing on whether links. tions many of these workers have its role should be supportive, oper - Ireland should be on a shortlist been open to abuse. ational or mandatory. In the short of less than a handful of countries For years the Left has called for to medium term an operational seeking to attract the Authority. better cross-border workers rights role is most likely, given that The key competitors will be the to combat abuse. In the absence of mandatory powers would require new member states of Bulgaria, a Europe-wide framework on ex - Treaty changes, for which many Romania and Croatia, which ploitation many member states are member states are not yet ready currently have no headquarters of already signing bilateral agree - an EU agency. ments – France alone has already To convince the EU will require signed eight. our politicians to work together. It’s estimated that more than If the trade union Recently the issue of workers’ three hundred bilateral agree - movement is fully rights hasn’t been high on either ments are needed Europe-wide. our MEPs’ or our government’s There is a widespread belief that involved in the agenda. Significant progress was this patchwork of agreements is a design and made in recent years, when former poor form of enforcement and operation of the minister of State Ged Nash hence this proposal to address the advanced issues such as Joint issue at a European level. Part of new European Labour Committees, collective bar - the debate around the proposal PICTURE: Matt Schilder (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Labour Authority gaining and the living wage. concerns the location of the Au - then it has the Regrettably the current govern - thority. We should try to get it lo - ment has not built on this strong cated in Ireland. potential to be a legislative history. We will need to useful tool in see them change their focus and protecting and approach if we are to successfully argue for the Authority to be enhancing housed in Ireland. workers’ rights It’s estimated that Making a strong more than three case for Ireland hundred bilateral If the trade union movement is The benefits of fully involved in the design and agreements are operation of the new European situating the new needed Labour Authority then it has the Authority in potential to be a useful tool in pro - Europe-wide. Ireland tecting and enhancing workers’ There are definite advantages in rights. Locating the Authority in There is a locating the Authority in Ireland. Ireland has many advantages, in - Apart from being an English-speak - cluding utilising our long experi - widespread belief ing country, we have a strong his - that this patchwork tory of trade unionism working for ence of workers and government the protection of workers’ rights. working in to improve of agreements is Many of our trade unions serve labour conditions. Unions and the members in both the north and Government should come together a poor form of the south of the island. With to promote the advantages of sit - enforcement 30,000 people crossing the border ing the new Authority in Ireland. daily for work, and with the North possibly beyond the jurisdiction of Dominic Hannigan is a member of the European Court of Justice, an SIPTU’s Manufacturing Division and a former Labour Party TD. Liberty 19 Workers Rights Centre SEPTEMBER 2018

By Paul Henry THE impact bullying has on Why workplace bullying workers can be immense. The Workers’ Rights Centre has seen the effects bullying has in the workplace. It can result in severe and traumatic life changing situations. As well as the toll it takes on a needs to be defined in law worker who brings a bullying com - plaint, the delay in dealing with a duty of care on an employer to the complaint also affects the provide a safe work environment. worker against whom the allega - However, to assist in tackling the tion is made. issue an amendment to the Act is The truth of the matter is that it needed that would include a defi - is happening all around us. Until nition of bullying and set out a pro - the Government gets serious and cess to deal with it properly, similar puts in place a definition of work - place bullying on the statutes to the Australian legislation. book, clearly and legally setting Of course, such a move will not out what constitutes bullying, eradicate workplace bullying. How - some companies and people will ever, employers who take their continue to ignore the issue. legal obligations seriously, and The need to adequately define have received good advice, are bullying in the workplace has not likely to have comprehensive poli - gone completely unnoticed. Ac - cies and procedures in place which cording to the Workplace Relations address this key health and safety Commission (WRC) Programme 2018, the Advisory Service of the issue. WRC is working with the Health They will be alive to the risks of and Safety Authority to “review PICTURE: Allen Allen (CC BY 2.0) bullying and seek to prevent the and identify possible improve - In February last, Taoiseach Leo states that it “does not apply to a compliance costs involved in a po - ments that could be made with re - Varadkar called on those being bul - reasonable management action tential investigation by the Work - gard to the efficacy of the two lied in the workplace to “be brave” carried out in a reasonable man - place Relation Commission, along organisations’ respective Codes of and come forward and report it. In - ner”. However, these actions must with the fines that could be in - Practice in relation to bullying and deed, when bullying and harass - be conducted in a reasonable man - curred as well as any subsequent harassment”. If our politicians ment hits the headlines in places ner. If they are not, they could still The stated aim of this review is damage to reputation that could such as the Gate Theatre or the be bullying. to ensure that the codes have “a arise from a prosecution. are really serious Dáil, our politicians come out and One of the biggest challenges greater impact”, but therein lies The issues raised in this article say all the right things but then that SIPTU members face when the problem. They are codes – not they would define are not meant to deter a member law – and are voluntary. there is silence. they raise a bullying in the work - who believes they are being bullied If they are really serious they place issue is the delay in it being The SIPTU Workers’ Rights Cen - bullying on the from raising their case. The SIPTU tre has so far this year had approx - would define bullying on the processed. statute book, as Australia has In many cases these delays are Workers’ Rights Centre has 25 ex - imately 70 cases of bullying in the statute book, perienced advocates who deal with workplace reported to it with the done. In that jurisdiction, a worker due to a lack of training of man - bullying cases on an on-going basis majority as yet unresolved or con - as Australia has can apply to an adjudicator for an agers or poor procedures within cluded. Many of the victims of the order to stop bullying by an indi - companies. Under the Australian and who support and represent alleged bullying have been out of done... vidual or a group. legislation, when a case is high - union members. Should you need work on sick leave. Where there is The definitions of bullying in lighted the investigation into the assistance you can speak to your paid sick leave, they are using up the Australian legislation are simi - bullying allegation must start shop steward or your union organ - that leave; where there is no sick lar those used today in Ireland. within 30 days. iser. leave, they are on illness benefit However, there is also a definition The Irish Safety Health and Paul Henry is the SIPTU Workers’ Rights from social welfare. of what is not bullying where it Welfare at Work Act 2005 imposes Centre Sector Organiser. 20 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Supporting Quality

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pr oud par tner Liberty 21 Political priorities SEPTEMBER 2018 Mary Lou hails Big Start’s objective as a win for workers, families and for kids SINN Féin President, Mary Lou “The State needs to do the heavy McDonald said that her party McDonald, has expressed sup - lifting to resolve the housing emer - wants to be in government in order port for the SIPTU Big Start gency, not cross their fingers and to deal with the issues of housing, campaign and for increased hope that the market will sort it out. health and precarious work which are government subvention in Look to the experience on the ground and you find a housing and homeless damaging the lives of so many Irish childcare and decent pay and people. contracts for educators. crisis that is getting worse. “Investment must be made in the “There is an ideological problem at “I don’t believe for a second that whole area of child care provision the core of all of this. Whatever role the housing crisis, the crisis in health, where the subvention is lamentedly the private sector may play and I ac - the casualisation of work and low low. There is a very effective Big Start cept that they will of course play a wage, any of those [will] get sorted campaign to unionise the 23,000 role, if the State doesn’t do the heavy out without having Sinn Féin or the lifting, we are left in this mess,” she child care workers who are predomi - likes of Sinn Féin in government. nately female, who are in very inse - Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald, with Sinn added. cure employment and who are top Féin representative Ciara McCormack and SIPTU She also said that Sinn Fein will “After the next election we will talk organiser, Margaret Young. She has called for a seek to expedite a referendum on to everyone – not just Fianna Fáil and ranking professionals,” McDonald major investment in child care provision. told Liberty. Irish unity, particularly in the context Fine Gael but the Labour Party, the “They’re educated and trained to of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. Greens, the Social Democrats, the In - the highest level and yet many are “If the British government insists a living wage and a decent wage and profoundly important early child - dependents, whoever. I want to be in earning little more than the mini - on crash landing themselves and the to have a career structure. a progressive left government. Of mum wage. We would propose to en - hood intervention educationally and North out of the European Union “This would be a win for them but developmentally.” with all of the calamity that that will course, that’s our first option. But I hance the subvention there, to make it’s also a win for families and for par - The Sinn Féin leader also called for bring to this Island, in those circum - refuse to be a spectator. It goes it possible for those workers to have ents and for children for whom child - increased urgent investment in pub - against my grain. It’s goes against proper contracts of employment and care is not glorified babysitting. It’s a stances there will be no option but to to live beyond subsistence, to be on lic housing provision. put the constitutional question.” the grain of Sinn Féin.” Labour Nat O’Connor Social Democrats Green Party Roisin Shortall Eamon Ryan Action on housing • Sláintecare: and introduce • Public housing: • Education: Provide funding to a new Parental Significant prioritising the allow the roll-out Leave Payment and no tax cuts of Sláintecare so investment in preservation of LABOUR’S budget prior - beads, regulating online ha - that we can move • Address Pay ities include advancing rassment, a technical fix public building of our highly to a health service Inequality by our housing policy over civil liability, imple - homes and cost educated with a strong focus ending ideas, such as our call menting genuine progress rental housing workforce and on prevention, discrimination for serious investment – indicators, and banning ‘vol - protecting primary care, and against newer untary’ contributions in ed - equal access entrants to €16 billion over five • Sustainable tax education as a years – in the State-led ucation. the public service building of 80,000 plus We’ll also support abor - base: Sustainable public good • Housing: Provide homes. tion legislation being and fair long-term funding for a new • Tackle the high Housing Delivery cost of living by €5 billion available in the passed. investment • Transport: Ireland Strategic Investment For Budget 2019, we argue instead of short rebalancing Agency so that introducing affordable and genuinely free Fund should be immedi - against tax cuts, in favour of term tax cuts; investment ately allocated to house- investment in public ser - social homes can Primary Education, building, as this won’t affect vices. We need to ensure ev - measures tackling towards walking, be delivered reducing Third the national debt but could eryone can access a local GP, tax avoidance cycling and trains directly by the Level Fees, commission 25,000 social make primary education and away from State without ensuring and affordable homes. That genuinely free-of-charge (in - • Energy efficiency: aviation and delay, and tackle energy-saving would clearly signal to the Land-Hoarding by Retro-fitting cluding uniforms and tackle climate roads. building sector that the Gov - school books) and begin to introducing a Grants can be ernment means business invest in subsidised child - change and specific Land- accessed by every when it comes to solving care across the country. And, inequality by Hoarding Tax to one, reducing the housing crisis. of course, serious invest - reducing energy make it Public Transport We will seek to progress ment in the creation of a poverty and unprofitable to sit Fares, and our Private Members legisla - on land that addressing the municipal housing sector, increasing energy tion: ending bogus self-em - open to all, as a permanent could be used for high cost of ployment, promoting solution to people’s long- security Housing Insurance. gender pay equality, regulat - term need for affordable ing the rental sector includ - housing. • Significantly ing AirBnB, restoring Nat O’Connor is Political Di - increase funding town-level government, rector of the Irish Labour Party for the Affordable banning plastic micro- Childcare Scheme 22 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 SIPTU District Council News SIPTU helping working people

Meath District Council members at the speak out Dan Shaw Centre in Navan on 8th August

THE Galway District Council, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and in conjunction with Failte Is - Venezuela. teach, is hosting conversa - Arikodiusk, from , attends 2019 Meath seminar plan wel comed tional English classes in the the classes with his brother DEPUTY General Secretary identified a comprehensive plan tending the meeting. There was SIPTU offices in the city. Marcin. He told Liberty : “It is free Ethel Buckley presented a pre - which contained four seminars in also support for the formation of The initiative is also being sup - and very helpful but most impor - liminary schedule of seminars 2019 and 2020. The proposed na - Local Area Committees which will ported by the Galway Council of tantly the friendly engagement and meetings for SIPTU Dis - tional topics for the seminars are have the brief of dealing with in - Trades Union, local student unions from the tutors makes all the dif - trict Councils across the coun - health, housing, childcare and pre - dustrial maters within the private and the ONE Galway movement, all ference.” try in the Dan Shaw Centre in carious work. It is proposed that and public sectors. Members of the of which are supplying volunteers Classes take place in the SIPTU Navan, county Meath, on 8th local issues will also be discussed council felt that these would help to work as tutors on the scheme. offices, Forster Court, on Wednes - August. at the events.” address some issues which have One volunteer, Pruthuish Kumar, days at lunchtime from 1.00 p.m. Meath District Council co-ordi - He added: “Enthusiasm for the arisen due to the loss of the old a student from NUIG, said: “Help - to 2.00 p.m. and in the evening nator, John Regan, said: “Ethel plan was expressed by those at - branch structures of the union.” ing working people overcome the from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. language barrier in order to better themselves is a joy and makes me For further information or quite proud.” to sign up for the classes The participants come from please contact Aneta Sobczak Awards to many countries including Brazil, at [email protected] India, , , Poland, Galway union stalwarts A GROUP of recently-retired, Galway-based shop stewards were presented with long ser - vice certificates by General The certificates were awarded in right) are Martina McEvilly, Frank Secretary Designate, Joe Cun - appreciation of the valuable contri - Daly, Helen Murphy, Tom Seale, ningham, at a District Council bution by the activists to the living Anne Burke, General Secretary event in the SIPTU offices in and working conditions of SIPTU Designate Joe Cunningham and Participants and tutors in the English language members. Pictured above (left to Jim Cotter. classes hosted by the Galway District Council the city on 5th July. Limerick district council plans ahead

Chair of the Sligo Leitrim Roscommon District Council, Anthony More than 25 shop stewards local structures for the union District Council to mark the cen - Lyons, addressing a seminar on the reconfiguration of locally based and union activists attended which are currently being put in tenary of the Limerick Soviet in union structures in Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon in the Sligo Park a meeting to discuss the next place and the seminars on issues 1919. Activists discussed the de - Hotel on 14th September. The event was attended by shop stewards 12 months of activity by the such as housing, precarious work sign for a new banner which is to from across the commercial and private sectors in the area. The main SIPTU Limerick District and the health service which will be made for display at the com - discussions were focused on the establishment of Local Area Commit - Council on 3rd September. be held by District Councils in the memoration events. tees and their relationships with the existing District Council. There The meeting was addressed by coming months. was enthusiasm expressed for the rejuvenation of SIPTU structures SIPTU Deputy President, Ethel There was also discussion on the events being organised by the that are based on community engagement as well as industrial issues. Buckley. She outlined the new Liberty 23 SIPTU District Council News SEPTEMBER 2018

SIPTU member Mary Mullin laying a wreath at the Constance Markievicz monument in Markievicz/Partridge event Rathcormac, county Sligo, to mark the contribution women have made to Irish society since the granting marks centenary of suffrage of women’s suffrage a century ago OVER the summer, SIPTU members and activists from across the North West gath - ered in the picturesque and historic surroundings of Lis - sadell House, county Sligo, to mark a centenary of women’s suffrage at the second annual Markievicz/Partridge summer school. Organised by the SIPTU Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon (SLR) Dis - tween Constance Markievicz, our trict Council, the event included union, and the people of this area. speeches and presentations from Lissadell House is her ancestral the Head of SIPTU College, Tish home [and] we are proud to have Gibbons; Labour Historian, Dr honoured our common bond on Padraig Yeates; ASTI Assistant Gen - the centenary of her election to eral Secretary, Moira Leydon; Min - parliament.” ister for State at the Department of National treasure: Lissadell As part of the summer school, Education, Mary Mitchell O’Con - House set against the backdrop of Benbulben members from across Sligo, nor TD; and the owner of Lissadell Leitrim and Roscommon received House, Constance Cassidy. 25- and 50-year badges as an ac - SIPTU Honorary President, knowledgment of their service to Padraig Peyton, told Liberty that the union. the event was organised by Sligo, union. She has inspired countless SIPTU SLR District Council Vice Leitrim and Roscommon District SIPTU General Secretary Desig - disenfranchised women to get in - Chair, Anja Boger, said: “As a dis - Council members to mark 100 nate, Joe Cunningham (pictured volved in politics and activism years of the achievements made by trict council, we were honoured to left) also presented the women in the Irish trade union down the years so it was fitting host such a special event for the Markievicz/Partridge award to movement and politics. that we told the story of these working class women and men of Aileen Henry for her outstanding He said: “Markievicz has a very women at our annual the North West region. There is a contribution to the union. important association with our Markievicz/Partridge seminar.” longstanding and deep bond be -

calism to uniting with Irish nation - builds on the Proclamation of the alists to strike a blow against the Republic and 1916 was penned by James British Empire in 1916. However, progressive thinkers who had been he emphasised that throughout his personally, deeply influenced by political career Connolly was fo - Connolly. cused on the fight for social jus - “The programme envisaged a Connolly’s tice. free and independent Ireland but “I think Connolly would have ap - was also crucially very progressive proved of the broad alliance of trade unions and housing and ideas still homeless campaign groups which Connolly would has come together to fight for action on the housing crisis,” have approved of relevant McCormack said. According to McCormack, Con - the alliance of unions nolly would have supported the and housing and move towards greater equality in today Irish society including the changes homeless groups THE enduring importance of in the Irish Constitution to allow for divorce, marriage equality and which has come the ideas and activities of the repeal of the 8th amendment together for ITGWU leader James Connolly on abortion. However, he sug - were the focus of an address gested Connolly would have been action on the by SIPTU Deputy General Sec - less enthused with the failure to housing crisis retary, Gerry McCormack, at place the struggle for economic jus - Féile an Phobail (West Belfast tice to the fore of Irish politics. Festival) on 11th August. McCormack’s address concluded in terms of its egalitarian and so - Delivering the inaugural James with a call for the “progressive cialist content.” Connolly Annual Lecture in St. left” to unite around the commem - The James Connolly Annual Lec - Mary’s University College, McCor - oration next year of the centenary ture was held in conjunction with mack said: “I believe Connolly’s of the Declaration of the Demo - the management of the James legacy should not be studied as cratic Programme. Connolly Centre. something removed from the pre - “The Democratic Programme The Centre, which will include sent but rather as a set of analyses was a declaration of economic and an interactive exhibition, study Gerry McCormack delivers social principles adopted by the and views which can continue to the inaugural James Connolly area and library of Connolly's writ - First Dáil at its first meeting on inform our practical actions now.” Annual Lecture in St. Mary’s ings, is due to open early next year University College, Belfast 21st January 1919. It was a very on the Falls Road close to where He outlined the development of progressive document which Connolly’s ideas from union radi - Connolly once lived. 24 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 News

Contúirtí Brexit d’oibrithe sa dá stát in Éirinn - Lámh Dhearg

Tá tuairiscithe san Irish Examiner ar an airgeadais is lú ná riamh an fonn atá ar oib - 27 Lúnasa go bhféadfadh 40,000 post a rithe dúshlán a thabhairt lena gcoinníollacha bheith caillte i bPoblacht na hÉireann fostaíochta a fheabhsú. má tharlaíonn Brexit gan chomhaontú. Tá, áfach, dóchas le feiceáil in eiseamláir Deir an Dr. Declan Jordan, OÉ Corcaigh, grúpa amháin oibrithe thall i Sasana. Tá glan - go bhfuil baol mór ann do gheilleagar tóirí ollscoile ar fud na Ríochta Aontaithe, atá an stáit mura bhfuil an Ríocht Aon - ag obair in earnáil ina raibh dúshaothrú coitianta, tar éis teidlíochtaí ar thuarastal taithe in ann teacht ar chomhaontú leis maireachtála agus ar íocaíocht bhreoiteachta Aisling an Aontas Eorpach. Tá an tuairim seo agus saoire a bhaint amach trína gceardchu - Staff Nurse , Dialy sis aige bunaithe ar mheastacháin an mainn féin a chur ar bun, Independent Work - Univ ersity Hospital Limerick Bhainc Ceannais go bhféadfadh an geil - ers of Great Britain agus United Voices of the leagair meath faoi 3% sna deich mbliana World. seo romhainn agus go bhféadfadh an Ní raibh siad in ann mórstailceanna a Staff Nurse and dífhostaíocht a bheith 2% níos airde. reáchtáil, mar sin b’éigean dóibh a bheith Tá seo sa mhullach ar an gcealú a dhéanfar cruthaitheach agus cliste, le gníomh tion - Midwif e Opportunities ar chearta na n-oibrithe sa chuid den tír seo sclaíoch saindírithe comhcheangailte le atá sa Ríocht Aontaithe, sé chontae an hagóidí agus brú poiblí sna meáin chlóite, Are you eager to develop your career while oirthuaiscirt. Ainneoin ghealltanais Theresa chraolta agus shóisialta. Dhírigh siad, mar May go gcosnófar cearta oibrithe tar éis shampla, ar ócáid tógtha airgid in Ollscoil enjoying a quality lifestyle in the Midwest? imeacht na Ríochta Aontaithe ón Aontas Eor - Londan, nuair a b’éigean d’aoidheontóirí mór UL Hospitals Group, based in Limerick, Clare and Tipperary, is recruiting pach, is iad rialacháin oibre is túisce a ndéan - le rá, iad gléasta go gáifeach i ngúnaí síoda ambitious and motivated nurses and midwives to join our team. From far ar shiúl leo le geilleagar na Ríochta agus carbhait bhána, a mbealach a dhéanamh our progressive maternity unit at University Maternity Hospital Limerick, Aontaithe a dhéanamh “níos solúbtha”. Tá trí oibrithe ar stailc ag déanamh agóide, rud a to our new state-of-the-art Emergency Department, Cystic Fibrosis, seo follasach bunaithe ar fhocail Liam Fox, tharraing náire ar an ollscoil agus a chosain David Davis agus Boris Johnson, atá ar thús airgead orthu le lucht slándála a fhostú. Dermatology, Neurology/Stroke and Symptomatic Breast Units, we are cadhnaíochta ag gearán faoi rialacha an Aon - Is taicticí radacacha mar seo a rachaidh changing healthcare in Ireland’s Midwest and have opportunities for tais Eorpaigh a chosnaíonn cearta oibrithe. Níl chun tairbhe do cheardchumainn níos mó nurses in the following areas: iontu, dar leo, ach téip dhearg, maorlathas gan agus iad ag iarraidh dul i ngleic leis na dúsh - mhaith atá ina ualach do-iompartha láin atá roimh chearta oibrithe mar gheall ar • Intensive Care • High Dependency d’fhostóirí. Brexit. • Theatre • Staff Nurses • Paediatric • Dialysis Tá níos mó ná a saith ag ceardchumainn dul Má tá oibrithe ag iarraidh a gcearta a cho - • Staff Midwives • Neonatal • Coronary Care i ngleic leis seo, shílfeá, ach is deacra fós an saint tar éis Brexit, ní féidir leo brath ar dhea- • Emergency Care • Endoscopy • Oncology fód a sheasamh ar son chearta na n-oibrithe thoil rialtas na hÉireann agus na Ríochta nuair nach bhfuil na hoibrithe féin sásta a Aontaithe. Beidh orthu an fód a sheasamh bheith i gceardchumann. Tá tuairiscithe sa dóibh féin agus dá gcomhoibrithe. Agus ní fiú Guardian, mar shampla, gur laghdaigh ball - fanacht go dtí go bhfuil an Ríocht Aontaithe raíocht i gceardchumainn sa Ríocht Aontaithe imithe ón Aontas Eorpach. Caithfear gníomh faoi 4.2% idir 2016 agus 2017, an titim is mó a dhéanamh anois, nuair atá am ann fós le ó tosaíodh ag coinneáil taifid. I bPoblacht na tionchar a imirt ar an gcineál Brexit a d’fhéad - hÉireann, níl ach 35.1% faoin gcéad d’oibrithe fadh a bheith ann. Ach ní féidir le ceardchu - an stáit i gceardchumann, síos ó 55.3% in 1980 mann gníomhú gan bhaill. Caithfear clárú. agus 38.5% in 2003. Tá sé deacair a thuiscint Caithfear eagrú. Nó caillfear. cén fáth, ach sa ré seo tar éis na mórtheipe

To apply, please send your CV to [email protected] quoting reference ULH010820181SN for Staff Nurse and ULH010720181SM for Staff Midwife and your NMBI pin number. Visit www.ulh.ie/nursingjobs for more information.

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL LIMERICK • NENAGH HOSPITAL • ENNIS HOSPITAL • CROOM ORTHOPAEDIC HOSPITAL • UNIVERSITY MATERNITY HOSPITAL LIMERICK • ST. JOHN’S HOSPITAL (VOLUNTARY) Liberty 25 News SEPTEMBER 2018

Zwycięscy - SIPTU wins pay rises for cleaners SIPTU members at Galway differential paid for night working. Artur said: “We want to say a big University Hospital have won Piotr told Liberty that working thank you to Barnaba Dorda from a case against their employer, nights was “not easy” but that the SIPTU’s Workers’ Rights Centre for Noonan, for the payment of result was “great news for all of us all his hard work on our behalf. It wage increases as set out in and our families”. was a great comfort to us to have the contract cleaning Employ - It had been a long fight, Micheal such professional representation admitted, but said the workers during this process.” ment Regulation Order (ERO). were very happy with the outcome And Artur insisted all cleaners After a long battle, which started of the case “which I know we should be members of SIPTU. at the end of 2015, the workers, would not have achieved without “We have to stand together Artur Zbien, Tomas Sieradzan, our union, SIPTU”. through SIPTU. ERO increases in Michael Flaherty, Tadeusz Majcher, Tomasz pointed out that in Pol - pay are achieved because we are and Piotr Wedlarski, were awarded ish, the workers were “zwyciescu” members of SIPTU, so the greater the ERO rises by the Labour Court. [winners], adding, “We have se - the number of us cleaners who are The Labour Court determination cured our rights. We are very glad members of SIPTU, the more pow - led to an immediate increase of 90 to be members of SIPTU and are erful we are. I encourage all clean - cent to the workers’ hourly rate as very thankful to our union for ers to join SIPTU.” well as back pay, and restores the standing by us.” Awarded rises: cleaners Artur Zbien, Tomas Sieradzan, Michael Flaherty and Piotr Wedlarski (Tadeusz Majcher not in photo)

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spowodowała że nie tylko otrzymali zawodowego SIPTU: "Musimy natychmiast 90 centów podwyżki na wszyscy trzymać się razem. Podwyżki Tom O ’Br ich nocnej stawce godzinowej, ale płac określone w porozumieniach Li ien także wyrównania zaległych podwyżek branżowych typu Employment berty Hall za okres od złożenia skargi w 2015 Regulations Order (ERO) są osiągane, Te l: (0 roku do dnia wprowadzenia w życie ponieważ pracownicy są zrzesznie w 1) 85 8 631 decyzji Sądu. SIPTU. Im większa liczba nas, którzy Jea 1 Piotr powiedział, że praca w nocy są członkami SIPTU, tym jesteśmy n Ken S nedy nie jest łatwa, dlatego orzeczenie potężniejsi i mamy silniejszą pozycję IPTU C Sądu było „wspaniałą wiadomością dla w negocjacjach. Zachęcam wszystkich T ollege nas wszystkich i dla naszych rodzin". el: ( sprzątaczy do przyłączenia się do 01) 85 Michael przyznał, że to była długa SIPTU. " 8 6498 walka w sądzie, ale wszyscy byli Podpis pod zdjęciem: Przyznane bardzo zadowoleni z wyniku sprawy i podwyżki: sprzątacze Artur Zbień, potwierdza: „Wiem, że zwycięstwa nie Tomas Sieradzan, Michael Flaherty i osiągnęlibyśmy bez naszego związku, Piotr Wedlarski (Tadeusza Majchera SIPTU" nie ma na zdjęciu) 26 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Tradition We Shall Overcome: Liberty Hall remembers

It became the soundtrack to the which were too little and too late. By Michael civil rights movement in the U.S. When another march, organised Mural commemorating civil rights movement on gable and echoed across the Atlantic to by People’s Democracy, was Halpenny wall in Derry. Exhibit, right, from Free Derry Museum Britain’s backyard where people ambushed at Burntollet Bridge 10 also demanded their civil rights in miles from Derry in early January the late 1960s. 1969, the long full-time whistle After decades of discrimination began to blow for a regime which ON SATURDAY 10th Novem - by the then-Unionist government was described decades later by ber a group of trade unionists, against nationalists, particularly in Unionist leader David Trimble as human rights campaigners and musicians of the We Shall Overcome Committee will host a seminar and concert in Liberty Hall to mark the 50th anniversary of the Northern Ireland civil rights movement. The choice of location empha - sises the role of trade unions and those campaigning for social jus - tice in the history of that struggle and in similar challenges faced today. The seminar, with speakers in - cluding solicitor and human rights campaigner Michael Farrell, Advo - cate for the Homeless Fr Peter McVerry, ICTU President Sheila housing, employment and local Nunan, and community and polit - government, the struggle for civil ical activist Bernadette McAliskey, rights burst on to the streets and The Unionist will link the lessons of 50 years towns of the North in the autumn ago to current struggles in hous - of 1968. government ing, workers’ rights, discrimina - Actions protesting discrimina - at Stormont tion in housing were followed by a civil rights march in Derry on 5th eventually and October that year. The march was batoned off the streets by the reluctantly Royal Ulster Constabulary before responded with The choice of the eyes of the world. It was a sem - location inal moment in modern Irish and proposals which tion and racism. tual called I’ll Overcome Some world history. were too little emphasises the The concert will give musical ex - Day . She changed the song title to What followed was a dam burst role of trade pression to the fight for social jus - We Will Overcome reflecting the of the pent-up grievances of a and too late tice with singers and musicians solidarity of struggle. whole community. Marches and unions and those including Tommy Sands and When the strike was over the pickets were organised by the campaigning for Niamh Parsons. song was picked up by another Northern Ireland Civil Rights Asso - In 1945, while the members of woman, social activist and folk ciation (NICRA), involving many social justice in CIO Food & Tobacco Workers song collector, Zilphia Horton, from the trade union movement as “a cold house for Catholics”. Union Local 15 were on strike in who, in turn, passed it on to Pete well as republicans, and by the He might have included, for the history of that Charleston, South Carolina, a Seeger. By the time he performed militant student body, People’s good measure, the left, workers, struggle woman called Lucille Simmons it at his famous 1963 Carnegie Hall Democracy. trade unionists, liberals and came down to the picket line to concert, both the name and tempo The Unionist government at anyone unwilling to bow to the sing for them. The song she chose had changed to become the iconic Stormont eventually and reluc - sectarian state of Northern Ire - was an old African-American spiri - We Shall Overcome . tantly responded with proposals land.

Jimmy Kelly Remembered “I’m a man Wednesday 1 9th Sept ember 2018 you won’t Cois Life Bar , Liberty H all 7.30 p .m. t o 11.00 p .m. meet

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In October, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) will launch a campaign calling for a major reform of the Electoral Act so that advocacy groups are not prevented from campaigning. Such a change is crucial to improving the functioning of democracy in Ireland... Electoral Act should not stifle debate

By Liam Herrick

THE Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) held a press conference at Liberty Hall in July, to draw attention to the growing issue of restrictions on civil society organisations. Supported by SIPTU we brought together a coalition of leading community and human rights groups including the Wheel, Front Line Defenders, Uplift and Trans - parency International, to speak out about the actions of the Stan - dards in Public Office Commission Amnesty contingent at 2016 Pride Parade in Dublin. ICCL believes a well resourced civil (SIPO), which over recent years society sector is a crucial counterweight to have begun to apply laws on elec - ‘powerful voice of capital’ PICTURE: RollingNews.ie tion financing to the general advo - cacy work of civil society. The venue was not coincidental. licly and transparently and in a The ICCL has a long association While the State highly regulated manner. with the trade union movement, As the shift towards watchdog has At the same time, foreign busi - and we operated from Liberty Hall authoritarianism ness interests exert enormous in - for several years in the 1980s. We been chasing fluence on our public life in a gathers pace in also believe that there is now a after community largely unchecked fashion. A well- broad agenda of issues where the Europe, the case resourced civil society, then, is a interests of civil liberties and trade organisations, for left and crucial counterweight to the pow- unions increasingly coalesce Ireland has failed to erful voice of capital. around common threats to free - progressive solidarity The case for reform is now dom of association, freedom of as - keep up with real is becoming more building momentum. In July, SIPO sembly and freedom of threats posed by settled a High Court judicial re - expression. urgent and we view taken by Amnesty Interna - As the shift towards authoritar - unregulated appreciate support tional, and withdrew its demand ianism gathers pace in Europe, the social media for the human rights organisation case for left and progressive soli - from SIPTU... to hand back a grant it received in darity is becoming more urgent advertising 2015 from the Open Society Foun- and we deeply appreciate the sup - dations. port we have received from SIPTU The outcome is a vindication for on this issue. toral Act, introduced in 1997, was by SIPO to return funds received. Amnesty but the case and its out- The occasion of the event in July to prevent corruption through cor - These were two voluntary organ - come also provided a clear indica- was somewhat ironic. Ireland’s porate or foreign funding of candi - isations trying to contribute to tion that certain provisions of the representatives at the United Na - dates and parties. However, the public policy in an open and trans - Electoral Act are deeply flawed. tions had just adopted a leadership law was poorly drafted and con - parent manner, which were threat - The next step will be to amend role on the issue of protecting civil tains an overly broad definition of ened with prosecution for the Electoral Act. On October 11th, society space, with Ireland driving ‘political purposes’ and the types activities that had nothing to do we will be launching a campaign to a Human Rights Council resolution of activities to be covered by the with any election or referendum address the flaws in the current on the issue and Irish Aid actively funding rules. campaign. Ironically, a law intro - law by clarifying the distinction providing ‘foreign’ funding to civil The definition includes not just duced to clean up politics was now between election finance – which society organisations in other electoral campaigning but also all being used to shut down organisa - should be tightly regulated by activities aimed at “promoting or tions that hold politics to account countries. funding controls: and general ad - procuring a particular outcome in on behalf of the public. Under the Electoral Act, this vocacy by community and volun - relation to a policy or policies or The effect of this wide applica - type of funding would be severely tary organisations – which should restricted here if an organisation functions of the Government or tion of the Electoral Act will be to Education Equality was told its be regulated by transparency mea- any public authority”. In other increase the power gap between were deemed to be engaging in campaign over the ‘baptism sures. words, the bread and butter work barrier’ to primary school entry the State and big business on one ‘political’ purposes such as advo - A further irony in all of this is cacy. The EU Fundamental Rights of campaigning is to be treated as was ‘political’ by SIPO hand, and communities and indi - that while the State watchdog has Agency has criticised Ireland for electoral interference, and thereby viduals who need to raise funds to been chasing after community or- operating funding rules at home funding for such work will be PICTURE: John Ragai (CC BY 2.0) have their voice heard in public de - ganisations, Ireland has failed to that are similar to those used by severely restricted. 10,000 from the Humanist Asso - bate on the other. € keep up with the real threats repressive governments in other Education Equality, a voluntary ciation of Ireland, Education Equal - While critics have raised con - posed by unregulated social media European countries to shut down group working to reform educa - ity was informed by SIPO that its cerns about the influence of for - advertising. In the coming months, human rights organisations. tion policy, told the story of that aim of ending the ‘baptism barrier’ eign trusts and foundations on our we hope both issues can be ad - The domestic problem is largely organisation’s experiences with to entry to primary schools was public discourse, they fail to recog - dressed. one of unintended consequences. SIPO. deemed “political” under the Elec - nise that those bodies support Liam Herrick is the Executive Director The original purpose of the Elec - Having received a starter grant of toral Act. As a result it was forced civil society work in Ireland pub - of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties. 28 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 International Let the world know we stand for justice and human rights

Palestinian woman with a Massive destruction after Israeli By Frances clear message for the world assault on Gaza in 2014 Black

IN JULY I was proud to table the Occupied Territories Bill 2018 in the Seanad – an his - toric piece of legislation to end Irish trade in goods pro - duced in illegal settlements in occupied territories, including Palestine. The EU, UN and the Irish govern - ment have long confirmed that building settlements on occupied territory violates international law – a war crime under the Geneva conventions. But in the West Bank, families are kicked out of their homes by Israeli soldiers, fertile farming land is seized, and the fruit and vegetables produced are PICTURE: Alan Whelan/Tro c?aire PICTURE: Oxfam exported and sold on shelves around the world, including in Ire - ated around the world and land, to pay for it all. changed history. There’s a clear hypocrisy here: The trade union movement was how can we condemn these settle - crucial in this, supporting the ments as illegal, as theft of Pales - striking workers, pressuring the tinian land and resources, but still Government and galvanising the buy the proceeds of this crime? wider public. We can win another victory here for Palestinian rights, but that same level of support is Life on the ground vital. Civil society must let their Trade in settlement goods sus - representatives know that Irish tains injustice, and I saw it for my - people stand for basic Palestinian self when I travelled to Palestine in rights and will no longer be com - May. plicit in settlement trade. In the West Bank, I met commu - The bill passed its first vote in nity groups, activists and trade July with the backing of every po - unionists working against the oc - litical party outside government, cupation. I met small small farm - with powerful speeches of support ers unable to farm their own land from Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, due to illegal Israeli settlement Labour and Independents. But construction. They live in constant every bill goes through roughly six fear of displacement and the de - rounds of voting before it becomes struction of their homes, and are law – three in the Seanad and deeply frustrated that the same EU three in the Dáil – so we’re only countries criticising settlement one down, five to go. The bill re - construction are also importing Senator , centre, with fellow members of the Seanad, talks turns to the Seanad in November their stolen produce, sustaining to the media outside Leinster House for vote number two, and we must them financially. keep the pressure on. In Gaza, I spoke with protestors PICTURE: RollingNews.ie When I spoke to SIPTU mem - who are sick of life in an open air The international global solidarity. Trade in settle - bers in June and with the trade prison – almost two million people community must act ment goods sustains injustice, and unionists across the country, the are crammed into an area half the it is time to end our complicity in level of passion and support is in - size of Louth, unable to get in or unless the From all these people, the recur - it. credible. We must harness that en - out, with extremely limited access ring question was “why are the in - to electricity, clean water and settlements ternational community doing ergy over the coming months, and medicine. nothing to help us?” Palestinians Next vote in November I need your help to do it. I met children growing up in stop there will feel abandoned, particularly by EU With the Occupied Territories Reach out to my office on 01 refugee camps, and heard about partners who oppose the settle - Bill we can echo our famous stand 6183279 and through public meet - the incredible scale of settlement soon be no ments but never go beyond empty against apartheid South Africa in ings, conversations with friends construction from UN officials: words of condemnation. the 1980s – an historic moment in and other activists of support we more than 40% of the West Bank Palestine left I promised those I met that I which Ireland stood firmly for can get this Occupied Territories has now been seized, and at this would bring their stories home human rights, justice and interna - Bill over the line – and send a rate, unless the settlements stop to recognise and do everything I can to make tional law. I vividly remember powerful message of solidarity to there will soon be no Palestine left Ireland stand up and show some those incredible images of Mary the Palestinian people. to recognise. leadership, in line with our proud Manning and her fellow Dunnes Frances Black is a member of history of internationalism and workers, whose courage reverber - Seanad Eireann. Liberty 29 International SEPTEMBER 2018 The good shepherd and a shifting line in the sand...

By Hugh Golden

A shepherd grazing his sheep while an Israeli soldier keeps watch over him... Palestinian shepherd watched over by an Israeli soldier on The man is from Susiya in the West Bank. In 1986, Israel the slopes outside Susiya in expelled the inhabitants of Susiya after the remains of a 5th the south Hebron hills century synagogue were discovered. Using archaeological digs as a pretext for displacement is a common practice of the Israeli where the harassment and violence occupation. is a guarantee. They must stay on The purpose is two-fold: the land today, or tomorrow they displace Palestinians and promote will be told it was never theirs. Ahmad’s land is not where it was historical Jewish connection to the yesterday. A settler called the army. land. The Palestinians of Susiya, The army called the police. And who have been there for hundreds this is how Ahmad discovered that of years, have since lived in tents the invisible line has moved again, on a small part of their original Shepherd Ahmed Jaber Nawaja, inset and right, sits overlooking the Palestinian this time by 100 metres. He discov - farming and grazing lands. community of Susiya. Further in the ered this by being ordered to leave The adjoining settlement, which distance lies the Palestinian city of Yatta by three armed 20-year-old re - has retained the name of Susiya, servists. has been steadily expanding over “It’s not his land,” said one of the last four decades. the soldiers confidently when I But the tent town of Palestinians asked him to explain. “You can see displaced in 1986 is an unwelcome the way he left without arguing too impediment to the further expan - much. He knows it isn’t his land.” sion of this settlement. The Israeli Or maybe it’s Ramadan and he’s forces have destroyed the commu - too tired to fight today. Maybe he’s nity four times, but the Palestinians The soldier is not told before he complain to the soldier and ‘help’ you, and the likelihood of being ar - thinking of his baby daughters, and have returned after each attack. arrives at his post for the first time him avoid making the same mis - rested by the paramilitary ‘Border how he wants to be with them The soldier on the hill, pictured where exactly this ‘security take in the future. Police’. tonight, rather than handcuffed in above right, is watching to ensure perimeter’ lies. The head of the Crossing this invisible line – Knowing that this invisible line an army base. Maybe it’s just hard that the shepherd does not cross a settlement security, an armed civil - even while remaining on your own only moves in one direction, out - to argue with someone with a gun. line. This line is invisible, ever- ian, will inform the soldier where land – results in a 20-year-old wards from the settlement, shep - Tomorrow he will return with changing and defined by the set - the line is. Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) soldier herds are forced to constantly his sheep to the outer limits of his tlers who live just over the ridge of If the shepherd crosses this in - shouting at you to move away, maintain their presence at the lim - land, and will have to make a deci - the hill, at the soldier’s back. visible line, the settlers will then armed settlers arriving to harass its of their shrinking territory, sion: 100 metres or peace? PICTURES: Hugh Golden

Ahmed with his two daughters outside his tent. The Israeli Israeli settlement’s security chief authorities do not allow him to informs IDF soldiers where the build a permanent structure or security perimeter is to be placed improve his tent dwelling 30 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 International

Colombian trade unionists face nights of terror

A NEW report detailing a UNI Global Union’s General Sec - frightening rise in death retary, Christy Hoffman, said: “Un - threats and in the number of fortunately, these findings confirm union activists murdered in what Colombian trade unionists Colombia has been published and other champions of democracy on the day the national parlia - and peace in the country already ment discussed the issue. know to their cost: the Duque gov - The 5th September report by Es - ernment and the Colombian au - cuela Nacional Sindical revealed that 14 trade unionists were mur - thorities are failing to protect dered so far in 2018. There were working people and safeguard the another 16 attempted murders. peace process. In total, the report logged 161 vi - “Colombia is expected to be a olent acts targeting trade unionists member of the OECD by the end of – including 35 attacks against the year, and the international union organisations, up from nine labour movement is urging the in 2017. OECD to take the necessary steps The figures suggest a systematic Vigil for the victims to ensure Colombia abides by its threat against both individuals and of right-wing terror terms of membership, including union organisations that stand up for workers’ rights. safeguarding trade union activity According to other statistics biggest upswing in 2018. as part of the human rights of its quoted in the report, some 90 peo - The Colombian Human Rights population.” ple prominent in civil society, in - Office reports that of the 311 UNI Americas Regional Secretary, cluding those linked with trade murders of human rights activists, ...murderous right-wing militia are looking Marcio Monzane added: “We are unions, have been killed so far this including trade unionists, since talking about a matter of life and year in what Colombia’s Human the peace deal, more than 123 have to dismantle the lives of Colombians and death not the niceties of a treaty. Rights Office dubbed an “extermi - been killed in the first six months Squads of murderous right-wing of 2018. nation”. the peace process for their own gain militia are looking to dismantle The reality is that since the The Escuela Nacional Sindical peace agreement with FARC was report also flags up a spike in the lives of the Colombian people signed in 2016, the number of attacks and threats to trade union - and the peace process for their murders has increased, with the ists in the last three months. own gain.”

COMMENT Carers need constitutional recognition By Maggie Ronayne and Deirdre McHugh, Shop Stewards in NUIG ON September 6th, the Minis - SIPTU has been organising by Amárach Research, 62% of Irish ter for Justice, Charlie Flana - against this exploitation with mothers would prefer not to go gan, “regretfully” announced childcare workers and home out to work, particularly while that a referendum to remove helps. When the work that their children are young. the ‘women in the home’ mothers do is unrecognised, Article 41.2 establishes that, clause from the Irish Consti - waged caring and the skills it re - without caring work in the family tution (Article 41.2) has been quires are devalued. “the common good could not be postponed. As shop stewards at NUI Gal - achieved”. Deleting it would be a way, we support members Far from a regret, this is a victory backward step, denying us finan - whose working conditions have cial recognition from the society for everyone pressing for 41.2 to been affected because they are be amended to extend constitu - carers. NUI Galway’s recent set - which depends on our work. An tional protection to carers of all tlement with four women aca - updated 41.2 that recognises the genders, paid and unpaid, as rec - demics is a strong indication value of caring would be an incen - ommended by the Citizens Assem - that there has been tive for pay equity and advance - bly and the Constitutional discrimination in pay and ad - ment. Convention. vancement against women em - Increasingly, men want time As trade unionists, we must look ployees because of our caring with their families too. In Ger - at the implications, especially for responsibilities. As carers our - many, members of IG Metall went labour to the neglect of their du - women members. As carers selves, one for a young child, the on strike to demand a shorter ties in the home.” 41.2 states: “In particular, the ourselves, one other for an elderly mother, we working week of 28 hours rather While the language is sexist and State recognises that by her life for a young have experienced such discrimina - than 35 hours in order to care for within the home, woman gives to child, the other out-dated, it’s a fact that economic tion. children or older relatives. They the State a support without which for an elderly necessity drives thousands of Many mothers take on part-time won a settlement for 3.2 million the common good cannot be women to work a double day with - work when their children are workers. achieved. The State shall, there - mother, we have out earning enough to support or young. While the call for free or af - Caring, whatever our age or gen - fordable childcare is long standing, fore, endeavour to ensure that experienced such even consider starting a family. der, is fundamental and must re - it is not the only outstanding Many do caring jobs, invariably mothers shall not be obliged by discrimination... need. According to a 2017 survey main in the constitution. economic necessity to engage in low paid and low status. This is the personal view of the authors. Liberty 31 Reviews SEPTEMBER 2018 Colombian trade unionists face nights of terror Squaring the circle of organising in a divided society

Stephen McGonagle: termed ‘The Occupied Area’. political and social history of It’s unfortunate that the author Ombudsman, Trade He resolved to concentrate on Derry, and all students of labour doesn’t say more on the controver - Unionist, Senator union work and make Northern history will benefit from the ob - sies surrounding the breakaway By Owen McGonagle Ireland work for all its people, in servations on the often-strained Clothing Workers’ Union, which Published by Umiskin Press the belief that it was the only way relations between nationalism and might shed light on the puzzle of Labour and McGonagle’s difficul - Price 35 (hardback) to avoid a sectarian divide in trade how a united, secular trade union - € unionism. ties in dealing with clerical oppo - Available at: ism is able to function in the work - [email protected] Declining to join the civil rights sition. movement, he served on the Irish ing class, where the North’s Congress of Trade Union’s North - sectarian divisions are deepest. ern Ireland Committee and in sev - He does, however, illustrate STEPHEN McGonagle was one eral public roles, notably as some paradoxes, such as the fierce of the few union leaders to Ombudsman for Northern Ireland It’s an extensive loyalty to the amalgamateds in cer - address Labour’s Northern (1974-9). He refused an OBE, and study, and more a tain nationalist quarters. Unlike question in a way that was in the 1980s he represented both Irish and realistic. semi-popular life colleagues who papered over the Labour in Seanad Éireann and in contradictions with clichés about Born in Derry in 1914, the son of the New Ireland Forum. an activist in the Plumbing Trades and times account class unity against orange and Owen McGonagle, a former green Tories, McGonagle ad - Union, McGonagle followed his fa - Head of Design and Creative Media than a narrowly dressed the contradictions, and ther into the trade. His appoint - at Letterkenny Institute of Tech - focused biography then had the sense to see that ment as an official of the Workers’ Union merged with the nology, has penned a worthy trib - some of his solutions were un - British-based National Union of Irish Transport and General Work - ute to his late father. Tailors and Garment Workers in ers’ Union (ITGWU). It amounted It’s an extensive study, and more workable and the commitment to 1947 made him the key union man to the biggest transfer of members a semi-popular life and times ac - keep trying. in Derry’s staple industry. from a British to an Irish union in count than a narrowly focused bi - Few communities in Ireland Hopefully, this very readable When the Northern Ireland the history of Northern Ireland, ography. Neither does the author were as tightly policed by the book will encourage more search - Labour Party came out in favour of and gave Irish Labour the chance make a claim to objectivity. Yet Catholic Church as nationalist ing studies on an exceptional partition in 1949, McGonagle, with to lead, politically and industrially, while the content is uncritical, the Derry before the 1970s, and fears Labour leader, and Umiskin Press of communism were regularly in - so many others, joined the Irish in the North’s second city. tone is not hagiographical, and the is to be congratulated on a hand - Labour Party, which became an all- voked against Labour whenever it But before long, McGonagle had book is a welcome addition to the some production. Ireland party for the next 23 years. challenged the Nationalist Party; concluded that, for all its rhetori - slim body of work on Stephen Emmet OConnor In 1952, he launched the break - cal anti-partitionism, Irish Labour McGonagle. fears which miraculously disap - peared when Labour confronted Emmet O’Connor, who has published away Clothing Workers’ Union, had no practical policy for what it North-west readers in particular widely on labour history, is a senior lec - and one year later the Clothing will enjoy what is in some ways a the Unionists. turer in history at Ulster University. The long road to civil rights William Walker 1870 - 1918 Catholic middle class, Loughlin “gerrymandering” electoral wards the STV and the operation of re - By Charles Loughlin points instead to the labour move - in Derry ensuring permanent pressive legislation in the form of ment and left-wing activists as the Unionist control in a predomi - the Special Powers Act. They did Published by Umiskin Press originators and “the key driving nantly Nationalist city, meant that what they could to unite Catholic force” in the development of the politics was distorted from the get- and Protestant workers in the Out - WILLIAM Walker was a leading civil rights movement. go. door Relief (benefits) strike of Belfast trade unionist, labour ac - In examining the essentially re - However, the loyalty test was tivist and contemporary of pressive and sectarian nature of also applied to those on the left 1932. James Connolly. However, Northern Ireland, he reminds us and within the labour movement In 1936, both Labour and Irish unlike Connolly, he did not that it was boasted by one of its ar - who from the beginning began to nationalists were invited to ad - believe in an independent chitects, Lord Craigavon to be “a challenge the undemocratic nature dress the UK House of Commons Irish Workers’ Republic. Protestant Parliament and a Protes - of Northern Ireland. on civil liberties following an in - Rather, he was opposed even to tant state” Another, Sir Basil The author argues that there was vestigation of the Special Powers Brooke said he would not employ a price to be paid for that opposi - Home Rule for Ireland and was Act by the (British) National Coun - Catholics because they were “99% tion and that “Labour was – along - convinced the future for Irish so - cil for Civil Liberties. disloyal”. And it was loyalty that side Catholics, Irish nationalists cialists lay within the British was the “political means by which and separatists – a significant vic - Some of those active in the Labour movement. This book of religious discrimination could be tim of the counter-revolutionary 1920s and 1930s, such as Betty Sin - essays is published to mark the conducted”. violence which accompanied the clair and Andy Barr, lived to see the centenary of his death in 1918 Limited protections within the foundation of Northern Ireland”. flowering of their earlier efforts as An interesting chapter by aca - Government of Ireland Act 1920, Still those trade unionists and the long arc of history bent to a cratic nature by trade unionists demic historian, Christopher designed to give political voice to left-wing activists continued dur - new and more successful opposi - Loughlin, traces the roots of the and those on the left in the 1920s minorities, such as the Single ing those early years and after to tion in the form of the civil rights Northern Ireland civil rights move - and 30s. Transferable Vote (STV), were abol - promote what were called “civil movement of 1968. ment of the 1960s to the very Where others look to factors ished with determined haste by liberties” as well as the interests of foundation of the State and chal - such as the impact of the 1947 Ed - the new Stormont Government. workers. Michael Halpenny lenges to its inherently undemo - ucation Act in promoting a new This and other abuses, such as They opposed the abolition of 32 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Liberty Theatre Event Guide

JJOINOIN ROSEROSE & RROSIEOSIE FFOROR A SSCREENINGCREENING OOFF TTHEIRHEIR FFIRSTIRST FFEATURE-LENGTHEA TURE-LENGTH DOCUMENT AR Y, FOLLOWED BY A LIVE Q&A AND A BOOK SIGNING TI CKETS O N S ALE N OW! SATURDAY 1 3 O CTOBER 2 018

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As part of ‘The Lost O'Casey’ by ANÚ Productions in Dublin A link to this event will go up on the Theatre Festival 2018, there will be a CALL TO ACTION www.dublintheatrefestival.com website from Friday 28th CALL TO ACTION round table at Liberty Hall on Thursday 11th October. of September for €10 per ticket. With guests such as GP Austin O'Carroll, ANÚ's Artistic Produced by ANÚ Productions and the Abbey Theatre with @ Liberty Hall Director Louise Lowe, Karan O'Loughlin from SIPTU and ICTU, FÓRSA and SIPTU. Supported by Dublin Theatre Joe O'Connor from FÓRSA announced so far, this round Festival, Fishamble New Play Clinic and . Thursday 11th of October, table discussion will look at precarious employment, the housing crisis, health and other themes unpacked in The This production is primarily funded by an Arts Council Open at 8.00 p.m. Lost O'Casey in Dublin Theatre Festival. Call Award. Liberty 33 Obituary SEPTEMBER 2018

OBITUARY Greg Boland He served the music and the union GREG Boland, guitarist, ar - gle Carol received substantial air - Musicians’ Union of Ireland. ranger, educator and activist, play on Irish radio. The group Greg was its founding President. was born on 15th January, 1955 recorded four albums during He was particularly concerned and died unexpectedly on 16th Boland’s tenure. with the issues of promoting more August, 2018. In a career span - The three members of Scullion Irish music on radio and fair pay ning more than 40 years, he es - came from contrasting musical for musicians. tablished himself as one of backgrounds and created what His work as an educator enabled Ireland’s best and most signifi - was, at that time, an original fu - him to pass on his vast knowledge cant guitarists/musicians. sion. and lifelong passion for music. He Sonny Condell said: “He (Greg) Growing up in Sandymount, taught for a number years at the would always know exactly what Dublin, Greg was from a musical ‘Rock School’ at Ballyfermot Col - was going on, and would deliver. family. His father, the respected lege of Further Education, where He was a great arranger, a great in - physician, the late Dr Neville he imparted his expertise in guitar terpreter of a songwriter’s ef - Boland, was also an accomplished playing, arranging and the music forts… he was the musical pianist and introduced Greg to jazz business in general. bonding agent, pulling us together In more recent years Greg had a music at an early age. from day one. He had the vision to In his teens, Greg studied guitar number of working projects on the be able to do that.” go. Aja was a band dedicated to at the Royal Irish Academy of During the 1980s, he also per - Music in Dublin. From there he be - playing the music of Steely Dan formed with various groups, in - and Badge, a classic rock four-piece came a member and significant cluding Bumper to Bumper, The outfit. He had also been working contributor to a number of original Big Noise and Moving Hearts. on some standard jazz repertoire Irish bands. He also worked exten - As a very much in-demand ses - with a view to performance. There sively as a session musician. sion player, he collaborated with a was also an upcoming Stagalee re - In the mid-1970s he played with vast array of notable artists, includ - the experimental prog and folk ing Carole King, Sinead O’Connor, union. group Supply, Demand and Curve. Leo Sayer, Bono, Jimmy McCarthy, Greg Boland was one of those Fellow group members were Christy Moore, Bill Whelan, Maura rare guitarists/musicians who in Jolyon Jackson, Brian Masterson O’Connell, the Davy Spillane Band, performance, always served the and Paul McAteer. Frances Black, Johnny Logan, Red music. He was meticulous in his In the late-1970s he was an inte - Hurley and Stockton’s Wing. He preparation and consistently gral member of the soul/funk/rock also worked with the RTE Concert played with great taste and musi - band, Stagalee. This group con - Orchestra and in the house band cality. His numerous existing sisted of, among others, frontman Greg Boland was recordings are testament to this. instrumental in for the RTE television show Kenny Errol Walsh and Boland’s lifelong helping to set up Live . He is survived by his children music collaborator Tommy Moore Musicians’ Union He was a passionate advocate for Laura and Adam, by his former on bass. of Ireland musicians’ rights. After the Irish wife Jackie Morris, his mother In the 1980s, along with Sonny Federation of Musicians and Asso - Sheelagh and by his brothers Tim Condell and Philip King, he formed ciated Professions, formed in the and Andrew. the group Scullion. The group 1936, finally closed its doors in Hugh Buckley gained some success and their sin - 2002, he and others formed the

TRIBUTE Pat Clarke A dedicated union activist who flew the union flag

PAT Clarke, from Elphin, was Branch President of the Roscom - union office in Sligo whenever the yard in Elphin. Music was pro - a lorry driver with Roscom - mon Branch. Sligo races were on. vided by Aidan Shannon and the mon County Council but to Pat set about his role on the Re - On one such occasion, we men - local Comhaltas group as well as those of us who knew him, he gion and very soon achieved his tioned the formation of a District Sheila Farrell and the Elphin Parish was much more than this. He dream of a Branch Office in Council for Sligo Leitrim Roscom - Choir. was, and remained until the Roscommon. This was something mon. Pat was enthusiastic straight It was fitting that both his re - day he died, a trade union ac - that was very dear to Pat and his away moval and his funeral was at - tivist. colleagues in the County Council. There was one other side to Pat tended by a large group of friends Pat represented the drivers in Pat’s friend and sparring partner, that not everyone knew about, in and acquaintances despite the fact Roscommon County Council and P.J. Oates, had retired by this time particular the forces of law and that this happened during Storm served on various committees in and it was left to Pat to fly the order, but Pat’s produce brought Emma. the FWUI. Roscommon flag – something he comfort to many on cold winter The irony of this would not be On the amalgamation of the did with great gusto. nights when it was needed to treat lost of Pat as he had for years en - FWUI and the ITGWU, he was Pat loved Céilí music and he at - a cold or flu. sured that the salting was done elected as the Roscommon repre - tended every fleadh that was held Pat passed away on the 27th and the roads were clear, when re - sentative on the first Regional Ex - in Ireland and, of course, he liked February last and was buried with quired, for the citizens of Roscom - ecutive Committee of SIPTU and the horses and would call to the full union honours in the church - mon. Ar Dheis De do Roimh Sé. 34 Liberty SEPTEMBER 2018 Sport

Ireland's Enda Stevens with Connor Roberts of Wales during the UEFA Nations League match in Cardiff City Stadium on 9th September 2018. Photo courtesy www.dublinlive.com Irish football’s autumn blues By Kevin Brannigan With September came rain has qualified for two European they can get it but it must be seen began in 1992, and half the num - and the return of competitive Championships and has beaten in the context of 30 years of ber of Irish players who played in Irish international football. Germany, then reigning World controversial strategic decisions. 2011/’12. It’s unknown if the two Champions, in competitive foot - These have resulted in the Irish What radical over-haul is the events are related. ball. The Irish model of international football team play - FAI implementing to deal with the Late in 2018, three decades after But these moments of ecstasy ing in a stadium, which was in the surplus talent which no longer the Republic’s seminal break - have pro ved to be false dawns. letting our young main built by a rival sporting or - has an outlet to the English and through moment of qualifying for Irish football fans have now be - ganisation. The FAI also presides Scottish leagues which were once Euro ‘88 and the explosion in soc - come used to knowing that the players go to over a national league, which de - only comprised of British and cer outside of just urban areas, comedown will be much longer spite all the well-meaning talk Irish players? Why is Brian Kerr, Irish football finds itself on the and harder to endure than the England in their and the sporadic European who master-minded the greatest precipice. momentarily lived through high. early and mid-teens achievement, still has its Champi - sustained success at youth level Speaking in the wake of Ire - September brought many talk - ons elect, Dundalk FC, playing to ever seen, not just in Ireland but land’s loss to Wales in the Nations ing points for football fans, much has, since the big crowds in a ground completely in any European country now Cup (which has proved a great suc - of them familiar ground including unfit for purpose which amounts frozen out by the FAI and reduced cess) former Republic of Ireland the training pitch spat between complete to an eye-sore when it finds its to Robert Emmet type speeches manager, Brian Kerr, launched into Roy Keane and Harry Artur and way onto television screens. from the dock as he puts forward the FAI top brass claiming there the recurring issue over the alle - globalisation of The Irish model of letting our his case again and again for a was ‘‘no leadership at the top’’ and giance of English born players to the English Premier young players go to England in brighter future? that football in the 26 counties the flag. The elevation of busi - their early and mid-teens has, The Irish sporting public are needs radical change. nessman and generous donor to League, completely since the complete globalisation fickle and move with the herd. This wasn’t Kerr’s first broadside Irish football, Denis O’Brien, to of the English Premier League, Irish football could find itself cut at the FAI since its chief executive, the role of Honorary Life Presi - failed completely failed. Just 18 players adrift and back to the position it John Delaney, removed the popu - dent of the FAI was also the sub - from the Republic of Ireland held for itself in the 1980s. Some lar Drimnagh man as manager 13 ject of comment by some. played in the English top division could be forgiven for thinking years ago and replaced him with It’s hard though to blame the last season. This is the lowest that the League of Ireland has not Steve Staunton. Since then Ireland FAI for seeking support where number since the Premier League yet left that decade. Liberty 35 Crossword SEPTEMBER 2018 PRIZE DRAW Liberty To win a €200 One4All voucher courtesy of JLT Insurance Crossword (see back cover) ACROSS DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 7 Take out (6) 1 A rip in material(4) 8 A type of boat native to Galway (6) 2 To improve a building (13) 9 Scottish hillside (4) 3 The order of which Pope Francis was once 9 10 10 To make sense of (8) a member (7) 11 Something that is protected (7) 4 Dodge (5) 13 Money substitute (5) 5 A school for boys and girls (13) 11 12 13 15 Church assembly (5) 6 The flames of the underworld (8) 14 16 Clothing made out of wool (7) 12 Greek hero (8) 18 An old German currency (8) 15 16 14 Israeli parliament (7) 19 Ocean predator (4) 17 21 A root vegetable (6) 17 Underground chamber (5) 20 Kind of cut (4) 18 19 20 22 White coating (6)

*Correctly fill in the crossword to reveal the hidden word, contained 21 22 by reading the letters in the shaded squares from top to bottom. The winner of the crossword Email the hidden word to [email protected] or post to competition in the July/August Communications Dept., Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 along with your name and address and you will to be entered into a prize draw to win a issue was Elaine Goldrick, €200 One4All voucher The winner of the crossword quiz will be Claregalway, Co. Galway published in the next edition of Liberty. *Terms and conditions apply. Answer: Association

MEM BER SHIP S ER VICES Jim Larkin it Union WE G UAR ANTEE red D A C LL NEE S WE A T TO BE AT Y OUR H OME METIME ORTAN Irish football’s autumn blues SO THE IMP OR LOAN F IN SU RANCE Q UOTE O N IN LIFE THINGS A L IKE F OR L IKE B ASIS

The o ffers a pplie s t o al l polic ie s t aken o ut b efore IPTU If you're a S the 3 1st D ecember 2 018. he member in t n, Why n ot che ck o ut o ur Dublin Regio in car i nsurance o ption s the Jim Lark n for y ou a nd y our Credit Unio famil y m emb ers! en for ING is op OPEN you For f irst t ime i nsurance q uo tes or i f y our r ene wal i s d ue : SIPTU URS Call u s t od ay on 1890 3 00 7 45 P HO D R E O

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OFFERING G REAT V ALUE F O R M ONEY F O R S IPTU M EMBERS

• Hom e Insur anc e • C ar Insur anc e • Inc om e P rotection P lans

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