MANDATE TRADE UNION AUGUST 2020 SHOPFLOOR What Covid did from a societal perspective: it re-established the notion of community and solidarity and collectivism – sure they are the basic tenets of the trade union movement... GERRY LIGHT INTERVIEW P4&5 While my race is run, there are many more hard races facing retail and bar staff – together you can win... JOHN DOUGLAS STRAIGHT TALKING P2 NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES BEYONDSOME WORK IN RETAIL... THE CALL DEBENHAMS WORKERS’ Covid-19 coverage PAGES FIGHT FOR 2,13,14, OF DUTY 18,20, JUSTICE PAGES 2 30 & 38 & 4-11 NEWSCOVEROPINION STORY It’s time to clock out A farewell and a thank you to every shop worker and bar worker ON December 6th, 1979, I started Mandate Trade Union face a very Gerry Light will take over as General as a junior official for the Bar uncertain and challenging fu- Secretary and I wish Gerry all the Workers’ Union (Banba Hall) 20 STRAIGHT ture. Pressure on our sectors and best for the future. His background Parnell Square, Dublin 1. On Au- on the quality of jobs is being ex- as a grocery worker and shop stew- gust 21st, 2020, nearly 41 years TALKING erted from many quarters – ard in Quinnsworth will stand him later I will clock out as General Covid-19; Brexit; online shop- well. He has also put in the hard Secretary of Mandate Trade ping; and, of course, unscrupu- miles and never missed a game. For Union, Cavendish Row, Parnell John Douglas lous and exploitative employers. that reason, and many more, he is Square, Dublin 1. General Secretary, We on the workers’ side are at best placed to lead Mandate Trade To all of the union members I Mandate Trade Union a crossroads, we must choose Union during these uncertain times. have known, the shop stewards the right route. We need to plan While my race is run, there are and the activists who trained and to protect workers, their families many more hard races facing retail and their communities, and we assisted me, I would like to sin- every game, never feigned injury and and bar staff – together you can can only achieve this through cerely thank you for your friend- while we might not have won every win. strong trade unions and collec- ship and comradeship. You taught game I believe we always gave our I thank you again and now clock tive action when necessary. me about life, about work, about best. out. Yes, I am sure mistakes were made Together we are strong, so we decency and about struggle. Yours fraternally and possibly we could have achieved need to organise and mobilise. I have, on many occasions, been Every member of Mandate has in awe of workers who stepped up more, but I can honestly look back in John Douglas the mirror of life and say that we gave a responsibility – not only to to the plate at times of struggle themselves but to their fellow and conflict, the immense bravery it our all. For those who played on the same team and displayed the same workers, their families and their displayed by those who had little class – to ensure that every re- commitment and values, I truly thank to lose but everything to lose. tail and bar worker is in the you for your solidarity. My trade unionism was learned union. in the field with workers who be- It has been a privilege to have It is not the job of someone lieved in justice, fairness, a better worked for workers – something else to organise, it is all our re- society and who understood that which we should never forget nor sponsibility and only when these could only be achieved by take for granted. We must never be- workers and union officials un- collective struggle in a union. tray the trust that union members derstand this concept and the While we may not always have place in us as paid officials. We have power of collective organising, agreed on tactics, we were always but one responsibility – to be there can we truly challenge for de- on the same side. Personally I when we are needed. cency and justice at work and in turned up for every fixture, played Retail and bar workers and their society. You may be aware that

MANDATE TRADE UNION A S HOPFLOOR TRIBUTE JOHN DOUGLAS IN WORDS AND PICTURES PAGES 21-26 Shopfloor is published bi-monthly by Mandate Trade Union. Mandate Head Office, O'Lehane House, 9 Cavendish Row, Dublin 1 T: 01-8746321/2/3 F: 01-8729581 W: www.mandate.ie Design & Editing: Brazier Media E: [email protected] W:brazier.media Shopfloor is edited, produced and printed by trade union labour Retail workers should not have to police the wearing of masks in shops GENERAL Secretary John Douglas has “So it has to be done at the en‐ have a box of cheap masks that they hands and practise social distancing. claimed it would be “totally impracti‐ COVID-19 trances. Our members generally don’t could ask people to use if they forget I think people should do that at the cal” to expect shop workers to enforce work at the entrances and it would be their own mask. If some people very least.” the mandatory wearing of masks by impractical to expect them to go point‐blankly refuse, well, they won’t Douglas added that wearing a customers in retail outlets. CRISIS around a shop following people and be allowed in.” mask was a “small price to pay” to Speaking on Newstalk’s Lunchtime insisting they leave. He said though some people didn’t protect retail staff and customers and Live programme on August 6th, he “Our members certainly won’t be want to wear a mask when shopping, reminded listeners that employers “It certainly shouldn’t be shopping said instead shoppers should be asked chasing around supermarkets and de‐ what was more important was to do had a responsibility to provide a safe assistants who do this,” Douglas con‐ to wear face coverings at the en‐ partment stores and asking people to the right thing. working environment for their staff. tinued. “If a customer comes in and trances to shops and shopping cen‐ leave.” “There are people who do not want “That will require them to monitor tres, insisting that compliance should picks up a bottle of milk, a sliced pan Pointing out that most shops al‐ to comply, people who feel it is their effectively those entering the shops NOT be up to retail workers to police. loaf and their newspaper, it’s a bit late ready had sanitising stations, he said: own individual right to wear a mask and if the rule says you have to wear He claimed such a development when they get to the counter to tell “It’s not beyond the realms of possi‐ but ultimately it’s for the common a mask, then you have to wear a would be “a recipe for conflict and a them that they can’t shop and will bility that shopping centres, super‐ good,” he said. “The medical advice is mask. It’s important the employers recipe for disaster”. have to leave. markets and department stores will that we should wear them, wash our get this right.” 2 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEWS We will work tirelessly to secure just deal for Debenhams workers... IN A SPECIAL video message to great deal of effort into processing Debenhams workers, Mandate Gen‐ thousands of individual claims to the eral Secretary Designate Gerry Light Workplace Relations Commission for Retiring General Secretary John Douglas and his successor in the role, AGS Gerry Light, touch elbows to signify a handover outside O’Lehane House on Friday, August 21st, John’s last day as Mandate GS has given assurances that the union potential compensation arising out of would work “tirelessly” to secure a insufficient consultation before ter‐ better solution for members im‐ mination of employment. BROWN THOMAS/ARNOTTS pacted by the UK‐based retailer’s Light insisted that “nobody with move to close its chain of shops any sense” would argue that Deben‐ across the Republic. hams employees have not been He said shop stewards on the treated deplorably by their employer Meetings begin over union’s national representative group but pointed out that the retailer had were meeting regularly to raise the been able to do this “because the law public profile of the dispute and to of this state allows them”. agree on a range of actions. He claimed that because of this the Light said that a key part of “our state – as well as current and previ‐ redundancies shock ongoing fight for decency” was the ous governments – was “complicit” in use of industrial action already sanc‐ “this abuse of workers”. MANDATE officials held a prelimi‐ that information. Importantly, man‐ tioned by members but pointed out However, while welcoming new nary meeting on August 19th with agement also gave a commitment that success largely depended on “the Taoiseach Micheal Martin’s July 7th Brown Thomas/Arnotts manage‐ that no staff member would be made biggest participation possible from acknowledgment in the Dáil that ment to discuss the retailer’s August redundant until the consultation pro‐ among the members concerned”. Debenhams workers had been 13th announcement that it was seek‐ cess has been completed. To this end, it was essential mem‐ treated “very badly and very poorly”, ing 150 redundancies. Light continued: “We also raised bers continued to give as much sup‐ Light claimed that these would prove While describing the discussions concerns about the implications port as possible to pickets and Gerry Light: ‘Still much to play for’ to be “hollow words…if he and as “constructive”, union representa‐ these proposed redundancies would cautioned against any view that the his colleagues do not move tives did voice their concerns over have for those staff who remain in the dispute was over and that it was time particularly the pickets on quickly to follow them up how the announcement was handled. business. We wanted further clarifi‐ to move on. the various stores,” he with the introduction of General Secretary Designate Gerry cation about how the business envis‐ He said: “It is vitally important we added. meaningful and correc‐ Light told Shopfloor management had ages operating in the future, given the continue to support each other in Light said that along tive worker‐friendly leg‐ outlined the business rationale be‐ reduction in staffing numbers.” common purpose until we get to the with continuing cam‐ islation”. hind the decision, claiming there had Mandate also asked the company point that our collective efforts start paign initiatives, the In his message to been a drop both in sales and cus‐ to set out any alternatives to redun‐ to deliver something that is real and union was also giving as‐ Debenhams workers, tomer footfall. dancy. Light said: “Management meaningful. sistance to members affected Light underlined that there He added: “They also spoke of agreed to reflect on this and revert “Your union continues to fight on by the closures – from help in com‐ was “still much to play for”. changes to the structure of the com‐ back to us at the next scheduled behalf of each and every member that pleting statutory claim forms to en‐ “Now is not the time to back off in pany’s revenue stream, flagging up a meeting. was in employment on the day that gaging with government departments our efforts to get the best result rise in online sales over traditional “Given the genuine concern among Debenhams closed and we intend to on future career planning and welfare achievable for Debenhams workers. shop floor retailing.” staff about this development, both deliver for them. advice as well as lobbying to ensuring We must stay strong and united in the Mandate is seeking further finan‐ parties have agreed to meet to con‐ “There is a responsibility on every‐ members received full Pandemic Un‐ confidence that right will win out at cial clarification about this and the tinue discussions at the earliest op‐ one in this group to continue to sup‐ employment Payment Benefit. the end of the day and that justice will retailer is committed to providing portunity.” port the ongoing collective efforts, In addition, the union had put a be served.” DEBENHAMS LATEST Staff safety No1 priority Efforts continue to find resolution MANDATE has insisted that the health “both your obligations and those of and safety of staff and of the general your employer and the public”. AS SHOPFLOOR goes to press in late August, General ceived a written response from them. There seems to public must be the key consideration He continued: “When you return to Secretary Designate Gerry Light issued a special up- have been some human error involved in the calcula- in the phased re‐opening of public work please ensure that all the mea‐ date for members involved in the ongoing Debenhams tions presented by the Debenhams (DRIL) HR team and bars as lockdown restrictions ease. sures outlined in these guidelines are dispute. In particular, he wanted to scotch rumours that the legal advice initially received by the Liquidator.” The comments came in a June 25th followed. There can be no doubt that discussions seeking a resolution to the dispute – now He said these miscalculations had “rightly angered message to members of the union the return will be difficult and that well into its sixth month – had come to an end. members” and that union officials had subsequently “ex- from general secretary John Douglas. bar staff will be under pressure and Insisting that this was not the case, Light said: “I can pressed our dissatisfaction and frustration directly to “The number one consideration the working environment will be assure those involved in the dispute that discussions the Liquidator”. must be staff safety and the general very different for the foreseeable fu‐ are still ongoing. Debenhams workers were also told that Mandate public and we must all be guided by ture.” “I can appreciate in the absence of a proposal that along with ICTU had tabled a proposal to Junior Minister the medical advice of the day,” he said. Douglas also asked members to can be put to our members, it may look like all efforts Damien English seeking the introduction of new legis- lation along the lines of recommendations contained in Bars which serve a substantial meal contact Mandate head office – Tel: 01 to find a solution have ended – but significant amount the 2016 Duffy-Cahill review, itself put in place following (€9 or more) opened for bookings on – 8746321 – as soon as possible if they of time and effort is still being deployed behind the scenes to resolve this issue. However, it is true to say the 2015 Clerys dispute. June 29th but all the opening of other encountered any difficulties imple‐ Light said: “The main purpose of the legislation would bars – so‐called ‘wet bars’ – is still menting the guidelines. that the discussions remain complex and difficult.” He added: “Let me be clear, in the event that we reach be to ensure in the future no other workers could be under Government review. He said: “The Health and Safety Au‐ a point where we believe talks have broken down, this treated as deplorably as our members in Debenhams. “These re‐openings will be diffi‐ thority (Lo‐call 1890 289 389 or union will immediately inform the members of this. We have also offered a strong legally-based opinion re- cult,” Douglas cautioned, “and there www.hsa.ie) has been given extra re‐ Equally, if a proposal emerges we will move swiftly to garding the possibility of the new legislation being ret- are many limitations and obligations sources and they will be carrying out put it to a national ballot of all members.” rospectively applied to our members currently in on publicans, staff and the public compliance inspections on premises. The General Secretary Designate also addressed an dispute.” alike.” Referring to the Fáilte Ireland “Social distancing for staff and cus‐ issue that had come to light involving the miscalcula- And he emphasised that Mandate was continuing “in- Guidelines for re‐opening pubs June tomers and hygiene will be very im‐ tion of statutory payments due to members who tensive lobbying” behind the scenes and that any devel- 2020 – available at the following link portant. Training in new work worked at Debenhams. opments would be reported back to members. https://bit.ly/3hl5ilF – he called on mem‐ methods and procedures will be nec‐ Light said: “Upon learning about this, we immedi- bers to “familiarise” themselves with essary for all concerned.” ately contacted KPMG seeking an explanation and re- More coverage on pages 4,5,6,7,8 & 9 August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 3 THE BIG INTERVIEW: NEW GENERAL SECRETARY GERRY LIGHT Challenges and opportunities

MANDATE’s new General Secretary Gerry Light takes the helm of the union at a time of unprecedented tur‐ bulence in the retail sector and under the long shadow cast by the global pandemic. “In a word, it’s Covid,” he said. “This time last year it was on none of our in a post-Covid world... radars. None of us knew or expected its arrival but it has literally turned the world upside down and nobody has escaped it – no society, organisa‐ tion or movement has the potential of escaping it.” For Gerry, it has underlined the need for Mandate to evolve and deal with changing times: “If we stand still and ignore what’s going on around us, very quickly you would be rapidly managing your demise.” He made the comments in an in‐ depth interview with Shopfloor in the final week of friend and colleague John Douglas’ 15‐year tenure at the top of the union. And it has been a relationship that has been forged in trade union strug‐ gle since the 1980s. “Myself and John go back over 30 years in the trade union movement,” he said. “We were both heavily involved in the Irish Na‐ tional Union of Vintners and Grocers. You could say we’ve evolved together and I’d like to think it’s been a learn‐ ing experience for both of us.” Dedicated service Praising his “positive legacy”, Gerry said John had made a significant con‐ tribution to low paid and retail work‐ ers over 40 years of “sustained” loyal and dedicated service. And Gerry joked that a “pattern” was now developing: “This is the third job I am about to follow John into – first there was the branch offi‐ cial job in INUVGATA (Irish National Union of Vintners', Grocers' and Al‐ lied Trades Assistants), and then when he vacated the assistant gen‐ eral secretary role I followed him into very little in the way of surpluses knocking on the boss’s door and say‐ particular the upcoming all‐island that…” every year – all the money we get ing ‘Give me some more please’.” Fair Deal for Retail Workers docu‐ Even though both men were close, goes back into maintaining the staff “You have huge swathes of workers ment, which he describes as a “signif‐ Gerry admits they did have differing and services that we supply to the who are marginalised and not in icant piece of work” involving views on a number of issues but members – and that’s the way it trade unions. Acting as independent Mandate, SIPTU and Usdaw. strongly believes that the airing of should be. entities they are not going to be able “When we talk about organising those differences had a positive im‐ “With the loss of those members to improve their lot. It’s the job of workers, we need to look at ourselves pact on the direction of the union. you’re also losing a significant num‐ trade unions that we position our‐ – are we organised sufficiently to en‐ “I think that’s the essence of the re‐ ber of activists in various workplaces selves and make ourselves relevant sure that when we talk about effec‐ lationship,” he said. “We challenged so you have to start again, you have to across many issues – like the experi‐ tive organising in the workplace, are each other without having any fear of rebuild, you have to go out there and ence of how we led on workplace we as a movement creating the envi‐ insulting anybody or of suggesting refocus your organising efforts in the health and safety when it came to ronment where this can be done that their way wasn’t the right way. hope that the capacity of peer‐based Covid, for example. more effectively?” Of course, prob‐ We’ve done that very successfully I ‘Positive legacy’: John Douglas and Gerry Light organising is sufficient and strong Solidarity lems in the traditional retail sector think for the good of the union, for the last mass casualty – but you can’t enough to deliver in those different pre‐date Covid‐19 and he believes the members and – hopefully – for be sure.” locations.” “And this is one of the things I’m that the Government faces a chal‐ noticing now – what Covid did from a the good of the movement through The terrible personal cost suffered He added: “If you don’t do that, the lenge to “re‐evaluate the relation‐ societal perspective it re‐established the years.” by members who have lost their jobs problem becomes more sustained ship” between traditional bricks and the whole notion of community, soli‐ The first item of business when is not far from Gerry’s mind – he was and prolonged.” mortar retailers and their online darity and collectivism. Sure they are Gerry takes up his new role is – un‐ formerly National Chair of the Irish Gerry thinks the Covid‐19 crisis counterparts. surprisingly – dealing with the fallout has “blown the lid off” the whole the basic tenets of the trade union Gerry made this clear in a recent National Organisation of the Unem‐ from Covid‐19 – and the implications issue of low pay and precarious work movement!” meeting with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar, ployed (INOU) and for a while the Co‐ for retail workers and the union itself. and that it has highlighted the essen‐ He added: “I think it’s time for the who also holds the business and en‐ “We’ve had to deal with the biggest ordinator of the Connolly tial work carried out by retail work‐ trade union movement to look at it‐ terprise brief. He said: “There’s mass redundancy so far – the Deben‐ Unemployed Centre in the Liberties ers “who have been on the front line self and make sure it’s properly or‐ 260,000 workers involved in retail hams closure – and then there came area of Dublin – but as general secre‐ since day one”. ganised to deal with the many and what we’ve seen as a result of the announcement of Brown Thomas tary he also has to think of what the “If our members are classified as challenges facing it, including Covid.” Covid is a mass exodus to online for and Arnotts, the Dublin Airport Au‐ loss of revenue from subscriptions essential workers, why are they paid Organising is key and Gerry is fully obvious reasons. It was growing any‐ thority and others. That’s anything up will mean for the union and how that so little?” he asks. This is where behind the emphasis ICTU General way before Covid, but now the con‐ to 2,000 members gone – a lot of “gap is to be plugged”. unions can step in and say to those Secretary Patricia King has put on re‐ cern for a lot of bricks and mortar them good quality retail jobs. I’d like “We’re highly labour intensive [as a workers who are not unionised, juvenating the Private Sector Com‐ retailers is to what extent it might or to think that Debenhams would be union],” he points out. “We achieve “You’re not going to do it alone by mittee within Congress. He cites in might not return.” 4 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 In particular, he flags up the ‘volun‐ force after school but is proud of the tarist’ approach contained in the fact that in his thirties he returned to 1946 Industrial Relations Act which education and graduated with a de‐ has bedevilled employer‐union rela‐ gree in Industrial Relations and Trade tions ever since. He also suggests that Union Studies from the National Col‐ the problem has been exacerbated lage of Industrial Relations. further following the introduction of This journey has instilled in him a the 1990 Industrial Relations Act. real sense in the importance of life‐ He explained: “The voluntarist long education and why the union model was built on the assumption places such emphasis in the delivery that there would be meaningful en‐ of its progressive membership‐fo‐ gagement if workers exercised their cused training and development ac‐ right to join a union, and in the event tivities. of the issues not being resolvable But he cautions that there is now a they then moved into the state ma‐ “generational problem” which threat‐ chinery [Labour Court etc] that was ens trade unions. Those links – which provided to support it.” he dubs the “critical gap” – are gone. However, through the years legal “We’re now skipping generations – advisers to employers took a different the young people of today who we’re view and strictly interpreted the ‘vol‐ trying to reach out to, their parents untarist’ model as, ‘If we don’t want weren’t involved with the trade union to engage, we don’t have to’. This will movement. We’re likely moving into happen, Gerry believes, as long as the second generation [without employers “aided and abetted by the union links within the family] and likes of Ibec” fail to see “the bigger what is the consequence of that? picture,” adding, “Effectively in such Fewer and fewer people in the trade circumstances the constitutional union movement…” right to association is rendered In response, Gerry believes trade meaningless – why would it have unions must look at how they present been written [in the first place] if it themselves and reach out to young was going to be interpreted in this people – by focusing on what is im‐ narrow and restrictive way?” portant to them, such as environmen‐ Mandate has a long and proud his‐ tal and climate justice issues. tory of spearheading campaigns and Bridging that “critical gap” is not Gerry fully endorses that approach happening in the home, at school or but doesn’t want to adopt a “scatter‐ in the community, but he thinks the gun approach” to campaigning. message can be delivered more effec‐ tively through the use of new technol‐ Campaigns ogy and modern means of He said: “We’re going to do two or communication. three [campaigns] a year and we’re “I think we’re going to do this in‐ going to follow them – hopefully – to creasingly in front of the [com‐ And he thinks a sectoral approach a successful conclusion. There are puter/phone] screen and this reality is necessary to deal with the prob‐ two types of campaigns – issues has rapidly advanced because of lem: “You need all of the stakeholders that’s are directly related to the work‐ Covid. I’m now using Zoom as an or‐ – the businesses, the workers’ and place and then the broader social jus‐ ganising tool, holding online confer‐ their representatives, and of course tice campaigns – around issues such ences from home at 7 o’clock in the we need the Government around the as water, housing, health and educa‐ evening citing a recent meeting with table. We need to look at policies that tion for example. over 90 Tesco shop stewards present. facilitate the shift back to traditional “You don’t have to stretch these This approach helps overcome grow‐ bricks and mortar retail.” broader social campaigns out too far ing resistance from employers to pro‐ Gerry firmly believes that some‐ before they become directly relevant vide paid release for activists to thing has to be done to “rebalance the to our members.” attend union meetings. situation” between traditional high Gerry is also a big fan of what he “These represent new opportuni‐ street retailers and the “Amazons and terms “astute lobbying” and claims he ties of engaging and organising work‐ BooHoos of this world” and noted detects the obvious complexities in ers and young people. This is the type with interest the recent suggestion his recent interactions with the Coali‐ of technological approach we need to mooted by the UK Chancellor Rishi tion Government. maximise. I don’t think it’s necessar‐ Sunak of a possible tax on goods sold “I have told them how Mandate is ily about getting into the classroom online. going to operate under my watch as anymore – it’s about putting together One difficulty with the sectoral ap‐ general secretary. I said to them when appropriate short, snappy video and proach is that there is “too much sus‐ we set out a campaign we will come text messages for young people and picion and traditional hostility” on to each and every one of you – of all getting to the places that can assist in the part of some retailers towards political views – and we will give you their distribution working with bod‐ Mandate. “They don’t want to get into the opportunity to support us, then ies such as the National Youth Council that space with us,” Gerry admits. “I an member of a trade union.” is soon forgotten’ – that’s what it’s it’s up to you. We will highlight the of Ireland or USI.” would say to them, ‘I know you’re not The “plethora of supports” given by like when we mention Covid and how ones that want to work with us and Gerry concluded by re‐emphasis‐ comfortable coming into this space the Government to help businesses our members were out there on the equally the ones that don’t.” ing the vitally important role organ‐ but ultimately we don’t have the lux‐ make it through the Covid‐19 crisis is front line. Gerry comes from a strong working ising plays in recruiting new ury to hang on to all our outdated welcome, according to Gerry, as is the “You’d imagine when you sit down class background and this also in‐ members to the union. views and what happened in the past, new public awareness recognising in front of some of them that Covid forms his approach to getting “It is the life blood of everything we this is very much about the future. It the valuable contributions made by was over, it’s gone, it’s behind us but younger people involved in union ac‐ do – whether it’s ‘organising the or‐ could be very much to your detriment retail workers on the front line. How‐ we have to remind them we’re still tivism. “I know where I got my trade ganised’ – our existing members – or if you hang on to those views’.” If ever, with these support comes obli‐ very much in the midst of it.” union values,” he said. “I got them organising for growth purposes. nothing else you owe it to your work‐ gations there should be no State Gerry acknowledges that the from my father and my close‐knit “If you do the first one well, the sec‐ ond one will naturally follow.” ers to make an effort. money without a commitment to fair banded hours legislation – the Em‐ family. I was born and reared in the He added: “I don’t think the act of Part of this new sectoral approach work practices. ployment (Miscellaneous Provisions) North Inner City of Dublin in the stan‐ – to be flagged up in the Fair Deal Act 2018 – which came into effect last dard two‐up, two‐down Corporation organising falls to any particular document – will be about what he Contributions March was a big win for Mandate, its house. My family were metal workers grade or function within the union. It termed “additional obligations” that Gerry thinks some retail bosses are members in Dunnes, and for all work‐ in CIE, as it was at the time up in is all of our responsibility. Our job as will be placed on bricks and mortar not still not valuing the contributions ers throughout the state. Inchicore in Dublin, and my father staff in the union is to facilitate the ac‐ retailers over how they treat work‐ made by their workers and has noted “Every worker now has a right to was involved and he was a shop stew‐ tivists on the ground in doing this.” ers. He said: “We need to rebalance that Covid‐19 is actually now being go and demand from their employer ard. You get your values from some‐ Notwithstanding the significant the pitch between traditional and used by a small minority as an excuse the hours that they work on average where – it comes from a combination challenges that lie ahead Gerry is con‐ new. There’s also the sense of obliga‐ for lower pay awards in wage negoti‐ over a given reference period,” he of your community, your upbringing fident that working collaboratively tion that comes if you’re an employer ations. said. But Gerry thinks the whole area and from your parents and friends.” together, the members, activists and and that is about a commitment to “Employers are not going to put of how employers interact with trade Gerry attended Brunswick Street staff of the union can maintain Man‐ fair work practices – at its core that’s their hands in their pockets to recog‐ unions – in terms of recognising CBS (The Brunner) for his primary date at the forefront of the Irish trade about ensuring workers have a right nise that through a financial award,” workers’ rights to be represented – and secondary education and like union movement delivering for its to meaningfully and fully vindicate Gerry said. “In pay negotiations now, needs serious legislative develop‐ many from the area where he grew members on matters of importance their constitutional entitlement to be you know the old saying, ‘eaten bread ment. up he went straight into the work‐ to them and their families. August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 5 NEWS DEBENHAMS FACTFILE: 10,000 Stop the fudge: implement Duffy-Cahill now Estimated total years

MANDATE has called on the govern‐ movement four years on and in the legal provisions surrounding collec‐ more than four years now. We’re not of service given to ment coalition parties to “stop the light of Debenhams’ closure of its tive redundancies and the liquidation short of evidence on this matter, Debenhams by their fudge” and fully implement recom‐ chain of stores across the Republic in of companies effectively protect the we’re short of action,” said Forbes. mendations contained in the 2016 April, Mandate National Coordinator rights of workers.” “These workers and other workers workforce in Irish Republic Duffy‐Cahill report. Brian Forbes said the new adminis‐ But as Forbes pointed out this re‐ who will face a similar situation in the The report, a review of employee tration’s programme for government view has already been carried out in future are being thrown under a bus protection legislation, followed the failed miserably to address the issue the Duffy‐Cahill report. so that Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the 1,239,000 shameful way Clerys workers were of companies transferring assets “The Duffy‐Cahill report was con‐ Green Party can form an anti‐worker treated when the landmark de‐ from one business to another ducted because of the way workers in government again.” Estimated number of partment store in central to avoid their responsibili‐ Clerys were treated, not to mention He added: “We’re calling on all items of stock (excluding Dublin went into liquidation ties to workers. how the La Senza, Game, HMV, Con‐ three government coalition parties to in June 2015. The programme for nolly Shoes and the Paris Bakery stop the fudging and commit to im‐ cosmetics), worth €23m, Expressing “extreme dis‐ government did promise workers were treated. plementing the findings of the Duffy‐ left in 11 closed stores appointment” at the lack of to “review whether the “It has been sitting on a shelf for Cahill report as soon as possible.”

SOLIDARITY MUSICAL BACKING

Activist’s front-line footage NORTHERN Irish trade union activist Peter McGregor Peter interviewed Debenhams worker Carmel (above left) gave an emotive on-the-spot report from a (above) at the scene. Carmel told him that she and her Mandate picket line at the loading bay at Debenhams colleagues had been standing together on the picket Henry Street store in Dublin on July 8th. lines for 14 weeks and that their aim was to secure a Posting on Unite Hospitality NI’s Facebook page, “proper redundancy”. Peter said Debenhams had “completely screwed the Carmel insisted that business in Debenhams had workers over and left them out in the open,” and that been good leading up to the lockdown. “The 11 stores Terry Boyle came up from Strabane with a guitar in his hand to join the July 10th protest outside management had shown a “blatant disregard for the here in the Republic were doing brilliantly,” she said. Debenhams Foyle Street store in Derry. He entertained those on the picket line and passers-by livelihood of their staff”, claiming they had taken “op- “Actually, maybe on a Saturday, we would outdo the with a rendition of Labbi Siffre’s Something Inside So Strong. Pictured in the background is portunistic layoffs to the max during the Covid crisis”. [Debenhams] Oxford Street [store] in London.” another man from Strabane, Mandate National Coordinator Brian Forbes... DERRY PICKET ‘We’re not going to let the bosses

DEBENHAMS workers from across the UK parent company. Douglas said: “I have to commend Ireland protested outside the UK re- Valerie Conlon, who worked at these workers for standing up and tailer’s Foyle Street store in Derry the company’s Patrick Street store fighting back against the despica- on July 10th in Cork for 24 years, told Shopfloor: ble way they were treated. They’ve They wanted to make northern “We are not going to let this com- travelled to Belfast and Derry, shoppers aware of the “despicable” pany just walk away and not pay. they’ve protested outside the Dáil, way the company had treated its We’ve given decades of service and they’ve stood on picket lines across staff south of the border. helped make huge profits for the country and they’re not going More than 1,000 Debenhams Debenhams so for them to just to back down. workers in 11 stores across the Re- abandon their responsibilities is a “These workers have a combined public were notified in early April disgrace.” service of more than 10,000 years. that they’d lost their jobs after the She added: “We made everyone They deserve a satisfactory resolu- company sought to go into liquida- aware of how Debenhams treats its tion to this dispute and the com- tion. workers. If they can do this to us and pany knows what it needs to do. Pay The company hadn’t set aside get away with it, how do we know it the workers the redundancy they funds to pay the workers their won’t be the workers in Derry are owed. If they don’t, Mandate will One of a number of protests staged outside Debenhams outlets across England in support of the agreed redundancy packages, hav- next?” continue to support the workers as shameful treatment meted out to the UK-based retailer’s workforce in the Republic of Ireland ing transferred valuable assets to Mandate General Secretary John they campaign for justice.” 6 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEWS BELFAST PICKET Protesting up North... DEBENHAMS workers from the Re‐ public angered by the way they have been treated by their employer took a message of defiance north of the border on June 17th. With chants of ‘No Way! You can’t walk away and not pay!’ the delega‐ tion staged a protest outside the re‐ tailer’s flagship store on Royal Avenue in Belfast. National Coordinator Brian Forbes, Message of defiance: Debenhams workers Laura Conroy (left) and Jane Crowe (above). ‘Honour deal’: Mandate Divisional Organiser Keith Pollard (below) who was at the protest, described how Debenhams workers in the All Debenhams south had been left “high and dry” by their bosses. management have “They liquidated the company and to“ do is to abide by their closed down 11 stores and they gave the workers absolutely nothing,” he own collective agreement said. We have been left with very few over redundancies. That’s alternatives other than to bring our battle to the recently‐reopened all these workers Debenhams stores in the North. We don’t want to do it, but when a com‐ are asking for... pany treats its workers this way, we won’t be found wanting in seeking to proper redundancy. We’re not asking the Covid [emergency] we had achieve a satisfactory resolution for ” for a phenomenal amount – just packed up all the valuable stock our members.” four weeks which is a statutory – the Wranglers, Levis, jew‐ He added: “All Debenhams man‐ [payout] plus two weeks.” ellery and cosmetics – be‐ agement have to do is to abide by Doreen Keegan, also a cause we were told about their own collective agreement in re‐ worker at the Henry Street [fears over] looting. lation to redundancies. That’s all store, said they had made “We think this was a these workers are asking for.” the trip north “to highlight pack of lies because they Jane Crowe, a shop steward at the what is going on down wanted us to get out all Henry Street store in Dublin, said the south”. the valuable stock. We are company had left workers with Her colleague Laura Conroy, now protesting at the loading “nothing at all”. with Debenhams for 18 years, said: bay and the front of the shop [in Mandate Divisional Organiser an agreed redundancy package in She explained: “The company sis‐ “We got notified on Holy Thursday Henry Street] from early to late. Keith Pollard said the protest had place for the 1,000 Debenhams work‐ phoned off all our assets, including that our jobs were OK and then a few We’re going to keep going. We’re here been brought to the Royal Avenue ers in the Republic of Ireland and the leases and debenhams.ie over to weeks after we were told they were today because this is not the end. store in Belfast “to let the company we’re here to make sure the company the UK. The debenhams.ie is worth gone by a generic email. We’re going to keep going until we know that we will not be going down honour and pay up on that commit‐ millions and would pay us an actual “Before we finished up because of get what we deserve.” without a fight”. He added: “There is ment.” walk away & not pay’

And Douglas had a strong mes- government with the support of Fi- sage for the new government in the anna Fáil refused to pursue that Bill, Republic. He said: “Three years ago, but they’ve now been given a sec- on the back of the Clerys, Paris Bak- ond opportunity to implement the ery and La Senza debacle, the Pro- Bill after Louise O’Reilly TD tabled tection Of Employees (Collective an updated version of the Bill.” Redundancies) Bill 2017 was tabled Douglas added: “Taoiseach by David Cullinane TD. Micheál Martin is on record as say- “It would’ve resolved many of ing that Debenhams ‘should do the the issues Debenhams workers are right thing’. Well, so should his gov- facing today including allowing the ernment. No more excuses. Stop High Court to return assets which wasting time with more unneces- have been improperly transferred sary reviews and legislate to ensure out of the business and giving pref- this never happens again. erential creditor status to employ- “Otherwise when workers find ees – allowing workers faster access themselves in this situation in the to their entitlements. coming months and years, they’ll “Unfortunately that Fine Gael know exactly who is to blame.” August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 7 NEWS CAN YOU SPOT YOURSELF?

Lockdown won’t keep us down... Ireland’s first virtual protest

ALMOST 500 people took part in Ireland’s first while the company filed for liquidation. both the company and to politicians that this nor engage in normal industrial relations activ‐ ever virtual protest – an online call for ‘Justice The workers, some of whom had given more despicable treatment of workers is completely ities. We even saw how gardai recently pre‐ for Debenhams workers’ – on Wednesday, April than 30 years service, being originally em‐ unacceptable. Debenhams workers deserve jus‐ vented some of the workers from protesting 29th. ployed under the Roches Stores brand, were tice and no worker should have to go through outside their store, so we have had to come up The rally, hosted by Mandate and online cam‐ told they would only receive their statutory en‐ this process.” with new and innovative ways of making our paigning group Uplift, took place on Zoom and titlements. Slamming the actions of the retailer, Douglas voices heard.” followed a series of protests outside shuttered Mandate General Secretary John Douglas de‐ added: “We believe the company sought Siobhan O’Donoghue, Director of Uplift, Debenhams outlets across the Republic. scribed public support for the Debenhams to enter the liquidation process during said: “Despite the Covid‐19 lockdown Around 1,000 Debenhams workers lost their workers as “phenomenal” and praised in partic‐ the Covid‐19 crisis because it pre‐ we refused to stand on the sidelines jobs on April 9th after management informed ular members of the public who logged on to vented the workers from being able and watch people who work in staff in an email that 11 of their stores in the Re‐ join the April 29th virtual protest. to negotiate effectively. Debenhams be mistreated and de‐ public of Ireland were “not expected to reopen” He said: “A very strong message was sent to “They couldn’t attend meetings nied their rights as workers.”

What has happened Backing from anti-Apartheid strike heroes the Debenhams workers“ is atrocious. THE Dunnes Stores anti‐Apartheid Some workers have given strikers have backed Debenhams workers in their bid to secure im‐ decades of service to the proved redundancy payouts and on their campaign to change current leg‐ company and then, islation to stop something similar when it suits, the happening to other employees. Speaking on 19th July – 36 years to company just the day after the Dunnes workers abandons them... began their three‐year battle for their right to refuse to handle South as the Paris Bakery and Clerys, but African goods – Karen Gearon, shop similar situations occurred” in La steward during the epic stoppage, Senza, HMV, Game and Connolly said the Debenhams workers were an Shoes, where the company walks inspiration to all workers facing in‐ away with the assets and the work‐ justice in Ireland and abroad. ers are left seeking redundancy pay‐ She said: “What has happened the ments off the state.” Debenhams workers is atrocious. He added: “The solution isn’t that Some workers have given decades of difficult to understand – implement service to the company and then, the findings of the Duffy‐Cahill re‐ when it suits, the company just aban‐ port and ensure that workers are dons them. Kate Gearon (fourth from left), shop steward at Dunnes during the three-year anti-Apartheid strike in the 1980s, at the Debenhams picket line in Tralee seen as preferential creditors and “But what is inspirational is the fact prevent companies from transfer‐ the workers are trying to change leg‐ ordinary retail workers didn’t have 1,000 Debenhams workers. Imagine Coordinator for Campaigns, told ring assets out of the business. islation to protect all other workers the power to change legislation. Well, the changes they can force if they Shopfloor: “We’ve seen this type of “We would also like to see the liq‐ from this terrible predicament.” 10 of us stuck to our guns and we stick together in their trade union.” thing happening again and again and uidation process recognise collec‐ Gearon added: “When we started forced the Irish government to ban all Mandate has been calling for legisla‐ the government keeps kicking cans tively agreed redundancy our pickets on this day in 1984, peo‐ South African goods. tive change on this issue since 2013. down the road. agreements as part of a worker’s en‐ ple told us we couldn’t win. They said “There were only 10 of us, there are Brian Forbes, Mandate’s National “We’ve had high‐profile cases such titlement.” 8 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEWS

Hats off to them! Debenhams workers on the picket line in Galway on August 1st marked the Galway Races – closed to the public this year due to Covid-19 concerns – by sporting a range of stylish headgear and fashionable fascinators... SOLIDARITY They are some fighters! URGING people to “go down and say hello” to Debenhams workers on the picket lines, supporter Michelle Byrne posted this selfie (right) of her with the gallant “gals” doing their duty outside the Waterford store on a rainy August 5th morning. Posting on the Stand With Debenhams Workers Face‐ book page, she wrote: “It’s lashing rain but the gals are still out every day, every morning and there’s no shelter at the back of the Debenhams store in Waterford. Front-line fun: The Olive branch! “It’s been 118 days now I believe since they were let go HAVE Debenhams bosses not yet ‘twigged’ on to just and they’re still waiting on their last pay cheque, their holi‐ who they are up against? Blanchardstown Debenhams days, and – of course – their redundancies! worker Olive decided to camouflage herself with a branch for ‘special ops’ duties on the picket line in “Go down and say hello to them or to your own nearest Blanchardstown on July 30th, and posted this fun store, it’s been a long time for them to keep the fight going video, inspired by Mission Impossible, on the Stand and their motivation up. With Debenhams Workers Facebook page. “I dropped in before work this morn for an hour. I’m on Olive gets our special Shopfloor thumbs-up for my way., but the Debenhams workers are down there in her morale-boosting efforts on the front line! the lashing rain still. They are some fighters!” Check out https://bit.ly/3gHb5C4 PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT Debenhams workers ‘thrown under the bus’ MANDATE has claimed Debenhams wo rkers we re “thrown under the bus” by the government after it was revealed the new administra- tion’s five-year plan ‘Our Shared Future’ contains little that will stop businesses transferring assets to avoid obligations to their wo rk- force. In early April, UK-based retailer Debenhams announced that it was closing its operations south of the border with the loss of 1,000 jobs. Mandate National Coordinator Brian Forbes said: “These wo rkers have a combined service of 10,000 years and yet the company feels it can transfer valuable assets to the New coalition government’s ‘Our Shared Future’ UK while refusing these wo rkers and (right) Debenhams workers on the picket redundancy pay. Well, they won’t line at the Henry Street store in Dublin get away with it.” in Clerys were treated, not to men- He said that De benhams wo rkers tion how the La Senza, Game, HMV, – and their union, Mandate – were Connolly Shoes and the Paris Bak- “extremely disappointed” in the ery workers were treated. programme for gove rnment “The Duffy-Cahill report has even though it promised been sitting on a shelf for to “review whether the more than four years now. legal provisions sur- We’re not short of evi- rounding collective re- dence on this matter, dundancies and the we’re short of action.” liquidation of compa- Forbes continued: nies effectively protect “These workers and other the rights of wo rkers.” workers who will face a simi- He added: “We’re calling on all out that Debenhams was still trad- parent company in the UK, which But Forbes pointed out that lar situation in the future are three parties to stop the fudging ing in Ireland under its Deben- are also worth millions. such a review has already been car- being thrown under a bus so that and commit to implement the find- hams.ie brand. “A decent employer wouldn’t do ried out “It’s called the Duffy-Cahill Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the ings of the Duffy-Cahill report as “This brand is which is worth that, but a decent legislative sys- report,” he said, “and it was con- Green Party can form an anti- soon as possible.” millions,” he explained, “and the re- tem wouldn’t allow it to be done in ducted because of the way wo rkers worker government again.” Meanwhile, Forbes also pointed tailer also transferred leases to its the first place.” August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 9 NEWS

RTE reporter interviews a Debenhams worker outside the Henry Street store on July 18th during a rally to mark 100 days of fighting for justice

Mandate General Secretary John Douglas speaks to strikers on Henry Street

Resolute: Workers on the July 10th picket line in Waterford (above), and (left and below) young and old alike support the Debenhams workers!

Unity is strength: Workers on picket line duty in Galway on July 11th (above), and (below) striking Debenhams workers at the Square, Tallaght, on July 17th

10 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEWS BRIEFING THE POLITICIANS... Bank of Ireland picket protests DEBENHAMS workers protested out‐ side a number of branches of the Bank of Ireland on Friday, 26th June as part of their campaign to win redundancy payouts from the UK‐based retailer after it ceased operations in the Re‐ public. The afternoon protests were held at locations across Dublin and in Water‐ ford, Tralee, Limerick, Cork and Gal‐ way. In April, more than 1,000 Debenhams workers south of the bor‐ der were notified by email that they Mandate shop steward Valerie Conlon (second right) brought two of her Debenhams colleagues would have no jobs to return to after – all constituents of Taoiseach Micheál Martin – to the Dáil to impress upon him the need to the Covid‐19 pandemic had passed. secure a just settlement for Debenhams workers. Both Debenhams stores in Cork closed in April The company transferred valuable assets out of the country before seek‐ ing liquidation, severely limiting the chance workers had of obtaining re‐ dundancy payments. Mandate National Coordinator for Campaigns Brian Forbes said the Debenhams move had wreaked huge devastation and vowed the issue would not go away until the workers had achieved a satisfactory outcome. He told Shopfloor: “We are publicly calling on Bank of Ireland as part of the Celine UK ownership structure to do the right thing by these workers with‐ out any further delay.” Celine UK is a mix of banks DEBENHAMS workers through their union, Mandate, have continued to and US hedge funds, such as press for a just and satisfactory resolution to their dispute on a range Barclays, Bank of Ireland, of fronts, following the closure in April of the UK-based retailer’s chain Silver Point and Golden‐ of stores in the Republic. Tree, and Forbes claimed Above: June 26th Bank of Ireland protest in Limerick. Below: The Debenhams Rat joined the Bank of Ireland protest on College Green in Dublin City centre on June 26th. Mandate On July 22nd, workers held a number of separate meetings with po- it could “well afford a fi‐ members on the picket line wanted to thank Colm Kinsella of Unite who kindly brought litical parties to argue their case and spoke with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar nancial resolution to this along the inflatable rodent for the day. Bottom: Debenhams workers protest outside the (above) as well as Sinn Fein (below) and Labour Party representatives matter”. Tallaght branch of the Bank of Ireland (bottom). He continued: “Given Describing the meetings as “positive”, a Mandate spokesperson told that Bank of Ireland previ‐ Shopfloor: “After we had set out our views about how this dispute could ously received a €4.8 billion state be resolved, all the parties we met expressed their commitment to con- bailout and is currently 14% state‐ tinue to work diligently to securing that objective.” owned they should use their position within the ownership structure of Debenhams UK to help resolve this nightmare scenario for Irish workers seeking a fair redundancy payment. “These loyal workers, year on year, helped to generate significant profits for the Debenhams owners and it is morally incumbent upon the Bank of Ireland to act now in a responsible and positive manner to help these workers achieve a fair and reasonable resolu‐ tion to this dispute. “If the owners of Debenhams UK be‐ lieve they can treat these workers with such disrespect and walk away from it, they can think again. Bank of Ireland has a moral responsibility to ensure a just settlement for these workers who are very much prepared for a tough fight to achieve justice and so is their trade union.”

August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 11 NEWS CONGRESS ‘Upset caused’ payout for Mandate member over job termination Covid payments A MANDATE member working for security firm Se‐ any form of consultation or engagement he was in‐ case was the fact that Declan had less than one cure All Security Group who had his contract ter‐ formed in writing by the employer that his contract year’s service and thus didn’t have the more robust minated in October 2018 due to “company was terminated. legislative protections of the Unfair Dismissal Act. extension for downsizing” has been awarded compensation fol‐ “The employer cited ‘company downsizing’ as “That said, as a Mandate member, who regularly lowing an adjudication at the Workplace Relations the reason for the termination, but failed to demon‐ contributes to and attends our community‐linked Commission. strate in any way why and how Declan was the only efforts in Mayo ¬– such as the 2018 Organise for non-nationals In her recommendation, the WRC Adjudication employee selected for termination of contract.” €15 campaign in the Castlebar Celtic Football Club; Officer awarded the sum to Declan Nally because the 2019 quiz night fundraiser for victims of do‐ of “the unique circumstances of the case” as well as Business case mestic violence; and the 2020 pre‐General Election welcomed for the “upset caused”. Mandate successfully argued that in keeping ‘Sleep Out’ to raise awareness about homelessness She found there was an “absence of any evidence with good employment practice, Secure All Secu‐ – we owed it to Declan to give him a dig out under ICTU General Secretary Patricia King of any procedure” and indeed of what criteria was rity Group had failed to engage with Nally to ex‐ these circumstances. has welcomed as “positive and sensi‐ being used in the termination of Nally’s employ‐ plain the business case that lay behind his “Using the less‐robust and voluntarist Industrial ble” confirmation that Covid‐19 pay‐ ment. contract’s termination. Relations Act, we won Declan some compensation ments – enhanced illness benefit and Welcoming the decision, North and West Divi‐ Campbell continued: “Worse, the company failed that, while it took nearly five months to get the em‐ pandemic unemployment payment – sional Organiser Ciaran Campbell explained: “De‐ to provide material evidence that it had downsized. ployer to honour, it gives Declan some crumbs of will be made available to workers in clan’s case was very unfortunate in that without Really, the only thing going for the company in this comfort for his loyalty to the union.” direct provision centres and other non‐national workers. She made the comments following SOLIDARITY REDUNDANCIES a meeting with senior Government officials on August 9th. “This is a positive and sensible de‐ Debenhams workers velopment,” King said. “Congress has long been concerned at the plight of migrant workers. This is an impor‐ tant acknowledgement of the rights draw the support of of those residing in direct provision centres to full access to payments.” She added that Congress would continue to press for reform of the di‐ folk legend Christy... rect provision system and for better care of vulnerable families in the care of the State.

Bombing of Nagasaki Picture: Public Domain Jobs decimated: Marks & Spencer in Oxford Street, London Picture: Ewan Munroe (CC BY-SA 2.0) Ireland ratifies 7,000 M&S jobs to go in the UK SHOPWORKERS union Usdaw has And, as Shopfloor goes to press, UN nuke treaty called for urgent talks with British gov‐ Marks & Spencer confirmed the job ernment ministers in a bid to ‘help save losses are confined to its UK opera‐ CONGRESS has welcomed Ireland’s the high street’. tions. ratification of the UN Treaty on the The call came as Marks & Spencer Usdaw National Officer Dave Gill de‐ Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons announced plans to slash 7,000 jobs scribed the announcement as “yet an‐ (TPNW) which came as the world from its network of stores across the other devastating blow for M&S staff” marked the 75th anniversary of the UK. It’s thought roughly 12% of the re‐ and “another bombshell for the high bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki tailer’s 60,000 staff there will face re‐ street”. in early August. dundancy. “The [UK] Government has a clear Congress International Develop‐ M&S said it was acting to reflect a choice; do they want to see the high ment Officer David Joyce said: “The "material shift" in trading caused by street go to the wall, or do they want to world simply must be rid of all the Covid‐19 pandemic as it also re‐ help save it?” he added. weapons of mass destruction, both vealed a steep drop in sales. for security today and for future gen‐ erations. “That is why support for the Non‐ Proliferation Treaty is so vital, and ‘Appalling way to treat staff’ as Debenhams UK announces 2,500 job losses why all countries should ratify the BRITISH shopworkers’ union Usdaw has called devastating news for staff who have been working payer will have to pick up the bill for what is owed treaty to ban all nuclear weapons.” for urgent talks with Debenhams’ administrators under the threat of store closures and job losses to sacked staff because administrators are delib‐ He added: “It is a very welcome de‐ as 2,500 shop and warehouse jobs across the UK for some time, having seen the company go into erately flouting the law. It's absolutely disgraceful velopment therefore that Ireland has are set to be axed. administration. that businesses can get away with this sort of tac‐ ratified the TPNW, reflecting the “We have been contacted by members who say tic in the 21st century.” country’s concern for the terrible The union expressed deep concern that the necessary consultation processes [that apply they are being made redundant by conference Gill also called on the administrators to engage consequences of nuclear weapons.” call, with no meaningful consultation or with the union and insisted that it was “cru‐ under UK law] did not take place and, as The 2017 UN Treaty on the Prohi‐ proper notice period, as required by [UK] cial” that the voices of Debenhams staff be bition of Nuclear Weapons has al‐ Shopfloor goes to press, are preparing a legal chal‐ law. That is an appalling way to treat heard and that they be treated “within the ready been ratified by 40 countries, lenge on behalf of members affected. Usdaw Na‐ staff. Yet again it is appears that the tax‐ law and with the dignity they deserve”. and will come into force when 50 tional Officer David Gill said: “This is moreSupporters from other unions show solidarity with striking countries have ratified it. 12 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 OPINION We won’t accept crumbs from high table any more

WE ARE now over six months into from choose to make use of this new-found allows them to be properly repre- a global health crisis that can accu- the elevated sense of value bestowed on sented in the workplace by a trade rately be described as represent- VIEW SHOPFLOOR retail workers in our society. Too many union of their choice? ing the most unprecedented times in the past our claims for decent The sad reality is the vast majority restriction on economic and social wages were rebutted by employer of retail workers do not enjoy these life ever experienced in our life- General Secretary Designate after employer on the basis that the re- basic entitlements because they ac- times. Gerry Light Mandate Trade Union ward for our members’ contribution, cept what they have been told by Among the many troubling as- talents and skills could only be deter- employers – that their work is some- For the last number of years we pects of this are the dual unknowns mental health by going to work in mined solely by the market. how less important when compared have been trying to grapple with the order to serve the public in what is of whether the great sacrifices we Current circumstances are now de- with others. challenges created by the rapid now considered an “essential service”. have endured through these months manding that going forward we listen We must never forget the vast changes taking place in the wo rld of of lockdown will have a meaningful Heroes – including retail workers – to not only the market but also to so- retail. profits generated by shop workers effect in the long run and, if they do, were found a-plenty during this epic ciety in determining the true value of A combination of new technology, for these retail companies. Let’s see when are we likely to see a full return struggle to fight off the ravages of this the services provided by our mem- online shopping and Brexit were which employer – if any – is the first to normality. unseen virus. bers. enough to cause massive disruption Never let us shy away from remind- to step forward and say they are pre- but, since Covid-19, some retail opera- ing everyone of the critical role Higher value pared to accept these basic condi- tions for their workers going forward. tions – and particularly ‘bricks and played by members of this union in Whether knowingly or not, through mortar’ stores – have been decimated maintaining civil order through the their actions and words, society – and You see, all of the fine words of to the point of total shutdown, such as simple but critical task of keeping our indeed Government – have placed a recognition coming from retail busi- Debenhams, while other companies people fed. higher value on retail work. nesses at the moment will be seen as are precariously close to cutting jobs The main priority of this union was Who amongst us, and I include em- no more than hollow platitudes if and facing the prospect of possible to ensure that we remained ‘on the ployers in this, would dare argue that they are not translated into positive eventual closure. pitch’ to help our members through a retail worker is not as a minimum en- action. The impact on our members’ lives the pandemic’s early dark days. Struc- titled to a starting hourly rate of Ironically, the Covid-19 crisis has al- has been equally destructive. Thou- turally we had to adapt the way we €12.30, which is the current recog- lowed retail workers to come out of sands sat patiently at home for worked but, make no mistake about it, nised living wage, and the aspirational the shadows. No longer as a society months unable to attend work whilst Mandate remained open for business starting point on our Charter for Retail can we allow them to be considered having to face the ongoing strug- throughout and continues to maintain 2020 pay-scale? a second-level workforce, happy to gle of making ends meet due to a the best service it possibly can to our Are these workers not also entitled accept crumbs from the high table. dramatic and almost instanta- members, who need us now more to see their hourly rate rise on an an- Their time has come. They ask no neous reduction in their earning than ever. nual basis in accordance with their ser- more than a just reward for their power. Never has the notion of solidarity vice as well as being guaranteed a labour not only during times of na- The so-called “lucky ones” who found a deeper and more meaningful sufficient number of weekly hours? tional crisis but also during times of suffered no financial loss faced a sense of importance and purpose. Furthermore, should they not be af- normality – surely they deserve real threat to their physical and Equally as important is how we forded the basic human dignity which nothing less.

THINKING OUT LOUD... VIEWPOINT Is this a risk worth taking? AS WE citizens march bravely, skeptically, ten‐ tatively – or if you’re an Irish government min‐ Brian ister, stumbling ineptly – into an all‐too‐near uncertain future under the deadly sword of Forbes Covid‐19, then perhaps we should look for‐ ward to the inherent potential dangers that lie ahead for our families and our communities. I’m pretty confident that parents across the country would happily send their children back to school when all our politicians decide And did he do some “risk assessment” of his themselves to fully return to their own place own before he was thrust inexplicably into an of work, Dáil Éireann. important government role from a previous When our politicians are back safely en‐ position of relative obscurity? sconced and sitting cheek by jowl in the Dáil, By down‐playing the dangerousness of this then I’d hazard an educated guess that it’ll be virus with too‐casual comparisons to the likes more than likely safe enough for our own pre‐ of driving or playing hurling, he runs the risk cious kids to return to school. of normalising what isn’t normal – i.e. a life‐ threatening and deadly virus. Minister Stephen Donnelly when inter‐ viewed recently on TV strangely equated In saying that though, there is an argument Covid‐19 to normal everyday sporting and to be made that hurling is a sport played by driving activities. homicidal maniacs! It certainly doesn’t kill peo‐ ple indiscriminately though. He commented that playing sport and driv‐ ing a car were calculated risks that we take Taxpayers’ money each day and made a direct analogy to the It is also interesting to note that taxpayers’ deadly virus as a similar daily risk we simply money is being used to the tune of €25,000 a need to manage. day to rent the Convention Centre Dublin so that our elected politicians can feel safe in their The fact that a global health pandemic which CEO job. threatens the lives of our children and their Meanwhile, from their safe temporary haven families was so casually reduced to a “risk as‐ pay: of a workplace, they make calculated risk as‐ sessment” is jaw dropping. sessments which order the return of our chil‐ a nice This arguably quite dangerous analogy dren and their teachers to the confines of a comes from a Minister who told anyone who school environment during a global health pan‐ little would care listen to him that he would never demic that hasn’t gone away and continues to earner join Fianna Fáil just before joining the Soldiers take many lives. of Destiny. It’s perhaps a risk to life not worth taking! Page 19 August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 13 NEWS REMOTE WORKING Mandate calls Kavanagh Group offer Review needed to reflect new to staff ‘inequitable in the extreme’ modes of work tential risk that staff who are Covid‐ THE Irish Congress of Trade Unions 19 positive might not call in sick in has called on the Government to COVID-19 commit to a review of employment the first place for fear of losing wages. This obviously has a potentially dan‐ legislation to ensure protections for CRISIS gerous contagion impact on cus‐ remote working are fit for purpose tomers and the wider public.” in the post‐Covid world of work. Following the survey nearly 200 Speaking ahead of the publication THE Kavanagh Group has improved of a new ICTU guide on the issue, its recognition and reward scheme workers signed a petition calling on the company to improve its offer and Social Policy Officer, Dr Laura Bam‐ offer to staff working through the brick said: “Workers’ hard‐won to ensure that all staff received equal Covid‐19 emergency – which Man‐ rights must be preserved when and fair recognition for their work date claims came about as a result of working from home. Protections “workers coming together to have during the pandemic. need to keep pace with changes in their voices heard as one”. The Kavanagh Group has since re‐ ways of working, and gaps in law It follows a union survey and peti‐ Picture: Mandate versed its initial decision not to re‐ closed.” tion signed by nearly 200 workers ward staff working under 16 hours diately sought a proper recognition cents per hour. Any member of staff She pointed out that unlike their calling for equal and fair recognition and reward scheme to reflect the ob‐ working less than 16 hours per week per week and has also increased the counterparts across the EU, in the for their efforts. got absolutely no recognition despite current offer to all staff by another UK and the North, workers in the The retailer, which operates nine vious strain and stress our members the fact they are working through the 33% – €400 worth of vouchers as Republic had no legal right to work large SuperValu stores in Donegal, and their co‐workers were experienc‐ exact same conditions albeit for less compared to their initial offer of flexibly, including home working. Mayo and Galway, was slammed by ing and continue to experience daily time, and are also regarded as essen‐ €300. Dr Bambrick said: “Under current Mandate in early April for not prop‐ going to work for this employer. tial workers.” Campbell said: “it appears that on law remote working is solely at the erly rewarding its staff at the onset of “Some of what we looked for was a Hitting out at the Kavanagh Group’s foot of this survey and after reflecting employer’s discretion. When imple‐ the crisis. premium payment for all hours recognition and reward scheme offer, on how other retailers were reward‐ mented in the right way, flexible and While other retailers moved worked by staff during this pandemic, Campbell described it as “inequitable ing their staff, the Kavanagh Group remote working can really improve quickly to reward shop workers by and – very importantly – a specific in the extreme” and pointed out that was moved to implement improve‐ people’s working lives, making paying them extra for each hour Covid‐19 sick pay scheme.” the company had “done absolutely ments on the gift card scheme. them happier and more productive. worked, the Kavanagh Group pre‐ When the union’s initial represen‐ nothing” to address Mandate’s call for “While the company’s recognition “That is why ICTU is calling for a sented some of their staff with Super‐ tations were refused, Mandate then a Covid‐19 specific sick pay scheme. change in the law to give every Valu gift cards worth €300 to be paid moved to survey both its own mem‐ and reward scheme falls short of bers as well as their Kavanagh Group Scheme what we looked for, there were nev‐ worker the legal right to request over three four‐weekly instalments. flexible working and for employers At the time, Ciaran Campbell, Man‐ co‐workers on the company’s posi‐ Currently the company is operating ertheless improvements won on the tion. back of workers coming together to to be obliged to give the request se‐ date’s North & West Divisional Or‐ its own sick pay scheme that has a rious consideration.” Campbell said: “It is fair to point have their voices heard as one.” ganiser, hit out at the company’s offer, number of qualifying criteria for em‐ Acknowledging that not all jobs out that the survey feedback was not He added: “The Shop Stewards claiming it had fallen “well short” of ployees to access. Depending on could be done at home, she said that only significant but some of the com‐ Committee discussed at length the what workers should have been given years of service an employee is sub‐ a statutory right to request flexible ments from staff clearly demon‐ company’s final position and agreed and compared unfavourably with jected to a three‐day or six‐day wait working would mean that bosses strated what they thought of the that Mandate’s energies were now Covid‐19 related reward packages of‐ for payment which, as Campbell em‐ would be required to deal with best served in building on this collec‐ fered by many of the Kavanagh company’s offer. phasised, “is contrary to what the these requests in “a reasonable and Group’s competitors in the grocery “In effect the company offered government is currently operating”. tive strength in advance of pay round considered manner”. sector. those staff working between 24 and And he warned: “This again clearly negotiations that are due to start New ICTU guide: When Your Home Is He told Shopfloor: “Mandate imme‐ 39 hours per week an extra 48 to 59 disadvantages staff and runs the po‐ later this year or early 2021.” Your Workplace https://bit.ly/3kdoDHV RESEARCH Survey reveals under reporting of workplace sexual harassment

By Conor Kavanagh person. It is prohibited under the work was conducted online last sexual behaviour from colleagues Congress Communications Officer Acts. ICTU General Secretary Pa‐ November. Around seven out of 10 taking place online also reported, A RECENT Irish Congress of Trade tricia King said: “Sexual harass‐ (72%) of the responses were from points to a growing problem in the Unions survey has found four in ment can happen to anyone, women (971). The survey focuses modern workplace,” she added. five workers experiencing sexual anywhere, at any time. Yet all too exclusively on people’s experience One in five sexual harassment harassment at work do not report often, it happens in the workplace. of sexual harassment in the work‐ incidents reported had taken the incident to their employer. “Of all the alarming statistics place, rather than measuring the place at a work‐related social More than 1,300 union mem‐ thrown up, the fact that jumps out scale of the problem. event. One in seven had taken bers with experience of sexual ha‐ for me is the unacceptably high ICTU Social Policy Officer and place on the phone, by email or rassment and sexual assault in the levels of under‐reporting and dis‐ lead researcher, Dr Laura Bam‐ online. workplace took part in the survey, satisfaction with their employer’s brick told Shopfloor: “We wanted Negative impact which was published ahead of In‐ action among those who do report a deeper understanding of work‐ Dr Bambrick continued: “While ternational Day for the Elimina‐ sexual harassment.” ers’ experience of sexual harass‐ tion of Violence against Women on ment at work – the types of the #MeToo movement has shed November 26, 2019. Unwanted incidents experienced, the perpe‐ light on the hidden problem of Sexual harassment is defined in Some 81% of respondents did trators and location, the barriers sexual harassment and sexual as‐ the Employment Equality Acts not report the unwanted sexual to reporting, and the impact sex‐ sault at work and empowered Sexual role in preventing violence and ha‐ 1998‐2015 as any form of un‐ behaviour to their employer, while ual harassment has on the lives of women to speak out, the fear of a harassment rassment against women at work. can happen wanted verbal, non‐verbal or only one in four of the minority those affected. negative impact on their career or to anyone, Congress together with trade physical conduct of a sexual na‐ who did report such incidents felt "For instance, the Christmas of not being believed or taken se‐ anywhere unions across Europe are calling ture which has the purpose or ef‐ it was taken seriously and dealt party has long been identified as riously were the most common re‐ and at any for the ratification by Member with satisfactorily. ported reasons for not pursing a time... but fect of violating a person’s dignity the most common off‐site location all too often States of the ILO Convention 190 and creating an intimidating, hos‐ The national opinion poll of of workplace sexual harassment, complaint.” ICTU Equality Officer it happens to address violence against tile, degrading, humiliating or of‐ 1,347 union members with expe‐ and this is borne out in our survey. David Joyce said: “Trade unions in the women, including in the world of fensive environment for the rience of sexual harassment at However, the extent of unwanted and employers play an important workplace... work.”

14 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEWS HOMELESSNESSMandate CRISIS... activists’ sleep out protest

ABOUT a month before the country went into lockdown over Covid‐19, a Camp Mandate’s number of Mandate members decided finest... highlighting to do their bit to highlight the home‐ the homelessness issue in Market lessness crisis in the run‐up to the Square, Castlebar February 8th general election. They did this by swapping their cosy bedroom duvets for sleeping And Gerard pointed out that home‐ good job be able to move out on your bags under canvas in the centre of lessness was not just an urban issue. own.” Castlebar on February 6th and 7th. “It’s being seen as a city issue – Speaking months before a new Dáil Setting up ‘Camp Mandate’ in Mar‐ Dublin, Cork, Galway – but we want to administration was eventually formed ket Square in the town, local union get across the point that it’s happening and without the benefit of hindsight, stalwarts Keith Leonard and Gerard in every town and it’s getting worse Keith said people were getting sick of Halligan were joined by Mandate Na‐ and worse and worse in rural areas.” promises being made and broken by tional Coordinator Brian Forbes, who Gerard put the blame firmly on suc‐ the establishment parties. travelled up from Dublin, a pair of cessive governments trying to find a “Every time there’s an election, thermals to hand, to lend his encour‐ private sector solution to the problem [they say] we’re going to do this, and agement and solidarity to the effort. of homelessness. do that – but nothing gets done.” Earlier in the day, Keith and Gerard He said: “There is a real disconnect Gerard agreed and urged voters to explained to local community radio from the political establishment re‐ break free from past party political al‐ station CFCfm what they hoped to garding housing because it doesn’t af‐ legiances. “We got to lose the attitude achieve by a night spent out under the Gerard Halligan and Keith fect them. Rents are being pushed up ‘my grandfather voted for Fine Gael or Starry Plough. Leonard at CFCfm and more and more people are being Fianna Fail and he would turn in his Keith told presenter Eleanor Pren‐ forced into moving back to their par‐ grave if I voted for change’. You’ve got dergast: “We’re sickened with the ple voted for change. We cannot go on ing in the doorway. It’s not acceptable ents. to lose that. We’re living in a different homeless crisis across this country. seeing people on the streets. Last any more. We felt that, as activists, it “There are adults at 30 or 40 years world now. We’re not living in the past. There’s a general election coming up week, I was walking past a shop in was time to stand up and be counted of age at home with their parents. You You have to use your head and vote for in two days time and it’s time the peo‐ Castlebar and I saw two people sleep‐ and let people know what’s going on.” should when you’re 18 or 19 with a change.” Inspirational night under the Starry Plough! Thanks go to... Keith Leonard (The brains behind the operation - Ed) who perpetuate housing policies to serve By Brian Forbes and the organisers of the Castlebar protest against Mandate National Coordinator their own class and damn the working class. homelessness would like to thank the following SPENDING time with our Mandate activists in As a campaigning union one of our key ob- people and businesses: Richie Gray, Lucian Brooks, Castlebar and joining them on their sleep out jectives is to improve the pay and conditions Darren Walsh, Declan Nally, Danny Coffy, to protest local and national homelessness of workers as well as trying to actively influ- David McNicholas, Shane McGreevy, Aiden was a truly inspiring time for me as a working ence policy makers, namely the government Hanberry, Stauntons Barbers, Dannolas class trade unionist. of the day. Chipper, Cuppa Joe's, Ger Halligan and I watched our union activists in minus tem- Lobbying is becoming a critical function of Brian Forbes – and each and every perature conditions, led commendably by our union and Keith and his comrades in person who came along through Tesco shop steward and Mandate NEC mem- Castlebar understand totally the need for put first, before banks and multinationals. the day and night to visit ber Keith Leonard, as they interacted union activists to be visible and active within Camp Mandate. Castlebar Only a short few months later, this unprece- throughout the day and night with local resi- their own communities. Mandate activists sincerely dented and historic seismic vote for change dents, shoppers and businesses. Publicly highlighting an important issue to thank you all from the bottom They welcomed all-comers with a defining was turned into more of the same when Fine us all in this manner demonstrates an acute of our trade union hearts. message that the current political establish- Fail, Fine Gael and The Green Party formed a awareness by these Mandate activists of the ment had clearly failed us all, particularly in government coalition. need to keep politicians at local level honest Income inequality is one of the major global relation to housing and homelessness, and The same political parties that have over- which impacts greatly at national level if they challenges facing trade unions and a recent that a vote for change was required. seen housing and homelessness crisis are think their TD or Councillor seats are at risk. Oxfam report revealed that 26 of the world’s On Saturday, February 8th, the Irish elec- again making neo-liberal policy decisions In essence, lobbying politicians has been richest people own as many assets as the torate delivered a seismic vote demanding that will literally kill people, destroy lives and proven to work most recently in our ground- poorest 50% of the world’s population. real significant change from the old neo-lib- create further poverty and inequality. breaking victory of banded hour contracts Our Castlebar Mandate activists are actively eral politics of protecting corporations, vul- However, we will continue to fight and to legislation delivered by Mandate activists applying the logic that “all politics is local” ture funds and finance capital towards a promote viable alternatives to those offered through their determined campaign of lob- and in doing so are placing the union move- much more egalitarian approach with citizens by Thatcherite landlord political ideologues bying and applying pressure to local TDs. ment at the centre of the community. August 2019 y SHOPFLOOR 15 INANALYSIS FOCUS Ruling courts trouble for workers Mandate Communications Officer Dave Gibney drills into the recent High Court ruling striking down the construction sector SEO and looks at the implications for workers and their trade unions

THE Irish Courts have once again that right now thousands of vulnera‐ ruled against workers who have en‐ ble workers are protected only by the gaged in a collective bargaining pro‐ minimum statutory entitlements cess to improve their conditions of such as the National Minimum Wage. employment. Those workers will have to go back The High Court ruling by Justice to enterprise bargaining with their Garrett Simons on June 23rd struck employer, a difficult task in the ex‐ down Chapter 3 of the Industrial Re‐ tremely hostile Irish industrial rela‐ lations (Amendment) Act 2015, tions system.

which prescribed minimum rates of 2.0) (CC BY-SA Informatique Picture: Furthermore, we know that some pay, minimum contributions to a pen‐ employers with deep pockets, such as sion scheme, and a requirement for a Dunnes Stores, are waiting on a case sick pay scheme for all workers in the to be taken under the “collective bar‐ electrical contracting sector. gaining” section of the 2015 Act so The ruling, though, will have seri‐ they can challenge the law based on ous consequences for all workers a number of grounds including con‐ hoping to win a sectoral agreement stitutionality as well as EU treaties. that provides working conditions They are already on the record saying above the basic statutory entitle‐ this, and, if recent court rulings are ments. anything to go by, those employers By way of background, the 2015 may have a sympathetic ear. Act came into place to plug the holes left by previous judgments. In the Fair Work Act 2013 McGowan ruling, the Supreme It has been confirmed that the State Court struck down Registered Em‐ will appeal this decision. Until then ployment Agreements, the Joint the trade union movement must as‐ Labour Committee system was dis‐ sume the worst and hope for the best. mantled in 2011 in the John Grace With an expectation that strong col‐ ruling, and ‘collective bargaining’ leg‐ lective bargaining by sector is not islation was dealt a blow in 2007 in going to be afforded to workers any the famous Ryanair Supreme Court time soon, we must level the playing ruling. field. Looking at this series of judgments, Trade unions should immediately one might draw the conclusion that instigate a campaign for a Fair Work the system doesn’t want workers in Act that would make it easier for Ireland to have their internationally workers to join a trade union, easier recognised human right to collec‐ for those workers to collectively bar‐ tively bargain. gain, and easier for them to take ac‐ tion when necessary. The ruling First and foremost, that means The most recent ruling was broken campaigning for trade unions to have into two sections: the non‐constitu‐ the right to access workplaces to have discussions with workers about their tional elements and the constitu‐ tional Electrical Contractors Ireland tional ones. terms and conditions of employment; (NECI)) requested that the legislation stronger anti‐victimisation clauses On the non‐constitutional side, the be tested for constitutionality. for unfair dismissals; forcing employ‐ High Court admonished the Labour Article 15 2 1° of Bunreacht na ers to facilitate trade union deduc‐ Court and the Minister for a litany of hÉireann states: “The sole and exclu‐ tions at source when requested; mistakes made in the establishing of sive power of making laws for the enabling the right to representation the sectoral order: “The statutory re‐ State is hereby vested in the Oireach‐ on an individual basis; removing the port submitted to the Minister [by the tas: no other legislative authority has restrictions on workers taking strike Labour Court] on 23 April 2019 is de‐ power to make laws for the State.” action; and stopping any state sup‐ ficient in two significant respects. Judge Simons found that establish‐ port for companies refusing their “First, the report fails to record ing sectoral orders contained signifi‐ workers the right to trade union rep‐ even the conclusions of the Labour cant policy choices and could not be

Picture: Chris RubberDragon (CC BY-SA 2.0) Picture: Chris RubberDragon (CC BY-SA resentation. Court on crucial matters, still less delegated to the Minister or subse‐ Ireland has among the most re‐ does the report state a rationale for quently to the Labour Court. He said: strictive trade union rights in the Eu‐ those conclusions. “The fixing of high rates of remuner‐ ropean Union. “Secondly, the report fails to set out ation might well be welcomed by The country is run for multination‐ a fair and accurate summary of the workers, but may limit competition, als and big business and our govern‐ submissions made by those inter‐ and thus adversely affect consumers.” ment is happy to facilitate that. ested parties who opposed the mak‐ He pointed to the conflicting policy Expecting any arm of the state – the ing of a sectoral employment order, choices of “promoting fair competi‐ legislature, the executive, or the judi‐ and does not engage with the issues tion and the freedom to provide ser‐ ciary – to side with workers after 100 raised in those submissions.” vices within the European internal years of refusing union rights would The Judge goes on: “…the Minister market,” and “ensuring appropriate be erroneous, dangerous and quite erred in law in concluding, on the terms and conditions of employment simply a waste of time. basis of the report and recommenda‐ for domestic workers and posted Instead we need to get organised tion submitted to him, that the workers from other EU Member both industrially and politically. Labour Court had complied with States.” Simons continued by saying Trade unions need to take a leaf out these provisions… that the parent legislation delegates of the book of their founders and im‐ “On receipt of the report, the Min‐ authority to the Minister and Labour mediately formulate and commence ister should have refused to make a Court but its guidelines are “hope‐ a comprehensive political strategy sectoral employment order confirm‐ lessly vague and too subjective” and around these issues. ing the terms of the recommendation. thus are in breach of the constitution. One thing is for certain – those The Minister acted without jurisdic‐ The ruling itself is significant in rights won’t be won through the so‐ tion in purporting to make the order.” that it makes it difficult for workers cial partnership model. Despite having no obligation to do in fragmented employment sectors to This article was originally published in so, both parties (the State and the Na‐ collectively bargain and that means LookLeft magazine. 16 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 FROM WHERE I STAND... TRAINING Mandate offers innovative rep training via video conferencing

AGAINST the backdrop of the Covid‐ Union Reps Advanced Training have already received correspon‐ 19 crisis, Mandate has responded to courses will be taken virtually and dence about our online training the training needs of members by not in a classroom setting, anyone un‐ through the Mandate Academy App Taoiseach Micheál Martin Green Party’s Eamon Ryan Tanaiste Leo Varadkar putting in place a number of courses dertaking the training will need ac‐ and Unionlink. designed for workplace reps later in cess to a smartphone, tablet or “If you have not already done so the year. computer.” please do sign up for these online The two courses – Workplace Hogan emphasised that as each courses (see links below) which you Union Reps Introductory Training training session was limited to a max‐ can complete at your leisure and and Workplace Union Reps Advanced imum of eight to 10 learners, anyone pace. Training – will take place via video wanting to take part should confirm “Also please bring this valuable The time is conference. their interest as soon as possible. training facility to the attention of National Coordinator for Training For further info and to receive the other members of the union. All Man‐ Jonathan Hogan explained: “Our Training Plan, contact Amanda Blake date members are encouraged to ac‐ training has been adapted to meet the at the Mandate Training Centre – tively participate in all training needs and facilitate the roles of our email [email protected] or phone courses.” elected representatives. 018369699. The closing date for appli‐ Note: to access the courses, it is ad- “As both the Workplace Union Reps cations is Friday, August 28th, 2020. vised to use the Google Chrome ripe for new Introductory Training and Workplace Hogan continued: “All our reps browser. Mandate Academy App: https://mandate.hiuphub.com/purchase/bundle Unionlink: www.unionlink.org

Olive Workplace Sept 6pm-9pm Media Union Reps 14th/21st/28th (Monday x5 Wks) Platform war of ideas Introductory Training Oct 5th/12th (Online) of our country. There is an historic op‐ Brian portunity to create a new political war of ideas between the forces of Olive Workplace Sept Forbes right‐wing conservatism and progres‐ 6pm-9pm Media sive left‐wing socialism. Union Reps 15th/22nd/29th Union leaders and the trade union (Tuesday x5 Wks) Platform Introductory Training Oct 6th/13th movement have a crucial role to play (Online) in the politics and policies of the fu‐ ture and must help lead that shift in political policies from neo‐liberal con‐ Workplace JUNE 28th, 1922 marked the start of servatism towards socialism. Union Reps Zoom the Irish Civil War – and the begin‐ As a left we must carefully bide our Oct 26th 6pm-9pm time but be battle‐ready for when op‐ Advanced Training Platform nings of the ‘Civil War politics' that Nov 2nd/9th/16th (Monday x4 Wks) gave rise to Fine Gael and to Fianna portunity presents itself to breathe (Recruitment (OnLine) Fáil, its counterpart on the right. revolutionary feeling and democratic In recalling such fateful times one spirit into the hearts and minds of the & Organising) could imagine our national slogan working class. might be “all for the cause and the This poem/song, Bide Your Time, Workplace cause over all”, but little changes and penned by M.J. Barry was a revolu‐ Union Reps Zoom tionary favourite of our own James Oct 27th 6pm-9pm unfortunately, the very following day Advanced Training Platform some 98 years later, Fine Gael and Fi‐ Connolly and is noteworthy given the Nov 3rd/10th/17th (Tuesday x4 Wks) anna Fáil joined with the Greens in historic times we find ourselves in (Recruitment (OnLine) squeezing themselves back into today. & Organising) power with the formation of a coali‐ tion government. BIDE YOUR TIME The historic proponents of auster‐ ity, the architects of societal inequal‐ BIDE YOUR TIME, the morn is breaking, ity, the slavish enablers of gangster Bright with Freedom’s blessed ray – I wanted to give them – my capitalism were once again happily Millions, from their trance awaking, ensconced in the seat of power. Soon shall stand in firm array. Masochistic Ireland lives on with Man shall fetter man no longer, comrades in the Trade Union yet another right‐wing political coali‐ Liberty shall march sublime; tion cobbled together by those politi‐ Every moment makes you stronger, cal elites desperate for power, the Movement, the Communist trappings of wealth and a nice gov‐ Firm, unshrinking, BIDE YOUR TIME. ernment pension. Movement and the Left – a voice, However, there is one chink in the BIDE YOUR TIME – one false step taken silver lining of their power‐grab. This Perils all you yet have done; is fact that both Civil War conserva‐ Undismayed, erect, unshaken – give myself a voice, and to try to tive parties are now finally and inex‐ Watch and wait, and all is won. tricably linked inseparably by choice ’Tis not by a rash endeavour explain that time in my life – the in an administration. Men or states to greatness climb – We on the left now have an historic Would you win your rights forever once‐in‐a‐lifetime opportunity to Calm and thoughtful, BIDE YOUR TIME. sixties and seventies and after – to work together towards building a col‐ lective and progressive force of oppo‐ BIDE YOUR TIME – your worst transgression myself, to my grandchildren and to sition and resistance to the Irish Were to strike, and strike in vain; neo‐liberal political dogma that has He, whose arm would smite oppression, plagued this country since its forma‐ Must not need to smite again! those who had worked with me... tion. Danger makes the brave man steady – The political lines of demarcation Rashness is the coward’s crime – between right and left have never Be for Freedom’s battle ready, €16.00 been clearer throughout the history When it comes – but, BIDE YOUR TIME. www.lilliputpress.ie/product/from-lucifer-to-lazarus August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 17 NEWS Make grants to business conditional on how firms Retailer sidesteps premium pay treat their workers call and opts for voucher scheme

CONGRESS has called on the Govern‐ She also called for the Employment MANDATE members who work in fusal to reward workers adequately ment to make financial support avail‐ Wage Subsidy Scheme, introduced to Nolan’s Supermarket in Clontarf are COVID-19 with a premium payment is not only able to businesses conditional on mitigate the impact of Covid‐19 on facing continuing resistance to their inequitable in the extreme, but their treatment of workers. employment, to be extended and union from the employer, it has equally, the company has done ab‐ The call came in response to the transformed into a “genuine short‐ been claimed. CRISIS solutely nothing to address our re‐ July stimulus package set out by the time work scheme modelled on the Throughout the Covid‐19 crisis, quest for a Covid‐19 specific sick new coalition government. most effective schemes in place in Mandate sought to secure a pre‐ pay scheme.” ICTU General Secretary Patricia other European countries”. mium payment from the grocery re‐ and strain our members experience Callan explained the retailer op‐ King said: “Direct government grants Such a scheme would protect tailer, but despite correspondence daily. erated a sick pay scheme with a to businesses, worth billions of euro, workers’ income, enhance access to being sent, Nolan’s forged ahead – “Some of what we looked for was a number of qualifying criteria – con‐ must be conditional on a commit‐ training and help them maintain a without consultation with the union premium payment for all hours trary to the scheme currently being ment by them to decent work and to continuous connection to their em‐ – to introduce a voucher scheme for worked by staff during this pandemic run by the government – and retaining their workforce. ployer. staff linked to hours worked and along with a specific Covid‐19 sick claimed this clearly disadvantaged “We must end the scourge of low King continued: “The decision to length of service. pay scheme. When our initial repre‐ Nolan’s staff and ran the risk that pay and precarious work and no pay a flat €350 to every worker laid This was in stark contrast to sentations on these were refused, we employees contracting Covid‐19 longer tolerate bogus self‐employ‐ off by the Covid‐19 lockdown by the other retailers in the area that surveyed all staff on the company’s “might not call in sick for fear of los‐ ment that pervades the sectors hard‐ Government correctly prioritised moved quickly early on in the crisis position. ing wages”. est hit. The race to the bottom must speed and adequacy for half a million to reward staff by paying a pre‐ Feedback “Nolan’s continue to disregard end.” workers. mium for each hour worked. “The survey feedback was em‐ our procedural agreement and frus‐ She continued: “Business supports “Given the proposed roadmap for Mandate Industrial Officer John phatic. The workers clearly believe trate our members on a range of is‐ paid out of public money must be the withdrawal of the Pandemic Un‐ Callan, whose brief covers north that the company not only should re‐ sues,” he said. linked to full and active participation employment Payment (PUP), there is Dublin, told Shopfloor: “Despite nu‐ wards staff fairly, but also that the “We are currently about to carry in national industrial relations ma‐ now more than ever an urgent need merous requests from the union, company is in a position to do so.” out another survey of our members chinery – vetoes and opt‐outs for to transition all laid‐off workers from the grocery retailer paid out the He continued: “Management’s re‐ and workers ahead of the expiry of statutory bodies such as JLCs are not the PUP on to the temporary wage vouchers without responding to our our current pay deal in October and tenable. subsidy scheme (TWSS) to protect correspondence. would urge all staff currently not in “We must vindicate the rights of their income. “These workers are risking their Mandate to join us at www.join‐ workers by ensuring their voice is “If employers are unwilling to own health and in some cases the mandate.ie. heard through access to collective maintain the link with their workers health of their loved ones. Conse‐ “A strong membership base will bargaining.” they equally cannot be allowed to quently, Mandate immediately only strengthen this unions negoti‐ And King insisted effective over‐ continue to have the protection of the sought a proper recognition and re‐ ating ability in the upcoming pay sight was needed to monitor how freeze on redundancy rights,” she ward scheme to reflect the stress negotiations,” Callan added. funds were being spent. added.

Embassy vigil object lesson in solidarity AT THE start of the year, before cold winter’s night. Mandate Na- Covid-19 reached these shores, the tional Coordinator Brian Forbes, news focus was on the potential for who attended the vigil, recalled: widescale armed conflict between “That so many Mandate members the US and Iran. turned out on that freezing January It followed the drone strike assas- evening shows that international sination of Qassem Suleimani, head solidarity and union activism is of Iran’s elite Quds force, on January alive and kicking within our union.” 3rd. Days later the Peace and Neu- And Forbes described the contin- trality Alliance (PANA) organised a uing use of Shannon Airport by the ‘No War On Iran’ vigil outside the US US military as “an affront to Ire- Embassy in Ballsbridge. land’s supposed neutrality and its Mandate members joined the international human rights respon- January 9th protest on a bitterly sibilities.”

Jimmy Kelly of PANA addresses crowd outside the US embassy in Ballsbridge

18 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 EXECUTIVE PAY CEO pay: Fig 1:Worldwide density of ultra wealth a not so nice little Source: Wealth-X Average number of hours a fiable gap between the top and rest of the workforce needs to be urgently UK CEO has to work to earn the tackled. This is now recognised by the average worker’s annual salary European Commission and the OECD earner... – institutions not known to be natural bedfellows of trade unions.” By Conor Kavanagh Earlier this year, the European Congress Communications Officer 33 hours Commission pointed out that market JANUARY 6th is marked each year as income inequality (i.e. income before #HighPayDay in the UK. Despite The number of years it taxes are deducted and social welfare being just THREE working days into would take for an average Irish top‐ups are added) in Ireland is the the new year, the chief executives of highest in the EU28. Britain’s FTSE 100 firms had by 5pm worker to take home what “The new EU Shareholder Rights on that day earned more than ordi‐ the CEO earns annually (2018)... Directive, which was due to have be‐ nary workers are paid for working for come Irish law by June last year but the WHOLE of the year! CRH: has not yet happened, is a good first This staggering fact was revealed step in pay transparency and tackling in a report published recently by the wage inequality,” said Congress Social High Pay Centre think tank and the 212 years Policy Officer, Dr Laura Bambrick. Chartered Institute for Professional The directive, for the first time, re‐ Development. Smurfit Kappa: quires listed companies to explain And, of course, the situation in Ireland is little different – how the pay of their employees was last December ICTU pub‐ 87 years taken into account when determining lished its fourth annual Paddy Power: the salaries for company bosses. report on Irish chief exec‐ “However, Government refuses to utives’ pay. grasp the opportunity the directive Titled Because We’re 57 years presents to include more ambitious Worth It: The truth about CEO provisions ‐ such as compelling listed pay in Ireland, the report ex‐ companies to make pay ratio disclo‐ sures,” said Dr Bambrick. amined the 2018 filed ac‐ calculate the hours it at 212‐to‐1. That is, it would take a counts of 26 companies – 20 of takes top bosses to typical worker 212 years to earn She added: “Publicly‐listed compa‐ some of the biggest companies make what workers what the CRH boss took home in nies are required by stock market listed on the Irish Stock Ex‐ on average earnings 2018. rules to publish certain information, change and six Irish‐based com‐ are paid for working a In fact overall, it would take work‐ including pay of their management panies listed on the London Stock whole year (33 hours), ers paid the average wage more than team. Private companies are under Exchange. Congress calculates the 50 years to earn what half of the no such obligation and their execu‐ The report showed that annual number of years it takes tives’ pay remains shrouded in se‐ pay and benefits were close to or bosses at top Irish listed companies workers to earn what take home in a single year. crecy. But, there is nothing to prevent above €1 million for 22 of the 26 bosses take home annually. a future government making such re‐ CEOs, and as much as €8.2 million. Congress General Secretary Patri‐ Congress has been track‐ cia King warned: “Any government porting a requirement of firms ten‐ CEO pay increased in 11 compa‐ ing this information since dering for public contracts.” nies, ranging from 9% in Permanent that ignores the enormous economic 2015, and according to its re‐ and social consequences of excessive TSB to a 99% increase in Smurfit search, cement giant CRH con‐ Kappa. Meanwhile, the average full‐ executive pay does so at our collective Because We’re Worth It: The truth tinues to have the highest peril.” She continued: “The telephone about CEO pay in Ireland time worker’s wage was up just 2.6% CEO‐to‐average‐worker pay ratio, on 2017. Unlike the UK figures which number‐like‐salaries and the unjusti‐ https://bit.ly/2O6yX5V Illustration: Frits Ahlefeldt-Laurvig (CC BY-ND 2.0) hikingartist.com Fig 2: Median CEO total compensation ($) Fig 3: Average breakdown of CEO pay

Tables/Graphics: Congress Source: Harvard Law School

August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 19 NEWS

Unparalleled influence: A NEW report by UNI Global Union Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has highlighted the threat posed to the economy and to society in a post‐ Covid world by the continuing mar‐ ket expansion and corporate dominance of online retailer Amazon. Titled Essentially Irresponsible, the report is a response to what the union claims is the tech giant’s “noto‐ riously brutal working conditions, its monopolistic tendencies, and poor 2.0) (CC BY-NC-SA Tasai Picture: I-Ta social performance” during the Picture: James Duncan Davidson (CC BY 2.0) Picture: James Duncan Davidson (CC BY Covid‐19 crisis. UNI Global Union General Secre‐ tary Christy Hoffman said: “The Covid‐19 crisis is radically reshaping our world, and one of its unfortunate side‐effects is the acceleration of Amazon’s domination of our markets and, frankly, many aspects of our lives – how we work, how we consume en‐ tertainment, how we communicate.” Pointing out that Amazon’s impact now reached far beyond retail, she continued: “The tech giant is not only an e‐commerce force but also a Picture: UNI Global/ITUC leader in cloud computing, video streaming, virtual assistance, media, physical grocery retail, pharmacy, and it has showed ambitions to de‐ velop into wireless networks, health‐ care, internet service provision. “Amazon is not just a threat to workers but to those who believe in privacy and civil liberties, and a di‐ verse marketplace.” Hoffman added: “So far, the com‐ pany has not used its power as a force Christy Hoffman: ‘Radically reshaping the world’ Spotlight on Amazon: New UNI Global report of social good – it has avoided taxes, Seattle over an alleged “pricing dent retailers that sell on its market‐ squeezed small and medium‐sized scheme that broadly and anti‐com‐ place is in breach of EU competition businesses, dragged down labour petitively impacts virtually all prod‐ rules. Also in May, French unions conditions.” ucts offered for sale in the US retail struck a deal with the online retailer Essential Irresponsible also flags up e‐commerce market”. that dealt with a range of health and efforts to rein in Amazon across Eu‐ safety issues allowing the reopening rope, the US and India. The report’s Meanwhile, India’s antitrust regu‐ lator is also reported to be looking of warehouses amid the Covid‐19 authors claim this is a sign that work‐ emergency. closely at Amazon’s activities. ers, elected officials, and the commu‐ However, Hoffman insisted that And in May, the European Commis‐ nity can find ways to come together overall Amazon had “failed to listen” to hold corporations accountable. sion opened a formal antitrust inves‐ to workers when “they spoke up out In March, Amazon was hit with an tigation to assess whether Amazon's of fear for their lives”. antitrust claim in the federal court in use of sensitive data from indepen‐ “In the United States, Amazon fired tech and warehouse workers who stood up for safety. In Europe, work‐ Mr Bezos, ‘be a leader not a laggard’ on workers’ rights... ers in Spain, Italy and France were A FORMER vice president at Ama- who had spoken out about condi- “For its own future and the future more unionisation was urgent forced to either go to the government zon has joined UNI Global Union tions in the company’s ware- of the global economy, Amazon across Big Tech. authorities or strike to force Amazon General Secretary Christy Hoffman houses. In a jointly-bylined article, should become more responsive to “The question for Mr Bezos and to respect their safety.” in writing a New York Times op-ed Bray and Hoffman wrote that Ama- the women and men who’ve en- the billionaires of the world is: Are She added: “The message is clear: calling on Amazon and its Big Tech zon should recognise that coun- riched shareholders and be willing they ready to rise to the occasion? Amazon will do the right thing but rivals to allow workers to unionise. tries with more collective to recognise and bargain with their Will Big Tech listen to and work only if organised workers, govern‐ Tim Bray, who held a senior posi- bargaining had a “stronger social representatives. When it comes to with its employees to help the ment, and civil society force its hand. tion at Amazon Web Services, fabric and better growth” and were the rights of its workers, it should world overcome the worst eco- Amazon must do better.” walked away from his job in May in “more able to weather economic be a leader, not a laggard.” And nomic and social crisis in recent Check out Essentially Irresponsible protest at the firing of workers ups and downs”. They continued: they insisted that the need for history?” at: https://bit.ly/2DfXkLY 20 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 MANDATE TRADE UNION A S HOPFLOOR TRIBUTE TO JOHN DOUGLAS Forceful, direct and passionate in defence of retail workers’ rights By Patricia King Congress General Secretary

THE necessary restrictions on large gather‐ ings has deprived the trade union move‐ ment of the opportunity to pay a public tribute to John Douglas as he steps down from his role as General Secretary of Man‐ date. It is ironic that one of the most outgoing and affable leaders of our movement should be deprived of the kind of fun‐filled occasion in which he has so often revelled. In normal times John would have been toasted in various Dublin hostelries and subjected to lengthy and well‐deserved tes‐ timonials from colleagues and friends. These, howeve r, are not normal times. I suspect that while John may resent being denied at least one good party – not to men‐ tion a proper conference farewell, he will se‐ cretly be pleased to skip the tributes. He has never been one to blow his own trumpet and has never sought personal adulation, ei‐ ther as General Secretary or as President of Congress. John was always ambitious – not for him‐ self, but for Mandate and for the men and women throughout this country he served with such energy and commitment. The ICTU is a coalition of unions with a common purpose but yet within Congress unions often have to fight their corner in order to secure attention and to further their specific agenda. with Cinderella‐like tendencies, he never showed it. It probably helped that we both Assiduous hail from the Garden County of Wicklow! As a long‐serving member of the Execu‐ Over time I came to appreciate John’s tive Council, John Douglas was assiduous in work ethos, his dedication to his union, his ensuring that low paid, retail workers were qualities of decency and loyalty but, above never marginalised and that the plight of all, his sense of social solidarity. shop workers exploited by greedy and un‐ scrupulous owners we re placed at the cen‐ That’s what makes him a true trade tre of our wo rk. He was fo rceful, direct and unionist in the tradition of his great hero, passionate. Jim Larkin. Like Larkin, John always sees the As General Secretary, I valued his input as bigger picture and he never confined him‐ a member of the General Purposes Commit‐ self to issues within his own industry or in‐ tee, as Vice President and President and for deed Ireland. his input into the Private Sector committee. Whether it was building alliances with Because John was in touch with his mem‐ civic society groups or extending the hand bers, he made what might otherwise be aca‐ of friendship across continents, John was al‐ demic discussions on employment rights ways generous with his time, his counsel and collective bargaining real and relevant. and resources. In discussions with politicians, civil servants or employers you could always rely on John In wishing John well on his retirement, I to bring discussions literally back to the know that John will continue to make a pos‐ shop floor. itive contribution to Irish society and to the On a personal basis, I have valued his wise broader labour movement. I also look for‐ counsel and his friendship. John was Presi‐ ward to working with your new General dent when I was appointed as General Sec‐ Secretary Gerry Light and to continuing to retary and was at all times respectful and support Mandate in their defence of work‐ cooperative not just to me but to all staff. ers’ rights. Inevitably we attended countless meet‐ ings at home and abroad together, John usu‐ Over time I came to appreciate John’s work ethos, his dedication to his union, his ally enjoying the banter and the craic while I looked for an early‐exit opportunity. qualities of decency and loyalty but, above all, his sense of social solidarity. That’s John was always attentive and if he was “ disappointed in having a General Secretary what makes him a true trade unionist in the tradition of his great hero, Jim Larkin...

JOHN DOUGLAS IN PICTURES CENTRE PAGES August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR ” 21 JOHN DOUGLAS IN P General Secretary of Mandate May 200

22 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 ICTURES 05 - August 2020

TRIBUTE TO JOHN DOUGLAS CONTINUES P24 August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 23 MANDATE TRADE UNION A S HOPFLOOR TRIBUTE TO JOHN DOUGLAS Committed to the global fight for workers’ rights By Alke Bosseinger UNI Global Deputy General Secretary John Douglas’ PA Sandra Browne and Mandate NEC member Doreen Curley enjoy THE fact that John is retiring still has not some uplifting reading quite sunk in with me given his never‐end‐ ing energy and enthusiasm in the global fight for the betterment of working people. A true internationalist, John has always recognised that improving the lives of the working class is not something an individual union or even a country can do in isolation. John’s criticism of the negative sides of glob‐ A straight shooter alisation has been fierce, demanding that all workers unite in the fight against the evil of capitalism. John took it upon himself to ensure that the voices of Irish workers were heard loud and clearly in the global trade union move‐ who tells it as it is ment. From Tesco to IKEA, Lidl or Primark, John ON August 21st John Douglas steps down from These workers who have given the best years of has always been fighting for respect for his role as Mandate General Secretary. Also in their working lives to Tesco are now seen as a workers and for their rights to join a union August, John filed his last Straight Talking col- problem rather than a solution. Their compara- and bargain collectively. umn – “clocking off” as he puts it – with an ap- tively meagre earnings and benefits gained over Inspiration peal for workers to plan, organise and mobilise. the years are described as out of line and inflexible, John has for many years been an inspira‐ UNI Commerce world conference in Dublin. This has been a near-constant theme of his the subtext is if only these loyal workers would go tion for many union leaders around the John and his fantastic team made it a memo‐ writing throughout nearly a decade of con- away the company would return to its former world and he has also never shied away rable event not just because we signed the tributing to Shopfloor. In fact, since the first glory. from using his own leverage and contacts Global Agreement with Inditex, but also by issue of this newspaper hit the shop floors l February 2018 – ‘Gagging on the gig with companies to assist others. being the poster child for the world‐renowned where our members work and organise, in economy’: He has taken his passionate advocacy for Irish hospitality. November 2011, John has written nearly 30,000 But gig workers are also across other sectors, workers’ rights to all continents – from Aus‐ I have never before and never again seen words for his column. they are the ‘pickers’ in warehouses and distribu- tralia and Japan to South Africa and Ar‐ someone drink all night and until 6am, only to Let’s put that into some sort of perspective – tion centres, the home-helps paid per client visit, gentina. then take to the stage at 9am and make one of in terms of a word count, that’s they’re the accommodation staff in ho- I remember a particularly enduring IKEA the best (and coherent) speeches I have ever equivalent to George Orwell’s An- tels paid per bed or room cleaned. working group meeting some years ago in heard, ending in standing ovations and leading imal Farm or John Steinbeck’s Of They all have one thing in common Copenhagen, where John didn’t even stop to to the adoption of a most ambitious work pro‐ Mice And Men. – they have to race to make an in- Ernest Hemingway was known rest but went from the meeting straight to gramme for the improvement of workers in the come. for poring over his work, re-edit- the pub and back to the meeting on the fol‐ commerce sector. ing and striking out ‘redundant Mandate National Coordinator lowing day. I was lucky enough to also meet John’s wife, phrases’ in his search for perfect Brian Forbes – who along with But nobody must think the lost sleep Trish, who has been a life‐long sufferer and sup‐ prose. (When once praised for John pioneered the development could stop John from making his argument porter of his passionate work. his pared-back writing style, he of Shopfloor into a ‘red top’ tabloid and demanding us to be ambitious – both in His family, his work and fishing are John’s quipped, “It reads easy because from its former A4 format manifes- our work and how we pushed ourselves three passions – something that I know has not it was writ hard!”) tation as Mandate News – coined physically and mentally. always been easy to balance – and the global Similarly John’s prose style is the column title Straight Talking. Over the years I have had the opportunity work he did with UNI did not help since it took muscular, direct and to the He recalls: “I named it Straight Talk- to attend and speak at a number of Mandate him away even more. point though we suspect that ing because of my direct experience conferences. John’s passion for the workers’ John and Mandate have been an important – unlike Hemingway – he did- of dealing with John on a daily cause was echoed and supported by every part of UNI’s work for many years and I know n’t need as many revisions of his basis.” delegate and staff member, making him a that cooperation between our organisations work to reach a level of perfection! And, as Brian points out, John’s con- true and respected leader of the union. will continue. I cannot wait to find out what Here are a few snippets of that memorable, tribution to the paper is always worth waiting Those events, but also the private time we new projects John will turn to after his retire‐ muscular prose: for: “My call for copy usually goes out weeks in have spent together, have installed in me a ment from the position as General Secretary of l November 2011 – ‘Govern for us not for advance of the deadline. However, on nearly deep love for Ireland and its people. John Mandate. the bankers’: every occasion since Shopfloor first went to has also taught me about Irish history which Just one thing is sure: he won’t stop being a The trade union movement needs to smash the press, Straight Talking is the last article to be slot- has helped me to understand a little bit of passionate global fighter for workers – he may myth that ‘We are all in this together’ because ted in to complete an edition. The Chief always Irish politics (as far as that it possible). just go about it in a different way. clearly we are not all in this together, the wealthy reassures me, ‘Relax, Forbes, it’s always worth In 2010, Mandate trade union hosted the Sláinte. and those with assets are not being asked to pay. waiting for the cream to rise’.” l Journalism is said to be the “first rough draft May 2013 – ‘1913 to 2013: the struggle of history”. How true that adage is – Straight Talk- Over the years I have had the opportunity to attend and continues...’: ing has charted a momentous period for Irish Today’s William Martin Murphy employers are workers against the backdrop of austerity, polit- speak at a number of Mandate conferences. John’s passion for still trying to destroy workers’ power and worker ical chicanery, corporate wrongdoing and the “ solidarity. They are opposed to workers securing decade of centenaries. the workers’ cause was echoed and supported by every the right to join and be represented by trade In 2018, Mandate compiled a selection of unions, they still intimidate workers and harass John’s Straight Talking columns into a booklet – delegate and staff member, making him a true and unions and organising drives. history in the making – check out respected leader of the union l February 2016 – ‘Tesco’s day of shame’: https://bit.ly/3aienJH

24 ” SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 MANDATE TRADE UNION A S HOPFLOOR TRIBUTE TO JOHN DOUGLAS

equipping workers with the capacity to win. Unfortunately, although the recommenda‐ tions were adopted almost unanimously at Congress BDC, in 2013, they have thus far failed to command the overwhelming level An articulate public voice of active support across the movement re‐ quired to implement them. While President of Congress from 2013 to 2015, he participated on a sub‐committee with David Begg and Patricia King, working with then Labour Party Junior Minister Ged Nash, to bring about the 2015 Act providing, for retail and bar workers among other important improvements, for the concept of the ‘Sectoral Employment Order’. This radical device offered the possibility By Jack O’Connor of rendering agreements on pay and condi‐ tions as legally binding on all the employers Former SIPTU General President in countless sectors of the economy. (Sur‐ prise, surprise, it has now also been struck out by the Courts). Again, with Patricia King, WE salute our friend and comrade, John Dou‐ Ethel Buckley and Gerry McCormack, John glas as he retires after more than 40 years fight‐ was a key leader in the campaign which re‐ ing for workers. John grew up in Bray, in a family steeped in John was among the Republican and trade union traditions. Both of his parents were deeply involved in the then those who sought Workers’ Union of Ireland. Although, he won a scholarship to TCD, he left to“ roll back the tide of non- it to take up a position as Secretary for the Gro‐ cery Branch in the old INUVG&ATA, (Irish Na‐ unionism and consequent tional Union of Vintners’, Grocers’ & Allied Trades Assistants), in 1979. plundering of pay and He went on to become National Official with responsibility for industrial relations in Man‐ conditions, through the date, when it emerged from the merger with IDATU in 1994 and General Secretary in 2004, attempt to renew as well as President of Congress in 2013. Paral‐ lel with all of this he has served on the World our once-potent Board of the Skills and Services Global Union UNI since 2015. organising culture... His tenure in a key leadership role has coin‐ cided with the most challenging period in the sulted in the 2018 Act proving for ‘banded hours contracts’, affording a measure” of history of our movement internationally. Even protection against unscrupulous exploita‐ before the global economic collapse of 2008, the resulting in the 2004 legislation, literally im‐ Court in 2007). assault on the ‘right to organise’, and the hard‐ John was among those leaders who sought to tion for hundreds of thousands of workers. proving life expectancy for tens of thousands of No doubt John will remain an active won conditions it had gained was well under people. He also participated in the agitation for roll back the tide of non‐unionism and the con‐ way. trade unionist, as he still has much to con‐ improved Statutory Redundancy Pay in 2002 sequent plundering of pay and conditions, Throughout it all, John has been one of those through the attempt to renew our once‐potent tribute, but I want to acknowledge his com‐ that resulted in it being more than doubled in offering an articulate public voice for workers organising culture, entailing a huge shift in re‐ radeship over the years and in the toughest in the retail and bar trade and in the wider 2003. sources and confronting overwhelming odds of times. I wish him and his wife Patricia economy as well. In his own union and indeed Similarly, he was one of the negotiators of among the titans of the retail trade. and the family all the best for the future. I in the wider movement, he has provided cogent, what became the ‘2004 Act’, undoubtedly the Ultimately, recognising that no single union also want to wish Gerry and all of you in perceptive and courageous leadership. most important law ever enacted in the State could win such battles alone, he supported the Mandate every success in the countless He played the leading role in the Congress in support of the right to organise. (Surprise, conclusions of the Commission on Trade Union battles which lie ahead for retail workers campaign for a ban on smoking in workplaces surprise, it was struck out by the Supreme Organisation, envisaging a new movement in Ireland. In solidarity!

TRIBUTE TO JOHN DOUGLAS CONTINUES P26 What HAVE OUR unions ever done for us? ...ANNUAL LEAVE, PAY INCREASES, SICK LEAVE, LUNCH BREAKS, SMOKE FREE WORKPLACE, BANDED HOUR CONTRACTS, REDUNDANCY PAY, THE WEEKEND, HEALTH & SAFETY LAWS, UNFAIR DISMISSAL LEGISLATION, MATERNITY & PARENTAL LEAVE AND MUCH, MUCH MORE...

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August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 25 MANDATE TRADE UNION A S HOPFLOOR TRIBUTE TO JOHN DOUGLAS

toral member in UNI Commerce both in Eu‐ rope and on the broader world stage. Through that work, he developed contacts in all the major commerce unions, particu‐ John became the face of real larly in the UK and the US. This was vitally important to his members as many of them work for multinational retailers and on a number of occasions those contacts were key in helping resolve Mandate industrial disputes. trade unionism on this island It is difficult for me to accept that John is retiring. The trade union world in Ireland ation with several key unions being either affil‐ will, quite simply, not be the same any more By Steve Fitzpatrick iated, or heavily linked, with the Labour Party without him. CWU General Secretary which was part of that problem government. I know he has a great fondness for fishing Many citizens saw trade unions as complicit in and hunting and already he has begun to the actions of government, which was evident oversee, with Patricia, a growing number of in the response to the trade union leadership at I FIRST got to know John Douglas in person grandchildren. I hope and pray that he is public demonstrations. when both of us were elected on to the Exec‐ given the time and health to enjoy his retire‐ During that difficult time, I believe that John utive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade ment with Patricia and his family – a reward Unions in 2005. We had both recently been became the face of real trade unionism on this island and there was not a dispute or a strike he deserves after such long and sterling ser‐ appointed as General Secretary of our re‐ throughout the country that he did not support. vice to Mandate and to the greater trade spective unions and we faced many similar He generally followed up that support by at‐ union movement. issues within our organisations. tending picket lines, fundraisers etc. Furthermore, I do not believe he will be It soon became apparent to both of us that For many of us, one of the outstanding mem‐ able to disconnect himself fully from the the Irish Congress of Trade Unions was dom‐ ories we have of John during his presidency was world events around him and today, more inated by two main forces namely, the public on the occasion when he addressed the strikers than ever, there is a need for citizens to be‐ sector unions, led by IMPACT (now Fórsa) and their supporters from the Paris Bakery come involved in trying to build a future for and SIPTU. waving a broken baguette. our children. The structures of Congress were further Famous victory Sometimes it was difficult to pin John complicated by a considerable presence One of the outstanding down on exactly what his politics were, and, from our comrades in Northern Ireland, who John’s presidency culminated in the Ennis at a rough guess, I would say he is a Socialist obviously had to deal with different legisla‐ memories we have of Conference where the Right2Water unions won Republican, and we have a long way to go in a famous victory in convincing the majority of tion in a different jurisdiction. this country before we can say that the the delegates at that conference to support their Independent John“ during his presidency was country reflects those beliefs. worthy cause. John regularly made the point about how Very quickly myself, John and Larry Brod‐ John and Mandate played a pivotal role in the on the occasion when he important it was for ordinary people to join erick formed an alliance of what we saw as formation of the Right2Water and Right2 the last of the independent trade unions, in addressed the strikers and their Change movements. Along with our own union, the dots between the ills of the world and that none of us were dependent on anybody the CWU, UNITE and OPATSI, we managed to the manner in which society is structured. else to be elected, whilst at the same time we supporters from the Paris form a strong alliance of smaller political par‐ I was delighted to be given this opportu‐ were not big enough to influence generally, ties, community groups and our members, to nity to wish John a very long, healthy and the electoral chances of other candidates. Bakery waving a broken bring about one of the biggest protest move‐ happy retirement with Patricia and the rest For many years that alliance served us ments in the history of the State. of the clan. I personally wish to thank him well and ensured an independent block on baguette Many of us look back at those years with for his friendship, advice and help over the Executive Council of Congress which nor‐ some pride, but those victories can still be over‐ many years, and I look forward to more mally ensured a seat on the influential Gen‐ good times together in the future. Congress, the country was going through the so‐ turned and I am sure John will agree with me eral Purposes Committee of the Executive. ” when I say that we have started something spe‐ I would also like to take this opportunity called “austerity years”, which saw our govern‐ This led to John becoming Vice‐President of cial, but the job still has to be finished. to wish Gerry Light every success in his role the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and cul‐ ment impose many hardships on our citizens in John was also heavily involved in UNI Global as the new General Secretary of Mandate. I minated in his presidency of that august its attempt to make us all pay for the mistakes Union, our international trade union body. He look forward to continuing the close work‐ body. of the few. served for many years on the World Executive ing relationship that has been developed be‐ During John’s time as President of Things were further complicated by the situ‐ Board of that organisation and was a key sec‐ tween our two unions into the future.

26 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 THE BIG QUESTION... Why was the reference to Right2Water referendum erased from the Programme for Govt? By Dave Gibney Irish Water to the highest bidder Mandate Communications Officer given half a chance? Or that in the and Right2Water coordinator event of a bailout, the EU or IMF SOMEONE removed the Right2Water won’t force the privatisation of our referendum from the final Pro‐ water like they did in Greece? gramme for Government (PfG), but The parties will say there’s legisla‐ why? Under the Green New Deal sec‐ tion to prevent privatisation but tion for the PfG, it states: “We will im‐ that’s not worth the paper it’s plement the recommendations of the printed on because any future gov‐ Committee on Future Funding of Do‐ ernment can change legislation. mestic Water Services in relation to Somebody deleted the reference excess use.” to the Right2Water referendum in What’s really interesting about the PfG for a reason. this line is that it conveniently ig‐ They did so despite the fact that nores all of the other seven recom‐ the referendum was the number one mendations from that committee. recommendation from both the ex‐ The first recommendation was, of pert commission on water and the course, the Right2Water referendum special Oireachtas committee on which would enshrine public owner‐ water. ship of our water system in the con‐ stitution, preventing any future Pro-privatisation government from privatising it. And despite the fact that all parties Strangely, according to RTE, on in the Oireachtas voted in favour of Sunday 14th June, the Right2Water having the referendum. I think the referendum WAS included in the PfG. reason for this is clear – this pro‐ However, all of a sudden, when the gramme for government is pro‐pri‐ full document was released a few vatisation. They want you to use less days later, it had been deleted. Why? water so big companies can use Who wanted it to be removed? more. The legislation from Joan Collins If this were truly a Green New TD calling for a water referendum Deal, and they were genuinely con‐ passed unanimously in the Dáil in cerned about conservation, they’d 2016. Since then, FG – with the back‐ focus on where our water is actually ing of FF, have blocked any progress wasted. of this legislation through the That’s in the 50% of water leaked Oireachtas. Again, why? Could it be Picture: Sinn Fein (CC BY 2.0) from the system before it gets to our because Fine Gael and others have almost half of all companies do not Strangely, Even before any data centres taps, and through targeting indus‐ every intention of allowing the fu‐ pay their water bills. Added to that, opened, we know that Irish house‐ tries that use more than three‐quar‐ ture privatisation of our water? bottled water companies, such as Bal‐ according to RTE, holds only used 23% of water while ters of our water, including data Of course, they won’t say such a lygowan, can take as much water as on Sunday 14th June, the ‘industry’ – companies and agriculture centres. Instead they’ll spend hun‐ thing publicly because it won’t win they want for no cost. “ – used 77%. dreds of millions of euro going after many votes, but if it wasn’t the plan And it was reported recently that Right2Water referendum Yet, again, for so‐called “conserva‐ households that use a fraction of that – and if every party in the state sup‐ data centres are using hundreds of WAS tion” reasons, households are the tar‐ amount. posedly supports the Right2Water millions of litres of water. Facebook included in the PfG. get. The truth is, if they can get We have enough wealth and re‐ referendum – why was it removed alone uses more water each year than However, all of a sudden, excessive usage charges in place, it sources to tackle climate change and from the PfG? the 8,600 residents of Kildare town. means metering and consequently a the fallout from the pandemic, but The special Oireachtas committee And there are 55 of those data centres when the full document revenue stream to sell off Irish Water it’s about who is made pay. If it isn’t on water was a follow‐up to the gov‐ with another 31 in the pipeline. was released a few in the future. Water is now the most the wealthy and it isn’t corporations, ernment’s ‘expert commission’ on Soon data centres will be using valuable commodity on the planet, then who do you think it’s going to water. That report contained nine more water in Ireland than more than days later, it had with water companies in the UK mak‐ be? recommendations. Number one was 800,000 people for domestic use. We ing three times the profits of oil or gas They made us pay for a banking – again – the Right2Water referen‐ have a hosepipe ban because of been deleted. Why? concerns. crisis that was not of our making, dum. ‘droughts’ and who is it that is tar‐ We’re about to enter into another don’t let them make us pay for a cli‐ That report stated that almost geted for “excessive use” of this re‐ ” recession… Does anyone actually be‐ mate crisis and a pandemic not of 50% of our water leaks away, while source? Households, not companies. lieve the government won’t sell off our making.

August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 27 HERITAGE 100 years on, Mandate’s founder inspires us to seek a better world a woman who worked in a small Dave O’Lehane set drapery outlet in Drumcondra. about organising As reprehensible as the disciplin‐ Gibney ing system associated with living‐in the workers as a class, was, it also raised serious health and “ safety concerns. The small, over‐ breaking down the crowded dormitories were a breed‐ artificial barriers ing ground for infection diseases, such as typhoid fever. Worse still was constructed by employers the danger of fire. FEBRUARY 23rd earlier this year In 1905, Grennell’s of Camden marked the centenary of the death of to divide workers Street caught fire and five workers Michael O’Lehane, aged only 47, one were burnt alive inside. When the fire of the original founders of the trade broke out, the workers found them‐ union now known as Mandate. selves locked inside the building. During his life, Michael O’Lehane Gaelic Leaguer, and he used the” Gaelic Those who escaped did so through a left an indelible mark on the Irish revival movement as an opportunity small window and onto a roof coated trade union movement as he battled to expand the union in the early part in broken glass that ripped open their low pay, precarious work, poverty, of the 20th century. feet. This wasn’t unique. and the living‐in system, while also Within four years, the new union There were fires reported in helping to expand Irish trade union‐ had more than 3,000 members. What Arnotts, Todd Burns in Dublin, ism beyond the industrial field and was so unusual about the IDAA was Revington’s, Tralee, and Duggan’s in into the political arena. its acceptance of women on an equal Kilkenny, as well as Cannock’s in Lim‐ O’Lehane was born in Macroom, Co footing. Only one other union in Ire‐ erick. O’Lehane, innovative as ever, Cork, in 1873, but moved to Limerick land accepted women at the time, the recognised that the system would not to take up a role in Cannock’s as a Irish National Teachers’ Association be abolished through industrial cam‐ draper’s assistant in 1898. (INTO). paigning alone and so he helped The harsh living conditions re‐ By 1914, of its 4,000 members, bring the trade union movement into sulted in O’Lehane contracting ty‐ 1,400 were women. The encourage‐ the political sphere phoid fever from which he almost ment and prominence the IDAA gave O’Lehane was a republican socialist died. After a few months of recupera‐ to women under O’Lehane led to the who was close to the independence tion, he travelled to Dublin and took emergence of the suffragette Cissie movement in Ireland. He served as up a role in Arnotts on Henry Street. Cahalan, from Arnotts, who became president of the Dublin Trades Coun‐ While in Dublin, O’Lehane met with the union’s first female president in cil from 1909–1911, was elected to fellow drapery workers and together 1921. O’Lehane became the first Dublin Corporation for the Indepen‐ with 17 others, founded the Irish trade unionist in Ireland to edit and Drapers’ Assistants’ Benefit and Pro‐ dent Labour Party in the Kilmainham publish a newspaper. The Drapers’ As- ward, and at the trades union tection Association (IDAA) in 1901. sistant, which went into print in 1904, He was immediately installed as gen‐ congress in 1911 he was elected was published in order “to change the chairperson of the ITUC Pariamen‐ eral secretary at the relatively young thinking of the shop assistant, make age of 28. tary Committee (the ruling body of him alive to his rights and stimulate Congress) when it met in Clonmel Vision and, where necessary, shame him that year. into fighting for the principles of His vision, strategy and discipline trade unionism.” Objections revolutionised the Irish trade union The first edition of the newspaper movement, with many of his contem‐ As Dermot Keogh pointed out in an laid out the priorities for the IDAA: to poraries – including James Connolly article in the Irish Labour History secure a national minimum wage, and Jim Larkin – learning much from journal, Saothar, in 1977: “During the sick benefits, fixed hours and pay‐ O’Lehane. proceedings, he [O’Lehane] played ment for overtime, the eradication of In 1902, O’Lehane went on a not an insignificant part in helping arbitrary dismissals, as speaking tour across Ireland. James Connolly’s motion setting up well as the Branches were established in Galway an Irish Labour Party.” abolition of (1902), Tuam (1903), Sligo (1904), When there were objections, the living‐in Ballinasloe (1905), and later on he mostly from Belfast trade unionists, system. was instrumental in setting up to the establishment of an Irish At the time branches in many parts of Mayo, in‐ Labour Party (the argument was gen‐ many drapery cluding Ballina, Castlebar, Balli‐ erally that a British Labour Party al‐ outlets forced narobe, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris and ready served the needs of workers on employees to Westport. He also established the island), O’Lehane responded: live on the branches in Derry and Belfast. “Why didn’t they advocate affiliation premises – in ef‐ The popularity of the union across with the Labour Party in Belgium, fect, an early form the west coast was largely down to Germany or elsewhere? Why were Visionary example: Michael O’Lehane (above) was the first Irish trade unionist of Direct Provi‐ O’Lehane’s lifelong commitment as a to edit and publish a newpaper, The Drapers’ Assistant they so enamoured of the Labour sion. The workers Party of England?” were placed under He was a nationalist, but also a true close surveillance socialist, believing in equality and 24 hours a day. If fairness, not only in the industrial they kept a photo‐ sphere, but in society generally. graph of a loved one He explained to William O’Brien in nearby, they were June 1909 that “he was becoming a fined. If they had not returned to their more convinced socialist every day” bedroom on time, their wages were as a result of his trade union experi‐ cut. ence. They weren’t even allowed to One of the great obstacles faced by marry in some cases, leading to the O’Lehane in his role as a union organ‐ “thou shalt not marry” dispute be‐ iser was snobbery among drapery tween the IDAA and Switzer’s, of workers who often saw themselves Grafton Street, where a worker was above the level of a shop assistant or dismissed for seeking leave to marry a clerk. 28 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEW ONLINE COURSE FOR MANDATE WORKPLACE REPS Covid-19 return to work protocols

Mandate’s new online Covid-19 back to work induction course is designed to guide you through some aspects of the protocol document, as well as supporting Edwardian Dublin – Michael O’Lehane built up the IDAA from an initial membership of just 18 to some the implementation and compliance of best practice 7,000 by the time of his early death in 1920 within the industry collectively as a union O’Lehane explained in 1918: “Many sponsibility due to a locked‐out col‐ of them (drapers’ assistants) did not league that went beyond the payment know at the time the difference be‐ of a levy. Workers should engage in tween the term trade unionist and public demonstrations and actively To complete the course, you can register on our online anarchist. They were steeped in false support workers in dispute. academy by following the relevant steps below... notions of respectability, and as John A pioneer and a visionary, O’Le‐ Burns at the time so epigrammati‐ hane was known by his contempo‐ cally described them: ‘They have to raries as a skilled propagandist and be eternally young and infernally an engaging speaker who made full For new learner members to Mandate’s online learning platform... civil; had to dress like dukes on the use of those skills for the benefit of wages of a dustman; and had to main‐ his union and its members. tain the polish of a cabinet minister He formed a union in 1901, initially STEP 1 Go to the following self-enrolment link https://bit.ly/2X34Fpj on the salary of a footman.’” comprised of only 18 workers in Add your name, surname and email address, press enrol This snobbery made it difficult to Dublin, and forged it into a national recruit drapery workers because they union of more than 7,000 members considered trade unionism “vulgar.” It by the time of his untimely death in Check your mailbox (including the spam basket) also led to resentment from shop as‐ 1920. STEP 2 sistants and clerks who would regu‐ O’Lehane’s commitment to equal‐ and then register your account larly pass pickets and become ity and fairness was second to none. strike‐breakers to antagonise the He wasn’t bound by laws, and often Create a new password (password will need include drapers. risked arrest. His sharp intellect STEP 3 O’Lehane set about organising the changed how unions operated, mod‐ 8 characters including upper, lower case, number and special workers as a class, breaking down the ernising them, engaging alternative character such as @ , ! , # ,* , /, ) complete the registration artificial barriers constructed by em‐ strategies for winning disputes and ployers to divide workers. increasing membership. When he established the IDAA, he Boundaries STEP 4 You will be directed to your dashboard, please set it up not only as a trade union to click on the course and then the start button negotiate pay and conditions of em‐ He shattered boundaries so that fu‐ ployment, but also as a protection ture generations could have better and benefits society. At the time, lives. He didn’t allow naysayers to de‐ To log back into the platform please go to the following link and enter the there was no such thing as social wel‐ termine how far he or his union could fare from the state. His vision was to go in terms of improving pay and liv‐ log-in details created: https://mandatetradeunion.hiuphub.com/login help remedy that and members now ing conditions for members. If you have any issue or problem during this process, please use had access to sick benefit, unemploy‐ O’Lehane was a skilled writer and ment assistance and pensions. It also possessed a keen intellect. When em‐ the support button in your right upper corner or “I NEED HELP” button served as a decent recruitment tool. ployers argued that his aspirations when logged into the platform He was known as a “cool head” but were too ambitious, he wrote: “…No never one to shirk an ethical chal‐ doubt we will be told ‘competition is lenge. In 1906, Boyers teamed up keen,’ ‘we cannot afford to pay any For existing members to Mandate’s online learning platform... with the employers’ federations more,’ ‘our neighbours are under‐ across Dublin to teach the fledgling selling us,’ etc., etc. union a lesson in manners and obedi‐ “This is all very fine for traders STEP 1 Existing trainees can use the following link: ence through an eight month lockout. who have consistently adopted the https://mandate.hiuphub.com/login In response, O’Lehane organised a cut‐throat system of competition, series of monster meetings, estab‐ whose sole object is to make money lished an independent public defence for themselves at the expense and to committee and implemented a sym‐ the detriment of their employees, but If you cannot log in, please use forgotten password option pathetic strike at another location we say in reply to these, and to all STEP 2 owned by the same employer. whom it may concern that if the pub‐ on your log-in page or simply follow [email protected] He also published and distributed lic are to be granted privileges by to reset your details flyers to inform the public about the grasping, greedy employers, this dispute and generated a great deal of must not be done at the expense of support from other trade unions in the workers, at the cost of cheap, Ireland. A number of rallies were sweated, and in many cases unpaid Please keep your log-in details/password safe as you held – one with estimated turnout of labour.” will require same for future online training 20,000. Other unions even provided O’Lehane raised class‐conscious‐ musical bands to keep the strikers ness and raised expectations. He con‐ and their supporters entertained! vinced workers that if they were Should you have any issue accessing the links please The workers won the dispute and all organised, there were no limits to were re‐instated. what they could achieve. Through contact Jonathan Hogan [email protected] or O’Lehane insisted that a strike was solidarity and collective action they Amanda Blake [email protected] at the Mandate Training Centre the concern of the entire trade union could build a better world. We need movement and that there was a re‐ more like him today. August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 29 NEWS Govt moves to make face coverings in shops and shopping centres mandatory THE Government has now moved to make face coverings mandatory in all shops and shopping centres. Taoiseach Micheál Martin an‐ nounced the measures following a Picture: Anna Shvets cabinet meeting on July 16th. It came Douglas said: “It is imperative we quirement circumstances such as He cautioned: “The wearing of face the day after Mandate had similarly act collectively to ascertain the exact working behind screens and what, if coverings is not a substitute for alco‐ called for face coverings to be made COVID-19 high level of risk posed to shop work‐ any, punitive measures are to be ap‐ hol based hand washing and the con‐ compulsory in retail outlets to protect ers in Ireland by the spread of coron‐ plied to non‐compliance. tinuing enforcement of social front‐line workers from coronavirus. CRISIS avirus, as well as acting swiftly to “We are very clear that workers distancing measures. Mandate General Secretary John ensure mandatory face covering mea‐ must be free from forcing public com‐ “Rather, the wearing of face masks sures are implemented and compli‐ pliance on the wearing of face cover‐ in shops and supermarkets will be an Douglas had called on the govern‐ consultation with the workers’ repre‐ ment to ance ensured for the protection of ings and that employers must put in added protective measure taken to sentative union, Mandate.” engage with the union to discuss shop workers’ health.” place measures to protect staff ensure we can keep retail workers as He pointed out that UK Health Min‐ and agree protocols over implement‐ And Mandate called for an agreed against abusive behaviour in that re‐ safe as possible. ing the measures, which he insisted ister Matt Hancock had recently protocol in consultation with govern‐ gard.” “Wearing face coverings in shops was “imperative”. claimed shop workers were up to ment for the mandatory wearing of Douglas said any mandatory face and supermarkets should be seen as Speaking on July 15th, he said: “De‐ 75% more likely to die from coron‐ face coverings. coverings in retail settings must be a reasonable mitigation against the cisions to protect the lives of retail avirus than the general population “Any agreed measures,” he added, part of a suite of measures intended unprecedented risk posed by the workers must be taken without un‐ underlining the urgent need for ac‐ “should look at the inclusion of ex‐ to protect shop workers’ lives for the coronavirus to those brave front‐line necessary delay and following direct tion on face coverings. emptions for health reasons, non‐re‐ foreseeable future. workers.” TESCO Usdaw backs mandatory face coverings in shops UK RETAIL workers union Usdaw has welcomed the introduction of mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, supermarkets and shop- ping centres in England, but warned it would only prove effective if used along with existing social distancing and hygiene measures. Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “We are urging employers Mandate welcomes early to stay with the established two-metre social distancing, using screens at tills and limiting the number of shoppers in store at any one time. “Employers must also be aware that staff will need regular breaks when they can take their face covering off and have the opportunity to replace it. Staff on tills who are behind screens should not be re- move to award 10% bonus quired to wear a face covering,” he added. MANDATE broadly welcomed the cant in the bigger scheme of things SOLIDARITY decision by Tesco Ireland early on in but it is well-deserved and long the Covid-19 emergency to award a overdue recognition for a group of 10% bonus to staff across their workers in a sector that up to now store and distribution networks in has not been given its due respect recognition of the remarkable job for the vitally important public ser- carried out by its workforce. vice role it performs within our so- Speaking shortly after the bonus ciety.” was announced in mid-March, Man- Douglas said the union had been date General Secretary John Dou- in frequent communication with re- glas (right) said the Covid-19 crisis tailers to ensure that all HSE Covid- had underlined the essential public 19 health and safety guidelines service provided by front-line retail were being followed as well as fo- workers in keeping the shelves cusing on maintaining and improv- stocked and the country fed and ing the income for retail workers “at clothed. this difficult time”. Douglas told Shopfloor: “The self- less and dedicated work carried out But Mr Douglas insisted that “much more needed to be done” by by these workers – the majority of suit, Douglas continued: “Initiatives them Mandate members – in keep- the government “to protect jobs such as this Tesco bonus payment of ing stocks replenished and by mak- and businesses” in these “worrying ing sure supermarkets remain open 10% may not appear overly signifi- and dangerous times”. deserves to be recognised and re- warded.” The selfless and dedicated work carried out He said Mandate had been “cam- by these workers – the majority of them paigning hard” for such recognition Liam O Briain, chairperson of Cork Health and Local Government Branch of and welcomed the bonus payment Mandate members – in keeping stocks replenished Fórsa, was on the picket line on August 7th, to show solidarity with Deben- by Tesco, adding that it should be “ hams workers. One of the Patrick Street strikers said they had a message for seen as a “benchmarking prece- and by making sure supermarkets remain him: “Many thanks for looking after the tea, coffee and much more from the dent”. Imperial Hotel. We greatly appreciate your comradeship, brother Liam!“ Calling on other retailers to follow open deserves to be recognised and rewarded 30 ” SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 NEWS IRELAND’S SUPER-RICH 1. The 2. The 3. John 4. John 5. Denis 6. Comer 7. Larry 8. John 9. John 10. JP Mistry Westons & Patrick Grayken O’Brien brothers Goodman Magnier Dorrance McManus family €8.6bn Collison €6.26bn €3.8bn €3bn €2.8bn €2.56bn €2.36bn €2.2bn €13.8bn €7.7bn

up up down up up up down up up €1.5bn up €510m €900m €1.65bn €1.95bn €140m €140m €30m €2.3bn €5.95bn

THE FORTUNES of Ireland’s billion‐ BLED to a staggering €53bn in the to wait on trolleys for a hospital aire jet set have continued to go last decade. Mandate National Coor‐ bed every day, Ireland’s richest from strength to strength, according dinator Brian Forbes told Shopfloor: continue to enjoy the fat of the to figures compiled in this year’s “Meanwhile, 700,000 people live in land. Sunday Independent Rich List. poverty and our media seems to “It is long past time they paid The figures – revealed before the think these two stories of extortion‐ their fair share to help make life country went into lockdown in re‐ ate wealth and increasing levels of better for many who are simply sponse to Covid‐19 – show that de‐ poverty aren’t linked. They are. just surviving within our struggling spite the fact many households in “Despite our own broken housing communities. Ireland are still barely scraping by, market with its sofa surfers and “There’s a cohort of people in the combined wealth of our 10 rich‐ rough sleepers, and a crumbling this country who are more con‐ est families has MORE THAN DOU‐ health system where hundreds have cerned about the flight of capital as opposed to the flight of labour over the past 10 years. It is abundantly clear that people have voted in over‐ whelming numbers for change and heavily taxing the obscene wealth of cor‐ porations and individuals would be a progressive step in the right direction for this country.” Topping the Rich List 2020 is the Indo‐Irish Mistry family – who own a large part of Mumbai‐based Tata Sons con‐ glomerate – with €13.8bn, fol‐ lowed by Ireland’s premier family of retailers, the Westons, with a combined wealth of €8.6bn. Picture: John Jones (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Tech billionaire brothers John and Patrick Collison (above left and right); Telecoms tycoon Denis O’Brien (below left) and horse racing magnate JP McManus Limerick tech duo, Patrick and John Dorrance III and his Finnish‐ €2.8bn (7th); Magnier, dubbed ‘The John Collison are, at 31 and 29, the born wife Gundel (€2.36bn, 9th) Boss’, in at number 8, has €2.56bn; youngest billionaires on the 2020 also left the US for tax reasons in the and racehorse owner and business‐ list with a joint wealth of €7.7bn. mid‐90s swapping their Wyoming man JP McManus makes the finish‐ They founded online payments ranch for leafy Dartry. Meanwhile, ing line in 10th place at €2.2bn. company Stripe. Galway‐based tycoons Brian and Forbes continued: “Imagine the In at four is Boston‐born John Luke Comer (6th) have built a com‐ difference we could make towards Grayken, who according to bined fortune of €3bn with land and transforming our public services Wikipedia took Irish citizenship property deals in Ireland, UK, Ger‐ with even half of that €53 billion “for tax purposes” in 1999. Grayken many and Greece. owned by those insanely rich 10 founded private equity firm Lone And the old warhorses of Irish families – we could build a fair few Star Funds in 1995. Vulture fund capital – Denis O’Brien, Larry Good- public houses on public land for the Lone Star invests in a variety of man, John Magnier and JP Mc- many hundreds of families desper‐ asset classes – primarily “dis‐ Manus – also make it into the ately in need of a home. tressed” opportunities in markets Sunday Indo top 10. Telecoms tycoon “Imagine – thousands of ‘homes undergoing economic turmoil – O’Brien is worth €3.8bn (5th); Beef sweet homes’ in a fundamentally which they “clean up and flip” for a kingpin Goodman weighs in at changed country of equals.” Pictures: Web Summit (CC BY 2.0); J D Lasica (CC BY 2.0); ITU Pictures/J Ohle (CC BY 2.0) profit.

August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 31 EYES LEFT! Biffo “Stand up, Chuck, let 'em see ya" “Nobody has better respect for The Eye That Never Sleeps Joe Biden to Missouri state Sen. Chuck Graham, intelligence than Donald Trump” who is in a wheelchair, Columbia, Missouri, Intelligent Donald Trump September 12th, 2008 broadcast on CNN, August 8th, 2017 The stoopid things they say... It’s green for go, Saoirse! BIFFO has noticed that every disaster not great again, just a bit better and movie starts with the government ig- a little less insane… THE inevitability of the departure of Saoirse lit a dirty, big coal fire in the noring the advice of a scientist. The fact is masks don’t protect the environmental campaigner Saoirse middle of the room. Meanwhile, the comedic US presi- public from the ‘foot in mouth’ dis- McHugh from the Green Party came The resulting heat didn’t help poor dential race is shaping up to be the ease that riddles both candidates. as no surprise to those listening to Eamon’s drowsiness as he slipped greatest real-life disaster movie of all Trump has said more insanely Leinster House’s whispering walls. further into oblivion – no doubt time. stupid things than all previous US For Biffo heard on the green mirroring the future electoral Darth Vader wore a mask in public presidents combined. But in Biden, grapevine that her leaving party was prospects of the Green Party. long before it was deemed cool and there is a rival claimant for the gaffe some craic indeed. Without wonderful climate justice a fully masked-up Joe is simply Biden king of America crown. The bold Eamon Ryan was advocates, such as the socialist-lean- his time until a fully unmasked Trump As things stand, it’s a straight-up snoozing and snoring away loudly in ing Saoirse McHugh, the party is finally booted out of office when he choice between your old racist, sleazy the corner while everyone else sat becomes merely a bunch of green gets his “you’re fired” notice from the grandfather and your other old around in silence slurping Shloer in capitalists pretending to ride bicycles great American public at the ballot sleazy, doting grandfather. case their chatter should wake the while riding the country instead. box in November. All they want is to I wish Darth Vader was in the great leader from his slumbers. Biffo called Eamon for a comment make their country a wee bit better, presidential race! Saoirse, in one final, grand act of on Saoirse’s departure. He told Biffo: “I defiance, brought an actual cow to love her work. Those two films she the leaving party as her ‘plus one’. The starred in – Mary Queen of Scots and gassy ruminant farted loudly all night Little Women – were tremendous. I’d them long emitting noxious fumes into the love to see her in a remake of my How about apples... atmosphere while Achill islander most favourite film, Forrest Gump.” A Bon voyage to Tralee! 13,, FLICKING through the interweb IRELAND “won” its recent court battle €13 billion in back taxes plus interest so that we might reject the vast sum recently I spotted this striking head- to defend its right to be a tax haven. to Ireland. owed to Ireland in tax by our great line in an online edition of the Irish In 2016, it was alleged by the Euro- Ireland appealed the ruling with friends in the Apple Corporation. Times, ‘Tralee town square pean Commission that Ireland granted Apple following suit, thus combining Ireland actually spent €6 million of described as the ‘most dangerous’ in illegal tax benefits to Apple. The Com- the legal joint forces of a sovereign our money in defending its right to be Ireland’. mission then ordered Apple to pay country with a corporate multinational the biggest tax haven in the world. The headline evoked images of In July, the European General Court hordes of Viking-like rampaging lu- struck down the EU tax decision as il- natics pillaging the heart of the pic- legal, ruling in favour of Apple. turesque Co Kerry town. If you’re rich, don’t look Don’t forget that the amount owed My interest piqued so I read the ar- by Apple to Ireland equates to 100,000 ticle to find that Tralee town square new homes. The narrative embedded was revamped in 2004 with grey bol- on it as tax avoidance, in popular discourse is that Ireland lards against a lovely cream French isn’t a tax haven: WRONG! limestone surface. It was meant to be look on it as a children’s The old saying that ‘an Apple a day pleasing to the eye but concerns were keeps the doctor away’ is true. In fact, soon raised about how slippery it be- you could go further: the non-pay- came in the rain. hospital buying you a ment of Apple taxes also manages to Someone who slipped on the keep the nurses, the teachers and the surface referred to it as the ‘most dan- pool table... health care workers away as well. gerous’ square in Ireland and the Socialism or barbarism was never paper of record ran with that strangely Frankie Boyle more apt! sensationalist headline. It later transpired that the Tralee Pictures: Umberto Rotundo (CC BY 2.0); Ralph_PH (CC BY 2.0); GabboT (CC BY-SA 2.0);Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 2.0) town square revamp was actually sponsored by Bon Jovi to help pro- ...I’m losing it! mote their third album, CONSPIRACY theorists unite... Slippery When Wet. Bloody evil long- I’ve seen birds flying recently that haired American rocker Balls to bad bosses aren’t real. David Icke got banned geniuses! from Facebook for telling the BIFFO totally appreciates how truth. Coronavirus is caused by 5G. taking strike action, such as Vaccinations are a New World those working class heroes in Order control mechanism. Bill the long-running Debenhams Gates runs the world when the dispute, can be an extremely dif- Rothschilds are on their ficult decision of last resort for holidays. Fluoridation of water workers. Strikes can take a terri- is a communist plot. ble toll on striking workers and Paul McCartney died in a car their families. accident in 1966 and was replaced However, auld Biffo gets so ex- by a look-alike Scottish orphan cited that workers are collec- named William Shears Campbell. SNAPPED: When a Covid tively prepared to fight back The birds I mentioned earlier, against bad employers and un- the bloody birds, are Compliance Officer goes just employment legislation that government drones watching he could put four tennis balls our every move. We’re doomed one step beyond... into my mouth at the same time I tell ye, we’re all doomed!!! – just like this lovely dog… 32 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 TRAINING

Hats what’s all about! Trainers Erkan and Ben (left and above) are thanked by General Secretary John Douglas on final day of course

A focus on winning for workers

By Brian Forbes vational five days of discussion their time, their sage advice National Coordinator and strategic organising plan‐ and for assisting us in refocus‐ JUST before the country went ning. Our union is a collective. ing our energies back towards into lockdown, we held a week Our union is our members and the basic fundamentals of or‐ of EPOC Advanced Organising we are proud to be a part of a ganising as well as guiding us training for our union leader‐ “fighting back” trade union. towards better collective ship, officials and organisers. Sincere thanks to our good strategic planning. Up the It was an inspiring and moti‐ comrades Erkan and Ben for workers!

INTERNATIONAL Israelis free BDS campaigner MANDATE has welcomed the release of Pales‐ strength and kept alive my tinian BDS coordinator Mahmoud Nawajaa (pic‐ hope to be reunified with tured inset) by the Israeli authorities after 19 my loving family and my days of illegal detention without charge. inspiring wider BDS fam‐ The human rights defender was freed from ily.” military custody on August 17th following a Mandate National Coor‐ global campaign to secure his release. dinator Brian Forbes told Shopfloor: “Our union Since Mahmoud’s July 30th arrest, Israeli in‐ fully backs the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions ternal security organisation Shin Bet had failed (BDS) campaign which works to end interna‐ to present any formal charges against him. tional support for Israel's oppression of Pales‐ On gaining his freedom, Mahmoud said: tinians and pressure Israel into complying with “Pressure works. Sustained global pressure international law. This arrest was an attempt to works even better. I am deeply grateful to all thwart that work and silence the voice of a those who pressured apartheid Israel to release courageous campaigner. It didn’t work with me. The solidarity [shown to me] gave me Mahmoud and it won’t with anyone else.” August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 33 SPECIAL REPORT ATTENTION l Report lashes European complicity with Israeli occupation HEALTH & SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES Why Palestine is Health locked in poverty & Safety Course and servitude

FOR MORE than 52 years, Israel has In a bid to ensure that our elected Health & Safety subjected the people and economy of Representatives have added supports in place the Occupied Palestinian Territory to help them in their role, we are pleased (oPt) to a violently repressive mili‐ tary occupation, and is responsible to share the Health & Safety Authority’s for a range of exploitative policies online Health & Safety Course, created in that benefit its own geopolitical and economic interest. collaboration with ICTU and affiliates of the same. These claims – backed up by an array of statistics – are set out in a new report by the European Trade Both the private and public sectors This online course is designed as an added learning Union Initiative for Justice in Pales‐ ́ caire are characterised by a lack of basic tool to support Health & Safety Reps with tine. The ETUIJP – a network of 34 workers’ rights and a very low union density of 19.3%. The lack of job op‐ the implementation and compliance of best practice. European trade unions (including Mandate) which represent six million portunities within the Palestinian workers – was set up in 2016 and is economy forces Palestinians to seek committed to challenging European employment in the Israeli market – To take this course, you can register on the Health & both in the illegal settlements and governments’ and the EU’s complicity Picture: Alan Whelan/Tro Safety Authority’s site at the following link: with Israel. within Israel itself. https://bit.ly/30bzvOF Israeli policies have had a devastat‐ There are more than 100,000 ing impact on Palestinian life, collec‐ Palestinian workers (13% of the total tive aspirations and economic Palestinian labour force) employed in development. According to 2017 UN the Israeli labour market – often in Conference on Trade and Develop‐ precarious and exploitative condi‐ STEP 1 Go to: ment (UNCTAD) report, Palestinians tions. https://bit.ly/30bzvOF in the Occupied Palestinian Territory This is the direct result of Israeli suffer from chronic unemployment Economic growth levels are policies implemented to make Pales‐ “at a level rarely seen since the Great abysmal with the Palestinian Author‐ tinians dependent. These policies STEP 2 Click on log-in, Click on create Depression”. ity chronically dependent on foreign have been cemented through the Oslo new account, Complete details Palestinians engage with a local transfers. This has a devastating and Accords of 1993, and their economic economy that is structurally subordi‐ tangible impact on people’s lives. annex, the Paris Protocol (the main nate and dependent on Israel for its According to the last available data document regulating economic rela‐ Home screen, day‐to‐day survival and employment. from 2017, some 29.2% of Palestini‐ tions between Israel and the Pales‐ STEP 3 tinian Authority). Select course tab dropdown, The report, titled European Com- ans in the Palestinian territory live plicity with Israel’s Occupation: Un- below the poverty line, while 53% of Oslo divided the Palestinian terri‐ Select topics, dermining Palestinians’ Right to Gazans live in poverty. tory into the fragmented and isolated Decent Work, sheds light on Israel’s Those who are fortunate enough to Areas A and B, controlled by the Select Safety Representatives Palestinian Authority, and gave Israel multifaceted system of repression have a job are mainly employed in the control over the larger, continuous and exploitation that prevents Pales‐ commerce and service sectors. The Area C, which is of necessity if there tinian workers from claiming their mass majority of these – more than You are now ready to start this course. is to be any prospect of Palestinian right to work and employment. 62.6% – are working in the private economic development. The course will take approximately 40 minutes to It places their struggle within the sector. Area C contains the major aquifers complete, after which you will obtain a Certificate. context of Israel’s settler‐colonial As in other parts of the world pri‐ regime, while highlighting how the as well as the most fertile agricultural vate sector employment can be very European Union and corporate Eu‐ land in the West Bank. Area C is effec‐ exploitative. Around 30% of those rope are complicit in perpetuating tively annexed by Israel, but the re‐ employed in the private sector re‐ this reality. cently announced ‘peace plan’ by ceive less than the minimum wage of Please keep your log-in details/password Today Palestinians in Gaza and on President Trump proposes that this is the West Bank endure a brutal mili‐ €359 a month, in itself way below the formalised and agreed to by the safe as you will require same for tary regime and face the dire eco‐ official Palestinian poverty line of Palestinian Authority. future online training nomic reality of mass unemployment. €611 a month for a household of five Area C also includes more than half In 2018, the Palestinian territory people. of the 2,000 hectares of quarries in had the highest level of unemploy‐ the occupied West Bank. Palestinians’ Should you have any issue accessing the links ment in the world at 40.8%. In the Essentially the Paris inability to access and utilise these please contact Jonathan Hogan West Bank, some 17.6% of the total has cost the Palestinian economy an labour force, and 28.2% of women Protocol structures average of €806 million a year. [email protected] or were unemployed. the economic captivity While Palestinians are denied ac‐ Amanda Blake [email protected] In Gaza, the data shows an even “ cess, Israeli‐administered quarries in more stark reality with almost every of an occupied the West Bank produce about 12 mil‐ at the Mandate Training Centre second worker unemployed and two‐ lion tons of stone, gravel and thirds of all women workers jobless. population dolomite. Almost all of extracted ma‐ 34 ” SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 Picture: PalFest (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0) Picture: PalFest (CC BY-NC-SA

Israeli checkpoint in Hebron those farms and in general financially enriches a system that is premised on Palestinian dispossession and de‐de‐ velopment. Similarly, Israeli military compa‐ nies’ access to EU funding as part of research programmes (e.g. Horizon 2020), directly empowers Israel’s deadly military industrial complex. A recent UN report on Israel’s at‐ tacks on peaceful demonstrators dur‐ ing Gaza’s Great March of Return shows how the Israeli military delib‐ erately targeted medical and media workers as they did their job. The report makes clear that EU fi‐ nancing of Israeli arms companies and those active in illegal settlements involves a direct complicity with Is‐ What future lies ahead for Palestine’s children? Mother walks with her daughters in Batala refugee camp in Nablus tion are often withheld by the Is- raeli violations of Palestinian rights, raeli authorities as a form of polit- including the right to life, to economic ical pressure. prosperity and development and to These are not small amounts. In decent work. 2018, clearance revenues amounted to 65% of the PA’s total revenue or European Trade Union Initiative for 15% of Gross Domestic Product Justice in Palestine calls on the Eu- (GDP). In effect, the Paris Protocol ropean trade union movement to: gave Israel control over a major 1. Pass motions and support cam‐ source of income for the Palestinian paigns towards a two‐way military Picture: Peter Mulligan (CC BY 2.0) Picture: Peter Mulligan (CC BY Authority and thus over its very sur‐ embargo on Israel. vival. 2. Put pressure on companies in‐ These conditions also significantly volved in Israel’s violation of interna‐ increase costs for Palestinian busi‐ tional and Palestinian rights by: nesses. Shipments destined for the l Building effective campaigns oPt are handled by Israeli cargo man‐ to end your union’s commercial agement, storage and transportation agreements with complicit com- companies. Palestinian companies panies; must also pay Israeli companies for l Supporting workers to call on security clearance, required by Israel their employers to end their com- for each shipment. The transfer of plicity with the occupation; goods through Israel adds an addi‐ l Working with pension funds tional 5% to 10% to the cost of a ship‐ to end their investment in compa- ment. nies involved in Israel’s violation The customs union significantly in‐ of Palestinian rights; creases the cost of imports and ex‐ 3. Take action within your trade ports and undermines the union and workplace to raise aware‐ competitiveness of oPt goods on the ness of Palestinian workers’ working international market, leaving Israel conditions and the denial of their ac‐ as the pre‐eminent consumer. cess to decent work, and to support UNCTAD calculates that between unions and other organisations in ‘Security wall’ on the outskirts of Jerusalem. Under the Oslo Accords, Palestinian territory has been fragmented choking off any hope of economic growth 1972‐2017, Israel absorbed 79% of Palestine and Israel, working to im‐ the oPt’s total exports, while Israeli prove Palestinian workers’ rights. terial is used for the Israeli construc‐ 1. INFRASTRUCTURE: Infrastruc‐ 2. THE PARIS PROTOCOL: This gov‐ imports to the oPt amounted to 81%. tion industry, settlements, and Israeli ture, including water, electricity and erns trade and financial relations be‐ Essentially the Paris Protocol struc‐ The ETUIJP calls on the EU to: infrastructure in the West Bank. telecommunication is controlled by tween Israel and Palestine further tures the economic captivity of an oc‐ 1. Suspend the EU‐Israel Associa‐ In violation of international law, the Israeli authorities and companies, undermines the Palestinian econ‐ cupied population. tion Agreement until Israel meets its European companies are also in‐ resulting in further economic depen‐ omy: The de‐development and captivity obligations under international law volved in this pillage – for example, dency on Israel. l The absence of an indepen- of the Palestinian economy and eco‐ and ends violation of Palestinians’ the German‐based multinational Hei‐ These sectors could potentially be dent Palestinian currency means nomic dependence on Israel has con‐ rights. delbergCement operates a stone large employers and their inadequate that Israel financially benefits from tributed to high levels of 2. Exclude Israeli companies and quarry in the West Bank. supply has a negative knock‐on im‐ money destined to the oPt, includ- unemployment and underemploy‐ institutions involved in Israel’s mili‐ A similar situation takes place in pact on other productive and job‐cre‐ ing international aid, through the ment in the oPt. tary industrial complex from any EU the Jordan Valley, once called Jordan’s ating industries as well as public conversion of foreign currencies to As a result many Palestinian work‐ research and funded projects. food basket because it produced 60% services and quality of life. the Israeli Shekel. ers are forced and not drawn to seek 3. End all EU contractual agree‐ of Jordan’s fruit and vegetables. Now l Control over borders means work for Israeli employers in the ille‐ ments with companies complicit with the Jordan Valley is almost exclusively In violation of that any import and export to the gal settlements and Israel. Israel’s violation of Palestinians’ exploited for the benefit of settler Palestinian territory must go The opening of the EU’s market to rights and international law. agricultural businesses, and 66% of international law, through Israel. Israel collects taxes Israeli settlement produce, facilitated 4. Ban the sale of Israeli settlement produce is exported. European companies on imports and exports. through the lack of safeguards in the products in European markets. Accompanying these direct policies “ l Custom duties and clearance EU‐Israel Association Agreement, for 5. Stop European companies from of exploitation and pillage, the Pales‐ are also involved in charges meant to be transferred to example, directly bolsters the settle‐ doing business with Israel’s settle‐ tinian territory’s economy is further the Palestinian Authority on a ment enterprise, the exploitation of ment enterprise. undermined by: this pillage... monthly basis after a 3% deduc- Palestinian workers working on Full report: https://bit.ly/2Pmq9JT August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR ” 35 OPINION fered most, have low trade union density levels. These mainly non-unionised sec- tors suffer from a lack of decent sick Capitalism kills... pay schemes, chronic under-staffing, low pay as standard and terrible MANY decades of insatiable corpo- working conditions. rate greed working hand-in-glove Many of these desperately put- with a skewed political system has upon workers continue to work, even determinedly chipped away at the LET US when feeling unwell, as they need to social and political fabric of Ireland. feed and clothe themselves and their Corporatism and crony capitalism families out of poverty wages. Many has feasted for years on many soci- of these workers live in overcrowded etal decency thresholds we once ARISE! and substandard accommodation. took for granted. Some are forced to bed share, whilst The aspirations of a citizen’s right Brian Forbes working inhumane hours for a to a home, unrestricted access to shower of greedy bastards who third level education or an appren- National Co-ordinator deduct money from poverty wages ticeship and a decent standard of liv- Mandate Trade Union for the privilege of living in company- ing have all crumbled under the owned hovels. weight of a political hierarchy hell- ism did. The crafty wee Covid-19 virus Covid-19 did exactly what it was bent on reinventing another round of didn’t create poverty wages or attack engineered to do as it set about in- casino capitalism whilst protecting and dismantle the legal protections af- discriminately killing many forded tens of thousands their own landlord class and slavishly Picture: Fabrizio Pucci (CC BY 2.0) of our most vulnerable cit- following the fiscal rules intent on of workers employed in izens under prevailing embedding austerity into the DNA precarious employment workplace circumstances and lives of future generations. sectors under the engineered by capitalism Covid-19 is without doubt a dan- union/employer negoti- and corporate greed. gerous new killer virus which has re- ated Joint Labour Com- Capitalism killed people. sulted in a worldwide health mittee system and the Covid-19 did the mur- pandemic the like of which is unseen sectoral employment or- derous dirty deeds in in our lifetime. However, no matter ders. Capitalism did. those work sectors. But how indiscriminate and virulently ag- Sadly, Covid-19 went it was willingly and ably gressive Covid-19 can be, it certainly about its most devastating facilitated by capitalist did not create our country’s desper- work within the confines of ideology for wealth cre- ate lack of public housing or the un- our residential nursing ation. The slavish sub- precedented crisis in our homes and, more recently, servient relationship underfunded and depleted health within our meat processing Ireland has developed over decades care system. Capitalism did. factories and mushroom farms. These with the system of extreme profits, at Covid-19 didn’t invent precarious very same sectors of our economy any cost, embedded into our national low-paid employment. It didn’t smite have a preponderance of privately- love of cute hoorism has contributed us all with poor contracted terms and owned entities who seem to operate to killing many unfortunate victims of conditions which are cruelly centred on the minimum margins in almost the virus every bit as much as Covid- on the employer class’s desire for everything they do. 19 did. minimal guaranteed contracted It will be no surprise to regular read- Capitalism did the heavy lifting hours to facilitate their creation of ers of Shopfloor to learn that these two while Covid-19 performed the coup- indentured wage slaves. Capital- sectors, whose employees have suf- de-grace. Let’s think BIG when it comes to organising...

IT IS MY considered view that dealing with impor- By organising across the retail sector and build- tant issues like the projected impact of rapid au- ing a “combine” of shop stewards from the domi- tomation in the retail sector or the shape of our nant companies, it is very possible to win collective economy post-pandemic cannot be adequately victories for many workplaces rather than on a tackled by Mandate on a piecemeal ‘shop-by-shop’ one-by-one employer basis. basis. These massive challenges must be tackled One of Unite’s early UK organising campaigns in at an industrial sectoral level with union activists meat production succeeded in securing a ground- from a range of leading retail employments at the breaking ‘Minimum Standards Agreement’ with core of everything we do. the big supermarket chains and the suppliers. No-one person has all the answers. However, This agreement ensured a living wage, parity of similar organising unions to Mandate such as pay and permanency of contract for tens of thou- Unite the Union, under Sharon Graham’s organis- sands of workers. Might this collective organising ing leadership, have determined that the tradi- approach developed over time by Unite be the fu- Do your tional approach of organising one workplace or ture way forward for Mandate in organising work- one employer at a time was always a strategy ers who need a union more now than at any stage bit on the SHOPFLOOR! doomed to failure. of our past history? In challenging the collective Many moons ago Mandate negotiated ‘Town SHOPFLOOR KEEPS strength of global capitalism organ- Agreements’ which set standards across retail for ising unions, such as Mandate, individual towns. Town Agreements involved a YOU INFORMED... need to work cleverer or slowly cross-section of retail workers from different em- HELP KEEP US disappear like the proverbial ployments collectively bargaining for their locality. snow off a ditch. Mandate’s Retail Charter 2020, which outlines INFORMED BY Unions must adapt and the aspirations of our union towards achieving a mirror their approach to or- living wage and better terms and conditions, is a EMAILING ganising in a similar way to perfect model for achieving collective solidarity STORIES & the collective organisation of action across the entire retail sector. modern global capitalism. Or- A sectoral campaigning retail union led by our PICTURES ABOUT ganising shop by shop, office union activists working alongside our union lead- YOUR WORKPLACE by office and bar by bar is an ership could become a strong collective challenge outdated concept which eats to retail capitalism and extreme profits at a time away resources and frustrates the of great national need for a better and more equal establishment and power of socialist-based economy and society. [email protected] any real effective collective The only effective answer to organised greed is organised labour. organised labour.

36 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 BOOKSHELF Trade union rebel with a cause From Lucifer to Lazarus: ally about any of that. Free collective bargaining is about A Life on the Left It’s an immensely readable and re‐ much more than wages he writes: “It By Mick O’Reilly latable story of struggle and persever‐ would expand the control of workers Published by ance over political chicanery within and politicise the trade union move‐ the trade union movement by ca‐ ment. It requires a leadership that The Lilliput Press reerists not fit to lace the boots of the has the political ambition to do such rebel O’Reilly. things, and the Irish trade union BOOK REVIEW by Brian Forbes Mandate National Coordinator Mick joined the Communist Party movement don’t see things like that.” BOOK reviews are normally outside in England for a few years before re‐ I shouted ‘Hear, hear! Comrade’ and my normal range of competencies, turning to Dublin to fight the good punched the air when I read those however, From Lucifer To Lazarus – A fight in 1967. His decision to return lines. Life On The Left by Mick O’Reilly is a manifested itself after attending a Mick O’Reilly was a consistent working class memoir I’m prepared production in Birmingham of O’‐ voice of worker conscience within the to make an exception for (albeit a Casey’s The Plough and the Stars, say‐ trade union movement and official‐ number of threatening phone calls ing, “I’m getting out of here. This isn’t dom must have wished they could si‐ from Comrade O’Reilly urging me to where I belong. If I’m going to make a lence him once and for all. Silence write a review also helped to focus contribution to this Marxist move‐ him but perhaps not in the Jimmy my mind). ment, I’d better do it in my own home Hoffa‐type way of silencing a union I first came across Mick sometime place.” leader. in 2003 during my first meeting as a On his return and at the insistence His efforts to bring the train drivers Trades Council representative on the of Communist leader Mick O’Riordan, union ILDA which split from SIPTU, Congress Northern Ireland Commit‐ the Stalinist O’Reilly was once more into the ATGWU was a particularly tee. The meeting was being held at agitating on home turf – and he turbulent period which, when cou‐ the iconic ATGWU building in Belfast. writes, “I didn’t half‐believe in com‐ pled with a few other factors, led the We all sat around a big opulent ma‐ munism, I fully believed in it”. then London‐based General Secre‐ hogany table in the boardroom which Years of working class struggle and tary of ATGWU Bill Morris to move adjoined the office of the previously‐ trade union activism ensued with against O’Reilly. sacked but now‐reinstated ATGWU Mick becoming active in car assembly In 2001, both Mick O’Reilly and Eu‐ Official Mick O’Reilly. plants such as Fiat in the early 1970s. gene McGlone were suspended and All the great and the good union It was here he honed his militant ten‐ dismissed from the union on leaders of the six counties were pre‐ dencies and when the National Union trumped‐up charges which were the sent in the room and, more impor‐ of Vehicle Builders merged with the subject of a three‐year internal and tantly, a lovely big trolley with ATGWU in 1972, which Mick fully external campaign successfully led by sandwiches tea and coffee was supported, his working class creden‐ O’Reilly to his subsequent reinstate‐ wheeled in prior to the commence‐ tials and uncompromising bolshie at‐ ment. ment of the meeting. titude towards achieving the best for A shift to the left in union leader‐ My own General Secretary Jim Mc‐ his fellow workers would see him ship from Morris to Tony Woodley Cusker, NIPSA, was present and it felt grow in stature within the union. was also a significant contributory a wee bit like I’d arrived at the big Despite strained relationships over factor in facilitating O’Reilly’s and Mc‐ boys’ table, in the big boys’ room al‐ the years with some of the paid union Glone’s return to the union. beit slightly overawed but game as a officials he eventually fol‐ Veteran trade unionist Mick O’Reilly pulls no punches in his warts-and-all memoir of life on the left... Love him or loathe him, Mick pheasant and looking for lowed in the footsteps of O’Reilly is the type of union leader clusive. We pray to all Gods or none. tive in the militant Labour Left faction change. his great friend and men‐ who simply won’t be ignored. How‐ In writing his memoir Mick pulls trying to impose the structure of Eu‐ Shortly after the NIC‐ tor, Mattie Merrigan, and ever, this fine book is about much no punches. His anecdotes about rocommunism on the party before ICTU meeting com‐ secured a full‐time union more than Mick O’Reilly the man. It’s friends and foes are told with a mix of the Labour Party purged this mili‐ menced the adjoining official job with the the collective conscience of a past his‐ good humour and brutal honesty. His tancy in the late 1980s. office door swung open ATGWU starting in Dun‐ tory that many union and political disaffection with the Communist O’Reilly’s astute analysis of social and Mick O’Reilly saun‐ dalk. leaders would prefer to forget. It’s an Party began with the Soviet Invasion partnership and national wage agree‐ tered in saying, “Don’t mind His first act was to rid insider’s warts‐and‐all view of of Czechoslovakia in 1968 to crush ments as not being in the best inter‐ me folks I’m just in to pick the branch meetings of strikes, power struggles, political the ‘Prague Spring’ and the incredible est of his own class was spot on. His up a sambo, carry on.” prayers which rankled struggles, negotiations, victories and ongoing ability of the left in Ireland to preference for free collective bargain‐ I knew Mick had been in with some of the rank defeats. implode at every single opportunity. ing and worker participation in wage the wars with the conserva‐ and file but Mick’s It provides a voice to many of those Despite this frustration, Mick agreements is similar to my own and tive ATGWU General Secretary stance was 100% in‐ forgotten foot soldiers in both the joined the Labour Party and was ac‐ stands the test of time. Bill Morris which ended in trade union movement and the polit‐ Mick and his comrade Eugene ical movement who wanted to change McGlone prevailing with reinstate‐ the world for the better and even ment to their former positions within shines a light on those who didn’t. the union. Some comrades of those times may Mick the fighting rebel was laying a view things differently from O’Reilly’s marker down by interrupting the version of events but that’s not im‐ NIC‐ICTU meeting on the pretence of portant. What is important is that this picking up a ham sambo. Either that life well lived was recorded and ever‐ or he really loved ham sambos and more cemented into the labour his‐ couldn’t take the chance they’d all be tory of our country. scoffed. From Lucifer to Lazarus is a rivet‐ I prefer to believe the former, but ing, can’t‐put‐down type of a read either way, it was a wonderful piece even though we all know the ending of political choreography which I ad‐ to his colourful life story hasn’t yet ar‐ mired and celebrated with a wry rived. Mick O’Reilly remains involved smirk at the resultant steam arising within his local Unite branch of his from the ears of several of my es‐ union and also attends regular meet‐ teemed union colleagues in the room. ings of the Dublin Council of Trade I’ve greatly admired Mick’s balls and Unions. hutzpah from that day to this. This Dublin working class rebel Mick writes as he talks, with all the with a cause still has a chapter or two honesty and passion of a Dublin to write and perhaps a fitting title for working class union leader. Born in the book sequel might be From the Coombe in October 1946 and Lazarus to Lucifer as there’s still a raised in the Liberties and Ballyfer‐ devilish glint in those eyes of his mot, he tells us his childhood was a which are harkening for social happy one but this memoir isn’t re‐ change, justice and a better future for Mick O’Reilly’s disaffection with the Communist Party began with the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 Picture: Public Domain his beloved Irish working class. August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 37 INTERNATIONAL UNI YOUTH Webinar hears Covid crisis exposed low wage economy

THE old adage that a ‘happy worker is an effi- cumnavigate labour laws, to have cheaper will never miss the opportunity of a good cri- poor in the state, the vast numbers of people cient worker’ has been replaced with a ‘vul- labour costs. It is a method to alienate work- sis to increase profits at the expense of work- despite being in employment that were earn- nerable worker is an obedient worker’ and is ers from their work and each other.” ers,” he said. “There are various examples of ing substantially less than €350 per week. “ one of the consequences of the growth of pre- Eoghan then spoke about the various forms this in previous crises, wars, economic col- He told webinar participants that the owner carious employment. of precarious employment – from those en- lapses, environmental and natural disasters.” of a popular fast food restaurant had gone on Mandate activist Eoghan Fox made the gaged in the gig economy to bogus self-em- He pointed out that when the Covid-19 national radio decrying the flat-rate payment, comments during a special Uni Youth webinar ployment to zero-hour contracts and pandemic struck, the then caretaker govern- claiming it would mean he would find it diffi- on the issue on July 22nd. involuntary part-time employment. ment in Ireland had initated a universal pay- cult to entice people back to work for him. Eoghan, who is Vice-President of UNI Eu- “With the rise of the Precariat and the ment of €350 for anyone temporarily “Needless to say,” Eoghan continued, “the ropa Youth, rubbished employer claims that ‘working poor’, a whole generation of people furloughed or who had lost their job as a re- rate was promptly reduced under huge pres- workers liked the flexibility it offered or that are now worse off than their parents,” he told sult of the virus. sure from bosses who pay poverty wages, em- it ‘suited young people’ or ‘made you your webinar participants, and warned that this “What this exposed almost immediately ployers’ groups and right-wing politicians. “ own boss’. development would have a “major impact on was that there are tens of thousands of work- Pointing out that the the Living Wage in Ire- He told the webinar: “What it’s really about mental health and general wellbeing”. ers – particularly in the retail, hospitality and land is calculated at €483 a week gross, he is resetting the power dynamic between cap- And Eoghan also warned that the Covid-19 tourism sectors – that became substantially added: “If you were earning less than €200 a ital and labour and breaking down workers’ pandemic would intensify growing trends to- better off as a result of this payment. week pre-Covid, the payment has now been natural sense of collectivism. It is a way to cir- ward precarious employment. “The bosses “It exposed the vast numbers of working reduced to €203.” Empowering youth and igniting change

EARLIER this year and weeks before much of the world went into lock‐ down over Covid‐19, Mandate activist Eoghan Fox joined a UNI Europa Youth delegation to attend meetings of the UNI Youth Presidium and UNI Africa Youth steering committee. Held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on February 18th and 19th, the meet‐ ings allowed delegates to share their own stories of struggle, to strengthen international networks among young workers and activists, and to discuss and formulate motions from each of the four regions for the global youth conference which was to be held in Fortaleza, Brazil. Eoghan, who is Vice‐President of UNI Europa Youth, told Shopfloor: “In my speech at the UNI Europa Youth conference last October, I made the point that capitalism was very much globalised in today’s world. The only way we, as young workers and trade union activists, can challenge this – and win the victories we need – was through organising across borders and across continents. Message “And this was the message I wanted to bring to the presidium meeting and I will bring the same message to all my international work.” Delegates heard reports from each region detailing work carried out over the previous two years, includ‐ ing information about summer Solidarity in action: a group huddle (above) follows two days of debate schools, activists’ training and the hugely‐successful mentoring pro‐ Positive engagement: Delegates take part in a team-building exercise (left) through picking up trash gramme. in the botanical gardens in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire The mentoring programme in‐ conference were the subject of dis‐ cussion, the third day comprised of volves the partnering of seasoned cussions at the meeting with working practical activities and team‐building youth activists with those with less groups to discuss each topic. exercises, including a trash pick‐up in experience in order to develop skills Eoghan said: “One striking thing the botanical gardens. and promote the work of the interna‐ that came out of these discussions tional in regions and countries where Eoghan said: “It is important, wher‐ and meetings was that despite the ever we go in the international trade there are fewer affiliates. different cultures and backgrounds The importance of the ILO Conven‐ union movement, that we show we based violence and sexual harass‐ mitted itself to ratifying it in the near we all come from, the issues we’re tion 190 against violence and harass‐ are the solution to the problems that ment. A practical example was given future. It is important that whatever facing as young workers and youth ment was discussed with debate exist. centred on how trade unionists could that the new collective bargaining administration is in power in the Dáil, trade union activists are the same the agreement with Orange in Senegal we as a trade union movement world over. “We – as young people, in particu‐ apply pressure on individual govern‐ lar – have the solutions. We’re doing ments to ratify it. has the convention written into it. should exert pressure to have it rati‐ “The solutions we come up with Delegates were told that countries To date, Uruguay remains the only fied. are global solutions that require a the work now, today, and we need a that do ratify the convention in turn country to have formally ratified the Four motions – on solidarity, global strong and unified movement of seat at the table in order to imple‐ put pressure on countries where convention but the new left‐wing companies, the world of work, and young workers and activists to imple‐ ment the ideas we have on a national there are huge issues around gender‐ government in Spain has now com‐ climate justice – slated for the global ment.” After two days of intense dis‐ and international level.” 38 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 IN FOCUS... HISTORY Digital festival to mark centenary of the ambush Picture: Conor O’Neill (CC BY-SA 2.0) at Kilmichael Picture: Neale Adams (CC BY 2.0) Picture: Neale By Tommy McKearney and disenchanted urban proletariat, Peadar O’Donnell Socialist Republican Forum living in appalling poverty and re‐ BY NOVEMBER 1920 Ireland was ex‐ cently emboldened by Larkin and periencing the most intense period of Connolly’s organising of the militant what we have now come to call the IT&GWU. Black and Tan war – eighteen‐year‐ There was too the massive influ‐ old Kevin Barry executed in Mountjoy ence of international factors. The Prison; a devastating attack on largest of these was, of course, the British Intelligence in Dublin fol‐ role of the British Empire and its oc‐ lowed by reprisal killings of football cupation of Ireland. Long‐viewed by spectators in Croke Park; while in London as strategically vital from a workers’ cause, including many trade Cork weeks after MacSwiney’s death, military point of view, Whitehall had unionists. Among those union folk Tom Barry’s Flying Column delivered by early 1920 additional concerns in Memorial (above) to three republican volunteers killed in the ambush. Picture (top) of ambush scene was Patrick Moran, a founder of the a shattering blow to Britain’s military relation to Ireland. which appeared in the British press. Trade unionist and republican Patrick Moran (above right) Irish National Union of Vintners Gro‐ presence when they ambushed the The Bolshevik revolution was in‐ ber one super‐power. forum’s digital festival will also ad‐ cers and Allied Trades Assistants, Auxiliaries at Kilmichael. voking a sympathetic response Such was the backdrop to that crit‐ dress other questions related to the now incorporated into Mandate. The history of Ireland, however, is among sections of the Irish working ical month of November 1920. Such period. Could the measure of inde‐ Patrick was executed in Mountjoy on much too complex to be defined by class, inspiring an outbreak of worker also were the circumstances that pendence gained, have been won by 14th March 1921. the events of any one month, no mat‐ takeovers unapologetically defining were influenced by actions taken at other means? What was the under‐ These questions and others will be ter how important those occurrences themselves as soviets. Further afield, the time by Ireland’s republican ac‐ lying class tensions among the re‐ addressed in the series beginning on may have been. revolutionaries in other colonies such Deep running social and economic as India, Egypt and Cyprus were tak‐ tivists. In order to reflect on this cru‐ publican forces? Could the eventual the evening of Friday, 27th November, factors have had a huge impact on the ing note of Ireland’s fight for indepen‐ cial period, the Peadar O’Donnell descent into civil war have been fore‐ continuing throughout Saturday, 28th shaping of our history. By the out‐ dence. Socialist Republican Forum is organ‐ told at that time? Did these events in‐ November, and concluding on Sun‐ break of hostilities in 1919, a cen‐ And niggling away in the back‐ ising a series of digital events to co‐ fluence the Belfast pogroms? day, 29th November. turies‐long bitter struggle for the ground was the realisation in London incide with the 100th anniversary of Yet another question pertinent to Full details will be published closer land had created a rural population that the USA with its large Irish pop‐ the Kilmichael ambush. society today is the question of why to the time on the forum’s Facebook alienated from the governing author‐ ulation, was making little secret of its While celebrating the achievement Labour was forced to wait, especially page: Peadar O'Donnell Socialist Re‐ ity and its servants, especially the po‐ determination to displace the Grand of the West Cork Flying Column on since so many participants in that publican Forum at lice. Added to this was the emerging Dame Britannia as the world’s num‐ that November day in 1920, the struggle were supportive of the https://bit.ly/30Twv9N. INTERNATIONAL Occupied Territories Bill: Let us show ‘moral vision & courage’ INDEPENDENT Senator Frances on various shared platforms with Fi‐ ing on policies is part and parcel of that such a ban would be contrary to Black has expressed her shock and anna Fáil representatives on the any discussions over the setting up of the rules that existed within the Eu‐ disappointment at Taoiseach Mícheál issue, she continued: “Just a few a coalition, the early soundings on ropean Economic Community,” he ex‐ Martin’s suggestion that the Occupied months later, it’s disappointing and the agreement over a programme for plained. Territories Bill – introduced by his highly inconsistent to see the government suggested FF and the “Subsequently, a change of attor‐ own party to the Dáil and explicitly Taoiseach suggest that the Bill his Greens remained steadfast in their ney general brought with it a change set out in the Fianna Fáil pre‐election party tabled may breach EU law. support for the bill. in legal opinion and the ban was fi‐ manifesto – may breach EU law. “So what changed? I’d like to know. “However, in pursuit of an agreed nally implemented and it proved to Speaking on July 23rd, Senator EU law has not changed in the last ‘Human rights issue of our time’: Senator coalition political platform the lives be very successful.” Black told the Seanad: “With formal five months… and with the annexa‐ Frances Black speaking in the Seanad of Palestinians were literally sacri‐ He continued: “Fianna Fáil will annexation of the West Bank now ex‐ tion of the West Bank looming, we of the Irish people.” And Mandate Na‐ ficed in return for a tenuous hold on know that the Palestinian people see plicitly promised [by the Israeli gov‐ need leadership and commitment not tional Coordinator Brian Forbes also political office.” Ireland as a beacon of hope for an ernment] after 50 years of inconsistency.” hit out at Fianna Fáil’s “flip‐flopping” Forbes pointed out that Ireland end to the Israeli apartheid regime occupation, my goal has been to move In a later Facebook post, Senator on the Occupied Territories Bill, had led the way against Apartheid in through the enactment of the Occu‐ beyond condemnation and to offer Black wrote: “The Taoiseach has said claiming it was “disappointing at best the 1980s. “This was when the pied Territories Bill. leadership. the Bill will not be a game changer. and, at its worst, treacherous be‐ Dunnes strikers led a world‐ “Failure by Fianna Fáil to honour “I don’t want to look back in 20 Every journey starts with the first haviour”. renowned campaign that ended in its public commitments and to de‐ years and say we didn’t do everything step and I believe that this Bill could “This important Bill, introduced by Irish legislation banning goods from liver on the Bill will be seen by the in our power on this, the most defin‐ be the start of a movement against Senator Black, is rightly supported by South Africa,” he told Shopfloor.. vast majority for what it is – political ing human rights issue of our time, the occupation of Palestine.” the vast majority of Irish citizens and Forbes insisted there was a “clear shape‐shifting with life‐and‐death and that we failed to show the moral She added: “If the Taoiseach has a by a majority of TDs in the Dáil – at moral, legal and political basis” for consequences for the innocent men, vision and courage we showed game changing plan, I would ask him least it was until talks about the for‐ enacting the Occupied Territories women and children of Palestine.” against Apartheid in the 80s.” to unveil it and I have no doubt that mation of a coalition government.” Bill. “Back in the 1980s the original “History will not forgive them for Pointing out that she had spoken he will get the support of the majority He continued: “While horse trad‐ advice from the attorney general was such treachery,” he added. August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 39 FÉACH Comharthaíocht dhátheangach in Eoghan O� Garmaile

TÁ BLIAIN chinniúnach romhainn anseo in Ollscoil na Banríona ó thaobh cearta teanga de, go háirithe i leith chomharthaíocht dhátheangach. Ach ní gan dua a tharla seo. D’ain‐ neoin gur tháinig dlús lenár bhfeach‐ tas sa Chumann Gaelach le cúpla bliain anuas, is féidir a rá gur tho‐ saigh sé nuair a baineadh síos an chomharthaíocht dhátheangach a bhí ann i bhfoirgneamh Aontas na Mac Léinn in 1997. Mhaígh an Fair Employment Com‐ mission nach raibh an Pictiúirí: Peter Clarke (CC BY-SA 3.0); An Cumann Gaelach QUB chomharthaíocht “oiriúnach le tim‐ Aontas na Mac Léinn Ollscoil na Banríona agus agóid taobh amuigh de phríomhfhoirgneamh QUB peallacht oibre neodrach” ach bhain tachas, agus chuir Peter Weir in iúl faoi lánseol go dtí deireadh na bliana Gaeilge in iarthar Bhéal Feirste. seo, atá ag saothrú na céadta mílte an Ollscoil na comharthaí síos fiú don phobal gur “eiseamláir an tse‐ 2017. D’éirigh Gaeilgeoirí na Chonacthas dúinn an t‐idirdhealú a punt in aghaidh na bliana, na fad‐ sular chuir an FEC brú orthu. icteachais agus impiriúlachas hOllscoile níos gníomhaí agus feargaí bhí á dhéanamh ar an Ghaeilge sa hbanna atá ag croílár na hOllscoile Chuaigh cathaoirleach an FEC ag an cultúrtha” í iarpholasaí na hOllscoile de réir mar a d’éirigh achan Gael óg chóras oideachais, ach níos táb‐ agus an Stáit seo. am, Bob Cooper, níos faide arís le rá ar chomharthaíocht dhátheangach. sna sé chontae níos gníomhaí agus hachtaí arís, nuair a tugadh an t‐ Ag an am céanna, bhrúigh an gur chruthaigh na comharthaí Ar ndóigh, níor thug siad fianaise ar feargaí ag an am: idirdhealú na airgead sin ar ais do na seirbhísí Cumann Gaelach i dtreo teaictic eile Gaeilge “chill factor” do Phrotastú‐ bith leis na ráitis seo a chosaint. Ag Gaeilge sa chóras oideachais agus Gaeilge, chonacthas dúinn cumhacht chun ceist na Gaeilge a bhrú ar an naigh san Ollscoil, agus ní raibh siad an am, ní hiad na haontachtaithe an‐ feachtas an Dream Dearg. na hagóide. Ollscoil: dlúthpháirtíocht i úsáideach óir níor chuir siad an toisceacha amháin a bhí ag labhairt Bhí slua againn go fóill ar an Mar sin de, thosaigh an coiste nua dtoghcháin an Aontais. Rith ball an teanga chun cinn. Leoga, thug na go poiblí faoi, óir thug an páirtí Al‐ mheánscoil nuair a tharla an t‐idird‐ sa bhliain acadúil 2017/’18 le brí úr choiste Liam Ó hEidhin do Leas‐ haontachtaithe lántacaíocht don liance, Aontas Mac Léinn na hÉireann healú seo agus ghlac muid páirt sna a chur san fheachtas, le hagóid ag Uachtarán Chomhionannais ‘s chinneadh. agus an Community Relations Coun‐ hagóidí in éadan an DUP nuair a geataí na hOllscoile ag éileamh Éagsúlachta, leis an sprioc chun “an D’fhógair an UUP gur bhagairt ab cil fáilte roimh an chinneadh. ghearr siad an scéim spáranachtaí “Aitheantas Anois”. pobal Gaelach a thabhairt isteach iad na comharthaí ó mhic léinn san Áfach, níor chuir muid an feachtas Líofa in 2016 agus nuair a ghearr an Scríobh siad litir chuig an Leas‐ chuig croí an Aontais”. Ollscoil a bhí báúil don Phoblach‐ ar son comharthaíocht dhátheangach Education Authority na seirbhísí óga Seansailéir ag an am ag iarraidh cru‐ D’ainneoin gur chaill muid an inniú leis faoi cheist na Gaeilge san toghchán, le thart faoi 100 vóta Ollscoil, agus gur cheart do na amháin, bhí an bua againn lenár comharthaí a bheith curtha in airde sprioc. Ní pearsantacht Liam Uí hEi‐ arís. Bhí éileamh nua acu, áfach, chun dhin a chur muid chun tosaigh san comharthaíocht a chur in airde chan fheachtasaíocht, ach mana simplí: THERE’S A NEW WAY TO amháin i bhfoirgneamh an Aontais cearta teanga, comharthaíocht arís, ach fud fad champas na dhátheangach, agus an Ghaeilge. hOllscoile. D’fhreagair an Leas‐Sean‐ Bhrúigh seo ceist na Gaeilge ar thábla sailéir le tagairt ar pháirt 3.1 dá bpo‐ an Aontais, agus gheall an cúigear lasaí Chomhionannais ‘s Éagsúlachta buaiteoirí go dtabharfaidís lánta‐ JOIN OR PAY your dues a dhearbhaigh nach gcuirfidís caíocht don Ghaeilge, feachtas an comharthaí in airde a raibh “cor‐ Chumainn Ghaelaigh san áireamh. raitheach, ionsaitheach nó bagrach”. Lena chois sin, bhí feachtas eile ar Check out our new web portal at Stoirm pholaitiúi siúl againn, le cuidiú ó chomhairleoirí Bhain sé úsáid as an téarmaíocht san Aontas, chun rún le Oifigeach www.joinmandate.ie chéanna ar úsáid siad i 1997, ach an Páirtaimseartha na Gaeilge a chur i t‐am seo bhí an Cumann Gaelach ea‐ bhfeidhm den chéad uair san Ollscoil. graithe, agus thapaigh muid agóid a Theip ar an rún seo an chéad uair ach eagrú i mí Feabhra 2018. Bhí i bhfad arís bhí an Cumann Gaelach níos ea‐ níos mó daoine ag an léirisiú seo ná graithe an t‐am seo, agus d’fhreastail IT ALSO an chéad agóid, agus bhí tuairisciú slua ar an chruinniú agus labhair níos cuimsithe ag na meáin ar an muid ar son an rúin mall i 2018. eachtra. I ndiaidh an bhua tháinig an reifre‐ allows Le linn cúpla lá den stoirm pho‐ ann, agus arís bhí muid ag feach‐ laitiúil a chruthaigh muid, ghabh an tasaíocht leis an mhana simplí Leas‐Seansailéir a leithscéal agus céanna: cearta teanga, bhunaigh uasaicme na hOllscoile comharthaíocht dhátheangach, agus existing grúpa oibre chun ceist na Gaeilge a an Ghaeilge. Bhí 76% den vóta caite phlé, go háirithe i leith an pholasaí ar son Oifigeach Páirtaimseartha na Chomhionannais ‘s Éagsúlachta a bhí Gaeilge a chur i bhfeidhm. Nuair a members as dáta. Bhí sé thar am gur rith Aodhán Ó Baoill don ról i to switch mhothaigh reachtairí na hOllscoile dtoghchán an Aontais 2019, arís níor their payment method

Illustration: Daniel Huntley (CC BY-SA 2.0)

40 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 INTERNATIONAL COLOMBIA Massacre exposes state failure Ollscoil na Banríona? to advance peace process - JFC raibh ann in 1997. Bhí tuilleadh brú RIGHT‐WING paramilitaries shot human rights crisis which has inten‐ de dhíth, áfach, agus mar sin de, shiúil dead eight people, including a promi‐ sified to horrifying levels this year”. muid thart an champas arís ag feach‐ nent local community leader, on July The JFC claim paramilitary and tasaíocht, agus déan tomhas ar an 18th in the Catatumbo region of paramilitary successor groups with mana a d’úsáid muid. north‐eastern Colombia. historic links to Colombian state in‐ D’éirigh linn 1,000 síniú a fháil ar Community leader Ernesto Aguilar stitutions have used the cover of the son ár n‐aighneachta, ó idir mhic Barrera, a member of the peasant or‐ coronavirus pandemic to extend con‐ léinn agus oibrithe, ag éileamh ganisation ASCAMCAT, and seven oth‐ trol over certain areas with a return comharthaíocht dhátheangach. Ba ers were murdered by a group known to levels of violence not seen in many phrácás iomlán é an próiseas seo don as los Rastrojos. years. Ollscoil, agus léirigh siad arís a According to pressure group Jus‐ A spokesperson said: “Particular neamhábaltacht chun plé le cearta, tice for Colombia (JFC), the killings emphasis must be placed on the d’ainneoin tuarastal s’acu ‘s fiacha “once again laid bare the social and Colombian state’s immediate obliga‐ móra s’againne. Chuir siad síneadh human cost of the Colombian state’s tion to participate more fully in the ama leis an phróiseas comhair‐ failure to advance the peace process National Commission of Security liúcháin, le torthaí an phróisis geallta sufficiently and address the total col‐ Guarantees and develop concrete roimh dheireadh na bliana. lapse in security” across many re‐ measures to dismantle paramilitary Is fianaise í ár bhfeachtas go raibh gions in the country. or paramilitary successor groups. an Ghaeilge ann ar an oileán seo i And JFC urged international sup‐ “As repeatedly recommended by dtólamh, agus léirítear seo nuair a porters of the peace process to inten‐ the United Nations Verification Mis‐ chritear an talamh le mana simplí ar sify efforts to support the full sion, the National Commission must nós ‘cearta teanga’, go bhfuil agus go implementation of the agreement, be convened regularly to fulfil its mbeidh tacaíocht ann don Ghaeilge calling it “the best route to resolve the function.” go deo. Ba phróiseas fada é athshlánú na Gaeilge agus síleann institiúidí ar nós Ollscoil na Banríona gurbh fhéidir leo ruaig a chur ar na glúnta is gníomhaí agus is feargaí den Ollscoil chuir muid a phearsantacht chun pholasaí ó 2008, leoga, ach athrú fo‐ le síneadh ama. cinn, ach an mana simplí céanna, agus cail amháin a bhí i gceist óir níor lu‐ Ach an rud nach dtuigeann Ollscoil níor chaith an méid sin mic léinn vóta aigh siad an Ghaeilge. na Banríona ná de réir mar a leantar ar son oifigeach páirtaimseartha i Mar sin de, le linn an phróisis ar aghaidh leis an idirdhealú ar an stair na hOllscoile. chomhairliúcháin don pholasaí úr a Ghaeilge sa chóras oideachais, más Nuair a tháinig muid chuig mhair dhá sheachtain, chur muid rud é gurb an DUP, EA nó Ollscoil eile deireadh na bliana acadúla aighneacht cuimsithe chuig an in Éirinn, éiríonn na Gaeil óga ní ba 2018/2019, bhí an grúpa oibre a Ollscoil ag éileamh go gcuirfidís an chomhfhiosraí ar an idirdhealú ina n‐ chuir an Ollscoil le chéile réidh Ghaeilge agus comharthaíocht éadan, agus nuair a dhéanann cuid réamhthaispeáint an pholasaí dhátheangach isteach sa pholasaí, ní acu an cinneadh freastal ar Ollscoil na Chomhionannais, Éagsúlachta ‘s amháin le go mbeadh muid ábalta na Banríona, beidh glúin níos gníomhaí Ionchuimsitheachta nua a léiriú don comharthaí a chur in airde ach go agus níos feargaí ann ná mar a bhí President Raúl Castro looks on as Colombian President Santos, left, and FARC-EP leader phobal. D’athraigh siad páirt 3.1 den mbeadh cosaint acu sa todhchaí nach muidne. Timoleón Jiménez shake hands after signing the ceasefire agreement in Havana in June 2016 Have you a Mandate-related story or picture you’d like to share with us? Email [email protected] Why we’re always app your service!

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August 2020 y SHOPFLOOR 41 VIEWPOINT

ers have access to, and organise, a trade union in their workplace if they are to address the challenges identi‐ fied.” These independent findings echo The right to log off other recent reports, which argue for a tilting of the balance back in favour of workers. For example, a recent TECHNOLOGICAL innovations and huge scope for displacement of work OECD report recommended a return advances have been gradually trans‐ over time, as AI and technology re‐ of collective bargaining internation‐ forming the world of work over many shape how work is done. ally. This research comes on the back decades. Work as we know it today In general terms, there is a need for 2.0) Illustration: Xoan Baltar (CC BY of decades of decline in collective bar‐ will fundamentally change over the Paul unions to grasp the mettle and begin gaining coverage. One element of the next few years. The onset of the to address the challenges posed by report which has attracted significant Covid‐19 global health pandemic has Dillon technology. attention has been the call for an in‐ merely intensified the need for more What is clear is that there is the po‐ troduction of a “right to disconnect”. innovative and safer ways of working tential for a positive, proactive The FSU will be continuing this and has increased the speed and need agenda based on demands to make campaign throughout the year. for change. Workers need a positive The introduction work better through technology, and You can support the introduction agenda to shape the transformation of the right to to ensure that workers benefit from of legislation on the right to dis‐ that is under way. increases in productivity. There is connect at https://bit.ly/36iNJgg We are possibly on the cusp of a disconnect“ would be one also potential to use technology to The introduction of the right to dis‐ new industrial revolution. The first step towards helping create good paying jobs in every sec‐ connect would be one step towards industrial revolution conjures up im‐ tor – to paraphrase, technology and use of technology, and pay greater at‐ helping workers deal with one of the ages of steam engines, spinning ma‐ workers deal with one well‐paying work for the many not tention to the possible gender impli‐ downside of tech, which is the ‘always chines, and other mechanical the few. cations of workplace technology. on’ culture. More will be required to instruments. This time the means are of the downside of A recent University of Limerick re‐ Finally, it argued for collective bar‐ ensure that the voice of workers in different, but no less revolutionary. tech, which is the port, commissioned by the Financial gaining at workplace level to address heard as the new, technology‐driven Simply put, phones, tablets and Services Union, came up with four the challenges of workplace technol‐ industrial revolution gathers steam. home‐working desks are transform‐ broad recommendations. The report ogy. One thing is for sure: we should at‐ ‘always on’ culture tempt to use technology to improve ing work as we know it. authors found that employers need to While this agenda represents a set work, not to downgrade terms and The first industrial revolution de‐ the chance to work from home” and pay more attention to the upskilling of policies which could make work‐ conditions – and we should shape scribed led to a great shift in where that percentage is exponentially in‐ and reskilling of workers. places better, a wider agenda encom‐ technology to create well paid, secure work took place as big industrialised creasing since the latest health pan‐ Titled Technology, Work and Skills: passing all future employment must work. cities grew. The new industrial revo‐ demic began. The Impact of Technology on Em‐ be embraced. The point about collec‐ In retail also, work is being trans‐ tive bargaining is absolutely crucial to lution is actually leading to a shift ployees, the report concluded that Paul Dillon is Growth and the debate. The report states: “It will from big workplaces to homes. Up to formed from what it was. Almost employers need to ensure measures Communications Manager with FSU 25% of companies now offer people more than any other sector, there is are put in place to prevent the over‐ be increasingly important that work‐

42 SHOPFLOOR y August 2020 THE LAST WORD

lishments, Have themselves demon‐ the public service of the community strated how easily the private capitalist and make all positions if trust elective Shop Assistants and Trade Unionism may be dispensed with. In all those from the ranks; and to transfer to the firms the working capitalist is known; hands of those who earned it the By James Connolly, The Workers’ Republic, November 26th, 1899 the entire business is the prop‐ wealth which, in the shape of divi‐ erty of a body of sharehold‐ dends, now flows into the pockets of WE ARE glad to see that an effort is which does not bear on the face of it ers; the managerial and the shareholders. being made in Dublin to organise the strong proof that its organisers and clerical work is per‐ But the first step in the education of shop assistants into a trade union for promoters do not intend to allow their formed by persons the workers, ere they can be intellectu‐ their own protection and uplifting. So efforts to be dominated by traditional working for a salary, ally capable of attempting this task of far the men most concerned – the assis‐ methods of struggle, but are, on the and the capitalist nei‐ social reorganisation, is the realisation tants themselves – have responded contrary, ready to adapt themselves to ther organises nor di‐ of the basic truth of the class struggle heartily to the call for organisation, and the changed, and changing, conditions rects – he simply – the antagonism which divides into if they develop as much staying power of the day. draws his dividend. two hostile bodies the working and the as they have enthusiasm there is little Therefore it is with pleasure we ob‐ To lay the economic master class. doubt that their union will ere long be serve that the organisers of the Shop basis of a Socialist ad‐ The organisation of the shop assis‐ able to win for the members substantial Assistants’ Union wisely place a de‐ ministration of that tants into a trade union helps forward and much needed reforms. mand for remedial legislation in the particular industry it this class educatio. We wish it every And in, perhaps, no sphere of em‐ forefront of their programme. This is would only require to success, and the knowledge that even ployment in Ireland is reform more as it should be. Parliament has long make the establish‐ a partial remedying of the evils of shop needed. The conditions under which been the battle ground for contending ment the public prop‐ life will tend to build up a better stan‐ the average shop assistant is forced to factions of the capitalist class; it is time erty of the citizens, to dard of manliness and independence serve, the irksome and degrading re‐ the strong voice of the working class take the official and of thought among that section of work‐ strictions on his personal freedom, the made itself heard there, and such de‐ working staff into ers caused us also to trust that every humiliating dependence on the whim mands as our shop assistant friends man and woman eligible of an employer, not only for employ‐ make will help to clear the way. will rally to the sup‐ ment but also for a semblance of home, Meanwhile we would point out that port of the union, incidental to the living‐in system, must the best way to obtain all such minor and enter their be infinitely more galling to a self‐re‐ reforms is for the working class to in‐ most effective specting assistant than the mere man‐ stall its own delegates in every place of protest against ual toil of unskilled labour is to the political power – parliamentary or their contin‐ outside labourer. local. ued servi‐ But great as the evil is, and univer‐ When Labour organ‐ tude. sally condemned though it may be, we ises to capture politi‐ would despair of any attempt to rem‐ cal power from the edy it which adheres too closely to the master class, and as stereotyped and outworn methods of a preliminary dis‐ old trade unionism – that peculiarly En‐ cards the belief in glish brand of trade unionism which re‐ the necessity for a garded the strike as its only weapon, master class – a and looked with horror upon any pro‐ belief that was posal to call for legislative assistance born of the en‐ for the cause of labour. forced ignorance When we remember the failure of the and barbarism of effort to introduce early closing in the the past–the re‐ Dublin boot trade – an effort having the forms withheld sympathy of a majority of the trade, today by our employers and employed; when we call rules will be ea‐ to mind the practical breakdown of the gerly pressed Painters’ Unions in face of a lock‐out by upon the work‐ the employers, and the systematic vic‐ ers as a foil to timisation of trade unionists which has blunt the keen followed that lock‐out; when we think edge of their of the failure of the Typographical Soci‐ revolutionary ety to hold its own in Dublin in the par‐ activity. tial dispute in which it has lately been Our friends involved; and when, finally we recall will observe that the utter discomfiture of the Amalga‐ the shop‐keeping mated Engineers in their last and great‐ business of Dublin, est struggle, we feel justified in as exemplified by its reserving our approbation or endorse‐ most perfect types in ment of any trade unionist activity the huge drapery estab‐

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