Vol. 16 No.2 Women’s football team May 2017 Clerys workers ISSN 0791-458X Page 4 result Brexit debate Page 10-11 Page 18-19 Housing crisis demands urgent action by Scott Millar A massive public house-building programme, which can provide homes for hundreds of thousands of people in housing need, was the demand of the 2017 May Day march in Dublin. Over 1,500 trade unionists and social activists took part in the march, which concluded with a rally outside Liberty Hall. Organised jointly by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) and the National Homeless and Housing Coalition, the May Day march was the largest in the city for several years. It is was clear from the diversity of those involved in the march that the demand for an effective public home building scheme is one that unites and motivates a wide range of progressive trade unions and political groups. Addressing the rally outside Liberty Hall, leading housing cam- paigner, Fr Peter McVerry, said the government’s housing strategy is not working as homelessness is increasing and that it is time for “more radical measures”. May Day march on Monday, 1st May, organised by the Dublin Council of Trade Unions and the “The Government introduced its strategy nine months ago. Every National Homeless and Housing Coalition was the largest in the city for several years. single month since then the number of homeless people has risen and risen and risen,” he said. He added that the only real long-term solution to the crisis was Photo: Derek Speirs “an effective public home building programme”. The demand for a public housing programme was reiterated by all Recognise other speakers. Community activist Rita Fagan harshly criticised plans Bus Palestine Crossword Page 14 Eireann 1 2 3 4 5 6 Continued on page 2 Page 31 8 - Page 6-7 10 1 12 13 14 5 16 17 8 19 20 1 22 WORKERS RIGHTS CENTRE 8.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m., Monday - Friday [email protected] 2 Liberty In this month’sLiberty MAY 2017 News Housing 100 Years of Bray Trades Council Crisis Page 3 The ‘Bray, Kingstown and District United Trades and Labour Council’ was estab- lished at a meeting at Bray Town Hall, on Sunday 1st Health Care April 1917. Exactly one hun- dred years later, on Saturday Assistants 1st April 2017 the Bray and Page 12 District Council of Trade Unions held a special meet- ing in the Town Hall to com- Members of Bray Trades Council memorate its founding. Fashion The Council President, George housing were still the lot of the fathers were founding members of Sheehan, chaired the meeting and poor. Against this background a the Council; Angela Connolly, Revolution speakers included Cathaoirleach of group of men in the town of Bray widow of Ross, and former presi- Page 13 Wicklow County Council Pat decided that a united council of dents, Maura Donnelly (INTO) and Fitzgerald, ICTU General Secretary, the trades was needed to organise Stephen Donnelly (ASTI). The pro- Patricia King, and General Secre- their forces to challenge these con- ceedings were interspersed with tary of Mandate, John Douglas. ditions. music from traditional band Assistant Secretary of the Coun- The current Council secretary, ‘Seoidín’ and singer William Byrne Liberty View cil and SIPTU Organiser Derek Kieron Connolly, gave an overview who gave a powerful rendition of Page 16 Liberty Casserly spoke on the events lead- of some of the main issues that it ‘Joe Hill’ ing up to the founding meeting in had been involved in over the The Council will be organising 1917. He referred to the aftermath years. further events throughout the year View of the Easter Rebellion and the Other guests at the meeting in- including co-hosting a seminar economic effects of the Great War. cluded honorary life members of with the Irish Labour History Soci- While wages had risen, prices had the Council, John Byrne and John ety in Bray in November. soared. Hunger, disease, and slum O’Brien from SIPTU, whose grand- Climate Change Page 21 Vote against WRC proposals by DAA workers SIPTU members in the Dublin ment in relation to terms and con- tives will take time to consult with Kurdish Struggle Airport Authority (DAA), excluding ditions of employment. their workplace representatives Page 25 airport police and fire service, have Following the announcement of and the wider membership to de- voted against the acceptance of the ballot result on 28th April, cide on the next steps in progress- Workplace Relations Commission SIPTU Organiser, Neil McGowan, ing their claim for improved terms (WRC) proposals contained in the said: “Following the vote against and conditions employment.” Company/Union Framework docu- these proposals, union representa- Worm’s Continued from page 1 — Housing crisis demands urgent action by the Minister for Housing, ment to “set out a national and and across local authorities to com- rights! Simon Coveney, to make 800 state county level plan to deliver the mence an urgent refurbishment Page 28 owned sites available to private largest housing programme in the and house building programme in companies to build properties, in- history of the State”. It adds that cities and communities across the cluding some social housing. there must be “an immediate country. She said: “That means it’s going sharp increase in capital invest- Elsewhere, thousands of trade to developers. On my estate, St ment with the aim of reaching an unionists and activists also cele- Michael’s Estate, that’s 428 mort- annual output of 10,000 social af- brated International Workers’ Day, gage homes. We don’t want mort- fordable housing units per annum including in Belfast, Derry and Editor: Frank Connolly, SIPTU Head of Communications gage homes; we want public for the duration of the [housing] Cork. In Belfast, the Congress May Journalist: Scott Millar homes that people will be able to emergency”. Day March on Saturday, 29th April Design: Sonia Slevin (SIPTU), Joe Mitchell (Brazier Media) & William Hederman rent whether they’re in a job or More details on the Congress took the theme of ‘international- Publications Assistant: Deirdre Price not. We have to build a different proposals, including the major role ism, solidarity and peace”. Among Administrative Assistant: Karen Hackett vision.” local authorities could play in the those who addressed the crowd in Produced, designed, edited and printed by trade union labour. Such a vision of publicly built direct provision of social housing the Art College gardens were ICTU Printed by The Irish Times, City West, Dublin. and managed housing, which will will be contained in a major hous- president, Brian Campfield, and Liberty is dedicated to providing a platform for progressive news and views. If you have any ideas for articles or comments please contact: be available to a mix of income ing policy document prepared by chairperson Maria Morgan. [email protected] groups, is one that is the subject of Congress, SIPTU and the One Cork In Cork, trade unionists and ac- Liberty is published by the Services, Industrial, Professional & Technical Union, intense discussions in the Irish project to be released this month. tivists marched on Monday 1st Liberty Hall, Dublin 1 Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU). The proposals envisage the May with the housing crisis the SIPTU General President, Jack O’Connor • Vice President, Gene Mealy• General Secretary, Joe O’Flynn At its biennial conference in creation of municipal housing task main issue highlighted. Production: SIPTU Communications Department, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1, early July, Congress will debate a forces which can harness existing Tel: 01 8588217 • Email: [email protected] motion which calls on the Govern- land, resources and skills within Liberty 3 News MAY 2017 MAY DAY 2017 (Above) Fr Peter McVerry addresses the Dublin May Day rally outside Liberty Hall on Monday, 1st May. Picture: Graham Seely (Left) A section of the SIPTU delegation on the Dublin May day march on Monday, 1st May. Picture: Derek Speirs (Top right) The SIPTU banner at the Belfast May Day march on Saturday, 29th April. Picture: Ann Thompson (Bottom right) Members of the Repeal the 8th Choir singing in Liberty Hall on Sunday, 1st May. Picture: Derek Speirs Political backing for Big Start campaign DELEGATIONS from the Claire Bolton, an Early Years ed- A Big Start delegation will meet SIPTU Big Start campaign ucator from Mountshannon also in councillors before the debate have been meeting with Clare, said: “I put myself through which they will then attend. politicians across the country college achieving a first class hon- Also, on Monday, 8th May, Big to inform them of the prob- ours BA in Early Childhood Care Start campaign members will meet lems and growing crisis and Education. I am still paying off with local TDs in St. Peter’s Parish within the Early Years educa- the cost of loans needed to get my Centre, Bray, Co Wicklow, to tion sector. qualifications. discuss the serious issues facing On 10th April, a Big Start cam- “However, the level of my educa- the Early Years sector and to seek paign delegation including Early tion goes unnoticed as my wages their support for increased state Years educators, childcare man- equate to that of someone with investment as well as proper recog- agers and providers had a success- lesser qualifications.” nition and pay for workers. ful meeting with Clare County Co Following the meeting council- On Wednesday, 17th May, a Big Councillors. lors signaled their intention to Start Network meeting will take Before the meeting, Claire Casey, submit a motion supporting the place in the SIPTU Office in Ark- an Early Years educator from aims of the Big Start campaign.