A-Infos (en) Ireland, Dublin, More on the Huge protests against Irish economy - 120, 000 workers march through Dublin - National strike now!

WSM reports and images from the ICTU demonstration ---- featured image The WSM on the 
demonstration http://www.wsm.ie/attachments/feb2009/wsmonmarch.gif
On Saturday 120,000 workers marched through Dublin demanding the the public sector pay cut 
('pension levy') be withdrawn, that jobs cuts be opposed and that all the other attacks on 
the working class be ended. Over the last couple of weeks there have been dozens of local 
union meetings of workers in the public sector demanding strike action to halt the cuts. 
The march was a chance not only to put pressure on the government but also to demand that 
our unions do the only thing that can halt the cuts, call a national strike.

The WSM met up to leaflet the march at 1.30 at the Parnell monument, and then joined the 
demonstration with a banner demanding a National Strike. Here we present reports, 
interviews with and photos from WSM members who took part on the demonstration and the 
leafletting as well as background articles on the nature of the crisis

Momentum Builds for National Strike* See text bellow http://www.wsm.ie/story/5211

 From late morning yesterday (Sat. 21st February) it was clear that the Irish Congress of 
Trade Unions’ National Demonstration was going to be huge. It was also clear that those 
marching were from all over the country and from all types of employment – both public and 
private sector.

Audio and images from the ICTU march http://www.wsm.ie/story/5213

An interview with Dermot who was at the demonstration leafletting for the WSM 
http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/feb2009/ictumarchinterview.mp3 on the atmosphere of 
the demonstration and what is to come along with images from Saturday's ICTU demonstration 
against the pay cuts & job losses

ICTU march - No recovery on the back of the workers --- Report from Cork WSM member on the 
ICTU demonstration **  See text bellow - pictures at: http://www.wsm.ie/story/5214

These are a selection from the many shots I took on a day when our class re-discovered a 
little something of its old combative spirit, and the numbers marching are more comfort to 
ordinary working folk than to those who would misinterpret this monster attendance as 
endorsement of their strategy of appeasement towards IBEC and the government. I saw David 
Begg walk up Parnell Sq. East towards the Garden of Remembrance a half-hour or more before 
the march started. He was alone and he looked downcast
Background material on the demonstration

Below *** is the text of the leaflet we distributed, personal opinion pieces from members 
on the growing resistance to the cuts and background articles and education video on the 
crisis.

Pay cuts, job losses - Organise the Fightback - http://www.wsm.ie/story/5183 WSM leaflet 
distributed on Saturdays march ----- As soon as possible we need a unified day of strike 
action across the entire public sector to demand withdrawal of this pay cut. One day of 
strike action is unlikely to be enough to force a change of government policy. So this 
needs to be followed up with an ongoing campaign of strike action.

Was ICTU behind the pensions levy? http://www.wsm.ie/story/5182

Report from the national meeting of public sector workers the previousSaturday. Did the 
idea of the so called 'Pensions Levy' come from some of the very Irish Congress of Trade 
Unions leadership who are supposed to negotiate on behalf of workers. This is one 
revelation that emerged on Saturday morning at a meeting of over 100 public sector trade 
unionists and two delegates from the Waterford Glass occupation.

Fight cuts in the private sector - all workers must stand together

Thoughts on the crash and the alternatives - Based around a review of the SIPTU 
alternative plan http://www.wsm.ie/story/5135

Our government has become more and more open about their plans for us. Cowen wants to 
drive down our living standards by 12% and has already cut all our wages through the tax 
levy and slashed the wages of workers in the public sector further through the so called 
‘pensions levy’.

Support Industrial Action by the Bus Workers! http://www.wsm.ie/news_viewer/5125

Dublin Bus is slated to see huge cuts in both staff and services. As many as 290 workers 
and 100 buses will be cut. This means fewer routes and less frequent service. If the 
Dublin Bus workers go on strike, it will mean an inconvenience for a few days. However, if 
they take action and force the company to back down, it will in the long run save us all 
time and money and will help the environment.

Audio: Waterford Crystal Workers Speak Out http://www.wsm.ie/news_viewer/5148
Noel Atkins and Pat Phelan, Waterford Crystal workers and Unite Shop Stewards, travelled 
to Cork last night to speak out against the attempted closure of the plant. They spoke 
from the heart as workers tossed on the scrap heap after decades of service.

Support workers occupying Waterford Glass http://www.wsm.ie/story/5108
Workers occupied the Waterford Glass factory in Kilbarry after the receiver was unable to 
borrow further funds to keep the plant operating. At the start of the month as 150 workers 
continued the occupation members of the Cork WSM visited the plant and interviewed Joe Kelly

Forthcoming events

Dublin meeting of grassroots education workers - Feb 28 http://www.wsm.ie/news_viewer/5131
The savage cuts already announced at primary and second level appear to be just the first 
steps in what will be a sustained attack on the public sector in general and education in 
particular – both from the point of view of the provision of the service and the wages and 
working conditions of those employed in it. 2pm Teachers Club, Parnell square, Feb 28th

Recessions and Cutbacks - how do we fight back?  http://www.wsm.ie/blogs/bookfair09/ - 
March 6th
As part of the 4th annual Dublin Anarchist Bookfair, WSM hosts a discussion on how workers 
should respond to the government attacks on us. Speakers will include a Waterford Crystal 
worker, Denis Keane (Executive member Civil and Public Services Union), Julian Brophy 
(Free Education for Everyone) - all in personal capacity - and a speaker from Workers 
Solidarity Movement. Liberty Hall, Dublin, 3p.m. Saturday 7th March

===========================================================================
* Momentum Builds for National Strike by Gregor Kerr - 1st May Branch WSM (pers cap)

     From late morning yesterday (Sat. 21st February) it was clear that the Irish Congress 
of Trade Unions’ National Demonstration was going to be huge. It was also clear that those 
marching were from all over the country and from all types of employment – both public and 
private sector.

Along with a number of other members of Workers Solidarity Movement, I was at the top of 
O’Connell Street from late morning where we distributed thousands of copies of our leaflet 
which stated “Marching Is Not Enough - Strike Action Now”

“As soon as possible we need a unified day of strike action across the entire public 
sector to demand withdrawal of this pay cut.” the leaflet said. “One day of strike action 
is unlikely to be enough to force a change of government policy. So this needs to be 
followed up with an ongoing campaign of strike action. For instance this could consist of 
one day’s action across the public sector one week, followed by two days the following 
week, three days the week after.”
(see full text of leaflet at http://www.wsm.ie/story/5183)

Private and public sector workers unite
 From our interaction with marchers as they made their way to Parnell Square for the start 
of the protest it was obvious that this was a view shared by large numbers of people. If 
further proof were needed that the economic crisis was caused by the greed of the wealthy 
in Irish society it had been provided by that morning’s front page headline in the ‘Irish 
Independent’ “PWC report shows Anglo gave 15 loans over €500m”.

Private sector workers who had recently lost their jobs or who had been put on short time 
working and public sector workers who face a cut in wages in the form of a ‘pension levy’ 
all made their way to Parnell Square and many reacted favourably to our banner which read 
“Marching is Not Enough. National Strike Now” and to our slogan “Organise Now for a 
National Strike. Make the rich pay for the crisis.”

When a couple of hundred strong group of Waterford Crystal workers marched up O’Connell 
Street behind a banner which stated ‘The workers united will never be defeated’ the point 
was being made that despite the best efforts of politicians and commentators the 
artificial divide between public and private sector workers was not going to be allowed to 
fester. Their chant was taken up by all those present and they received a huge ovation 
from watchers and passers by as they made their way up to lead the march.

Workers Solidarity Movement members maintained our presence at the top of O’Connell Street 
while the march passed us by. We distributed our leaflet to marchers and we involved 
marchers in the chant ‘Next Stop National Strike’. Again it was clear that the need for a 
national strike to make the government realise we are serious was obvious to a great 
number of people.

Don’t trust ICTU
When the entire march had passed us by, we joined in at the end and made our way to 
Merrion Square. Being at the end we missed all the speeches but having heard the 
lily-livered weak comments of David Begg and his ilk many times over the past couple of 
weeks this was probably a blessing.

The ICTU leadership cannot be trusted. They are only interested in getting us back into 
so-called ‘social partnership’. However the momentum is now behind the drive for a 
National Strike. Members of the Civil and Public Service Union (CPSU) will show the way on 
Thursday next. Bus workers will be next to take up the flag with the NBRU set for a 
one-day stoppage on Saturday and SIPTU busworkers set to take all-out ongoing strike 
action from 1st March.

Meanwhile teacher unions are currently balloting members for industrial action, and other 
public sector unions are coming under pressure from their members to do likewise. The 
organisation of a one-day national strike by all public sector workers is becoming 
inevitable. This strike will provide the platform for organising a strike across the 
entire private and public sector which will build a sense of solidarity and partnership 
beweeen all workers and will show the politicians that we are not willing to accept the 
pain caused by the greed and corruption of property developers and bankers.

Make the strike a reality
But while a momentum is definitely building towards a national strike, it will only become 
a reality if every one of us in our own unions take up the call. If your union is one of 
those already balloting, make sure you do everything you can to encourage your friends and 
workmates to deliver a resounding Yes. If your union has not yet announced a ballot, get 
together with your fellow trade unionists and demand a special emergency meeting of your 
branch. At that meeting put down a motion demanding that your union hold a ballot for 
industrial action and join with other trade unions in opposition to the government attacks 
on our living standards.

Getting the ballot passed will only be step one. After that we need to keep the pressure 
on our union leaderships to actually call strike action. We also need to discuss and work 
out a strategy to win. A one day strike won’t make the government back down but it will be 
step one in letting them know we’re serious. We need to work out a strategy of industrial 
action which is designed not alone to register a protest but to win – to make the 
government back down and to make the rich pay for the crisis.

The momentum is with us. Let’s keep it going.

===========================================
*** ICTU march - No recovery on the back of the workers by Ray - WSM Cork branch - 
personal capacity ---- Report from Cork WSM member on the ICTU demonstration

     These are a selection from the many shots I took on a day when our class 
re-discovered a little something of its old combative spirit, and the numbers marching are 
more comfort to ordinary working folk than to those who would misinterpret this monster 
attendance as endorsement of their strategy of appeasement towards IBEC and the 
government. I saw David Begg walk up Parnell Sq. East towards the Garden of Remembrance a 
half-hour or more before the march started. He was alone and he looked downcast - 
surrounded by thousands of his fellow trade unionists, none of whom seemed to notice or 
even care about his presence among them. Nobody greeted him or was willing to share his 
company on this day of days. It couldn't have happened out of ignorance on the people's 
part, for Mr. Begg's face, voice and message assails us from all state and private media 
organs. It couldn’t have occurred from unfamiliarity either, for surely it couldn’t be 
true that our leaders generally disdain our company?

‘Social Partnership’ is over. During its operation it delivered far more to Ireland’s 
ruling classes than it ever did to the workers subjected to it. Even in the ‘good times’ 
we suffered appalling-quality public services across the board, and the ‘partnership 
process’ did nothing to alleviate this. Social service provision in Ireland never 
recovered from the swingeing cuts imposed in the 1980s during the last period of 
capitalist crisis, and has since always lagged demand growth due to increase in population 
from the mid-90s onward. There were even cutbacks in service provision during the best of 
the boom years! The relative share of labour in national income shrank all through the 
‘tiger period’ as the share claimed by all forms of rent-taking (dividends, profits, 
capital/asset price appreciation etc.) increased. As income taxes fell, taxes on domestic 
consumption rose, further shifting the state’s tax burden from the rich to everyone else.

The ‘partnership process’ allowed union leaderships some limited input into national wages 
policy but no say on prices policy, rent controls or many other facets of economic and 
social policy, all of which were practically ignored by trade union leaderships between 
negotiation periods. This inattention gave space for IBEC/FF/FG etc. to shape the rest of 
state policy in a pro-capitalist, pro-rentier direction. ‘Partnership’ kept wages down for 
Ireland’s ruling classes while maximizing their profits in a situation where the Congress 
trade union movement acted as workplace enforcers and salespeople for that shoddy con. To 
want to return to that dynamic in recessionary times is a tactic either of a despairing 
lack of imagination or rank dishonesty.

Courtesy of ‘partnership’ and the Congress unions’ leaderships’ enthusiastic embrace of 
their role within that system, there has been a creeping revisionism regarding the role of 
trade unions. Once upon a time, unions saw themselves as the fighting organizations of 
working-class people, defending our economic rights and interests, organizing across all 
our class not just those of us who have jobs, and above all organizing for the eventual 
overthrow of capitalism. Yes, the roots of the trade union movement worldwide are and were 
revolutionary, here as much as any other country. That was the conception of trade unions 
cherished by James Connolly, Jim Larkin, William O’Brien (in his younger days at the very 
least), Constance Markiewicz and countless thousands of working-class people from that day 
to this.

You’d be forgiven for forgetting this heritage if all you had to go on for historical 
evidence were the public utterances of union leaders and some of the banners that I assume 
were designed especially for yesterday’s march. Siptu’s banners were particularly risible 
– ‘organizing for fairness and justice in the workplace’!? That is a slogan lame to the 
point of qualifying for disability allowance, and an insult to generations of workers who 
gave over (and still give over) their lives, leisure and intellect to strive for the 
victory of workers over Capital. What about workers’ power in the workplace? I suppose 
that might scare Enda Kenny that bit too much. Even the likes of IBEC’s Turlough O’Connor 
could declare himself in favour of ‘fairness and justice in the workplace’. Cowen’s 
government will treat such weak demands with the contempt and scorn they deserve.

I was listening today lunchtime to Mr. Begg on the ‘This Week’ programme on Raidio Telefis 
IBEC. His analysis of the current situation and what is to be done about it does not 
differ substantively from that of his supposed adversaries in the government and the 
‘business community’. He wishes capitalism would recover on the back of ordinary workers’ 
sacrifices, and he cannot envisage any scenario where working-class people don’t have to 
pay (either wholly or in part) for the problems caused by the rich in global society. 
According to him, we have to strive harder and do without so that the rich can stay ruling 
over us. He is scared of a real fight with the bosses – not so much because of what it 
will cost us, but rather because of what it will cost him. Confronting the class enemy 
means the end of the influence of a collaboration-minded leadership atop Congress. No 
wonder such a strategy is unpalatable to him and those around him!

All signs so far indicate to me that Mr. Begg et al are playing to lose. We ordinary 
people cannot afford this losing game any longer for it is us and not Mr. Begg who will 
end up carrying the can for it, and this is the standard outcome with leaders of all 
stripes. Time must be called on this suicidal strategy of wanting to parley with those who 
seek to rob us blind to make good their own losses. Hence the legend on the WSM banner – 
National Strike now!

I must express my thanks to the Cork Branch of Impact for organizing our transport to and 
from Dublin on the day, and for the marvellous stop-over in Durrow, Co. Laois on the way 
for breakfast. It sure filled me up with good feelings towards the trade union movement, 
and added greatly to my enjoyment of the day. A debt of thanks is generally due to the 
thousands who made the effort to come together to show our strength of numbers. It is a 
re-assurance that while all of us may disagree on some basic issues, we are far from alone 
these days in how we feel. In spite of how Power has tried to divide us in the past and 
present, we remain united in our desire to resist what is about to be foisted on us. That 
really cheered me up on the way home!

Background articles on the crisis and resistance as well as more reports from the 
demonstration

This article was first posted to indymedia.ie - high quality versions of the images will 
be found on indymedia

Pictures at: http://www.wsm.ie/story/5214

feestudentstrikecall.jpg

teachersunion.jpg

medlabassassoc.jpg

commsworkersunion.jpg

sligoctu.jpg

corkimpact.jpg

fatcatappeal.jpg

bertiesaras.jpg

migrantrightscentre.jpg

============================================================
*** Pay cuts, job losses - Organise the Fightback by WSM

WSM leaflet for Saturdays march

     As soon as possible we need a unified day of strike action across the entire public 
sector to demand withdrawal of this pay cut. One day of strike action is unlikely to be 
enough to force a change of government policy. So this needs to be followed up with an 
ongoing campaign of strike action. Join us for the march on Saturday at the Parnell 
monument from 1.30.

Join the demonstration on Saturday - demand a public sector strike

We didn’t cause the Crisis. We shouldn’t have to pay for it.
Workers in Ireland are under attack. We are told by politicians that we have to ‘share the 
pain’. But during the years of the Celtic Tiger, they didn’t suggest that we should ‘share 
the wealth’. Obscene amounts of money have been made by property developers and bankers in 
recent years. But now we’re being made to pay for the crisis.

Marching Is Not Enough - Strike Action Now
We don’t have to accept this. We have the power to force a change of policy. A campaign of 
strike action when we use our trade union muscle to shut down our workplaces will show our 
strength and show that we mean business.

As soon as possible we need a unified day of strike action across the entire public sector 
to demand withdrawal of this pay cut. One day of strike action is unlikely to be enough to 
force a change of government policy. So this needs to be followed up with an ongoing 
campaign of strike action. For instance this could consist of one day’s action across the 
public sector one week, followed by two days the following week, three days the week after.

Whatever we choose to do, we need to discuss and work out a strategy to win. Trade union 
leaders have sold us the myth of ‘social partnership’ for more than 20 years. But we need 
to build a new sense of partnership and solidarity whereby workers across all unions 
support each other to build this successful action.

The government will be happy enough if all we do is have protest marches and issue angry 
press statements. Let’s take the next step. We can win.

Where can the money come from?
They say there is no money, how about the following:
The richest 1% own €100 billion(1)
€8 billion given in property tax incentives
€103 million given to private schools every year
€8 billion in tax breaks for building private hospitals
€9.5 billion of potential gas reserves given to Shell in Rossport

Fighting Back
Strike action is the way for us to show the government we are serious. That strike action 
needs to be built across the public sector and in solidarity with private sector workers 
whose jobs and conditions are under attack.

That solidarity needs to be built at grassroots level. We cannot trust the leadership of 
the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. When they went into talks with the government on the 
‘Framework Agreement’, they accepted the need for cuts. At a meeting of public service 
trade unionists last weekend it emerged that it was ICTU themselves who proposed the 
‘pension levy’. When the government proposed a pay cut of 10%, the ICTU delegation 
proposed the ‘pension levy’ as being more sellable. (2)

These people cannot be trusted. Taking back control of OUR unions is part and parcel of 
the fight to protect what we have won over the years.

Capitalism is failing us. Anarchism is fighting back
Capitalism is yet again dragging us all into a crisis not of our making. This crisis is 
deep and the recession is likely to last for several years. But this is nothing new. 
Capitalism is and has always been unstable.

This leaflet is produced by Workers Solidarity Movement, a group of anarchists in Ireland 
who are involved in our trade unions and community organisations in helping to organise a 
fightback and in discussing how we can begin to build a new society.

If you want to find out more about real alternatives why not visit our website 
http://www.wsm.ie or come along to the meeting advertised below and join in that discussion.

(1) Bank of Ireland ‘Wealth of the Nation’ Report, July 2007
(2) For the full details on this see http://www.indymedia.ie/article/91139

Organising The Fightback

As part of the 4th annual Dublin Anarchist Bookfair, WSM hosts a discussion on how workers 
should respond to the government attacks on us. Speakers will include a Waterford Crystal 
worker, Denis Keane (Executive member Civil and Public Services Union), Julian Brophy 
(Free Education for Everyone) - all in personal capacity - and a speaker from Workers 
Solidarity Movement.

Liberty Hall, Dublin, 3p.m. Saturday 7th March
The Dublin Anarchist Bookfair is a day of bookstalls, workshops and discussions. For full 
details see http://www.wsm.ie/bookfair
_________________________________________
A - I N F O S  N E W S  S E R V I C E
By, For, and About Anarchists
Send news reports to A-infos-en mailing list
A-infos-en@ainfos.ca
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://ainfos.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/a-infos-en
Archive: http://ainfos.ca/en