Longest Labour Occupation in Irish History Ends.

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday March 11, 2003 19:54 by peerless - rugs

After 20 months, one of the longest running occupations in the history of Irish Labour came to an end yesterday, when workers in Peerless Rugs in Athy, Co. Kildare agreed to a settlement with their employer, the Refround Textile group. The deal brokered by the labour court, amounts to the equivilent of €15 per day of the occupation.

The occuaption began over a year ago when the employer refused to pay statutory redundancy to the workers.

The occupiers have made known their sense of betrayl and dissillusionment with the SIPTU hierarchy. Who refused to support the occupation, bound as they are by the legal system.

Interesting to note the absolute lack of comment and support from the left in this, one of the most exciting and spontaneous outbreaks of working class resistance and self organisation in years.

Any thoughts people?