DCTU To Support Campaign

Support for TEEU bin tax motion gathers pace
By Luke Cassidy Last updated: 07-10-03, 16:50

(Repost from Ireland.com as it's sub only)


Support for TEEU bin tax motion gathers pace
By Luke Cassidy Last updated: 07-10-03, 16:50

An official trade union march against bin charges in Dublin is likely following a motion at a meeting of the Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) tonight.

The motion is to be put forward by the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union (TEEU) calling for co-ordinated action by unions against service charges.

The DCTU executive, which met last week, agreed to hold a special delegate meeting tonight at 8 p.m., to discuss the action against the charges.

The DCTU is also proposing a march by trade unionists on October 11th at 3 p.m. from Parnell Square to Mountjoy Prison to call for the release of Mr Joe Higgins TD and Cllr Clare Daly.

Meanwhile, the SIPTU delegation attending tonight's meeting said it will be supporting the motion for a trade union campaign against the bin tax and the proposed demonstration in Dublin condemning the tax and the jailing of bin tax protesters.

SIPTU General President, Mr Jack O'Connor, said: "The bin tax is unjustifiable on the grounds of equity - not only because the levy varies from one local authority area to another and it disregards the principle of ability to pay but also because these charges are being imposed to make up for cuts in Government grants to local authorities while the same Government gives massive tax breaks and allowances to the wealthy".

Describing a broadly-based trade union campaign "as precisely the correct approach to tackling the issue", he went on to say: "If we are to succeed in reversing this unjust stealth tax, we have to engage the active support of a much broader range of people - and not only in Dublin but throughout the country."