After Irish Ferries - The future of Trade Unionism

national | worker & community struggles and protests | event notice Tuesday January 24, 2006 16:49 by Socialist Worker - Socialist worker industrial at swp dot ie 0879090166

A one-day seminar

The dispute at Irish Ferries shows the need for a different type of trade unionism.

IBEC, the employers body, did not once condemn the actions of Irish Ferries - even though they wanted to pay workers below the minimum wage - so it makes no sense to regard them as our 'social partners'.

We, therefore invite you to this seminar to discuss Social Partnership, the EU Services Directive, migrant workers and union recruitment and how to build fighting trade unions today.

After Irish Ferries
The future of Trade Unionism

A one-day seminar

Saturday 4th Feburary. The Central Hotel,
Exchequer Street, Dublin City Centre


10.30 - 11.00 Registration
Tea/Coffee


11.00 - 13.00 Debate on Social Partnership
Jack O'Connor, President SIPTU
Mick O'Reilly, Regional Secretary ATGWU

13.00 - 14.00 Lunch Break


14.00 - 15.30 Migrant Workers Rights and the EU Services Directive
Tom Tully, Chief Shop Steward,
Irish Ferries; Barbara Muldoon,
Legal Advisor on Immigration;
Bobby Gilmore Chairperson Migrant
Rights Centre

15.45 - 17.30 Building a Fighting Trade Union Movement
Owen McCormack, Busworkers Action Group; Eamonn McNally CWU

Cover charge €5.00

For booking and information contact Brid Smith
Tel: 087 90 90 166 or e-mail: industrial@swp.ie


After Irish Ferries
The future of Trade Unionism

A one-day seminar

The dispute at Irish Ferries shows the need for a different type of trade unionism.

IBEC, the employers body, did not once condemn the actions of Irish Ferries - even though they wanted to pay workers below the minimum wage - so it makes no sense to regard them as our 'social partners'.

Over 150,000 workers came on to the streets and ship officers had to occupy their ship before a bare 'threshold of decency' was established. When it requires 'people power' to win the most basic of rights, then there is something radically wrong with social partnership.

We need a different type of fighting trade unionism which takes up the spirit of December 9th.We need to forge alliances with social movements that are fighting the government's neo-liberal agenda.

A key issue for trade unionists is the way that employers are trying to divide the workforce between migrant and native Irish. They want to intimidate migrants by using work permits to create a form of bonded labour. This tactic threatens the living standards of all workers and must be resisted.

Only fighting unions can recruit tens of thousands of migrant workers into our ranks and make gains for all. We, therefore invite you to this seminar to discuss Social Partnership, the EU Services Directive, migrant workers and union recruitment and how to build fighting trade unions today.