Ballybrack Three Campaign Condemns Heavy Garda Presence at Picket-line

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Wednesday February 22, 2006 11:20

by Dun Laoghaire People Before Profit - Dun Laoghaire People Before Profit

Ballybrack Three Campaign condemns heavy use of Gardai to protect wealthy developer

Supporters of the Ballybrack Three and fellow building workers have this morning condemned Collen Construction for its reliance on large numbers of Gardai to keep its Foster Avenue, UCD site open.
The site, which is being picketed by dozens of building workers and supporters of the Ballybrack Three's campaign for Trade Union Rights, has been effectively shut down for the last five working days by the protest. But every morning picketers face up to fifty members of an Garda Siochana, whom Collen are using to try and break the protest.
Most workers on the site are not turning up for work or are respecting the picket. Only a small number have chosen to pass the picket.
Richard Boyd Barrett of Dun Laoghaoire People Before Profit Alliance, spokesperson for the Ballybrack Three said this morning that ' This heavy and intimidatory Garda presence can only escalate this dispute. Though many of the Gardai have expressed sympathy with our protest, others are being extremely heavy handed. There was one arrest on the picket line yesterday of a member of UCD student's union, who are supporting our picket, and others, particularly young students are being roughly treated by some of the Gardai. We want the Guards to respect our right to peaceful protest. We want to see no charges brought against peaceful protesters.
“Three men are in jail for no other reason than they wanted the right to work as trade unionists. Collen are obliged to employ trade unionists under a legally binding employment agreement in the construction industry. A fourth Daniel O Connell, a carpenter from Ballybrack, is appearing in the High Court tomorrow and may also be imprisoned for supporting the Ballybrack Three”
“ Its a disgrace that the resources of the state, and taxpayers money, can be used so swiftly and unquestioningly in support of a wealthy developer while working people who stand up for a fair wage and decent working conditions can be thrown behind bars without a second thought for the justice of their cause.”
“There cannot be one law for the rich and another for workers. The Gardai and the courts would be far more usefully employed investigating Collen's breaches of labour law instead of harassing peaceful protesters”
Protests will continue from 7AM tomorrow morning at Collen sites at Foster's Avenue UCD and the Hugh Lane Gallery, Parnell Square.

Please send messages of support for Billy, Keith and Andrew to ballybrack3@hotmail.com

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Comments (6 of 6)

query on employment agreement cited by Ballybrack 3

by Bosco

Wed Feb 22, 2006 13:49

Hi, I've just read the article relating to the Ballybrack 3 and the construction stand off on Foster Avenue. Can someone tell me exactly what law is being referred to in the following quote:
"Collen are obliged to employ trade unionists under a legally binding employment agreement in the construction industry. "

Links to a published version of this agreement please? Or where can a copy be obtained?

Thanks

agreement online

by Dave - swp

Wed Feb 22, 2006 14:04

You can find the terms of the registered employment agreement for the construction industry at the link below. It is a legally binding agreement between the building unions and the construction industry federation, of which collen is a leading member. The relevant section is section 10 b which i am reprinting here:

10. ENGAGEMENT OF SUB-CONTRACTORS
The parties agree that contractors and sub-contractors covered by the Registered Employment Agreement for the Construction Industry should be free to engage approved contractors in any trade or activity in the industry. For the purpose of this agreement, approved sub-contractors are defined as follows: -

(a) They must comply with the terms of the Registered Employment Agreements for the industry.

(b) They must employ the appropriate grades of trade union labour.

rest of the agreement at this link

http://www.cidb.ie/live.nsf/0/802567ca003e043d8025702e0...ument

Also says

by Curious

Wed Feb 22, 2006 14:15

"(a) The grievance or dispute shall in the first instance be discussed between the parties concerned. If the dispute is not resolved within 3 days it may be referred to the trade union concerned and, where appropriate, the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). Notice in writing of the dispute shall be given by the individual concerned or his trade union to the CIF."

So what happened then?

peaceful protest

by spider

Wed Feb 22, 2006 15:26

"We want to see no charges brought against peaceful protesters."'
should i take this to mean that boyd barrett condemns protesters defending themselves (and the picket) against state violence? answers on a postcard.

SIPTU?

by popeye

Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:06

Why are the trade unions not supporting this protest?

What happened to the eastern european worker who was assaulted by protesters in a nearby shop?

cocainne habbits,being alone and the union card that got away!!!

by help the broken 3!! - the truth will be told

Fri Mar 03, 2006 01:34

poor mingo!!!
out of work and wanting a union job.
he was seen walking the streets,
he was starving,and begging.
cap in hand he rang for a card,
the hall rang the garda,
mingos a broken man,
and thats how the dynamic duo{gerry and nev } left him
but as a wise man said"from caos comes order".
has nev become a subby????

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Ballybrack Three Campaign Condemns Heavy Garda Presence at Picket-line

Comments (6 of 6)