Support Dublin Port Workers
dublin |
worker & community struggles and protests |
feature 
Sunday August 09, 2009 13:46
by pat c
• Do you remember when Dublin Port was a key local employer, and the Docklands were the location of thriving industries?
• Do you support workers rights, hard fought for and won for us by previous generations?
These are now under threat at Marine Terminal in Dublin Port. The owners, the UK based Peel Group, have targeted Dublin workers, some of whom live locally in Dockland communities.
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They have implemented forced redundancies, with no consultation, and with no fair or transparent process. They have introduced new “take it or leave it” contracts, reducing wages and severely worsening working conditions.
These contracts, if signed, would see Dublin workers forced to go work in UK ports at the company's discretion.
The company have repeatedly failed to engage with the State Institutions, such as the Labour Relations Court and Labour Court. Faced with bully boy tactics the workers were left with no alternative but to commence Official strike action.
The company has taken a High Court injunction which prevents effective picketing by the striking workers. While the workers are locked outside their place of employment, British scabs have been imported to take their place. At this time of hardship, Irish based workers are not getting paid, while the British scabs tax money is contributing to the British economy.
Peel Group are the second largest group of Ports in the UK. They are part of a larger commercial enterprise involved in property development and land speculation, having assets valued at over £4.5 billion. Ironically, they are only a tenant of Dublin Port, an Irish State company. They are behaving in this appalling manner on property owned by the Irish tax payer.
This company has a clear anti-worker agenda. They are aiming for low pay, low standards, and little or no job security. If they are allowed to succeed other companies will adopt their tactics, in the rest of Dublin Port and eventually further afield.
This is an important battle, for all workers and our community.
Support the Strikers!
For more information on supporting the workers, local contact joemooney@dublin.ie
Comments (16 of 16)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16Not the only threat to Dublin Port workers.
REO and Drogheda Port along with Hong Kong maritime conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa have lined up to develop a 300m deep water port at Balbriggan Co Dublin. .
This scenic and archaeologically rich area is under threat from industrial development that may ultimately replace Dublin Port .
How dare the Peel Group, treat the workers in this Country this way. Maybe they should move back home? I find it beyond reason for this to be happening in 2009, bring back the good old days when Scabs and the heavies(seen on the oppisite side of the road) employed by these Companies,would not dare to be associated with this, SHAME on them.
This is details from a press release from 27th July, announcing the formation of a support group. All support is welcome from within the community, political and trade union movements .
Dublin Port Workers Support Group formed as Communities unite to support strikers:
Workers at Marine Terminals LTD in Dublin Port have been on strike now for 3 weeks. (See Background to the dispute below ).The local communities, on both sides of the Liffey are outraged by the behaviour of the company and have strongly backed the workers. This community support has led to the formation of Dublin Port Workers Support Group. The group has stated its role as:
“To support the workers in Dublin Port .This includes actively supporting those currently engaged in industrial action , and also in proactively protecting the future of employment based in the Port.”
A spokesperson for the support group is Joe Mooney, a community activist in the North Docklands, who has two family members involved in the dispute. Commenting on the dispute, Mr Mooney stated “ This company has a clear anti worker agenda. They are aiming for low pay, low standards and little or no job security. If they are allowed to succeed other companies will adopt their tactics, in the rest of Dublin Port and eventually further afield”.
Since its formation, the support group has distributed approximately 10 thousand leaflets in Dockland communities, receiving a very positive response from local residents. The support group is calling on communities across Dublin, political organisations and trade unionists to come together in support.
The formation of the support group has been welcomed by the striking workers: “The backing we have received is tremendous, and is really appreciated. It has been great for morale. We are struggling for our own jobs, and our own future, but what happens here will affect workers all over the country. We need to pull together to win this, it’s for everyone.”
For further information:
supportportworkers@dublin.ie
Background to the dispute
Jobs, working conditions and job security are all under threat at Marine Terminal in Dublin Port. The owners, the UK based Peel Group have targeted Dublin workers. They have implemented forced redundancies, with no consultation, and with no fair or transparent process. They have introduced new “take it or leave it” contracts, reducing wages and severely worsening working conditions. These contracts, if signed, would see Dublin workers forced to go work in UK ports at the company’s discretion.
The company has repeatedly refused to engage with the Labour Relations Court and Labour Court. Faced with bully boy tactics the workers were left with no alternative but to commence Official strike action.
Peel Group are the second largest group of Ports in the UK. They are part of a larger commercial enterprise involved in property development and land speculation, having assets valued at over £4.5 billion. Ironically, they are only a tenant of Dublin Port, an Irish State company. They are behaving in this appalling manner on property owned by the Irish tax payer.
Link to Siptu press release
http://www.siptu.ie/PressRoom/NewsReleases/2009/Name,10....html
.
Details taken from a press release by the support group. All are welcome to attend. Placards will be provided by the support group.
Communities unite under the call“ Protect workers rights.Jobs now,and for the next generation”
Support group say “ Time for Action”
Dublin Port Workers Support Group will hold two simultaneous protest actions, North and South of the Liffey, on Tuesday 28th July. Groups will gather in East Wall and Ringsend and march to meet together at the East Link Bridge. This meeting point will be symbolic of the unity between the communities, coming together in solidarity with Dublin Port Workers currently on strike.
The support group, in calling the protest has stated:
“ Generations of Dockland Residents worked hard to make Dublin Port a success. They fought for workers rights, and to guarantee employment opportunities for future generations.These are now under threat. This protest action is taking place to support striking workers and to safeguard future employment at Dublin Port.”
The groups will start out from St.Josephs school, East Wall Rd, and Rays Shop, Sean Moore Rd, Ringsend at 10.30 am on Tuesday morning.
(The protest is taking place at this time of the morning while Port traffic is active, but timed to avoid affecting other workers during the rush hour traffic.)
A spokesperson for the support group stated
“We want to draw attention to what is happening in Dublin Port, where workers rights are under attack. We are witnessing a U.K. based company abusing it’s work force , on a site owned by an Irish State Company.We are calling on the Dublin Port Company to intervene ,and to tackle this appalling behaviour being carried out by it’s tenant.”
Dublin Port Workers Support Group can becontacted at
supportportworkers@dublin.ie
Details from a press release issued following todays successful protest :
“Strong message sent from united communities”
Today’s protest action was a massive success, as 300 supporters of striking Dublin Port workers took to the street. Approximately 150 residents each from Ringsend and East Wall took part in the protest action. The groups set out from their respective areas, and marched to the East Link Bridge, and joined together .This larger group then marched to the Marine Terminals Ltd site, at the centre of the dispute.
The mood of the united communities was one of anger, but also determination. As was stated today: “We may be divided by the River, but we are united in our support of these workers”. Along the march route(s) chanting was proud and strong, with a demand for “We want our jobs back”, “Support the Dockers” and a particularly angry “Scabs out” at the M.T.L. gates.
The majority of those taking part today were from the local communities. Also taking part were elected representatives Councillor Niall Ring, Maureen O Sullivan TD and Sinn Fein representative Daithi Doolan, along with members of a number of Trade Unions. Members of the Socialist Party, Socialist Workers Party and Workers Solidarity Movement gave their support.
The support group thanked the Gardai for their co-operation and the professional manner in which they policed the protest.
The support group is now looking at what future actions are appropriate.
On a tragic note, following the protest a Ringsend resident who had taken part passed away a short time afterwards. On behalf of the Dublin Port Workers Support Group, and on behalf of the striking workers we extend our condolences and sympathy to the mans family and friends.
Contact: supportportworkers@dublin.ie
"keeping it local" is exactly what NOT to do-you need a broad campaign-if you want to keep things local maybe no ships should come into the port at all? If you are that concerned about "keeping things local" maybe nobody from any other area should be allowed purchase apartments in the Docklands-if you want your social and affordable housing one will have noted the need to broaden out!! So my advice is make your campaign big, GET OVER SMALL TOWN MENTALITY and link up with wider alliances.
This is a very interesting article, on the behaviour of the Peel Group in Scotland . Article quite rightly ties in the Dublin Port dispute.
The challenge for elected representatives
With a fifth Maersk ship (now lying at anchor 9 miles NW of The Hague) on its way to Loch Striven for cold lay up, again without consultation with the local community, this situation is a crucial test of democracy. Very large corporations like Clydeport and its parent, Peel Ports - now a very major corporate player indeed - are virtually beyond the power even of Governments to contain.
It is noticeable that Clydeport has not yet been brought to the table to talk with the Loch Striven community, yet Government and local authority are both supposed to have been taking action on this front. We are observing this situation with a fairly educated political eye.
If this does not happen - or does not happen before the introduction of another ship or ships to Loch Striven, there are only two implications:
* The Scottish Government (and Argyll & But Council) has no sway over such corporations, or
* The Scottish Government (and Argyll & Bute Council) does not prioritise the requirement to consult in advance with those most certain to be negatively affected by corporate action.
If a Government of whatever political persuasion neither can nor will act on such occasions, it is of no use to people in need of respect.
The Loch Striven community position
It’s worth reinforcing that the Loch Striven community are residents, not second homers; that they are not Nimbys; that they are not hostile to ships per se; but that they are profoundly angry at Clydeport’s management of this matter.
They were not consulted at all, before or since the four Maersk-owned boxships - each around 1,000 ft long, came into the loch to prepare for cold lay up - a long-stay affair. They were therefore not consulted about the specific location of the ships, which are lying directly outside and dominating some residents’ homes.
Lights and noise are always present at varying levels. They have caused genuine distress to people with specific medical conditions which dictated their decision to live at Loch Striven because of its quietness.
Had Clydeport consulted the community, these factors would have been known. The ships could then have been sited where their presence in this long process would not have impacted as distressingly as it has done and is doing. Moreover Clydeport’s reputation would not have sustained such deserved and ongoing damage. To quote a former television advertisement: ‘It’s good to talk’ but, as also shown in the ongoing all-out strike at Peel Ports’s Dublin terminal, the company has consciously rendered talking hors de combat.
Insights from the current Dublin dockers strike at MTL
Peel Ports, Clydeport’s owners, appear to have endorsed Margaret MacKay’s non-negotiating, non-consultational approach by giving her wider responsibilities for overseeing reorganisations, in what are amusingly known as ‘Human Resources’, at several of the ports they have acquired, several relatively recently.
This process may produce higher profit margins for Peel Ports in the resulting job losses but it has not passed without controversy.
In Dublin, in the Republic of Ireland, where a docker’s strike at Peel Ports’ Marine Terminals Limited (MTL) has been ongoing since 3rd July, the failure to consult with the Union - a process featuring Clydeport’s MD, Margaret MacKay - has accelerated an increasingly bitter dispute.
Before we look at the basic details of this situation, read the following extracts from a letter written by Oliver McDonagh of the Dublin dockers’ union, SIPTU to Liz Rae, MTL’s Human Resources Manager. How much of this is immediately relevant to the situation faced by the Loch Striven Community?
“You say the Company is entitled under statute to introduce such arrangements (short time working) where there is a temporary diminution in the work it requires its employees to carry out. This is not the issue at hand. The issue is the Company’s continuance to change the contract of employment and to diminish the Terms and Conditions of our Members
without discussion. negotiation and agreement. I underline these words as they seem to be missing completely from the vocabulary of Peel Ports Management.
“The Company does not have the right under any statute to unilaterally change the contact of employment without going through this process.
I thank you for pointing out that the Union has accepted short time working before, however this was through a process of discussion, negotiation and agreement which shows that the democratic process has worked for the employer and the Union in the past and there is no reason why it wouldn’t work into the future.
“May I also remind you that there has been no dispute in MTL for more than ten years now, once again showing the willingness of the Union and the previous management to consult through the democratic process.”
This letter is driven by MTL’s agreement with the dockers’ union - SIPTU - that all negotiations on the workforce are conducted through the union. When Peel Ports bought MTL, it simply ignored this and is alleged to have selected 13 specific crane and machine operators and a cleaner, without reference to the union and on no given or discernible criteria, for compulsory redundancy.
The remaining crane and machine operators are said to have been offered new contracts with a minimum 18% pay cut and conditions requiring them to leave the union. (Given that Peel Ports under Margaret MacKay has chosen to ignore the Union anyway, it is odd that it feels the need to include this particular clause in the new terms and conditions.)
Next, a further 9 workers are said to have been selected for compulsory redundancy - at which point SIPTU ballotted its members and has instituted an all-out strike.
Peel Ports then immediately applied for (and got) a court injunction to prevent striking workers from, for example, impeding access to the terminal and to the roads in its approaches.
The company is said to have been prepared in advance to seek such an injunction, presenting, in very short order, what has been described as a lever-arch sized case file of paperwork to support its application.
If this is so, it is redolent of the bad old days of Thatcherite industrial relations.
MTL is said to be one of the largest lo lo (lift on/lift off) companies in Ireland, if not the largest and is also said to be one of the most profitable. In such a case, the creation of redundancies at MTL could, on a prima facie basis, be argued - as it is being argued - to have more to do with improving profit margins than responding to the recession.
But who knows? We asked Clydeport for information from their perspective, since Ms MacKay, its MD is, as the senior executive overseeing ‘Human Resources’ at MTL, perceived to be central to the dispute in refusing to consult the union.
Without such information - and with a less than veiled threat from Clydeport’s laywers coming hard on the heels of our enquiry, we were faced with the choice of ignoring the evidence of non-consultational management which exemplifies the treatment of the Loch Striven community - or making the basic facts public, as we are doing.
The personal and the corporate
Clydeport’s lawyers accused us of being defamatory and of being ‘personal’. We resist the allegation of defamation – and, one week on, they have not defended it, although we invited them to do so .
We argue that the heart of this issue revolves around the managerial style and capability of Clydeport’s MD, Margaret MacKay. Any investigation of the management of the circumstances of the Loch Striven lay ups cannot therefore avoid a consideration of individual performance.
As a news and information service, often requiring to seek for the underlying cause of an event, we are concerned with matters like precedent and behavioural pattern. From this perspective, the case of the handling of the MTL dockers’ dispute in Dublin reflects directly on the same executive’s treatment of the Loch Striven community in the matter of the boxship layups:
* the attitude in both instances, were it to be verbalised, has been ‘we do not need to consult these people so why should we?’
* the intended course of action in each case was simply rammed through by force majeure
* attempts by the offended parties to engage I dialogue were ignored or treated with what one first hand recipient at Loch Striven perceived as great rudeness
* in neither case does any agency or authority appear to have - or to be prepared to use - the power to bring Peel Ports / Clydeport to the table. This is a matter of very real concern, striking at the heart of democracy as we think we know it.
An indicative narrative from the Dublin dispute reports Ms MacKay’s alleged behaviour at the single meeting she is said to have attended there. She is said to have looked at the workers’ representatives present as if they were ‘dirt on her shoe’; to have refused to speak directly to them or to the meeting; but to have passed written notes to a colleague who was required to read them out.
We would stress that this is uncorroborated, although we broached the matter with Clydeport with no response. We would also point out that, were it in fact to be accurate, such behaviour, however antediluvian, might well have some obscure origin in law.
It might well be that Ms MacKay’s presence at the meeting had no formal foundation and that procedurally she was required to make no overt contribution - hence the scribbled notes and the corporate parrot. And she may have been suffering from conjunctivitis or some such affliction on the day, giving her a gaze which unsettled those upon whom it fell.
What is certain is that transparency, openness to the contrary view and negotiation are not obvious instruments in Ms MacKay’s management toolkit. Nor indeed is punctiliousness with fact. She did, in writing and as we published, mislead an elected representative of the Loch Striven community on a matter - the duration of cold lay ups. It is professionally inconceivable that she could have been ignorant of the facts of this matter.
What else is clear is that her ultimate boss, Peel Ports, owner of Clydeport, endorses her management style by putting Ms MacKay in charge of replicating the Clydeport way of doing things across the variety of ports it has recently acquired
Text from press release today. All support is welcome at the Four Courts today, Thursday 6th August, from 10.30 AM.
Striking Port Workers in High Court today
Thomas Cooke workers will join supporters
10 Dublin dockers will today appear before the high court, as strike against U.K. based company enters 5th week. Their employer, Marine Terminals Ltd have already secured an injunction preventing effective picketing by the striking workers. They have now instigated proceedings against 10 striking workers, accusing them of being in breach of the injunction. These allegations are being strenously denied by the workers .
This Court appearance comes at a time when the company is refusing to attend a full Labour Court hearing. One of the striking workers,John Walsh condemned the companies attitude : " This company has no time to talk to it's own workers, or to the union representing us. They don't want to recognise the Labour relation institutions of this country. Yet they are happy to recognise the judicial system, and have wasted no time trying to use the courts against us".
He continued: " Their attitude is aggressive and confrontational.They have created this strike, and it is clear that they are not interested in a resolution".
The Dublin Port Workers Support Group added " It is a sad day when a U.K. based company takes Dublin workers into the Irish High Court to answer to accusations as ludicrous as " Walking slowly in a tight circle".
We are calling on supporters to show solidarity with the workers, and show up at the Four Courts from 10.30 AM."
Thomas Cooke workers, who were themselves before the courts this week are amongst those who have offered their support.
Contact: supportportworkers@dublin.ie
Just a very brief update . The case heard today vindicated the workers ,who had repeatedly denied the accusations that they had breached the existing injunction. . Having twice gone to the high court with this case last week, and with today put aside for a full hearing the company decided not to proceed with the "evidence" they had claimed to possess . The existing injunction does stands however , preventing picketing that would effectively block the M.T.L. operation. The company did not succeed in strengthening this injunction to prevent any picketing whatsoever , which was one of the threatened outcomes.
There was obviously no real case to answer , and the companies bluff was called. They will no doubt use the courts again, at a future date . Hopefully the Judges will remember todays fiasco , and note that this company think nothing of wasting the time of the courts, the workers and the union on completely spurious accusations.
The companys representative turned up today accompnied by two" body guards". There is no reason for this "security" whatsoever, and it is suspected by many that this muscle is brought along for intimidatory purposes only.
Congratulations to the many supporters who turned up today in solidarity with the workers. Nobody looked intimidated.
We look forward to seeing everybody on Monday.
http://www.indymedia.ie/article/93398
This is some good coverage from TV3 news today. I don't know how long thes links are active for.
thanks Joe, fair play to you for putting the news up, great to see we're finally getting some news coverage, keep up the good work
There was a lively crowd of supporters from the Dublin Dockers Support Group, The Socialist Party, Sinn Féin, SWP, WSM , individuals and the Independent Workers Union at the courts as the Peel Group were left leaving with their tails between their legs as the dockers had no case to answer, the judge dismissing the case in a short time.
The pickets continue daily from 6am. Well done to all who are putting up a brave fight against the onslaught on workers.
Will somebody put directions here to the pickets and a contact phone number for supporters.
Some photos essays relating to workers issues etc:
http://www.myspace.com/libertypix
email: libertypics@yahoo.ie
Joe Monney of the support group chatting with two of the strikers
Ray O'Reilly organiser from Independent Workers Union
.
One of the managers (with his ex-British army bodyguards) brought down from the north of Ireland to manage the changes.
© Michael Gallagher
...we want the earth.
I've just returned from the picket of the Marne Terminal dock workers, and it was interesting to hear that while the dispute is almost a month old and many good suggestions have been made from the rank and file as to what's needed, the workers are on the backfoot. I am not familiar with all of the grievences, but unless the leadership in SIPTU and UNITE -who's members are passing the picket daily alongside scabs from the north and elsewhere- give some sort of proper leadership on this one, this could be a very long and difficult struggle.
From what I've learned today, it's seems it's going to take a major effort from the unions to break John Whittaker and Margaret McCoy, they have both vowed 'to break the unions and them' -them was how McCoy referred to the workers- and she just returned to the UK yesterday after a flying visit to the job site.
Spread the word as much as possible for the support march on Monday. See events page.
Photo © Michael Gallagher 2009
This is the text of press release issued today.
Protests will link up in support of Striking Dockers
Thomas Cooke workers have pledged their support
As Dockers strike moves into 6th week, supporters are preparing to take to the streets.
On Monday 10th August the Dublin Port Workers Support Group have organised simultaneous protest actions, supporting SIPTU members on strike at Marine Terminals Ltd . Separate gatherings will take place in the North and South Dockland communities , both of which will march to the East Link Bridge, and join together for a further action.
As a local resident stated at a recent support rally : “We may be divided by the River, but we are united in our support of these workers”.
At that rally, a large number of residents from Dockland communities came out to show solidarity with the MTL strikers. On Monday, 10th August, we expect this number to be greater, with strong support coming from the Trade Unions and political organisations.
Amongst those who have offered their support are the Thomas Cooke workers, recently involved in the occupation of the Grafton Street branch. Thomas Cooke workers are due at the Labour Relations Commission on Monday . Before the LRC ,the workers are joining together to march in support of the Dublin Port workers.
Thomas Cooke worker Audrey Forrester stated: "
The Dockers supported our struggle,so we should support them." She continued: " The bigger picture is that all workers should get together and support each other.We are all fighting the same battle".
Supporters will gather at 10.30AM at these locations:
Rays Shop, Sean Moore Road, Ringsend.
St. Josephs School, East Wall Road, East Wall.
Once again, the timing of the protest has been carefully considered . It is being held at a time when Port Traffic is active, but hoping to avoid as much as possible disrupting workers during rush hour .
Just some updates on the strike, with links to a couple of stories .
British and Irish unions come together to plan campaign to defend port jobs
ITF, ICTU, SIPTU and Unite to plan co-ordinated campaign to support Dublin strikers and defend conditions for port workers in Britain, Ireland and Europe
August 12th, 2009.
The International Transport Workers Federation, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, SIPTU and Unite held a joint meeting in Belfast today to plan a co-ordinated campaign to defend jobs and working conditions in Peel Ports facilities. “The dispute at the Peel Ports owned Marine Terminals facility in Dublin has provided a wake up calls for all of us”, the head of Unite’s Docks and Waterways division Brendan Gold said after today’s meeting.
“We are now undertaking an urgent information exercise across Ireland and Britain to support our colleagues in Dublin in every way possible.” Unite is the largest trade union in the United Kingdom, and the second largest in Ireland.
ICTU Assistant General Secretary Peter Bunting said, “The Irish Congress of Trade Unions right across the island of Ireland are fully supportive of those on strike and we will utilise whatever power is in our remit to ensure that the rights of workers are not trampled on”.
ITF inspector Ken Fleming said, “Unite was appalled at hearing the circumstances of the dispute in Dublin port described to them by the SIPTU delegation. I am delighted that Unite has committed to do whatever it can to support the strikers in their battle. They immediately recognised the implications of the dispute for working conditions in Britain and indeed Europe if Peel Ports are allowed to develop a template in Dublin they can then apply to drive down pay and conditions everywhere.”
SIPTU Marine Port Division Organiser Oliver McDonagh said, “We very much welcome the support we have received today and look forward to co-ordinating our dispute with our colleagues in other ports. We have no choice but to escalate this dispute because of the intransigence of the company and the ruthless way in which it has tried to de-unionise Marine Terminals, even to the extent of retaining the services of the international security firm, Control Risks.”
http://pofunite.blogspot.com/2009/08/dublin-dispute-set....html
http://pofunite.blogspot.com/2009/08/dockers-unions-tar....html
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