Thomas Cook occupied by workers

by Darren C Fri Jul 31, 2009 17:00

The Thomas Cook occupation is taking place on Grafton St. The corrected links are:
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=545605804&ref=na...ef=mf
petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savethomascookjobsin...land/

by james o'toole - SWP Sat Aug 01, 2009 07:05

how to deal with your boss...
short report from inside and the street outside thomas cooks yesterday when the staff ejected the managers!
The Thomas Cook offices at grafton st dublin are now under worker's control. Workers occupoed the building after management , who had flown in specially from the UK, announced the closure of the shops on north earl street and grafton st Dublin. The staff at the north earl st shop were told to close the store for an hour and to accompany managers to the grafton st store, they went upstairs and started laying out chairs to line the workers up and dismiss them. One of the workers who sensed what was coming shouted 'Lock In!' and, like electricity, word shot up through the other floors of the building.
The workers took the upper floors leaving management downstairs in the shop. Socialist Worker members arrived and, after speaking to a shop steward inside, we started distributing the worker's flyer about the dispute outside the shop to the public. We started chanting along with the workers who shouted along from the upper story windows 'I dont know what i been told..thomas cook aint got no soul!'. The response from the passers by was amazing, 'this is what this country needs',' they're right fair play to them'. Bin lorry drivers, Buses and Taxis continually beeped their horns and stopped to get more information.
A press photographer arrived and the workers assembled in the shop with management beside them looking uneasy, one of the pregnant workers was having her photo taken when the press officer for thomas cook management tried to block the shot, one of the union members threw the press officer out of the shop, soon to be followed by the other managers, who left in tears. They had never had to deal with workers fighting back.They expected submission. The workers and supporters outside began shouting, 'the workers united will never be defeated!'.
The very people who earlier that day had gathered the workers to dismiss them were left weeping into mobile phones and quietly asking could they have their bags back.

Go down and cheer the workers on today!

Caption: Video Id: Dr3YoddMVak Type: Youtube Video
interview with the workers inside

by Cllr.Gino Kenny - SWP Sat Aug 01, 2009 13:07 ginokenny at hotmail dot com 7211574 085

Well done to all involved, hopefully it will put some manners on the Employers Class in Dublin.!

by Darren C - L5I (pc) Sat Aug 01, 2009 16:29

Officers of the High Court arrived within the last hour and served notice of trespass on the staff and the TSSA at the Grafton Street shop in Dublin. They were told in no uncertain terms that they weren't welcome and that there were children and pregnant women in the shop. They soon left when the children themselves went to the shop front window. We need to keep a presence outside the shop this evening. If anyone knows anyone who would be willing to come and show their support, please ask them to do so. Musicians especially welcome!! If we can get more people to join this group so we can keep them updated that would also be grand, as they say here in Ireland!

In solidarity.

Dublin Thomas Cook shop workers.

by kevin - swp.ie Sat Aug 01, 2009 18:18 info at swp dot ie (01) 872 2682

More power to the Thomas Cook workers.
More reportage, interview, video, etc at http://www.swp.ie

by Darren C - L5I (pc) Sat Aug 01, 2009 20:09

You can text your support to those inside the occupation at 087 9481 972

by Cillian Gillespie - Socialist Party Sat Aug 01, 2009 21:38

- Condemns profitable company throwing workers onto Dole
“Thomas Cook’s decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

“However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company. I urge all working people to show their support.

“One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook’s CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice.

“Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers’ livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers’ occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.”

by SerfsUp Sat Aug 01, 2009 23:34

It's becoming clear that companies are exploiting the current climate of fear and economic rhetoric to implement business moves they wouldn't normally get away with in the name of increasing already reasonable profits. Many Travel companies have largely moved their businesses on to the internet and TV and were just itching to cut jobs in meatspace.
There is no such thing as "enough profit" or "what is best for the community" with capitalism. Why are people acting so surprised when it does exactly what it is set up to do. If people want something different then they need to engage their brains and vote for a real change next time they have the opportunity.

Between this kind of thing, resource giveaways and the supermarket chains squeezing out indigenous food production, we have a desolate future ahead as an island of cheap labour under IMF dictates, without the previous safety valve of mass emigration.

We need to do some hard thinking. And for starters We should begin spurning the majors and setting up cooperative supermarkets buying mostly local produce at reasonable margins as found in canada.

The bank bailout money could have been diverted to funding concrete local projects like this but instead these traitors to Ireland put another huge nail in the economic future of the next generation.

by Darren C - L5I (pc) Sun Aug 02, 2009 10:35

Support has been massive today! a day that defined our future activity.

At eleven-o'clock staff at a second travel agent in Dublin began an accupation in support and solidarity. At the same time TSSA memebrs at Grafton street (the original store of the occupation) were threatened with high court action to evict us.

Your support is not just helpuful it is absolutly necessary to maintain and build this activity.

We are calling on everyone to:
(1) forward and encourage membership of this group,
(2) JOIN A DIALY PROTEST AT 10.30 - 12.00 GRAFTON STREET DUBLIN,STARTING ON MONDAY
(3) NOTIFY OTHERS OF THE PROTEST, AND GET THEM ALONG,
(4) Raise funds for the welafre fund.

At times we feel alone here. But when we get messages of support, we know we can keep going.

Many thanks,
TSSA/Thomas Cook occupation organising committee.

by mick burke Sun Aug 02, 2009 16:46

The very best wishes to Darren and all the other workers. Numerically this is only a small action , but as a response to the present employers' offensive , it could point the way forward and act as a rallying point for other sections coming into struggle . There is a danger though that the TSSA leadership could use the support as a way of settling the dispute with just a higher payout for sacked workers . If that were to happen it could have an opposite ,demoralizing effect on the broader movement.

I picked up a leaflet outside the Grafton St shop today that carried the slogan ,"Let's put Irish jobs before British millionaires" . That sort of nationalist appeal is wrong . It doesn't matter if the millionaire involved is British or Irish . The jobs are not Irish jobs either , they are just jobs . The leaflet was produced by TSSA , but the left political groups involved in the support for the occupation should be insisting on slogans that point to the international nature of the present economic crisis , and they should call for a response based on internationalism .

mick

by formal Sun Aug 02, 2009 17:21

-

Occupy

by Darren C - L5I (pc) Sun Aug 02, 2009 17:44

I just want to clarify that I'm not one of the workers involved in the dispute. I'm not even based in Dublin at the moment. The emails from the TSSA are being forwarded to me and I'm posting them on this Indymedia and other forums.

I agree 100% with Mick that the TSSA slogan 'Let's put Irish jobs before British millionaires' is shortsighted and wrong. There are no nationalist solutions to this present dispute. Instead we should advance an internationalist policy of uniting with Thomas Cook employees across Britain and Ireland to fight against branch closures and job-losses. Irish bosses are no better than their British counterparts. We need to point to the economic system - capitalism - that is plunging workers into poverty, unemployment and insecurity.

Victory to the occupation!

by Kev - Various Sun Aug 02, 2009 22:08

I stayed around for about two hours (1.30 - 3.30). Comrades from the SWP had a stall and petition, and were handing out leaflets all afternoon. During the break in their conference, comrades from Socialist Youth came along to show their support as well.

Just before I left, the cops along with some court officers arrived to serve summons on the strikers. They posted the summons on the outside window.

This is a Lock In

Fair Redundancy for Job Losses

Leafleting outside

SY show support

SY & SWP show support

by Kev - Various Sun Aug 02, 2009 22:12

More pics

SWP stall and petition outside

Cops and court officers arrive

Cops and court officers arrive

They can't gain entry, so they postteh summons on the window

The workers stay on inside undaunted

by Kev - Various Sun Aug 02, 2009 22:14

Incidentally, here's the leaflet being talked about.

The leaflet

by Richard Whelan Sun Aug 02, 2009 23:28

Thomas cook Photo essay
Images copy right 2009

by Michael Gallagher - Photographer Mon Aug 03, 2009 09:19 libertypics at yahoo dot ie

.

In High Spirits Last Night

Pics © 2009 Michael Gallagher

by Michael Gallagher Mon Aug 03, 2009 13:50

.

TSSA union oficial, Gerry Doherty

Ray O'Reilly, Independent Workers Union

by Michael Gallagher Mon Aug 03, 2009 14:07

Newspaper article pic above © Irish Daily Mail

Socialist Party Councillor, Ruth Coppinger

Thomas Cook Grafton Street branch union rep, Antoinette Shevlin

by Link Mon Aug 03, 2009 16:57

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Dublin_travel_agents_occupy...osure

by Darren C Mon Aug 03, 2009 18:32

RTE has just announced that the Workers must vacate the premises by 7pm.

Anyone in the area is asked to come down and protect the strike.

Link - http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0803/thomascook.html

by dave lordan Mon Aug 03, 2009 20:16

the workers have voted unanimously to continue the occupation and defy the high court.

by Michael Gallagher Mon Aug 03, 2009 20:54

The staff have until 11am tomorrow (Tuesday) to vacate the premises, but there is a danger that Thomas Cook will employ private security to try and take control of the building, it's vital that there is an all night vigil inside and outside the premises.

The decision to stay in the premises was unaninmous by the staff after the union official (Gerry Doherty) gave the bad news from the courts

Your support is needed.

Text messages of support and solidarity can be sent to: 087 9481972

All pics © Michael Gallagher 2009

Dublin were hammered, but not these workers

Gerry Doherty (left) rushing back to court with solicitor.

by Michael Gallagher Mon Aug 03, 2009 21:05 libertypics at yahoo dot ie

.

by . Mon Aug 03, 2009 21:23

Judges orders their arrest and to be brought before courts at 2pm, Tuesday August 4th.

by Darren C Mon Aug 03, 2009 21:54

Workers occupying the Thomas Cook shop in Dublin today defied a High Court order, requested by the Company, to vacate the shop. They have now been told that the police will arrive and arrest anyone who is still in the shop. They will have to appear in court and be given a prison sentance.

After an emotional discussion when solicitors told the mainly female workers, two of whom are pregnant, the workers decided that they would remain in the shop and not be bullied by Thomas Cook.

A rally was held this morning with supporters ranging from the Lord Mayor to striking Dublin dockers.

We are now asking people to come to Grafton Street when they can to protect the workers inside in case the police turn up.

We will be holding another rally at 10am outside the shop. It is vital we have as many people as we can- please spread the word.

We are headline news and need to keep up the momentum!

Also, please phone in any talk radio shows to tell them that Thomas Cook are behaving dispicably by threatening to jail innocent workers.

Adrian Kennedy's Talk Show is on (0044) 1 67 97 104

Our contact is (0044) 7894 587 845

Thanks

by Kevin Higgins Tue Aug 04, 2009 01:23

I'd like to strongly register my support for the Thomas Cook workers. I'm based in Galway. Anything that can be done to support them from this side? My e-mail is kphiggins@hotmail.com

by Michael Gallagher Tue Aug 04, 2009 07:53

Just heard, Gardai showed up at 5am with security guards and a locksmith and arrested all occupants of the building. Security guards and a garda presence at the building now. A window was smashed and all the workers were taken in away in garda vans.

Security guards and a garda presence at the building now.

by Kaiser Sose Tue Aug 04, 2009 08:15

It's a disgrace that the Gardaí forcable put people on the Dole. All workers should show their disgust at this attack on Workers' Rights. Any news on the pregnant woman? I heard that she's gone into labour? Any developments on that? SP and SWP did good work over the past days. I heard Cllr Matt Waine and Cllr Richard Boyd-Barret were lifted with the workers.

by Dunk Tue Aug 04, 2009 08:27

RTE - Gardái arrest sit-in Thomas Cook workers
http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0804/thomascook.html

Irish Times - Thomas Cook workers removed from Dublin office
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0804/...1.htm

Gardaí arrest protesting Thomas Cook workers
http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/gardai-arrest-protesting....html

by John Jefferies - Workers Party, Cork Tue Aug 04, 2009 09:03

It is totally disgraceful that the courts and gardaí jump to the tune of the likes of Thomas Cook and other employers and property owners. Solidarity to the workers and their families and all those supporting them.

by tbac Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:37

"It is totally disgraceful that the courts and gardaí jump to the tune of the likes of Thomas Cook and other employers and property owners. Solidarity to the workers and their families and all those supporting them."

It's always been the way, it's now though with the events in rossport, the events with Thomas Cookand and in times of increased social struggle that we begin to see the real role of the Gardai; protecting the bosses, the state and capital.

by Fred Johnston Wed Aug 05, 2009 00:40

William Martin Murphy is alive and well and living in Dublin - again!

by ROBERT BROWNE Wed Aug 05, 2009 03:11 robertbrowne25 at yahoo dot com

One rule for the bankers, developers, politicians and another for Thomas Cooke workers. The country is unofficially bankrupt and yet numerous Garda on over time can turn up at 5 in the morning to tackle a few brave women. When was the last time you were woken up at 5am. to the sound of Gardai raiding drug dealers homes. Immigrant traffickers or the Real IRA. Not a pip squeak! But then a massive show of force when some nutty judge goes OTT and orders the arrest of these dangerous militants who if they could get away with it would bring the country to "anarchy"! With NAMA and every dangerous banker and property developer still walking the streets I thought we already had anarchy. But no, that only threatens if a bunch of workers decide that they are going to occupy their place of work until they are treated with respect and not as some garbage to be disposed of at will! We need to stop our new rulers who have turned out to be worse than the british that ever occupied this country!

by Relict Almasty Wed Aug 05, 2009 21:06

William Martin Murphy (1844-1919) was born in the year that Thomas Cook (22 November 1808 – 18 July 1892) began his temperance hymn singing tours. Even though both their legacies and little empires survive in the form of the "irish Independent" newspaper and the "travellers' cheque", it is a bit of hyperbole to compare what has occured these last days with the Dublin sit-in protesters, Gardai, purging of contempt etc. with the lock-outs of 1913 as Fred Johnston would have us do.

How many babies were born prematurely in the 1913 lockout?
Were their quantity higher and more substantial and more worthy of note, epigram, record and memorial than those children who were born and died in infancy in 1913?

know your history.

work your history.

strive to put your paltry achievements in context.

question your prosperity and harmony.

your struggle now in Ireland may be bad & shite but it is nothing like what your ancestors faced.


leaving aside the thorny hypothesis that your ancestors were nought more than free-range foodstuff for the recently arrived better looking and vastly superior in the cranial volume thingy homo sapiens sapiens

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dublin_Lockout_of_1913
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Martin_Murphy

of course everyone recognises the bad auld bastard William Martin Murphy's portrait, no?