Dublin Ógra on frontline at Dublin docks

dublin | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Monday August 24, 2009 23:36 by Daithi Byrne - Ogra Shinn Fein Atha Cliath dublinogra at gmail dot com

for Workers rights

Dublin activists today took part in a march organised by the Dublin Port Workers Group, which have been locked in a bitter dispute with their employer Peel Ports Group. The dockers have held out for over seven weeks, and were forced to strike after their employer imposed force redundancies and introduced new contracts with pay cuts and worse conditions. Despite the company employing scabs from Britain, and a security firm made up of ex-SAS operatives, the communities of Irishtown, East Wall and Ringsend have stood by the dockers in support. The company also took a high court injunction preventing effective picketing. Dock Workers from across Europe have sent messages of Solidarity and after pledges of similar action, Rotterdam was shut down in support of the action in Dublin today.

Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin spokesperson Daithí Byrne said; "Its great to see the communities of Irishtown, East Wall and Ringsend standing side by side with the Workers, who have been treated despicably by their employers. We call on other communities to do the very same. If Peel Ports Group is successful, they could very well use the same policy to undermine Workers throughout Ireland. Dublin Ógra will continue to support their ongoing protest and wish them every success as they continue to fight for their rights."