ICTU GET UP STAND UP

by Marcas MacCaoimhin Thu Oct 22, 2009 15:17

The timing of the November 6th Demo is terrible. With it being held on a working day where a strike has not been declared the numbers will be low and the media will have a field day reporting on such a damp squib.

by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh Thu Oct 22, 2009 16:21

The date of the demo is not the main problem. The main problem is that what ICTU are asking is that low and middle income families not bear ALL the burden. They will be quite happy to have the workers who did not cause the crisis bear a major chunk of it!!! This is what they have been doing since Social Partnership began.

Get Up! Stand Up! The ICTU bureaucracy has been crawling for so long they wouldn't know what fighting is. We have been here before, the Irish Ferries dispute when the Grand Old Duke Of York, well this time he didn't even get half way up the hill. despite the massive shows of solidarity ICTU demobilised the whole thing.

by niall higgins - tax payer Thu Oct 22, 2009 20:24

i will be attending said rally in galway in nov., and glad to,but i think getting there and standing up is all we will achieve.Somehow though i feel stronger actions are now required collectively.Anyone effected by these further pay cuts and who have a mortgage should reduce this amount from their mortgage payment.I will be taking this action. I am angered by our governments treatment of us but this is also our banks problem.Money is most certainly a powerful weapon...lets use it to our advantage.This may not be the proper medium to express my thoughts but its a start.Lets really get a reaction!

by Martin Kelly Thu Oct 22, 2009 20:58

As an ex shop steward and a citizen, I think that ICTU should be frontloading NAMA as the big time criminal, which will represent the biggset transfer of wealth from our society to a small clique of mega greedy bankers and big developers.

The empty premises and sites which litter our cities and countryside will in the main, be cited beningly by the banks as "impaired" loans on their books.

These toxic debts to be taken from the banks and given to the state, will poision our communities through thousands of millions of euro foregone in services and general welfare. This cash will have to be paid back with interest at variable rate; ie upwards in reality.

Moreover it will be paid back by a community which pays the highest indirect tax (VAT) and theses taxes impact heavily on those who can least afford them, other indirect taxes, eg domestic water rates are already in the pipeline and these will also go into bailing out the banks and big developers.

To not frontload this NAMA issue while marching and striking against "the cuts" seems like condeming a massive crime, but staying quiet about who were and are the biggest perpetrators of the same crime and to compound such injustice, we will also stay quiet while our services and living standards are hollowed out to pay back loans for bailing out the said perpetrators.

ICTU leadership do 'get up and stand up' and give proper leadership on this NAMA debacle before it is too late and the dye will be cast by those in Government who are bereft of morality or common sense.

by Martin Kelly Thu Oct 22, 2009 21:14

BTW I am cognisant of the fact that ICTU leaders have in the main, been hauled kicking and screaming to take this action by the rank and file activists and members, but they should be made take up a loud anti Nama position otherwise a lot of these efforts will be for the most part wasted.

The issue of our natural resources giveaway is the other big crime and the other big elephant in the room while TDs get passionate and heated about booze levels.

Wonderful distractions, reminds me of Connolly's remark about ruling by fooling.

by . Fri Oct 23, 2009 18:39 libertypics at yahoo dot ie

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by Paul Kinsella - Various Sun Oct 25, 2009 17:32 paulbkinsella at gmail dot com 53 Lorcan Grove, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland. 00353-85-1478100

I agree with the various comments above. While I have no problem publishing ICTU's campaign, and supporting it, and being on all the various protests, including the National Day Of Action on November 6th, which I will be participating in, and organising for, plus the 24/7 Alliance March to Dáil Eireann on November 11th, and the proposed Public Sector Strike in late November, even though I am a Private Sector Worker, I have no illusions, that this is what ICTU really wanted. They're only doing this because they've been forced to by the huge anger from ordinary Workers in Both the Public And Private Sectors. Let's all concentrate firstly on getting a massive turnout on November 6th, so massive that they (ICTU, the Government and the bosses) can't ignore us. I'm pleased to say that the signs are looking very good for the 6th. Many workplaces I know in Both the Public And Private Sectors are walking out, either for the day, or at lthe very least for a 1/2 day. I have a feeling that the 6th Protest will be on a scale unprecedented in recent Irish history, surpassed only possibly by the PAYE Tax Protest of March 1979. Then let's build for the 24/7 Alliance March to Dail Eireann on November 11th, and the proposed Public Sector Strike in late November.

by Paul Kinsella - Various Tue Oct 27, 2009 03:05 paulbkinsella at gmail dot com 53 Lorcan Grove, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland. 00353-85-1478100

I am a Private Sector Worker, but I And Many Others will be standing shoulder to shoulder with our Public Sector Colleagues on November 6th, and in whatever happens after that, because we've had enough of being ground into the ground by bast**ds like you'se.

by Hugh Murphy - Sacked by ITGWU and Belfast employers Tue Oct 27, 2009 18:48

The workers of Ireland have, TO SAY THE LEAST, employer friendly trade unions. The rank and file must push aside the so-called leaders and demand fair play for workers, NOT EMPLOYERS. If they don't their grandchildren will still be paying for their cowardice in 60 years time. NAMA, is and should be termed what it is, i.e, MANA - for the rich. Anyone in doubt about the inequalities in Irish society should read Fintan O'Toole's column in today's Irish Times. YES, O'Toole is a Union yes man but he can get at the facts. It's a pity O'Connor O'Toole and the other jokes on ICTU would not act on the information he can dig up.

When the Trade Unions honour the great men of Irish Labour, stop paying themselves like employers and get back to representing their members instead of trying to run the country in an unelected capacity - we will have work for everyone. Just as Larkin and Connolly intended.

by William "Lockout" Murphy Tue Apr 06, 2010 20:58

The Get Up Stand Up Campaign has been superseded by the Shut Up Sit Down Campaign!