The People Before Profit Alliance today called for full support and solidarity with striking electricians. In a joint statement PBPA councillors, Joan Collins, Brid Smith, Richard Boyd Barrett, Hugh Lewis and Gino Kenny, saluted the TEEU for taking a strong stand in defence of workers rights.
Cllr Collins said “Employers and the government are using the recession to dismantle the hard won rights of workers. This strike is about the right to decent pay but it is also about the right of a union to negotiate on behalf of its member. Employers want to dismantle the Registered Agreement so that they can slash workers wages and start a race to the bottom throughout the construction industry”
Cllr Boyd Barrett said “In recent months workers have seen they wages cut right across the economy. Wage cuts and tax hikes have become the norm. It’s about time that somebody said stop. These electricians did not create the recession. They are being asked to suffer the consequences for the greed of builders and developers. It makes no sense to be cutting wages at a time when we need to stimulate demand in the economy”.
The councillors called on all workers to show their solidarity with striking electricians by respecting their pickets. They called on ICTU and trade councils throughout the country to organise public demonstrations in support of the TEEU.
ENDS
For more information contact Eddie Conlon 087 6775468