IWU national executive statement

Posted on 18/06/2010 by Tommy

******* Go to ‘News’ for details of upcoming events *******

The following statement has been issued by the national executive of the Independent Workers Union in relation to the occupation of a building in Belfast by the ‘Occupy Belfast’ movement.

Statement from IWU national executive

Occupy Belfast

Occupy Belfast

The national executive of the Independent Workers Union sends solidarity greetings to all who occupied the bank building in Belfast on Monday 16 January. We are especially pleased to know that our members have played a part in this courageous action.

At a time when people are suffering to repay exorbitant mortgages and others are actually watching as their homes are being repossessed, this is a timely and just action. Private property can not have precedence over people’s welfare.

National Executive IWU

Occupy Belfast

 

Occupy Belfast

Occupy Belfast

Members of the Independent Workers Union have taken part in the ‘Occupy Belfast’ protest at the old Bank of Ireland building in  city centre of Belfast.

Some people in the building issued the following statement:

 

STOP PRESS!

We have liberated this building today to oppose evictions and to raise the issue of homelessness. Why should empty buildings be abused by property developers? We have publicly repossessed an empty building to begin a movement against house eviction and for a better society. Members of the Independent Workers’ Union along with other unions and Occupy Belfast are present. We call upon the Fire Brigades Union and the other trade unions to show their support and solidarity and refuse to be used as pawns by those who want to carry out these evictions. Solidarity is strength!

END

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Independent Workers Union

Workers Rights and Representation Training Weekend
4-5 February 2012 Armagh City Hostel, BT1 7EB
In these times of economic austerity, stealth taxes, rising prices, cuts to public services, growing unemployment and forced emigration, many ordinary working people are anxious about their future and that of their children and families. A lot of people are also under serious pressure simply trying to make ends meet.
The very nature of employment has been altered significantly; gone for many are the days of job security and negotiated terms and conditions of work. In their place, people have been forced to accept short term contracts, part time hours and quite often no official representation in the workplace. As a result, for many thousands of people job satisfaction has been replaced by alienation, isolation, worthlessness and demoralisation. Anxiety and depression have become endemic among those sections of the population that are bearing the brunt of current economic policy.
This pressure is often exacerbated by unscrupulous employers who take advantage of the current economic situation to force workers to accept reduced wages and less favourable working conditions. Without effective representation and support, working people are powerless to resist such attacks on their living standards and there are many who do not even know what rights or entitlements they have at work.
The Independent Workers Union is inviting members of the public to a ‘Workers Rights and Representation Training and Information Weekend‘ Saturday 4 (10am-5pm) –Sunday 5th (11-1pm) February 2012. The training and information will be delivered at the Armagh City Youth Hostel, Abbey Street, Armagh and is open to everyone with an interest in workers‘ rights and representation.  This will provide a great opportunity to learn, share experiences and discuss your rights at work. Issues covered will include being safe and healthy at work and how to defend yourself and colleagues against unfair treatment and discrimination.
Mel Corry of Trademark NI and Kenneth Murphy, Liverpool born automobile worker and trade union branch secretary will be among the experienced trade unionists and community activists delivering the training and workshops. People are advised to reserve a place in advance and the training is open to all.  Lunch on Saturday will be provided courtesy of CAIRDE and training costs will be covered by the Independent Workers Union. For those who wish to stay overnight in the hostel please contact us on number below.  Accommodation and evening meal is free to union members.
For further information or to reserve a place on this course, please reply to this email or contact Brian on 07540724667

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Looking for Justice

Patricia Campbell

Patricia Campbell

IWU president Patricia Campbell is interviewed by the Detail news group about to her struggle for justice in relation to her ongoing dispute with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

To read, click on :

Looking for Justice

 

 

 

 

 

IWU banner at anti-austerity demonstration in Cork


IWU at anti-austerity portest in Cork

IWU at anti-austerity portest in Cork

National secretary at rally

National secretary at rally

 

 

The Independent Workers Union joined others in an anti-austerity march in Cork city on Saturday 3rd December.

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There certainly is a better Way

Change the Direction – In Budget Policy Now

In February of this year – the people removed the Fianna Fáil / Green Government, because of Austerity Policies, which it introduced and which saw the working people of Ireland having to pay for a Crisis, not of our making.

We changed Government so that we could have a change of direction. It is now clear that the present Fine Gael / Labour Government is no different to those whom they replaced.

The orders from Europe to “bail-out” the reckless banks is dutifully obeyed by a compliant and complicit Government at the expense of the working people who must endure cuts in:

Health, Education, Social Welfare and all other services, while at the same time there is no realistic investment is made in employment creation to put people back to work and to stem the tide of emigration of our young people.

Government policy is not written in stone and can be altered. We can repudiate bank debt. We can have a patriotic tax on income in excess of €100,000 per Annum.

Such measures would end the need for cuts in services and allow for investment in job creation but can only be brought about by a Government which is forced to take a Change in Direction at the behest of the Irish People rather than continue to serve the needs of the wealthy elite both Native and European.

The Independent Workers Union asks you to push the Government in the right direction by joining the Anti Budget/Anti-Austerity demonstration in your area.

Noel Murphy, IWU National Secretary. November 2011.

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Union members picket Sodexo

Picket on Sodexo

Picket on Sodexo

 

A group of young activists including members of the IWU picketed the Irish offices of Sodexo on Monday 7th November in solidarity with IWW comrades on strike in London.

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Nat Sec launches book

Posted on 05/09/2011 by Tommy
Book launch

Book launch

National Secretary of the Independent Workers Union launched Tommy McKearney’s new book in Cork.

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High Court Negates Workers’ Rights

Posted on 11/07/2011 by Tommy

High Court Negates Workers’ Rights in Favour of Fast Food Employers

The Independent Workers Union is appealing to Workers involved in the Catering area to join the Union without delay. For a long time the so-called “Social Partners” (the Bosses) have been trying to reduce wages for the lowest paid workers.

On Thursday (7/7/11) the High Court rules that the Labour Court rates of Pay and Conditions of Employment were no longer valid. This will see an attack on the wage rate of €9.31 per hour but it will also see the likes of: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Supermac’s, Subway, Burger King, Abrakebabra, eliminating the premium payments for Sunday, Night Work and overtime rates.

While leafleting the workers in the sector (encouraging them to join the IWU which is ongoing) we have also commenced a petition, calling on the Government to introduce new legislation (by means of constitutional referendum if necessary), in order to restore the rights of workers who have their wages and conditions set by Joint Labour Committees.

Noel Murphy, National Secretary IWU

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High Court Negates Workers’ Rights

Posted on 25/01/2011 by Tommy

High Court Negates Workers’ Rights in Favour of Fast Food Employers.

The Independent Workers Union is appealing to Workers involved in the Catering area to join the Union without delay. For a long time the so-called “Social Partners” (the Bosses) have been trying to reduce wages for the lowest paid workers.

On Thursday (7/7/11) the High Court rules that the Labour Court rates of Pay and Conditions of Employment were no longer valid. This will see an attack on the wage rate of €9.31 per hour but it will also see the likes of: Kentucky Fried Chicken, Supermac’s, Subway, Burger King, Abrakebabra, eliminating the premium payments for Sunday, Night Work and overtime rates.

While leafleting the workers in the sector (encouraging them to join the IWU which is ongoing) we have also commenced a petition, calling on the Government to introduce new legislation (by means of constitutional referendum if necessary), in order to restore the rights of workers who have their wages and conditions set by Joint Labour Committees.

Noel Murphy National Secretary IWU

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Patricia Campbell considering contesting seat

Patricia Campbell

Patricia Campbell

Patricia Campbell, president of the Independent Workers Union, has confirmed that she is considering an invitation by local trade union activists to contest the local government election in Co Tyrone in May of this year. If she decides ‘to put her name in the ring’,  she will do so as an independent candidate standing on trade union and socialist principles.

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Stealing a Euro an hour from the less well off

Noel Murphy, National Secretary of the Independent Workers Union, has repeated the union’s opposition to the government proposal to reduce the minimum wage by €1 per hour. He said in his statement;

Minister Batt O’Keeffe resigned from Government on 20th January 20011. The last exercise of his Ministerial power took place the day before when he signed into law a cut of €1 per hour in the National Minimum Wage.

This wage cut, introduced on to the Statute Books by a Minister being paid €4,000 per week, will do nothing to create employment, it will have no impact on Government revenues but it will definitely make poor people poorer. Although there will be talk of competitiveness, in reality the cut in the Minimum Wage, is a method of giving a pay-rise to the Bosses who pay the lowest wages.

However, this new law does not automatically confer powers on employers to cut wages. Wage cuts can be defeated by organisation and legislation.

If you are a victim of the New Legislation – join the IWU. Join the fight-back.

Noel Muprhy IWU

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