The Independent Workers Union expresses it’s unwavering solidarity with the Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) and it’s members in their effort to shut down Italy over the Meloni governments complicity in the Gaza genocide.

The arrest of activists, including Irish citizens, transporting aid to Gaza aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla is just one in a long list of barbaric and criminal acts committed by the murderous state of Israel.

In response, Italian workers have declared ‘Let’s block everything’. A second general strike is planned for October 3rd, following on from a strike on September 22nd which shut down schools, transport and factories across Italy.

These actions highlight the power that organised workers hold. Without the consent of workers, not one ship leaves port, not one factory operates and not one school opens. By withdrawing their labour, Italian workers have sent a message of support for the Palestinian people that cannot be ignored by the Meloni government.

Through our membership of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), of which USB is also a member, we affirm our own commitment to class-based and militant trade unionism. If Irish workers are to end our own governments complicity in the genocide in Gaza, we must follow the example of Italian workers and build an Irish trade union movement that stands for internationalism and militancy. 

Bringing the struggle for Palestine into the workplace is the single most important task of the Palestine solidarity movement in Ireland. The IWU is committed to fighting alongside any worker who wishes to end cooperation with Israel in their own workplace, and is already doing so. 

Let’s block everything!