Donnelly defends workers' rights
By Marcas Mac Ruairí
THE Sinn Féin candidate in the forthcoming Dublin North
by-election has called on trade union rights to be
protected.
d voicing his support for workers at Dublin Airport
who are in dispute with management over trade union
rights, Paul Donnelly said, ``In the dispute at Ryanair
the basic constitutional right to trade union
membership is at issue. We stand with workers in all
industries where they are struggling for decent pay and
conditions and the right to organise.
``There is an increasing trend of non-recognition of
trade union membership by companies in Ireland - a
trend that has gone completely unchallenged by
successive governments,'' he added.
``The Ryanair dispute also highlights the reality of the
so-called Celtic Tiger economy with higher wages than
ever for the already well-off and a growing gap between
them and the increasing number of low paid workers.
``Ireland has the highest proportion of low-paid workers
in the industrial world; 600,000 people earn less than
£10,000 per year; and 4,600 people earn more than
£100,000 per year.
``Worsening conditions for workers are also in evidence
in TEAM Aer Lingus, once hailed as a national flag
ship. Sinn Féin opposes the sale of this resource to
privateers and supports the demand that all workers'
jobs be safeguarded.
``With growing economic inequality - as witnessed in
Charlie McCreevy's Budget for the wealthy - the need
for working people to organise is greater than ever.
Only by this means can they win better conditions and a
fair share of the massive profits which they help to
make for their employers.
``Sinn Féin supports the legal requirement for employers
to recognise the chosen trade union of their choice.
``It further supports the call for a statutory minimum
wage as demanded by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions,
and the repeal of the 1990 Industriual Relations Act
which restricts the right to take industrial action and
gives employers superior legal rights to employees.''
Paul Donnelly is a member of SIPTU. Voters in Dublin
North will have the opportunity to support him and Sinn
Féin during the by-election scheduled for March 11.
There will a rally for trade union rights at Ryanair
at Dublin Airport on Friday 27 February from 4-7pm.
cap
Paul Donnelly (right) canvassing in Balbriggan with
Dublin City Councillor Christy Burke this week
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