Republican News · Thursday 10 October 2002

Thousands join day of action

Thousands of trade unionists took to the streets across the 26 Counties last Friday in a day of action to secure improvements in statutory redundancy payments.

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD expressed Sinn Féin support for the demands made by the Trade Union leadership that the statutory redundancy payments be increased to three weeks pay for every year of service. "The unions have made every effort to negotiate on this issue with the government and with employers and have not received satisfaction," he said. "The economic downturn means that more and more workers are being made redundant and left with inadequate compensation for their years of work. I am hopeful that the large numbers of people registering their protest will send a message to the government and big business that the workers of this state will not be taken for granted anymore."

The Cavan/Monaghan TD also condemned suggestions from IBEC that workers who attended the rallies, organised across the state, may be liable for disciplinary action. "This rally is taking place because of the refusal of employers to implement the Labour Court's recommendations on redundancy at the Irish Glass Bottle Company in Ringsend and the Peerless Rugs factory in Athy," he said. "It is the dereliction of the responsibility those employers owe to their workforce that has brought thousands onto the streets."