Friday, August 07, 2009

Ógra Shinn Féin support Dublin Port Workers


Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin activists manned a picket yesterday outside the Four Courts in the city. A march was held by the Dublin Port Workers Group last week in support of SIPTU members who are in dispute with UK company Peel Ports at the Marine Terminal in Dublin Port on Tuesday 28 July.

Over 300 people from the communities of East Wall, Irishtown and Ringsend from both sides of the river Liffey joined together to hold a protest at the Marine Terminal where forty-two SIPTU members have been picketing for over a month over the company’s refusal to negotiate with the union and to enforce pay cuts and redundancies.



The company took a High Court injunction which prevents effective picketing by the striking workers. While the workers were locked outside their place of employment, scabs from Britain were employed, while Irish workers weren't paid.
Yesterday morning, the controversy was resolved. It was agreed that the defendants and their agents would be restrained from picketing the company's cargo terminal in a manner which directly obstructs vehicles seeking access to and egress from the Marine Terminal's facility.
Dublin Ógra spokesperson Daithí Byrne said;

"The fact that Marine Termal Ltd. workers were treated in such a fashion is a disgrace. Dublin Port is state owned, with MTL its sole tenant. The government have a duty to intervene in support of workers rights. The British owned company appears to have faced no oppostition from the government while it walked all over the workers. Dublin ÓSF activists have been supporting workers rights day and night over the last week and will continue to do so."
To contact Dublin Ógra Shinn Féin for information or to join, contact dublinogra@gmail.com

2 comments:

Unknown said...

As one of the original workers of Marine Terminals Ltd, to have been forcibly made redundant and now walk the picket line I must thank you all for your support. It means so much to us all knowing that we do not stand alone. The disdain this company has for its workers and the Irish labour relations is demoralising to say the least. Sláinte mo cairde!

Sparky said...

We'll be down with you's on the picket line on Monday Admiral :)