A Global Day For Fair Pay

On the 29th of April 2007, Ógra Shinn Féin took part in the annual Mayday rally for workers rights in Dublin city centre. All over the world trade unionists marched in solidarity with workers struggling for better conditions, pay and even the right to join trade unions and exercise their rights and organise their labour. Roughly 300 hundred gathered at the Garden of Remembrance to march to Customs House Quay for music, speeches. Along the way Ógra handed out leaflets on workers rights and the Mayday edition of Glór na nÓg, which we produced in conjunction with the A.R.I.S.E. campaign which this month focuses on exploitation and workers rights.

There was a festive and comradely atmosphere as the ICTU marching band placed union standards like “The Red Flag” and “Le Internationale”. At the Customs House Quay the crowd were addressed by Chair of ICTU Youth and INO member Eddie Mathews, who expressed solidarity with those who are exploited and forced to work in inhumane conditions for next to nothing around the world. He also emphasised that the bosses will give us nothing so workers must organise and fight for what we need.

Another speaker from Belfast Trades Council spoke of the anti-sectarian and anti-racism of Larkin, Connolly and the Trade Union Movement. She recounted the story of the 1903 dockers strike in Belfast where protestant, catholic and dissenter came together for the empowerment of their class and fought long and hard for fair pay. She also emphasised the importance of the solidarity strike which were aid the campaign.

But thankfully the event was not drawn out with countless long speeches and entertainment was provided with music from Liam Ó Maonlaí of the Dublin Workingman's Band, Jalopy and Colours Afrobeat Orchestraband. There was also stalls and information booths setup in the adjoining Customs House Gardens. Liberty Hall’s top floor was later opened as a viewing room.

Ógra spokesperson Oisín Ó Dubhláin commented,

“Ógra will continue to take part in action to highlight the plight of the international working class and fight to end exploitation of workers by breaking the link with capitalism and working to establishing a 32 county democratic socialist republic.”

dLúthpháirtiocht!