Red Statement: Public Sector Action Can Win If We Strike Until Government Folds

100,000 public sector workers take the first step in the battle against this government with today’s work to rule.

FÓRSA members, including special needs assistants, health workers, civil servants and local authority workers will refuse to do additional work outside of normal duties. SIPTU members in health and local authorities are joining the action.

Tens of thousands of workers fighting as one can win. We are stronger than we often think. Jack Chambers knows this and that’s why he’s putting out lies in the media. He claims workers have got 3% above inflation pay rises when in fact it’s 5% below over the last five years.

The strike actions planned on October 14th, that will see tens of thousands of workers out on pickets, will be the biggest show of people power in Ireland since the water movement of 2014 or the public sector strike of 2009.

The government can’t stop us if we act as one and keep striking until we win.

But often our union leaders pull pickets at the last minute to go into talks. After all the excitement and build up, after workplace meetings and strike committees forming, it’s demoralising to have action pulled.

And the government sees this as a weakness they can exploit time and time again. Strike committees in every workplace should inform the union that we all want determined action and we aren’t backing down until the government gives in.

Small employers, bus companies, farm contractors and farmers shut the country down and the government caved. They got almost a billion thrown at them. If a few hundred can do this what can tens of thousands of workers achieve?

Keep striking until victory. But remember until grassroots workers control our unions there’s always the danger that struggle will be scuppered from above. We have to link up grassroots trade unionists and put workers in the driving seat of fighting unions.

Then we can go further than demanding pay and maybe even imagine a state where workers are in the driving seat and call the shots?

If you agree join us!