Council Worker Explains Why He’s Striking On Oct 14th

The late great actor Robin Williams said it best: “Politicians should wear sponsor jackets like Nascar drivers so the public can see who is funding and owning them!”

That quote shines through for me now more then ever as governments worldwide are bought, paid for and controlled by Big Pharma, the tech companies, multi national corporations as well as the billionaire class.

Ireland is no different unfortunately, as we’ve seen in this week’s budget. When inflation is taken into account workers like myself are worse off after this budget.

Yet another Budget delivered to serve the people that the Irish government truly answer to. If they wore sponsor jackets you’d see the names of vulture Funds, bond holders, landlords, data centre companies and a few would be wearing shirts with billionaire Denis O Brien’s name across them!

The Irish government don’t have working class people’s interests at heart hence this is why we are facing into the biggest people power action since the water charges movement and the biggest strike action since the 2009 public sector strike!

People power beat the water charges then and it can win again as long as the working class stick together and deliver a clear message to the government and that is: “We Deserve Better”.

We are the people who keep this country running. This Budget was delivered by establishment politicians whos income is six figures and yet their message is always the same, that the money isn’t their to pay us workers a better wage?

Working class people can see through these governments lies and we are sick and tired of their hypocritical statements. Enough is enough, so many budgets delivered by this government and the working class are still struggling to get by and not being able to afford the everyday necessities of life.

Who could blame people for leaving the country to find a better life? But people should have the opportunity to make a good living in Ireland and the only way to do that is to take this government to the cleaners and shut our workplaces down, in turn shut the streets down and ultimately shut the country down.

This has been recently demonstrated by the French and Dutch as well as by the Spanish People so the same must be done here in Ireland!

We need to get a better deal for public sector workers. This is the only way to get this Government to listen to the needs of working class people and their families. Our pay must keep up with the rate of inflation as TDs pay does, why shouldn’t public workers’ pay be the same?

Ahead of the October 14th strike here are some tips in order for other workers to be prepared as best they can:

First of all, get unionised! You can’t join the pickets if you’re not in a union. Talk to your workmates and get signed up before Weds.

Secondly, follow The news and follow all union based social media accounts to stay on top of all the latest developments. That’s how we keep the pressure on our union heads to keep up the fight. We have to be in the loop on every bit of news.

Thirdly, email your union representative outlining your thoughts and what you want to see happen in negotiations between unions and government officials. Let them know we want a determined fight that carries through to the end.

Most importantly, call meetings in your workplace, elect a strike committee and hold talks with your work colleagues so you all stand united, as there is always strength in numbers. Make your workplace stronger after this strike.

As the old saying goes “the more things change the more they stay the same.”

That’s certainly true with this government, it’s the same old story not meeting the needs of working class people. That must change and it will as long as the working class stick together, strike together and fight together.

Unionise, mobilise, win! I’ll see you on the picket lines!