NIC/ICTU backs mass non-payment!

national | worker & community struggles and protests | news report

Wednesday April 26, 2006 12:59

by non-payer - We Won't Pay Campaign

wewontpay at btconnect dot com

Northern Ireland Committee Irish Congress Trade Unions Biennal Conference backs mass non-payment of water charges

We Won't Pay Campaign Press Release

Trade unions back non-payment of water charges

The We Won't Pay Campaign welcomes the decision of the conference of the Northern Ireland Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to back non-payment of water charges.

The conference, meeting in Newry, voted in support of a motion moved by Paul Dale, delegate from Fermanagh Trades Council.

Billy Lynn, President of NIPSA commented that:

"The unions affiliated to NIC-ICTU represent over 200,000 working class people. It has long been absolutely clear that a majority of the population are opposed to the imposition of water charges. It is now clear that a majority will refuse to pay these charges. The decision of the NIC-ICTU conference is an important milestone in building a solid and determined mass campaign that will defeat the water charges".

Motion
"Conference opposes the continued steps to privatise the N.Ireland Water Service, the establishment of a Government Company (GoCo) and the introduction of water charges in 2007.

Furthermore NIC ICTU recognises the complete opposition of the N.Ireland public to these so called reforms and reiterates our support to the campaigns against privatisation and separate charges for a service we already pay for.

To this end we recognise the most effective way to defeat these attacks is a mass campaign of non payment and NIC ICTU will adopt and support such a campaign to defeat the introduction of separate water charges in N.Ireland."

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Comments (11 of 11)

To be welcomed

by Davy Carlin

Wed Apr 26, 2006 15:48

Such words can be moved to, and can lend support to calls of action, as Momentum is created

Water Charges

by Rogue

Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:14

The vote at the NIC ICTU conference is a great step, but lets not get too carried away. The "Campaign against water charges" was supposed to be facilitated by NIC ICTU and I didn't see much evidence of that! There was talk at the conference that this would "Reinvigorate" the campaign. The word I would of used to descibe what was needed would be "Resurrect"!! I hope it happens but I won't hold my breath.

Rogue

by Davy Carlin - Organise! {PC}

Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:59

I agree with you to a big extent, but recent history has shown that such organisations can be dragged by the scruff of the neck into ' active calls' for 'support action' of their working class memberships- if momentum is created.

And remember such momentum, in recent times, has always come from below, it will be no different here if we do it right.

That is why Organise! are working within the 'We won't Pay Campaign, and to be shoulder to shoulder with the SP {who initiated the campaign,} -and working with many others -to attempt to create a momentum within local communities and within the unions for that mass practical and eventually visible support and actions.

A tad bit of change

Wed Sep 13, 2006 14:39

Quite a few interesting points came out of ' various local radio shows today from 'Unionists,

One also included in regard to this thread a statement of 'preparing to go to prison over new charges {Bob McCartney - although he refers to such as a wealth tax}.

And although calling for something different from what various other campaigns are calling for , he is I believe the first such politican to declare he will go to prison because of it -

A tad significant in itself given such background and his regard for the. police and justice and such, a tad bit of change coming around the corner there.

Wash out your ears, Davy

by Belfast lad

Wed Sep 13, 2006 16:21

McCartney was talking about going to prison over the new, increased rates bills, not water charges.

awhhhhh

by lol

Wed Sep 13, 2006 16:27

poor davy
didnt research that "significant" development too well then
ah well, wel have to march on without bob
just as well

Well

by D

Wed Sep 13, 2006 16:38

Didn't say anything about water charges {although point taken I should have elaborated on ' new charges}

I put it here as it dealt with new {Increased} charges, and voicing differing tactics as opposed to the various other tactics voiced in other campaigns against various other new or increased charges. Indeed this is just one more charge of a continual onslaught of possible new charges coming forth - which effects differing constituencies.

Sounds by the tone of your pen though that perhaps u have a tad of dislike there.

Worry Not - D

Not relevant to this thread

by Belfast Lad

Wed Sep 13, 2006 16:46

Davy, you did say that McCartney's statements are relevant to this thread. They are not. Water charges are being introduced for one reason only and that is to prepare for privatisation. They will hit the poorest hardest and that is why socialists, anarchists, trade unionists and anti-poverty campaigners are so against them. But the rates rises are different. McCartney is right to say they are a wealth tax. Those who receive Housing Benefit have their rates paid for them, so the poorest are protected. The 'revolt' that McCartney is talking about is a revolt of the middle and upper classes in South Belfast. Nothing to do with anything on this thread.

And you're right. I do dislike McCartney and anyone with any sense should also.

Apologies I tend to go so deep at times

Wed Sep 13, 2006 17:07

I am aware of the Wealth Tax and the 'middle classes {and the retired and pensioners etc} in South Belfast as I am aware of the low -middle earners {and those on benefit}.etc.

It is yet though yet another charge which is and will be an accumulation of possible more coming charges - which as I stated is ‘just one more charge of a continual onslaught of possible new charges coming forth - {which effects differing constituencies}

I suppose maybe I should have started a differing thread, but I thought it related - in that 'wider sense

‘Water charges are being introduced for one reason only and that is to prepare for privatisation.

Hmmmmmm, now I know where u are coming from - ATB - D

Might disagree on this one

Wed Sep 13, 2006 18:28

Yes, Davy, you do know me. Was at the meeting last night - good meeting!

But I think we may disagree on this issue. I'm all for taxing the wealthy. Of course, an income tax would be better but generally speaking, its the well-off that are going to feel the increased rates. Of course, there will be the occasional granny in a big house living on a state pension and you can be sure we'll hear a lot about them from Bob McCartney but he doesn't give a flying f**k about people on middle-low incomes or benefits, his concern is for the South Belfast and North Down rich. That's why he calls the increased rates a wealth tax and wants a cap on the amount they have to pay (as there is on the water charges).

Don't disagree on that point

by d

Thu Oct 19, 2006 13:56

I'm all for taxing the wealthy', as I am with your points on Bob McCartney ,

But could it be though that their 'tactics' pushed by those fighting their corner paid of?

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NIC/ICTU backs mass non-payment!

Comments (11 of 11)