Union members occupy BATU

by BATU Strikers Supporter Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:06

General Secretary Paddy O'Shaughnessy assaults female striker in ongoing dispute at BATU

Susan Fitzgerald, Unite member and BATU striker was assaulted on the picket line today at the BATU head office. Susan and her fellow strikers were challenging strike breakers as they crossed the picket line. It was during a verbal exchange that BATU General Secretary Paddy O'Shaughnessy physically assaulted Susan, kicking and shoving her.

The assault has been reported to the police. A complaint has also been made by the strikers to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and to affiliated unions. The strikers are demanding that Paddy O'Shaughnessy be immediately expelled from the Executive of the ICTU. They are also demanding that the BATU Executive meet in order to remove him from his post as General Secretary.

This physical assault by a union General Secretary on a female striker is a new low in the ongoing dispute at BATU which is now in it's twentieth week. Fellow striker Robert Kelly said "If a manager in any workplace shoved and kicked a female member of staff this would be considered gross misconduct and they would face the sack.

"How much worse is it that a union General Secretary physically assaults a female striker. His position within the trade union movement is now completely untenable. The whole trade union movement will be judged by how they deal with this very serious matter. The movement cannot campaign for equality, nor can it encourage women to join and become active, if it allows behaviour such as this to take place within its ranks."

Since the incident this afternoon dozens of members of BATU and other unions have contacted the strikers to express their outrage and show solidarity. They have also vowed to be present at the picket line in future to ensure that this does not happen again.

For more information contact the Unite shop steward at: 087 2253755 or Brendan Ogle Unite Organiser at 0871200312

by BATU Strikers Supporter Wed Sep 17, 2008 18:09

Susan Fitzgerald attacked
Susan Fitzgerald Unite member and BATU striker was assaulted on the picket line today at the BATU head office. Susan and her fellow strikers were challenging a group of strike breakers as they crossed the picket line.
It was during a verbal exchange that BATU General Secretary Paddy O'Shaughnessy physically assaulted Susan Fitzgerald, kicking and hitting her numerous times.
A fuller statement and explanation of events will follow later.
Protests should be sent immediately to the leadership of the ICTU calling for the immediate suspension of Paddy O'Shaughnessy from the ICTU executive and for the suspension of BATU from the ICTU until this dispute is won.
Trade unionists must stand up and demand that the ICTU stop protecting this scab and bully.

by joethebrit - IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) IU 620 Fri Sep 12, 2008 20:01 joethebrit at yahoo dot com dot au

Like most union members I am fully in support of the actions of the BATU & UNITE members in Blessington Street despite my generally low opinion of the UNITE union. However, I still find it hard to believe that union members will join organisations that do not have regular audits, that keep the results of any audit secret, that do not have a mechanism for the recall of officials, restrictions on the term of office of officials and the requirement for re-election to posts annually of officials. Furthermore, how can a man earning 100k+ a year really represent the interests of his members (who are his employers); surely the time has come for the wage of senior officials in "trade" unions to be capped at the average wage of the members.

by brennan1979 - SP Thu Sep 11, 2008 17:04

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dxGyjEcXgo

Tommy Fitzgerald speaking at a meeting organised by the Socialist Party that was adressed by Peter Taaffe of the CWI. Tommy is introduced by Joe Higgins.

by stonedmason - batu Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:43

what people do not seem to realise,is,that batu is a national union,not just confined to dublin.the behavior of the two said officials when neville was sacked was appaling,however,they hid behind the decision, taken by the democratically elected national executive council on that occasion.when people bang on about majority rank and file members,there in cuckoo land.the facts are,any decision taken by paddy,has to be rubber stamped by the national executive,yes,that democratic body,who are elected by the rank and file membership nationally to make such decisions.Questions need to be asked,where was paddy redfella,liam malone etc,when these decisions were taken?Were they taken by shocko,or the executive?If,by the executive,then its adios lads.As they are the only vehicle available to the rank and file.ITis also worth noting that none of the occupiers have ever stood for election to that body,if they are truly representative,they should be a shoo in.Strange times indeed

by Revolt Video Collective Mon Sep 08, 2008 20:01

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Caption: Video Id: 909 Type: Politube
Embedded video Politube

by Scab Busters - BATU Mon Sep 08, 2008 15:31

Congratulations for striking a blow for democracy and accountability in BATU. Also more importantly, congratulations in making Blessington Street a Scab Free Zone once again. Keep the building occupied until there has been a full report to the members.
Why has he refused an audit?
Where has all the money gone?
Why was the taxman not paid?
Where did the money come from so quickly to pay the sheriff?
The Union management voted that all staff would have a10% pay cut since May, why did the scabs not implement this and decide to take the money instead?
What selection process was used in selecting the redundancies?
How can a trade union refuse to go to the Labour Court?
How can somebody who passes pickets, refuses to go to the Labour Court, locks four women out of work for months and acts like the worst type of anti-union employer, be able to represent bricklayers and carpenters and lecture employers on workers rights?

Keep up the good work boys and help keep Blessington Street Scab Free.