Workers' Rights Must Be Respected
national |
worker & community struggles and protests |
press release 
Friday December 05, 2008 13:02
by éirígí PRO
press at eirigi dot org
éirígí chairperson Brian Leeson has called on the management of retail stores Aldi and Lidl to reverse their current policy of non-recognition of trade unions within their workplaces.
The companies are currently expanding in Ireland and have publicly stated their anti-union policies.
Leeson said: “Both government and employers have worked assiduously over the last number of years to promote an unhealthy level of disrespect for trade unions in this country.
“The notion has been deliberately promoted that workers have no need to organise in defence of their interests. However, events have made it quite clear that there is as great a need as ever for people to join trade unions and organise in their work places.
“At present, the Belfast & District Trades Union Council are campaigning for the reinstatement of a young worker who was outrageously sacked on the grounds that she was pregnant. Without the limited protection that unions provide in the context of an unjust economic system, the law of the jungle would surely reign supreme.”
Leeson continued: “This is why it is essential that the Irish employees of both Aldi and Lidl have the right to join a trade union of their choice. No company, whether indigenous or multinational, should be allowed to ride roughshod over the rights of Irish citizens.
“Some unscrupulous employers have calculated that, in the current climate of economic crisis, workers will feel too insecure to demand their entitlements. Pressure should be placed on companies like Aldi and Lidl from a wide range of groups in order to disabuse them of the notion that they can make a profit at any cost.”
ENDS.
Note to editor: éirígí is an Ireland-wide, socialist republican political party, formed in 2006 to provide a vehicle for the national, social and economic liberation of the people of Ireland.
Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3Was somebody sacked for being preganant? I never heard about that- was it Lidl or Aldi she was sacked from?
It happened recently in a Subway in Belfast. See the link for more.
It’s a sad day but Irish Unions have lost all respect because their sole purpose in life has changed. The goal of those in control has become one of lining their own pockets at the expense of workers and do nothing in return. Too many years with little or nothing to do because of National wage agreements has led to those in control having no negotiating skills and no interest in those they represent. Most of these guys are only fit to hide behind their beards and draw down big wages for doing nothing.
Ireland’s workers are protected by law regarding minimum wage, holiday’s entitlements, maternity leave and many many more of their rights. Too many company’s have the bearded shop steward strutting around the workplace doing nothing but causing problems for his employer. The same employer who gives him a weeks wages every Friday.
I don’t blame any employer for not letting them in the door as their sole purpose in life is to cost the employer more money, even to the extent of making the business unprofitable causing the loss of the workers jobs.
Time to face up to reality unions you have shot yourselves in the foot and can walk no further. Lie down and die.
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