Trade Union March

by OK - SP Sat Oct 05, 2002 18:20

The solution is not to vote for the SP. The SP say that the only way to change things is through mass action. That means the mobilisation of workers in the communities, the workplaces, the streets etc.

Just because we stand for parliament doesnt mean we want 'to work on the inside'. To say that shows a very superficial analysis on your part.

Our TD Joe Higgins, and all our elected representatives, such as Cllr Clare Daly, use their positions to mobilise ordinary people, and do not substitute themselves for them. Clare and Joe have used their positions to voice the opposition of ordinary people on issues such as bin charges, planning corruption, Nice Treaty, the war on Iraq etc. and importantly to organise ordinary people on these issues.

by iosaf mac diarmada - reclaim the streets! Fri Oct 04, 2002 17:44

When Jim Larkin with the assistance of amongst many others Countess Markievicz entered the Imperial Hotel (which is now Clerys) on O´ Connell Street to address striking workers in 1913 he did so in cunning disguise.
He faced the GPO opposite. with its columns an architectural feature of "western civilisation" whose priniciple purpose is aid effective ventilation of the interior of the building.
Now as we know climate change or not the GPO doesn´t need much mediterranean style ventilation.
Therefore the use of columns in northern European architecture has another meaning.
Aesthetics! I hear the attentive reader cry.
No I´m afraid its not aesthetics it is rather to give the impression of "greatness" of "imperial splendour".
Now Jim Larkin as all good Irish socialists know

(socialists whose work on keeping the flame alive I acknowledge and respect and whose activism has been unfailing and contribution to many campaigns outside of purely socialist concern suc has THORP must also be ackowledged)

was a big man. Big man Jim Larkin they used to call him.
Countess Marekievicz however not so big.
Ledean swan or something like that they used to call her.
Don´t dither iosaf get to the point!
Jim Larkin (great big man) famously said
"The great only appear great because you are on your knees arise!"
or something like that, before I am corrected by scripturalist purists might I make the modest proposal that Jim Larkin probably said that line lots, to loads of people, and probably never even any royalties for it.
He may even have said that in the privacy of his bedroom but that would be a matter between himself and the Mrs perhaps? [ah I hear the revisionist Fine Gael historiographers rub their hands in glee, we have an opportunity to discredit Jim Larkin great big man that he was.]

I digress sorry but you know me; all over the place.

Anyway Jim Larkin (great big man) was facing a different O´connell street to today.
No abrakebabra, and no other well loved logos.
and a bloody great pillar with Nelson on top.
Now for the benefit of younger readers (there are a few I believe HIYA GROOVERS!!) Nelson´s pillar was a big column in the middle of O´connell street where nowadays the used abrakebabra wrappers get thrown at Anna Livia (lovely grrrl Anna).
It was removed from Dublin´s skyline in 1966 one night and morning after two explosions.
The first was claimed by the "IRA" (oh they were a different IRA then ask P. de Rossa) and the second was carried out by the "Irish Army" no surprises for which explosion caused more superficial damage to windows and stuff.
--Sure they were up in arms (nearly?!) in Sean Macdermott street.
Anyway it occurs to me that Ireland has moved on from facing the GPO sort of demonstrations.
Why only a little while after Jim Larkin (great big man) another bunch of lads took over the GPO.
That was commerated by a monument of CúChulainn in bronze.
Its a beautiful thing isn´t it? and that´s why over the years its got moved around the GPO, I recall in my youth, and as everyone knows I´m no youngster now, it was tucked away at the back where you weighed the packages, but around the time of the "ceasefire" (wasn´t that great, went doen very well on Sean Mac dermott Street I can tell you) the lovely statue of Cú chulainn got moved to teh front of the GPO with spotlights and a window.
So you see times change and methods to.
have I made my point?
probably not loads more of it to come.

by Phuq Hedd Fri Oct 04, 2002 16:52

is obviously to vote for someone different, someone nicer. No? Isn't that it? Voting for someone nice like SF or SP, someone that will take the right decisions for us and will rock the system from within, just like all the other revolutionary parliamentary representatives that we've had since the founding of this Free State.

by OK - SP Fri Oct 04, 2002 16:11

Today's march seems to be a success in terms of turnout and in terms of redicalism that exists. However today also exposes the lackings of the TU leadership.

Labour and the Trade Union bureaucrats are not calling for an end to redundencies and jobs for all, they are content with good redundency payments.

We need to get rid of these bureaucrats and work towards Trade Unions that will fight for their members and will not be afraid to take on the government and bosses.