Belfast : March & rally in support of sacked ICTS AIrport Security Workers

national | miscellaneous | news report Monday July 29, 2002 11:13 by Jason - Belfast Local Anarcho-Syndicalist Federation

Report on Saturdays demonstration

Around seventy people marched from the ATGWU's Transport House on the corner of Belfast's High Street to the City Hall in a show of solidarity with the 23 workers sacked by ICTS.

These workers are fighting for reinstatement after having been sacked for exercising their right to strike in pursuit of a wage increase. Another worker was also dismissed due to a dispute earlier in the year. (See the latest ASF Solidarity Bulletin for more info., available by request from anarcho_syndicalist_federation@hotmail.com).

Peter Bunting told those assembled for the rally at the city hall not to be put off by the small turn out and informed us that ICTU had been working 'behind the scenes' on behalf of the sacked workers. So behind the scenes was the ATGWU organisation of today's march and rally that details of times and assembly point were only made available on Wednesday evening. Most union activists I spoke to on the day were not aware of the details for the event until Thursday or until they had seen posters in the city centre a day or two before.

Sacked workers however remain determined and defiant, promising more concerted and importantly more direct action against the employers with future protests at the Belfast International Airport in the pipeline. With more notice next time we must mobilise as wide and effective Anarcho-Syndicalist and Anarchist response to the much needed solidarity for these workers in their ongoing struggle.

In Solidarity;
Jason
Belfast Local Anarcho-Syndicalist Federation