NIPSA strike against sectarianism

national | miscellaneous | news report Thursday August 01, 2002 12:59 by Anarcho-Syndicalist Federation anarcho_syndicalist_federation at hotmail dot com

Following death threats against a fellow worker, industrial action today by health workers shows that we can and must stand together against sectarian violence. The following report is from a NIPSA (Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance) shop steward working in the North and West Belfast Health & Social Services Trust.

Following a death threat against a fellow worker NIPSA members met on the 30th of July in the Everton Complex, Crumlin Road Belfast, to decide what action needed to be taken in response to these threats.
The worker threatened received the threat and live bullets through the post on Wednesday 24th July to their place of work. The threats are loyalist in origin and have yet to be withdrawn.
NIPSA has always had a clear policy of opposition to sectarian threats from whatever quarter (loyalist or republican/nationalist) and our members and shop stewards believe that a threat to one is a threat to all.
NIPSA members, after lengthy discussion and consideration, decided that they must take action. It was decided unanimously that all Health and Social Care workers would stage a walk out, in support of our colleague, and to send a clear message to the perpetrators. These threats will not be tolerated and must stop, as workers we are resolved to stand in opposition to any such threats.
All union members will show their support for and solidarity, with the worker who has been threatened, in a one day stoppage. About 900 trust workers are expected to take part in the stoppage, shutting down day care facilities for the day and affecting social visits.
A rally will also take place at Transport House in Belfast at 1.00 p.m. and where we will send a clear message to any and all organisations which see fit to threaten workers.