ICTU GET UP STAND UP

national | worker & community struggles and protests | news report Wednesday October 21, 2009 19:42 by Paul Kinsella - Various paulbkinsella at gmail dot com 53 Lorcan Grove, Santry, Dublin 9, Ireland. 00353-85-1478100

Letter from David Begg, ICTU General Secretary

To launch the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) 'GET UP STAND UP' Campaign, which includes the 'National Day Of Action' on Friday, November 6th, which will involve mass rallies in 8 locations around the country in protest at the Government's economic strategies. Full text of letter is below.

"Date Released: 21 Oct 2009

October 2009

Dear Friend

This is not a letter to remind you how bad things are in this country. You hear that news every day and may already have been affected.

This is about how we can get through the crisis without forcing low and middle income families to bear all the burden. It is about how we can emerge in better shape on the other side and make sure the same mistakes are not repeated.

We believe there is still a better, fairer way to deal with our problems.

The priorities of Government are wrong and will not change unless you get up, stand up and demand that they do what is best for people.

Over recent years, their policies have made speculators, developers and bankers very, very wealthy. They did this at the expense of our kids’ schools, our hospital services, peoples’ pensions and our homes. And now they have sent us a bill of E54 billion to pay for reckless and maybe criminal behaviour in our banks.

But there is worse to come:

The Government now intends to cut incomes, cut vital services and has absolutely no plans to tackle the Jobs’ Crisis. Congress has put forward proposals to save and create jobs, to protect peoples’ incomes and make sure they have the services they need:

If we extend recovery over a longer timeframe we can ensure important services and supports are maintained.

We must reform our tax system to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share.

Many EU countries have successful schemes that keep people in work, there is no reason why they cannot be introduced here.

But none of this will happen unless we get up, stand up and show we want to build a better, fairer
society. I am urging you to:

•Join the protest rally taking place on Friday, November 6 at 2.30pm at Parnell Square, Dublin
•Make your voice heard by signing up online at www.getupstandup.ie
•Show you support change by wearing or displaying the enclosed stickers
In five years time will you say, ‘I allowed this to happen’ or will you do something about it?

Yours sincerely,
David Begg
General Secretary

Our Five Key Demands of Government are:

1.Tackle the Jobs’ Crisis
2.Stop cuts to peoples’ incomes
3.Protect vital services
4.Safeguard peoples’ homes
5.Make the wealthy pay their fair share"