SIPTU Start to Organise Omagh Communities Against Cuts

tyrone | animal rights | press release Wednesday December 08, 2010 21:18 by PRO - SIPTU

Ireland's largest Trade Union SIPTU held a number of engagements with key Community activists in Omagh town on Monday 6th December.

SIPTU Lead Organiser Martin O'Rourke led the meetings with the community organisers, to kick-start a process of engagement and building in the campaign against cuts to the community and voluntary sector.

Among those met were Cllr Martin McColgan (Chairperson of Strathroy Community Association), Michael Kelly (Omagh Community Support Officer) Siobhan McDermott (MACCA Community Centre Development Officer, ODC), Seamus Reid (MACCA Secretary), Gerry McCusker (Omagh Neighbourhood Renewal Officer), and Conor Keys (FOCUS Development Officer).

Michael Kelly, Martin O'Rourke, Cllr Martin McColgan

SIPTU's Martin O'Rourke said;

"The community organisers we met today have a wealth of experience and knowledge of all the hard work that is carried out in communities across Omagh. We in SIPTU want to ensure that these essential frontline services are protected. We have a strong presence in communities in the 26 Counties, and have led the campaign against cuts facing our community services. We are looking to harness this experience and expertise to build a similar campaign in the north, organising and bringing communities together to campaign against cuts in light of the recent Tory budget proposing £4bn of cuts."

"Community Workers provide vital services to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our society. But now your services and the people who provide them are under threat of cutbacks and closures. It’s time we as a community come together to have our voices heard. If we do, we can help shape a better and fairer future for all."

If you interested in joining the campaign contact martinorourke@siptu.ie or 028 9031 4000

Gerry McCusker, Seamus Reid, Siobhan McDermott, Martin O'Rourke, Cllr Martin McColgan, Conor Keys