Over 30 years of anarchist writing from Ireland listed under hundreds of topics
Vote No to Lisbon
Date: Tue, 2009-09-08 12:39
The Workers Solidarity Movement is calling for a No vote in the Lisbon referendum. It is a treaty for the rich, people in Ireland can do a lot better than a choice between the clowns in the Dáil or those in Brussels.
We oppose the EU's policies of privatisation, militarisation and attacks on workers' conditions but don’t insult people’s intelligence by saying that our current society in Ireland with its severe recession, diabolical public services and corruption is anything better. The major lack of democracy in our lives is not between us and the EU but between the Irish government and us.
The upcoming Lisbon vote is one of the rare occasions that the people get a direct say. But it’s only a very limited say. We get to choose between either a gombeen republic or an embryonic European state, neither of which makes for an exciting prospect.
Whichever way the vote goes, there is no indication that either a yes or a no vote will substantially alter the exclusion of the public from major public decisions. That requires a rethinking of the kind of society we want.
The problem is not the treaty alone but the EU as an institution.We call on people to Vote No to Lisbon but also to organise to take more control of our lives and to build real democracy in our communities and our workplaces.
The WSM Is 25
Date: Mon, 2009-09-07 17:37
The Workers Solidarity Movement is twenty-five years old this autumn. A quarter of a century ago anarchists in Ireland came together to establish an organisation to promote and fight for our ideas.
Bord Snip targets workers and pensioners
Date: Mon, 2009-09-07 17:33
The McCarthy or “Bord Snip Nua” report on public spending outlined a range of proposed cuts in government expenditure. Of the €5.3b in possible savings, it can be safely said that at least €4b of this (and probably more) targets the working class. Indeed, a full third of the cuts are aimed at pensioners and unemployed. In the private sector, attacks on our class continue in the form of pay cuts, short time and lay-offs.
WS111 - No to Lisbon
Date: Sun, 2009-09-06 14:04
A special issue of Workers Solidarity, no 111 is now online. It concentrates on making the argument for a No vote in the second Lisbon referendum as part of the WSM 'No to Lisbon' campaign.
Download Workers Solidarity 111 - No to Lisbon (Southern edition)
Dublin: Dock strike protest at High Court
Date: Fri, 2009-09-04 20:41
In relation to the injunction taken by MTL to prevent the naming and shaming of scabs, see media links below, and update on the official site website .
The case is to resume again next Thursday 10th September at 11am.
We are calling on supporters to demonstrate at the High Court , gathering between 10.30 and 11am. This may be a full hearing of the case, and will likely continue for a number of hours.
Thursday 10th September
High Court
Assemble: 10.30 to 11am.
The indications from the Labour Relations Commission is that of cautious optimism, to use a near meaningless cliche. There is still a way to go, and we cannot be certain of the companies true intent. We will keep you updated.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/eycwojaukfql/rss2/
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0904/1....html
Dublin: Dock strike protest at City Hall
Date: Fri, 2009-09-04 20:38
To all supporters,contacts etc,
A motion in support of the striking workers and calling for intervention to end the dispute will be put before Dublin City Council at Monday evenings meeting. We will be hoping for unanimous cross party support for this but nothing is guaranteed yet. We are calling on supporters to gather at City Hall before the meeting to demonstrate our support for the workers.
Monday 7th September
City Hall (end of Dame Street)
6.15 - 7.15pm
Lisbon and Democracy - Do We Really Have a Say?
Date: Fri, 2009-09-04 17:30
It’s the time of year where we plebs get a chance to rectify our impertinence in rejecting the Lisbon Treaty. In itself, rerunning the referendum is hardly an affront to democracy. After all, people are simply being asked to confirm the decision made.
Lisbon Referendum & the development of the European Union
Date: Fri, 2009-09-04 11:23
One of the great problems that people encounter in making up their minds about the Lisbon treaty is that, depending on who you talk to, the treaty can appear to be an altogether different thing. According to those who are campaigning for a Yes vote, it merely serves to tidy up the existing European treaties, with a few changes to allow the EU to function more efficiently.
The employers’ offensive - Striking back gets results
Date: Thu, 2009-09-03 17:38
Thomas Cooke workers refused to go quietly when they were tossed onto the dole. Cooks had made £400m profit in 2008 and their boss, Manny Fontela-Novoa, took home €7 million. This was not a failing business.
No to Lisbon - A Treaty for the Rich
Date: Wed, 2009-09-02 17:29
The WSM is calling for a No vote in the 2nd Lisbon referendum on the grounds that people in Ireland can do a lot better than a choice between the clowns in the Dáil or those in Brussels. We oppose the EU's policies of privatisation, militarisation and attacks on workers' conditions but don’t insult people’s intelligence by saying that our current society in Ireland with its severe recession, diabolical public services and corruption is anything better. The major lack of democracy in our lives is not between us and the EU but between the Irish government and us.