Workers Solidarity Movement

Anarchist organisation Workers Solidarity Movement (WSM) has confirmed its intention to join the protests against Tuesday’s budget at Dáil Éireann.

Speaking today, Gregor Kerr, WSM P.R.O. said that members of the organisation would be joining the 1% Network protest meeting at Wolfe Tone statue St Stephen’s Green at 5:30p.m. and marching with them to participate in the protest at the Dáil at 6p.m.

“What is taking place behind the gates of the Dáil on Tuesday is unfair, unjust and just plain wrong,” said Mr. Kerr.  “The decision that will be taken to further impoverish ordinary people and further attack our public services in order to protect the interests of the wealthy elite must be opposed.”

Calling on workers to get involved in building for a general strike to halt the attacks on our living standards, Mr. Kerr continued: “100,000 people marched through the streets of Dublin last Saturday week to express their opposition to the government’s austerity programme.  It’s not enough to express that opposition and then go home. The opposition must be built in every workplace and in every community.  Whether economic decisions are being made by this government, by the one which replaces it, by the IMF or the European Central Bank they can only do what we let them.  Our biggest weapon if we want to bring about fundamental change is our ability to withdraw our labour. The wealthy elite in whose interest society is currently run do indeed have all the political power. But nothing would function for them without us. They need us to work in their businesses, they need us to keep the wheels of society running by providing a health service, education service etc.”

“That’s where our power comes in,” concluded Mr. Kerr.  “Imagine a situation where all of us together – public and private sector worker alike – stop working. Imagine the feeling of collective strength that would give us. Equally imagine the message that would deliver to our current rulers. A general strike organised across all workplaces would be a first step towards a re-construction of society in our interests rather than in the interest of a tiny greedy minority.  Building for that general strike is the task facing every one of us who oppose the thrust of current economic policy.”

Statement Ends

For confirmation/further information please contact WSM PRO Gregor Kerr on 086 1501151

Note to Editor:- Workers Solidarity Movement (WSM) is an Irish anarchist organisation with branches in Dublin and Cork and members in several other places around the country.  WSM members are actively involved in many community and trade union campaigns, and have been involved at local and workplace level in building opposition to the government bailout of bankers and developers.

For more information about the WSM visit our website www.wsm.ie

WORDS: PRO WSM