Workers Solidarity Movement

Following on the successful meeting in the Imperial hotel in January the CAHWT in Cork has been running a series of local meetings around the city and county. Turnout has been positive at the these meetings and local groups have got up and running distributing literature, running stalls and organising for protests.  On Tuesday 7th meetings saw over 80 people attending in Blarney, 70 plus in Carrigtwohill and 30 in Passage West. On Wednesday 80 people packed a meeting in Ballyvolane on Corks' northside, on thursday over 60 people gathered in Ballyphehane Community centre and 90 in Glanmire.  Every meeting saw dozens sign up as members and pledge support for activity.

In the coming two weeks there are afurther series of meetings on Tuesday 14th Fermoy Community Centre sees the first meeting in the town, St Vicents GAA club host a meeting for Hollyhill and Shanakiel on the same night. On Wednesday 15th there is a meeting in Macrooms Castle Hotel. On Thursday 16th Mallows Hibernian Hotel is the venue for the towns first meeting, also that night Nemo Rangers GAA club is the venue for a meeting for Douglas, Grange and surrounding areas. Friday 17th sees a raft of four meetings in Charleville Community Centre, Bishopstown GAA club, the Hut in Gurranabraher and Carrigaline Community Centre.  The week following meetings take place on Monday 20th in the Ambassador Hotel St.Lukes and Blackpool Community centre. On Tuesday 21st Youghal, newmarket and Farranree enter the fray.

On top of this wave of meetings there are other activities a local protest in Skibbereen on Saturday 11th and a city centre burst of stalls for Saturday 18th. But as all this high profile work happens in local communities across the city and county, local groups are delivering leaflets, knocking on doors, raising funds and organising for further protests, meetings and other initiatives.  

The Cork wide campaign is also moving to improve communication and participation, each local group is being asked to send delegates to a countywide meeting to discuss strategy, co-ordinate activity and develop plans to reach areas not yet organised. With such a large and active campaign there have been growing pains, but how few is actually remarkable.  Members of the WSM in Cork are active in the campaign at all levels: community organising, public speaking, poster layouts, leafletting, canvassing, fundraising etc.