Workers Solidarity Movement

WORKERS AT Nolan Transport in New Ross joined SIPTU in January 1993. Working hours averaged 15 per day, six days a week. Pay was £2.00 - £2.50 per hour. It was six years since their last wage increase.

Two workers were sacked for organising the union. The strike for their reinstatement and union recognition began on February 11th 1993. Since then most of the 32 members have been intimidated into leaving the union. Not only did management threaten their jobs, pickets were attacked with iron bars. Such is the arrogance of Nolan that a truck was driven straight at pickets in full view of an RTE camera crew.

Six workers have been sticking it out for union rights. SIPTU's leaders have talked a lot but done little other than raise some much needed cash for the strike fund. There have been no mass pickets to close down the depot, no calls for nationwide blacking of scab trucks. Obeying the Industrial Relations Act and showing a 'reasonable' face to the 'public' has been the strategy of the well paid bureaucrats on the top floor of Liberty Hall.

just as they did at Pat the Baker, they are allowing a cowboy employer to beat the biggest union into the ground. Taking a case to the Employment Appeals Tribunal has been their alternative to knocking down Nolan and unionising drivers who suffer some of the worst conditions in the industry. The way they are carrying on wouldn't inspire a single person to join SIPTU.

There are two things that can be done right now. Messages of support and donations can be sent to the Nolan's Strike Committee, Connolly Hall, Waterford. We can also make sure that no Nolan truck gets into any of our workplaces. Some have "Movin-on" headboards or "Nolan Transport, New Ross" on the side of the trailers. Others have the name painted out or no markings.

Workers Solidarity has a list of registration numbers of trucks and fridge units being driven by scabs. If in doubt about any rig turning up at your workplace contact your union office or get a copy of the list from Workers Solidarity, P.O. Box 1528, Dublin 8.

From Workers Solidarity No 41, Spring 1994