Workers Solidarity Movement

Also today the ballot figures from IMPACT were released. Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes "if the Government moves to impose a second public service pay cut". The vote was 86% to 14%, with a 69% turnout. This compares to a 65% vote for industrial action – just short of the two-thirds required under IMPACT’s rules – on a 53% turnout in a similar ballot last March.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions is organising countrywide demonstrations for Friday 6th November in response to the government's plan to pin the costs of the economic crisis on working people.

• Press Statement: Anarchist Organisation calls for support for November 6th demonstrations
• Get Out And March on Friday But Marching Is Not Enough, Organise for a general strike

The marches all kick-off at 2.30pm.
Cork - Connolly Hall
Dublin - Parnell Square
Waterford - The Glen
Tullamore - County Hall
Limerick - The Cathedral
Sligo - The Blue Lagoon
Dundalk - The Fairgreen
Galway - probably Eyre Square but not confirmed
In Dublin the Social Solidarity Network will be meeting up at the Ambassador at 1.30 to leaflett the march and will be meeting after the march at 5pm at the Ireland Institute 27 Pearse St.
Shell 2 Sea will be meeting up to leaflet the march at 2PM across from the Savoy Cinema.

Public service unions are also considering a joint stoppage on November 24th. Already Impact have balloted their members on industrial action with members voting overwhelmingly in favour of strikes "if the Government moves to impose a second public service pay cut".

The vote was 86% to 14%, with a 69% turnout. This compares to a 65% vote for industrial action – just short of the two-thirds required under IMPACT’s rules – on a 53% turnout in a similar ballot last March.
IMPACT, a normally very conservative union, has members in local authorities, education, health, civil service, Aer Lingus, community sector and state bodies, like Bord Bia and the Aviation Authority.

The ICTU set of demands - for these marches - is:

Tackle the Jobs’ Crisis
Stop cuts to peoples’ incomes
Protect vital services
Safeguard peoples’ homes
Make the wealthy pay their fair share

You can sign up for email updates from ICTU at www.getupstandup.ie and invite others to take part by sending on this form.

While the majority of the ICTU executive see the stoppage and marches as a way of showing the government that are still worth negotiating a new 'partnership' deal with, there is a minority who seem willing to be 'pushed' into a more militant direction. This may be the case in UNITE (the ATGWU end of it anyway), CPSU, TEEU, and possibly sections of SIPTU.

A really big turnout will convince many activists that it is worth trying to push things further.

• Press Statement: Anarchist Organisation calls for support for November 6th demonstrations
• Get Out And March on Friday But Marching Is Not Enough, Organise for a general strike

In Dublin the Social Solidarity Network will be meeting up at the Ambassador at 1.30 to leaflett the march and will be meeting after the march at 5pm at the Ireland Institute 27 Pearse St.
Shell 2 Sea will be meeting up to leaflet the march at 2PM across from the Savoy Cinema.