Solidarity is Strength

Contract workers in UCD have made major gains in their working conditions by simply threatening to go on strike at a key time of year for the University. With their fellow SIPTU workers, they forced concessions from management relating to pension rights and the creation of permanent, pensionable posts.

It was no surprise when over 80% voted for strike action. When management seemingly backed down SIPTU agreed to suspend the strike action – though workers reserved the right to strike again if they renege on the agreement. This was a huge victory for the most insecure workers in the university, and showed how a union can and should fight for its members’ interests.

SIPTU - Trade Union | September UCD Report | Polish Workers Wildcat at Tescos | Indymedia Workers Archive

Ogra back to what they do best

When Sinn Féin signed up to the Good Friday Agreement, their republican critics predicted it'd mean the continuation of British rule in the six counties. Inevitably this required the dismantling of the Republican Army, the decommissioning of its weapons, and acceptance of the state’s monopoly on policing and violence.

But accepting the British police, even a reformed one, is proving to be the most difficult of steps for Northern Republicans. The conflict grew out of the injustice meted out by the state and republican distaste for the police remains great. Contrary to the usual expectation that the Sinn Fein leadership can easily steer through any policy change concerned with the peace process, their youth wing in the article below has joined other republicans in criticising the shift on policing.

Interested Parties: Sinn Féin | Fourthwrite | The Blanket | Republican Sinn Féin | 32 CSM | IRSP | Eirigi | Anarchist articles | Socialist Party Pamphlet | Socialist Workers Party Article

Women of Kennedy Road, Durban

“For the white man, one man, one vote, would be the greatest solution. It would encourage competition among blacks…and…eliminate the most important ground for critique abroad of the present regime. But it would not change the economic oppression of blacks. That would remain the same.”

It is over thirty years since South African leader Steve Biko said those words in an interview with journalist Donald Woods. In a recent book by Australian journalist John Pilger, Freedom Next Time, he closes a chapter on South Africa with those words, pointing out their uncanny accuracy at predicting what has come to pass.

Background: Indymedia – South Africa | Women’s Struggles | Shack Dwellers’ Movement | S.A. Anarchists | S.A. Communist Party | African National Congress | Congress of African Trade unions | Sinn Fein | Differences Within the Triple Alliance: Where now for the left?

Garda Evidence Withheld

Dublin City Council have joined those calling for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death of Terence Wheelock. Terence, who was from Summerhill in Dublin, suffered fatal injuries while in Garda custody in June 2005.

The Gardai have claimed that he hung himself, but this is strongly denied by his family who have pointed out many contradictions in the Garda story. The most glaring one is the report of a serious head injury which most likely came from a major blow Terence received to the head while in Garda custody.

There is an ongoing inquest into Terence's death taking place at the Coroner's court, but this has only a limited remit. With Garda brutality on display in Rossport, any independent inquiry which serves to limit State violence will be a big step forward for everybody - not just the people of inner city Dublin. The Wheelocks and their supporters will be continuing their campaign this weekend, distributing leaflets in Dublin city centre.

Previous Indymedia Coverage: Interview with Esther and Larry Wheelock | Wheelock family move out of Summerhill | First mention of Terence on Indymedia | Original report of Terence's death | 1st Anniversary March | John Maloney’s death in Garda Custody

Camp gets fake infiltration treatment from Mail on Sunday

In new twist, campaign is now found 'guilty by dissassociation'

Last weekend saw the mainstream media continue its barrage against the Shell to Sea Campaign by selling the line of nasty outside protesters corrupting innocent, misguided locals. With radical activists joining the local community for the long haul, the Rossport Solidarity Camp's long-term presence has reduced the impact of these smears, so an article targeting the camp is a welcome development for both Shell and its Government.

The prize for being first to publish the by now traditional fake infiltration story goes to the Mail on Sunday. While the muck-raking tactics are often the same, (they 'infiltrate' an open group) by sending along a young journalist pretending to be someone who cares, this case is interesting because the journalist they hired was one Warren Swords who had written articles critical of Shell and their activities in Nigeria.

Rossport Solidarity Camp website
Shell to Sea website
Shell to Sea on RTE’s failure to publish a poll bringing bad news for Shell