PBP Derry councillor Shaun Harkin at Housing Executive workers picket line last November
“Council fully supports the planned autumn wave of industrial action across the North announced by the ICTU. Council will write to the British Secretary of State demanding he end punishment budgets and initiate an urgent economic bailout for the North whether Stormont is functioning or not.”
Said the Foyleside councillor: “The British Secretary of State is exploiting the DUP’S government veto to ram through long desired Tory cuts.
“While households from all backgrounds go over a financial cliff, Stormont’s main parties shrug their shoulders while unelected top Civil Servants do the bidding of the British Secretary.
“The main parties should be united in demanding Civil Servants refuse to implement the immoral demands of a Tory psychopath.
“The strikes announced by the ICTU are long overdue. The trade union movement has a duty to fight for the entire working class.
“These strikes must be about fair pay, funding for the NHS but also in opposition to all the vicious cuts that are doing harm to our communities.
“Many trade union members are frustrated at the lack of sustained co-ordinated action and the relative quiet given they are losing their homes to mortgage hikes, can’t pay basic bills and see our health service and schools under massive pressure.
“We urge trade union leaders to follow through on their strike action commitment and turn this into sustained action demanding the cuts end.
“We should not be told we need to wait for Stormont’s return – that day may never come.
“The trade union movement and the working class should not wait to press demands to suit the agenda of mainstream unionism or nationalism.
“We urge widespread participation and support for the strikes and for rallies in Derry, Belfast and elsewhere.”
Tags: