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Workers Solidarity No. 42
Irish Anarchist Paper
Net addition
This is the first part of the latest issue of Workers Solidarity,
produced by the Irish anarchist group, the Workers Solidarity
Movement. We are changing the format for this posting to
two parts consisting of short articles and then posting longer
related articles separately. They should arrive on this
list/newsgroup over the next few days. Some lists/
newsgroups will only get postings relevant to them. To
get other parts reply to this address with a request or
watch out for them on alt.society.anarchy between the
13th and 24th of June.
The parts and their contents are.
Workers Solidarity 42 (Editorial and shorts) 1/6 <-This mailing
For starters
That's Capitalism
Stake your claim to cash
PLC students demand grants
Telethon - A hypocritical sham
If the cops don't like you
French show how to fight... and win!
Bosnia, Rwanda and UN intervention.
Workers Solidarity 42 (More shorts) 2/6
Significant minority say NO to union leaders
Don't vote...it only encourages them
Letter
Prepare to Sink the service charges
Find Out More
WS 42 Gay Pride 3/6
Loud and Proud
The reasons Emmet Stagg should resign
WS 42 Ireland, Sinn Fein and the peace talks. 4/6
Yes to peace
WS 42 Year of the Family 5/6
Parents, puritans and poverty
Gas masks and pantyhose
WS 42 Evolution and revolution 6/6
For Starters
THE CHANGE from a magazine to newspaper format reflects
the increased readership Workers Solidarity is building
up. It will take a few issues before we iron out all
problems involved in changing our printing process but
we hope you will bear with us. None of us is a
professional journalist or designer. This issue was
produced by a gardener, a couple of office workers, a
teacher, a researcher, three unemployed people and a
student.
If you like what we are saying, we would like your
help. We need your reports. Tell us what is happening
on your job, in your neighbourhood. Write a report, or
a letter. This paper will only improve if more of you
write for it, sell it, show a copy to your friends.
As we go to press final plans are being made for
'Revolution', a day of public meetings and debates in
Dublin about libertarian socialism. With the collapse
of both the Eastern Bloc and social democracy's radical
pretensions it becomes increasingly important to
explain that the ideals of socialism are not dead, that
there is a libertarian alternative. The Workers
Solidarity Movement is co-operating with Organise! (an
anarcho-syndicalist group based in the Belfast/Bangor
area), Red Action and the Class War Federation in this
venture. We hope that it will be but the first such
event where libertarian socialists of various
traditions can discuss and debate turning our ideas
into reality.
In Cork we have been working with 'Justice Now', which
is campaigning against the #1,600 worth of fines
imposed on members of the Socialist Alliance for
putting up Troops Out posters and ones with an abortion
information telephone number. We also helped in the
campaign to stop big business and hoteliers preventing
the building of a new Simon Community hostel for the
homeless.
In Dublin the WSM has started a series of anarchist
discussion meetings for readers. With the rise of far-
right movements throughout Europe, and the disturbingly
high vote achieved by the MSI/National Alliance in the
Italian general election, it was appropriate that one
of these was about fascism and how to beat it. Another
marked the 75th anniversary of the Limerick 'Soviet',
when that city was taken over by the workers as part of
their fight against British militarism.
In March we published a pamphlet about the fascist
threat in Europe, which was sold in cinema queues where
Schlinder's List was showing. We also participated in
the Anti-Nazi League demonstration, which brought about
500 onto the streets to make it clear that while there
are few fascists in Ireland we intend to keep it that
way.
That's Capitalism!
In spite of the Employment Equality Act and the Anti-
Discrimination (Pay) Act many employers still get away
with treating women workers worse than male employees.
More than fifteen years after the introduction of equal
pay laws in the 26 counties, women workers earn only
62% of men's average earnings. On an hourly basis they
are paid, on average, #2 less.
60% of the tax relief in the 26 counties on mortgage
interest and VHI premiums goes to the top 20% of
earners. Only 5% goes to the bottom half.
While workers' pay rises were kept down to the the PESP
level, there were no restraints on the rich. Last year
executive directors averaged 12% and shareholders
13.4%. The seven AIB executive directors averaged
#526,666 each, earning more per hour than most workers
get for a week.
Of the #530 million the Child Support Agency hopes to
get from 'absent' fathers in Britain and the North,
just #50 million will go to mothers and their children.
The rest will go the government Treasury. So much for
the Tories' claim last year that the Agency would be a
major help to mothers and children
According to the Irish Times industrial correspondent,
Jackie Gallagher, #250,000 was spent during the
negotiations on the Programme for Competitiveness &
Work. Twenty union officials turned up each day. Most
of them "spent their time playing cards, having quizes
and on one occasion having a sing song". Snacks
included steak sandwiches. Wine was served with the
meals. Indeed the drinks facility had to be cut off at
one stage because so much was being consumed.
Having being conned into accepting wage rises that may
not even keep up with inflation (the PCW), workers now
see top professionals get much bigger increases. The
current chief executive of Telecom, Fergus McGovern,
gets #70,000 a year. The maximum laid down in the
Gleeson guidelines for top public servants pay is
#81,000 (six times the average industrial wage). The
new chief executive will be hired as a 'consultant',
which will allow him to be paid 'fees' of over
#100,000. Peter Owen, the new Aer Lingus chief
executive is also a 'consultant', and the same will
probably happen at the National Treasury Management
Agency which was set up outside the control of the
Central Bank so that its senior employees would not be
bound by the Gleeson guidelines.
According to the MSF union 14% of the workforce in the
26 counties earn less than #115 per week. Of full-time
employees who earn less than #3 per hour 16% of them
work in the very profitable banking, finance and
insurance sector.
Stake your claim to cash
WAGES COUNCILS in Northern Ireland (and Britain) have
been abolished by the Tory government. For years they
set minimum pay rates in some of the traditionally low
paid industries like catering. As of last February 7th
they are no more.
However the Wages Inspectorate will continue to
investigate complaints and order payments of back money
until August 6th of this year. After that date you will
no longer be allowed to recover the wages that you were
legally entitled to.
Earlier this year the Law Centre in Derry helped a
bakery worker to get #4,500 in back pay. If you suspect
that you may have been covered by a minimum wage order
but paid less than the legal rate contact the Belfast
Law Centre (tel: 321307) or the Derry Law Centre (tel:
262433). They can advise you how to get your cash
before it's too late.
PLC students demand grants
STUDENTS from low income backgrounds are having to drop
out of their studies. If you are doing a Post-Leaving
Certificate course you get no grant. Nothing at all. A
survey in Ballyfermot Senior College found that 48% of
these students have to work long hours after lectures
to find the cash to keep them in college. 97% said that
their jobs interfered with their course work. Not
everyone can burn the candle at both ends. Some
students are finding it impossible to study and then
work twenty or more hours each week.
Because these students are mainly working class the
government cares even less about them than it does
about other students. They are not all taking it lying
down. There has already been a march of about 100 to
the Dail. Students from Ballyfermot, Colaiste Dhulaigh,
Portlaoise and six other colleges have kicked off a
campaign. Students in RTC's, DIT and universities get
grants. PLC students have a good case, they are the
only post-second level students who are allowed
nothing.
In the autumn the campaign for grants should be re-
launched. It has already gained support from the
Teachers Union of Ireland and the Dublin Council of
Trade Unions.
Telethon - A hypocritical sham
ON FRIDAY MAY 20th, starting at 3 pm., R.T.E. will
broadcast over 10 hours of the "People in Need"
Telethon. All over the country people will - with the
very best of intentions - organise fund-raising events
to raise money for "the poor". There are two main
reasons why we feel the Telethon should be opposed
Charity - no matter how well intentioned - cannot solve
the poverty crisis. Poverty is caused by the unjust
social and economic policies of successive governments
which place profits before people. It cannot be
challenged by any amount of charity but only through
serious and thorough political change. Events such as
the Telethon serve only to deflect attention from this
fact and from the fact that essential services should
not have to depend on charity provision for their
survival.
-> A glance at the list of trustees of the "People in
Need" organisation is indeed very revealing. It
includes such illustrious names as - Margaret Heffernan
(personnel director of Dunnes Stores), Noel Gilmore
(managing director of Gilmore Communications), Charles
Kenny (chair, Clancourt Management), Norman Kilroy
(managing director, Grafton Group). As directors of
prominent private sector Irish companies, all of these
people have a vested interest in maintaining the status
quo. Margaret Heffernan, for example, contributes
greatly to the creation of poverty through Dunnes
Stores' policy of low wages and part-time workers.
The involvement of these people is pure hypocrisy and
an attempt to salve their own consciences and gain a
few "brownie points" for "charitable deeds". Trade
unionists should be asking themselves why the name of
Billy Attley appears on this list of trustees, although
it is no surprise to us that Attley would find more in
common with these bosses than with their exploited
workforces. This telethon is just a sham.
If the cops don't like you
YOU DON'T have to break the law to get hassled by the
gardai. The Class War Federation planned a small public
meeting, entitled "the politics behind the anger", in a
Dublin pub last March. This group, who describe
themselves as "communists", have gained lots of media
coverage in Britain by organising publicity stunts like
their 'Bash the Rich' marches (where no rich people got
bashed!) and publishing a poster of a cemetery with the
caption "we have found new homes for the rich".
As soon as advertising for their meeting appeared
Progressive Democrat TD Michael McDowell got on to the
Evening Press demanding that the Minister for Justice
investigate with a view to taking action against them
under the Offences Against the State Act.
The gardai then visited the pub owner and "advised"
him that the meeting should not be allowed to go ahead.
They also "advised" him that another small group, the
marxist Red Action, should not be allowed to hire
rooms. Not wishing to fall foul of the guardians of the
peace he cancelled Class War's booking. [The meeting
went ahead in another pub].
Class War is not a banned organisation. Red Action
is not a banned organisation. They are every bit as
legal as any other political grouping. But if the cops
don't like you they are free to ignore your democratic
'right' to organise and explain your views. Hurrah for
democracy!
Meanwhile in Cork they prosecuted Sinn Fein member
Paul Walsh on a charge of membership of the IRA. Their
evidence was that he possessed a republican song book
that is legally on sale and a republican calendar that
is also legally on sale. Added to this was the word of
a senior guard that he believed Walsh to be in the IRA,
but he couldn't tell the Court why he believed this.
This was good enough for the juryless Special
Criminal Court. It found him guilty but then, in an
unusual twist, deferred sentence. Why?
Paul Walsh has been active in Sinn Fein in Cork for
years. This was the real target of the Special Branch.
Over the years harassment has been fairly routine. Now
the Branch have been given a new licence. Walsh has
been released but only on condition that he "considers
his position and adjusts his way of life."
Anytime the Branch want they can apply to have his
sentence enforced. Which is the best of both worlds for
them. They don't have to pay the cost of imprisoning
him but they still have a hold on his political
activity. A sign of what's to come? Another hurrah for
democracy!
French show how to fight... and win!
PRIME MINISTER Edouard Balladur and his government have
been in retreat over the last six months as the people
of France take to the streets to demonstrate their
anger at new policies. The government has backed down
on Air France (see last issue of WS), on extra funds
for church schools and with the fishermen. The turn of
the students of France came when the government
proposed to cut the miniumm wage by 20% for people
under 26.
The original plans were to have wages ranging from 30%
to 80% of the minimun wage. It was a move caculated to
pitch old against young. The bosses would now be able
to make a saving of 20% by laying off anyone over 26
and taking on those younger. As one protest sign read
"I've got a job, Dad, It's yours."
In France over 750,000 people under 25 are without a
job and one in four school leavers have no chance of
finding work. The move to cut wages has now been
dropped but the struggles continue. On March 29th a
student union leader, Bob Injey, said of the government
"Basically, they all end up trying to jusify lower pay
for young people,". Balladur had to cancel a planned TV
address on that day to 'celebrate' one year of the
right being in power because of the unrest.
Over 200,000 people marched in protest throughout
France on March 26th. Calls have been issued by the
Student Unions and the CGT Trade Union calling for
further demonstations. The range of demands encompassed
by the protesters has broadened. Two Arab students were
arrested and deported to Algeria. The youth and student
movement saw this as a racist attack on the right to
demonstrate and called for their return.
In Lyon as many marched as did in Paris. The
demonstators said they were demonstating "opposition to
the the youth minimum wage" and that they were "
"marching against a police state." Signs were present
reading "Solidarity with foreigners" and "Free our
Comrades".
Seven hours of street fighting took place with the
police in Nante after a demonstration on March 24th.
The cops poisoned the air with so much tear gas that
they had to seek more from the city of Rennes. The
protesters replied with "rocks, smoke bombs and flare
pistols besides blocking the streets with burning
barricades." (Le Monde 26.3.94)
The rage and anger of the young is back where it
belongs, on the streets. The support of the workers is
coming onto their side and new demands are being
raised. These are fearful times for the government in
France and inspiring to those who have chosen to fight
back. Balladur and his buddies are taking some blows.
The people are delievering some heavy punches to his
policy plans and if this level of action can be
sustained,hopefully, the govenment will end up where
they all belong, on the ropes.
Dermot Sreenan
Bosnia, Rwanda and UN intervention.
The WSM has always said socialists should not support
any intervention by the UN anywhere. What is currently
happening in Bosnia and Rwanda demonstrates the reasons
why we should not call on theUN to intervene.
In Europe most people have favoured intervention from
an early period in ex-Yugoslavia. Initially this would
have been in the support of Croatia, now it would be
for Bosnia. Yet despite the popular acclaim such
intervention would receive (in its early days), it has
not happened. Why? Because our rulers have decided it
is not in their interests to do so.
The TV coverage in Ireland of Bosnia and Rwanda has
been horrific. It included footage of people being
clubbed to death within about 300m of UN forces and
also of an incident where a woman was dragged past UN
soldiers to be hacked to death with a machette. They
just stood and watched. The only role the UN has played
has been to evacuate (white) Europeans. This is also an
instance where UN intervention would have been very
popular. Yet it has not happened.
The UN did intervene in Somalia, to popular acclaim
initially but now many would see intervention as having
been a disaster. Apart from the direct killing of an
estimated 10,000 Somalia's by UN forces (UN figure) it
would seem that intervention has further de- stabilised
the country. The UN intervened there, not because it
was popular (intervention in Yugoslavia would be more
popular for racist reasons), but because the ruling
class decided. Intervention was in its interests.
Basically the UN will only intervene when the various
ruling blocks consider it in their interests to do so.
It is not responsive to popular pressure in any real
respect. Those who are calling for intervention in
Bosnia are wasting their energy, it's like calling on
Dick Spring to protect the working class. And like
this, not only is it a waste of energy but it is also
creating an illusion that the UN is a potentially
neutral force rather than something owned & controlled
by the ruling class.
The price for this illusion will be paid in blood
later, both by working class Western troops and the
populations they will be sent to slaughter. If people
believe that the UN is a neutral peace-keeping force
(if a bit weak willed), which is the image being
projected, then winning opposition to future Desert
Storms will be that bit more difficult. Another reason
why we should oppose all Western military intervention.
So what is the solution? That's a fair question and it
is one to which there is no simple answer. We'd like to
be able to say form multi-ethnic workers militias in
former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and use these to smash the
genocidal ruling classes and stop ethnic cleansing. Of
course we know this is not going to happen in the near
future. The left (or rather those living in former
Yugoslavia and Rwanda) are paying the price for
charging down the dead ends of Leninism and social
democracy for the last 70 years. Let's be honest, a
decade ago many 'socialists' would have seen those who
engineered the Yugoslav war as being 'socialist' or at
least being more progressive than rulers in the West.
What we can do is give aid to the peace movements in
the various republics and support the 'workers aid'
initiatives that have been delivering medical goods and
foodstuffs to some of the encircled towns. We can
oppose all UN involvement, including the arms embargo.
We can be sure that any settlement engineered by the UN
would be in its interests alone. We can also counteract
the racist portrayal of ordinary Serbians in the
western press. In short our role is one of supporting
the trade union and peace movements while opposing any
intervention by our ruling class.
Hardly satisfactory, UN intervention holds up the
(false) promise of ending the war while we have no such
quick solutions. This underlines the urgency for the
left to reconstruct itself along new lines, one that
takes workers' democracy as the central point of
socialism. The best of that tradition is found in
Anarchism. As long as capitalism exists we can be sure
to see more Yugoslavia's and Rwanda's. Right now we
have to work out and win support for methods that will
really deliver an alternative.
Joe Black
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Workers Solidarity Movement can be contacted at
PO Box 1528, Dublin 8, Ireland
Some of our material is available via the Spunk press electronic archive
by FTP to etext.archive.umich.edu or 141.211.164.18
or by gopher ("gopher etext.archive.umich.edu")
in the directory /pub/Politics/Spunk/texts/groups/WSM
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