General strike in Northern Ireland against sectarianism
General strike in Northern Ireland against sectarianism
This is an image of the crowd on Donegal Place. Anyone who knows Belfast will appreciate that this photograph is a LONG way back from the platform. You may notice the Socialist Party poster which was one of many at the Rally. |
 |
80,000 workers attended Belfast lunchtime rally
Dateline: February 18, 2002
Early reports of today's half-day strike in Northern Ireland, called by the Northern Ireland Congress of Trade Unions against sectarian attacks on workers, indicate a massive response by workers.
The strike was called after recent sectarian riots in North Belfast, the killing of a young Catholic postal worker by Loyalist paramilitaries last week, and threats against many public sector workers by paramilitaries.
Postal works had already taken action and the demand grew from other workers for the trade union leaders to call for action.
Socialist Party TD (MP) Joe Higgins, travelled to Belfast for the protests and to speak at a Socialist Party public meeting. He told the CWI:
"It was a very powerful protest. Tens of thousands of workers took to the centre of Belfast, perhaps up to 80,000, despite heavy rain and a cold.
The platform speakers were all trade unionists. The podium however was poorly organised which meant many workers could not hear the speeches.
The Socialist Party had a tremendous presence, selling papers, giving out leaflets, and running stalls. The Socialist Youth initiative, United Against Sectarianism, organised an impressive contingent. Dozens and dozens of school students followed their banner.
The Socialist Party public meeting held after the Belfast rally was a great success. Around 60 people attended to listen to a socialist alternative to sectarianism, poverty and capitalism".
More detailed reports will follow from Belfast and from other areas over the next few days.
To get further news reports of the rallies visit this page for reports from the Irish Times, BBC and The Scotsman.
Workers Strike Against Killings
Peter Hadden, Belfast
Last week saw vicious riots across much of north Belfast. School students from both Catholic and Protestant schools were threatened and attacked. In one incident a gang of men, at least one armed, forced their way into a Catholic school and wrecked staff cars in the car park.
On Saturday morning the violence worsened with the murder of a young Catholic postal worker, Daniel McColgan as he arrived for work in the Protestant Rathcoole estate near North Belfast.
The UDA carried out this killing, using the cover name, the Red Hand Defenders. It was followed with a threat that all Catholic postal workers and all Catholic staff in schools are now 'legitimate targets'.
Postal walk-out
Just after Christmas bus drivers struck to try to resolve this situation. Ambulance personnel have also been attacked and a mood for strike was only averted when UNISON officials persuaded members to postpone a ballot for two months.
Firefighters have also been under attack. In Portadown a fire crew was attacked by a crowd of 50 hurling missiles and bottles. A train driver has also been injured by a missile. Park rangers and other city council staff have received threats. Most recently a threat has been issued to Protestant council staff claiming to come from the Catholic Reaction Force.
Workers have had enough. Union members have bombarded their officials with demands for action. The phones have not stopped in many union offices with workers complaining that they're having to work under threat and insisting that the unions do something.
Following Daniel McColgan's killing the Communication Workers Union led the way. The main sorting office outside Belfast immediately walked out. The union has called a total stoppage of all postal collections and deliveries until 16 January, the day after the funeral.
All indications are that the ICTU strike and rally will get a huge response. Socialist Party members in the workplaces have been the most vocal in demanding a stoppage and are now building to make it a success.
An emergency meeting of trade union members of the party was held on 13 January where initiatives were discussed in the teaching unions, in the public-sector union NIPSA, in the FBU, the T&GWU and CWU.
The union leaders want this rally just to let off steam before handing responsibility to the politicians. But local politicians are part of the problem, not part of the solution.
The strike needs to be followed by further protests and by local initiatives by the unions along with community organisations. These bodies need to act to ensure that those providing services in the areas can do so without threat. They also need to discuss how the working class can act to challenge and overcome sectarianism.
School Students United
The campaign calls on school students, Catholic and Protestant, to unite to fight for more resources for education and against privatisation and not to be divided along religious lines. This message got an excellent response.
Now "School students UNITED against sectarianism" are organising a school students' meeting on the day before the trade union rally. It will discuss a call for students from all schools to join the strike and march together to the union rally. These two articles are reprinted from The Socialist, paper of the SP in England and were written prior to the successful demonstrations.
To get a range of our articles, go to the sitemap
To get a broader image of what the Socialist Party stands for, visit our main site