scarface
12-10-2007, 12:58 PM
RSF support Argos workers
Statement by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton
The dispute at Argos which led to a one day strike on December 1 and
the use of ‘scab labour’ imported from England and Wales by the company
is about the right of working people to a living wage and the right to
be a member of a trade union. People should give a practical
demonstration of their solidarity for the Argos workers by refusing to pass
pickets.
Argos announced profits in 2006 exceeding 8.1 billion euro whilst
profits for the first half of this year are up 50%. Despite this Argos are
refusing workers a 10 % pay rise, which would bring hourly rates to 9.90
euro. The cost of importing strike breakers is greater for Argos than
the pay increase sought by the workers. However the prize for the
company in winning this battle would be to break the power of the worker’s
union in Argos, part of the employer’s wider agenda of undermining
workers rights and pay.
The dispute at Argos comes at a time when the 26-County administration
is following the British government’s lead in blocking an draft EU law
which would give temporary workers employed through agencies the same
pay and conditions as full-time staff.
Across the board the rights of working people are under attack, this is
evidenced in terms of access to health care, education, housing and
pay amongst other social and economic measures. The 2008 budget announced
on December 5 shows the Dublin administration have no intention of
addressing any of these issues but are determined to continue widening the
gap between rich and poor.
True social and economic democracy as provided for in SAOL NUA,
Republican Sinn Féin’s social and economic programme is the only means by
which communities ravaged by poverty, drug abuse, crime, chronic
unemployment and social disconnection can be brought in from the margins of
society, guaranteeing people a share of national wealth which meets their
needs.
Statement by Republican Sinn Féin Vice President Des Dalton
The dispute at Argos which led to a one day strike on December 1 and
the use of ‘scab labour’ imported from England and Wales by the company
is about the right of working people to a living wage and the right to
be a member of a trade union. People should give a practical
demonstration of their solidarity for the Argos workers by refusing to pass
pickets.
Argos announced profits in 2006 exceeding 8.1 billion euro whilst
profits for the first half of this year are up 50%. Despite this Argos are
refusing workers a 10 % pay rise, which would bring hourly rates to 9.90
euro. The cost of importing strike breakers is greater for Argos than
the pay increase sought by the workers. However the prize for the
company in winning this battle would be to break the power of the worker’s
union in Argos, part of the employer’s wider agenda of undermining
workers rights and pay.
The dispute at Argos comes at a time when the 26-County administration
is following the British government’s lead in blocking an draft EU law
which would give temporary workers employed through agencies the same
pay and conditions as full-time staff.
Across the board the rights of working people are under attack, this is
evidenced in terms of access to health care, education, housing and
pay amongst other social and economic measures. The 2008 budget announced
on December 5 shows the Dublin administration have no intention of
addressing any of these issues but are determined to continue widening the
gap between rich and poor.
True social and economic democracy as provided for in SAOL NUA,
Republican Sinn Féin’s social and economic programme is the only means by
which communities ravaged by poverty, drug abuse, crime, chronic
unemployment and social disconnection can be brought in from the margins of
society, guaranteeing people a share of national wealth which meets their
needs.