Fight Sectarianism

Working Class Unity Can End Bigotry
From The Starry Plough

The Irish Republican Socialist Party supported plans made by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions in solidarity of workers being targeted by UDA fascist death squads.

In an interview for The Starry Plough, an IRSP spokesperson said [base "]In the week following the brutal killing of Danny McColgan, workers have shown the depth of their revulsion by organising a series of stoppages and walkouts. Such action by workers clearly shows the strength our class has within the workplace in opposing sectarianism. sectarianism.

He continued: [base "]The Irish Republican Socialist Party believes that the intimidation of workers, whatever their religious beliefs may be, is totally unacceptable. Intimidation of our class by fascists must not be allowed to continue.

[base "]The brutal slaying of young postal worker Daniel McColgan on the outskirts of North Belfast and the threats that followed provided the trade union movement with an opportunity to show that workers can show solidarity with each other. Although the movement would not have wanted a young man to die just for this to happen the opportunity arose out of very tragic circumstances and it was siezed upon by rank and file trade union members.[per thou]

As ever media reports ignored IRSP press statements in relation to events. In particularly relating to the sensational news stories of INLA death treats unacceptable. towards protestant workers in an industrial estate on the outskirts of Belfast. Reacting to alleged "threats made to Protestant workers" an Irish Republican Socialist Party spokesperson said:

"The Irish Republican Socialist Party believe that todays alleged threats, supposedly made by the Irish National Liberation Army to 'Protestant workers' is the work of cranks.

"Our party believes that the INLA have issued no threats to Protestant workers, as the only communique issued by that organisation was at the beginning of the year. Today's alleged threat is a hoax, which must be totally condemned by all republicans and socialists."

Despite this the stories continued. No doubt the editors of many gutter rags felt it easier to continue as a retraction of the original story would have shown up the unprofessional manner in which this story was covered.

Facist Thugs

Following work stoppages and demonstrations by workers across Six Counties, a spokesperson for the IRSP said:

"The Irish Republican Socialist Party support fully today's work stoppages and mass demonstrations against the intimidation and murder of workers by fascist thugs. Members of our party both individually and as part of their respective trade unions turned out to express support for today's rallies.

"Republican socialists believe that the death of any worker or the continued intimidation of workers on the grounds of what religious persuasion or community they come from is to be completely condemned without hesitation.

"The only way society can put an end to sectarianism, once and for all, is to build on the workers unity we have seen on our streets. Direct action by workers clearly shows the power we have as a class in tackling this cancer. Only workers' solidarity can defeat sectarianism."

Singled Out

This show of solidarity was not wholeheartedly welcomed by workers throughout the six counties.

Reports have reached us that workers in a meat plant just outside Derry went to the management at the plant and told them that they did not want the afternoon off to protest against sectarianism.

Instead they advised the management to sack any fellow workers who stayed off. Some workers did approach their union for advice and were told that they could take the afternoon off.

But because of the implied threats of their fellow workers they decided not to join the protest, instead they stayed at work and kept their heads down. Because of the religious makeup of the workforce and the area in which the plant is situated workers felt that if they had taken part in the protest they would have been singled out for sectarian abuse and/or dismissal.

While it is totally unaccepable for workers to be treated in this way it is understandable that most chose to stay at work. They felt that had they joined the protest they would then be singled out for abuse for which nothing could be done.

We say it is unacceptable that the management in this case refused to take the lead and close the plant for the half day stoppage. They chose not to do this and then allowed a minority of workers within the plant to dictate what the majority of workers should do.

Last update: 2/12/02; 8:04:33 AM.