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Ireland - the rank and file begin fight Posted by: Jon on November 08, 1998 at 11:26:50: THE FIRST signs of rank and file militancy are beginning to re-emerge in the Irish trade union movement. Building workers have won some impressive victories on the sites because they have adopted a policy of defying the Industrial Relations Act. Two building workers were jailed for 2 days in October for defy a court order to picket. They were subsequently freed after virtually all the building sites in Dublin were picketted out, and the building workers topped the city centre traffic. They were released without apologising to the court, when a demonstration of several hundred building workers rushed the high court and nearly freed them anyway. The Busworkers Action Group has organised unofficial action and train drivers have also acted independently of their union officials. During the summer craft workers in the health service and local authorities came out in defiance of their officials’ attempts to sabotage a pay strike. Action from below has re-emerged because workers are both bitter at the failure of the Celtic Tiger to deliver and confident because they know they are in demand in a growing economy. Many know that their union leaders are more committed to keeping social partnership arrangements with the bosses than advancing workers interests. Building strong shop floor organ... (truncated) Follow Ups
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