The Plough #28
27 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. British State Educational and Institutional Discrimination
2. Suicide - The Politics of Health
3. The Left Convention and Lies
4. The SWP and "Psychopaths"
5. "VERY Middle Class Jobs and Income"
6. Show True Colours - Say No to Racism!
7. What's On?
*******
The IRSP wish to express our deepest regret at the sudden and
unexpected death of Billy Lynch, a former member of the IRSP, a
former INLA prisoner, a voluntary worker for Teach Na Failte, and a
staunch supporter of republicanism. To his wife Patsy, son Liam, and
grandson Liam, we offer our sincere condolences. His funeral takes
place from his home 75 New Barnsley Park on Monday at 12.30. We can
ill afford to lose such a comrade and supporter. May he rest in peace.
*******
British State Educational and Institutional Discrimination
The recent mainstream media smear campaign against the INLA, blaming
them for the recent spurt of suicides in North Belfast, is shallow,
tabloid sensationalism at its speculative worst, as if the INLA are
responsible for the atrocious living, social and economic conditions
in republican working class areas of North Belfast.
The facts of the matter are it is the British state which is
responsible through British state elitist bigotry against the working
class poor.
British state educational and institutional discrimination against
the working class communities in terms of provision of recreational,
social, economic funding, and employment opportunities.
Throughout the educational system the working class are discriminated
against in terms of the educational institutions providing working
class or poor pupils with equality of educational opportunity.
Poor children cannot afford private tuition in order to enable them
to pass the 11+ and gain entry into grammar schools which offers
superior and intensive educational teaching and facilities. So poor
or working class children are shunted into the secondary educational
system with its lack of funding, and inferior tuition and facilities.
This is one way the British state denies working class/poor children
equality of educational opportunity, as secondary schools through
limited funding cannot make available or offer the same level of
courses, teaching, or facilities as grammar schools.
The system through the 11+ teaches us that the children of the rich
and well to do are cleverer than children of the poor, which is a
LIE. The children of the rich are not intellectually superior or
cleverer than a working class child living in Ardoyne, it is just
that a rich child's family can afford to pay for additional private
tuition in order to pass the 11+. So a rich child who passes the 11+
will gain entry to the superior grammar school system and gain access
to all the privileges, educational, and career opportunities that go
with it, to achieve qualifications which will enable them to go on to
university and gain employment easily.
A poor or working class child going to secondary educational school
will have to struggle with lack of text books, teachers, and
facilities, the courses on offer will be inferior to that offered in
grammar schools.
It is only a tiny minority of working class/poor children who manage
to go on to vocational and economic success, despite the lack of
educational opportunities provided at secondary school, and most of
these have had to endure low pay, low status work for many years.
As Nelson Mandela use to say, in the township shanty towns of
Capetown, educational success was the only escape and way out for
slum kids from living the shanty towns.
For our working class poor who are condemned to a second rate
secondary education system which is substandard to that in third
world countries, there is really no hope, and no way out of the
spiralling council estates.
Is it any wonder that the 75% of the prison population are dyslexic
adults, whose special needs as children were not addressed or met
throughout their school days. Children with special needs are
disfranchised by the educational system which fails to incorporate
the simplest of adaptations to be inclusive in terms of providing
these children with equality of educational opportunities.
These children end up marginalised adults/youths, hanging around
street corners, and engaging in anti social activities and crime,
because of having no qualifications and a no employment prospects.
Children with special needs are not backward, they are not
intellectually inferior to their classroom peers, they only require
teaching and classroom resources to be adapted to include and allow
them to participate on an equal footing with their classroom peers.
Similarly, poor/working class children are not intellectually
inferior to rich children. Working class children only need equality
of access to the same intensive teaching, educational facilities, and
courses offered to the grammar school children of the rich.
Working class young people in North Belfast not only have to contend
with having a lack of educational and employment opportunities, they
also have to endure, the turmoil and upheaval of rioting,
intercommunal sectarian violence, social economic deprivation, and
grinding poverty. With lack of employment, economic, educational, and
social prospects is it any wonder people turn to topping themselves.
(Josephine)
*******
Suicide - The Politics of Health
In all the furor in the media about the INLA's supposed involvement
in the suicide of two young people, some salient questions need to be
asked.
The IRSP are calling on the ICTU to agitate for more funding for
services in suicide hotspots and an investigation into who sent a boy
home from the Mater Hospital and why, when he told his nurses if he
was discharged he would kill himself?
Questions need to be asked of the Board and Trusts of the local NHS
what is being done to tackle this outbreak of suicides. Statistics
prove that suicide can become a cluster phenomena and the North
Belfast thing seems to be a prime example of this. An intensive input
of funding is needed to study the situation and provide services such
as assertive and community outreach projects, Community Psychiatric
Nursing Teams day services, acute beds for those at high risk, and
extra specialist staff.
Look at all that working class areas in particular have been
subjected to all these years. A comprehensive study needs to be
conducted into the mental health needs of a community that's just
gone through a 30 year war, never mind Holy Cross, the pipe bombing
campaigns, and the pogroms. How many PhDs, and cutting edge ones at
that, could be done just on the long term effects on the collective
mental health of the war and false hope generated by GFA on Housing
Executive estates? And how many have been done? All those who
were so vocal in condemnation of the INLA should have been going to
the funders to ask for funds to set up drop-in's and outreach teams.
These could then tender for social services work and become self
sufficient.
Also elected representatives both here and those in power at the
moment, i.e. direct rule Ministers, need to be asked them how they
can justify the budget cuts that let these things happen? If there
was an acceptable policing service then people in the nationalist
communities would not feel the need to go to the armed groupings for
protection from anti social elements. It's a sad fact and the media
will never admit it but it is a fact of life within working class
communities and should not be brushed under the carpet. So-called
punishment attacks are only a symptom of this fact and we should not
be behind the door in saying it. How long have they had from the GFA
to make them acceptable and they've not managed it yet. That's not
the fault of the Republican Socialist Movement. The salient point in
all this is that the young lad went to the hospital for help and was
turned away. Someone had to decide that and if it was through a lack
of beds or funding then we should be looking for a head on a pole,
preferably the well paid fat cats at the head of the trusts.
Social services know of the statistical probability of cluster
suicides in cases like this. What were they doing about it? What
planning and contingency plans did the mental health team have in the
event of cluster suicides? Questions need to be asked not only of the
INLA but of those with ultimate responsibility for the health of the
people.
*******
The Left Convention and Lies
The following is from an SWP member writing on the Indymedia
website: "Far from being prevented from starting a debate, the IRSP
were given every opportunity but failed to make any coherent
argument, except in relation to need to include something on
political prisoners, with which the Convention agreed! Apart from the
woman who spoke about prisoners and a man called John who twice just
said 'what about partition?' without making any argument, the only
IRSP person who took the many opportunities to speak was Gerry Ruddy
who made a very vicious, personal attack on Eamonn McCann but did not
argue at all about what he/they would argue the SEA should be doing."
Let me say straight away this is a lie. It has been repeated in
Belfast that I made a personal attack on Eamonn McCann. Not true.
What I did say among other things was that I welcomed the
contribution from a previous speaker who asked awkward questions. I
said that up to then the convention had been a rally, not a debate.
That as republican socialists we could not ignore either the current
issue of segregation in Maghaberry not issues of repressive
legislation. But also that the whole issue of partition and
imperialism had to be faced and was being ignored at the convention.
Then speaking directly to Eamonn McCann, whom I have known and
respected for near forty years, I said: 'Eamonn, you stood for the
NILP in 1969 on a gas and water socialist platform. It didn't work
then. It won't work now.'
That is the heart of the dispute. The failure of the SEA's left
convention to confront imperialism. I also said that to unite the
left calling public conferences without exploring the issues face to
face before hand was a recipe for disaster. The programme was agreed
by the SEA before even the conference began.
"There were no platform speakers and co-chairs to make sure no one
abused the position of chair in any way. So, far from anyone being
prevented from speaking, the reality is the IRSP had no arguments."
On the contrary there were a number of platform speakers from the SWP
and the Communist Party who were invited to speak before anyone else
and took up a lot of time delivering prepared speeches. When
challenged from the floor by long time political and legal activist
Patricia Drinan about comments from one of the co-chairs that he
would refuse to work with the IRSP, the co-chair refused to answer.
Not only that Eamonn McCann himself failed to address any of the
issues that I raised and instead launched into his usual staccato
speech.
"Right from the beginning, the SEA has excluded any party which has a
military wing."
If that is indeed the case why is this not explicitly stated in any
of the SEA's literature or on its web site? Is it a resolution? When
was it passed and why is it not publicised?
(Gerry Ruddy)
*******
"VERY Middle Class Jobs and Income"
"If people in the IRSP used as much energy seeking funding for youth
projects or objecting to the fact that 16-17 year olds around here
have NO income - their parents do not get a brass farthing towards
their upkeep if they are not in full-time education or training -
there would be a lot less crime and anti-social behaviour. Of course,
in spite of all the talk of people like me being middle-class for
defending these young people's right not to be brutalised [I earn
£13,500 a year and live in that middle-class paradise called
Poleglass] the reality is that the so-called 'leaders' of the IRSP
would not know what it means to be poor. Some of them have VERY
middle class jobs and incomes and probably cannot imagine the stress
faced by the families these young people come from."
The above quote comes from Aine from Poleglass, who has launched an
attack on both the INLA and the IRSP on the Indymedia website. Fair
play to her. We ourselves have condemned the actions of the INLA in
Ardoyne when necessary and make no apology for doing so. Shooting 14
year olds is wrong. But Aine in her crude economistic attacks
on "middle class leaders of the IRSP" is simply wrong. All but one of
the elected members of the Ard-Chomhairle of the IRSP are from
working class backgrounds. Two have been on the executives of their
trade unions. Three have been imprisoned for their anti-imperialism.
Two at least have been shot, two others have had attempts made on
their lives. One participated in a number of hunger strikes. All live
or work in working class areas and know exactly what life is like for
the working class. Can the same be said of the leaders of the SWP
with which Aine is closely associated? The IRSP need no lessons from
the do-gooders who take the high moral ground and condemn from afar
while they get on with their social work. The reality is that the
young working class people need not youth projects or Mickey Mouse
educational projects but jobs - real employment. They will not get
that under capitalism. Join us, Aine, in fighting against an
imperialist system that creates the Ardoynes of this world.
(JM}
*******
The SWP and "Psychopaths"
The SWP presents the IRSM as a bunch of "lunatics" and "psychopaths."
Next time one of them brings that accusation, we should remind them
that DENIS NIELSEN, a psychopath responsible for the death of many
young men in England, was a supporter (perhaps not a member) of the
SWP. It is a fact that he was selling copies of Sociali
Friday 27 February 2004
Friday 20 February 2004
The Plough Vol 01 No 27
The Plough #27
20 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Nothing Surprising and Nothing New - The Left Convention
2. Convention of the Left Query
3. COVER UP OF NEGLECT IN SUICIDE DEATHS
4. The IRSP and Ardoyne
5. NIPSA PAY STRIKE
6. PSNI SHOW THEIR TRUE COLOURS
7. VICTORY FOR LEFT IN NIPSA ELECTIONS
8. NIPSA WATCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
9. Political Prisoner Mick Hegarty
10. What's On?
Apologies for the lateness of The Plough this week - family
commitments.
*******
Nothing Surprising and Nothing New
The article on the "Convention of the Left" in last week's Plough was
nothing if not timely. It also represented an acknowledgement of what
the likely outcome of the Convention meeting in the VAC in Derry last
Saturday was going to be.
A non-party socialist described the course of the meeting as follows:
1. IRSP delegates, who had turned up in good faith, amounted to over
20% of those present.
2. The SEA platform displayed a willingness to allow speakers to
discourse at great length, unless they happened to be republican, and
more specifically, IRSP.
3. Discussion of the necessity of an anti-imperialist, anti-partition
basis to any class struggle, or indeed campaign, in the North, was
effectively precluded, despite the feeling of the meeting that it
should be dealt with.
4. When it appeared that Republican Socialists were swaying the
meeting, a member of the platform pronounced that they would object
on principle to being a part of a grouping which included the IRSP.
The outcome of the meeting at VAC was, should we have needed it, a
lesson in the primacy of principled politics.
Those who criticise the IRSP for being "part of the problem" might be
better advised to examine the bankruptcy of their own solutions:
A) While these pure Marxists might find the writings of Connolly,
Larkin and Costello too parochial to deserve study; they can hardly
disown the writings of Marx (or indeed Lenin).
B) For Marx, Ireland was a classic example of a colony. The unity of
the working class in such circumstances was almost impossible, as a
large proportion of them were wedded to the imperialist ideal. The
descendants of the colonists saw themselves in the main as a class
apart, because of the privileges, which the British state had
provided for them in return for their support. This contradiction
between these two, artificially created, sections of the Irish
working class could, according to Marx, only be overcome by the
removal of the problem: The British colonial presence in Ireland.
C) Despite the (relative) independence achieved by the 26 counties,
the problem, and solution, has not changed in any meaningful
way. "Northern Ireland" remains a colony, maintained for no other
purpose than to perpetuate the divisions within the working class
outlined by Marx over 150 years ago.
D) These are the facts, and no attempt to avoid them will make them
any less true. However, avoidance has a long history, most famously,
and disastrously, following the Second World War. Both the CPNI, the
small Trotskyite groups, and eventually the NILP sought to build
class politics in the North as part of an internal solution. These
efforts were of course made in good faith, but they were based on the
flawed assumption that if the border issue was skirted around it
would simply go away.
E) It would be pointless to comment on this analysis, other than to
ask where these groups are now, except that this is the same solution
as is now being put forward as a programme by the
putative "Convention of the Left."
That this exercise has developed into a debacle will come as a
surprise to few. However, like all experiences it has had its uses,
in that it has clearly drawn the line between the radical left and
the reformists. This line is National Liberation.
The "mainstream left" (as they would wish to be perceived) in the
North, believe that they can convince loyalist workers to abandon
generations of prejudice by not broaching the subject, which most
concerns them. One has to wonder at the arrogance of those who think
that the working class are stupid, but who seek to lead them in any
case!
Loyalist/unionist workers are part of our class. They also happen to
be wrong. There is no quick fix to this contradiction within our
class. However, honesty about our goals, AND specifically our
republicanism, are necessary prerequisites for our interaction with
them. We have nothing to hide.
Finally, there is no such thing as "normal" politics.
There is only politics that serves the working class, and politics
which do not.
Clearly, and unfortunately, the current "Convention of the Left"
falls into the latter category.
{COLIN CRAIG}
*******
Convention of the Left Query
The following e-mail was sent to the Communist Party of Ireland, The
Green Party, The Socialist Workers Party, and the Socialist
Environmental Alliance.
Comrades,
At the Convention of the Left Conference in Derry on February 14th,
two people, Colm Bryce and Barbara Muldoon both publicly said that
they would not work with the IRSP. Their stance was not condoned nor
condemned by the Chair. Barbara Muldoon had spoken at the conference
representing the Anti Racist Network.
We are seeking clarification. Is their position the official position
of the Socialist Environmental Alliance?
We are also asking the political parties that we know to be involved
in the SEA, i.e. The Socialist Workers Party, The Communist Party of
Ireland and the Green Party, what their own position is in relation
to this question.
We in the IRSP were under the impression that the Convention of the
Left was an open conference. However our comrades encountered
hostility and negativity from some people from one political party.
The reason for this hostility is unclear to us, as these people have
never raised any issues of concern to us as a Party, before the
conference.
We went to that conference with an open mind, prepared to argue our
views and listen to what others had to say. We strongly believe in a
united left. We left that conference very disappointed at what had
occurred.
Yours fraternally,
John Martin
Political Secretary
Irish Republican Socialist Party.
*******
IRSP SLAM ALLIANCE SPOKESPERSON BELL FOR FACILITATING COVER UP OF
NEGLECT IN SUICIDE DEATHS
The IRSP have reacted angrily to comments made in a statement by
Alliance Party spokeswoman Eileen Bell, accusing her and her party of
using smoke and mirrors to deflect attention from the urgent need for
an inquiry into Mental Health resources in the North and the decision
process that lead to one of the dead being denied an acute bed in a
local hospital even though he told staff he would take his own life
if refused.
"'Pathetic and unconvincing,' I think was the phrase she used," IRSP
spokesman Terry Harkin said today. "I'll tell you what I find
pathetic and unconvincing, the fact that there are 13 and very
possibly 16 deaths across North Belfast and it takes the most tenuous
of links to an armed group in just two of the cases to make this an
issue of media interest."
"Why is this? There seems to be a certain amount of hand washing,
buck passing and diverting from the real issues going on. There are
13 dead in 6 weeks, that is a fact, the INLA seem to have acted
against two of these following pressure from the local community over
antisocial issues. What about the other 11? Are their deaths not
worthy of note? Do those deaths not point to a serious social problem
in the North of the city? Who was responsible for the decisions to
send young O'Neill home when he was plainly ill and in need of care?
And, when they sent him away was there any after care planed, was
there a care plan, a CPA meeting? What did the toxicology reports on
all 13 say, what was the role-if any-of drink and recreational drugs
in all this? Most importantly, why, when it is a statistical proven
fact and well known in the NHS that suicide is a cluster phenomena
were precautions not being taken and support being offered to the
friends and family of the deceased and just why is it Ms Bell and her
party not asking these questions?"
"These are questions that need answering," Mr Harkin said, "but don't
hold your breath, these are partly funding issues and the Alliance
among others had a chance to provide those funds when they
administered the Whitehall budget for the North through the Assembly.
They had the chance to press the British to implement change in the
as yet un reformed and overtly sectarian paramilitary police force.
Can Ms Bell and her colleges really believe that members of the
public in these communities would go to the armed groups if they had
access to an acceptable policing service? They need to grow up and
live in the real world with the rest of us, a world where a suicidal
young man can be sent home to die because there's no bed and
exasperated communities are forced to turn to armed revolutionaries
instead of the police for protection."
"This whole thing about the INLA is a diversion, smoke and mirrors to
divert attention from appalling lack of services or planning on the
part of the local Health Trust, the neglect into which the NHS has
fallen in the North having been raped for years to pay for tax cuts
for middle England. And then we have the fact that Ms Bell has a
colleague well placed to help with this issue, is the brother of a
certain Lord not only a party member but also a consulting
psychiatrist at the hospital that sent the O'Neill boy home to die?
These and the immediate provisions of funds to set up community
mental health services and provide more acute beds are the real
issues. But sure nobody's worried about that because it was all the
fault of the Irps and every thing else in the garden's, while not
quite rosy, good.
"The only people in this to play a straight hand of all the pro-
agreement parties is Sinn Fein. Fra McCann has worked for years to
expose the underlying trends of suicide in the North and Gerry Kelly
by his comments proved that at least one of the pro-agreement parties
know what needs to be done if Stormont is ever revived. Until that
time maybe Ms Bell and her party could spend their time trying to
press the British for more money for services and the reforms needed
to make policing acceptable to the indigenous population of the
island."
*******
The IRSP and Ardoyne
The IRSP has issued a statement calling on the community sector and
statutory bodies to work together in order to resolve mounting
tensions in the Ardoyne area over the recent deaths of young men
through suicide.
Hitting back at media allegations that the INLA were solely
responsible for Anthony O'Neill & Bernard Cairns taking their own
lives, IRSP spokesman Paul Little said there were many factors, which
contributed to their despair.
"These young men had fallen foul of the community and that is quite
obvious. The job is now to focus on not letting other young men in
similar circumstances slip through the hands of the community
again. We will continue to do work with all sections of the
community during this difficult time and we would like to assure the
community that the IRSP would not be exacerbating the situation in
any way.
"However, we would like to issue an appeal to children and teenagers
in the area. We're asking those who are hell bent on engaging in anti-
social behaviour to please stop. Look at the destruction and hurt you
are bringing on other members of the community. If we had a better
structure and system to deal with this then other agencies would not
have to step in.
"There are many factors which have damaged this community's
infrastructure, not least the policing vacuum. At the moment we have
a discredited PSNI who are supposed to be one of the main statutory
bodies tackling this sort of crime.
"Instead of tackling the scourge of death driving and drugs, which
are being openly sold on our streets, they are arresting these youths
in cars and turning them into informers.
"The immense pressure alone of this is enough for anyone. We cannot
be complacent about this situation and it needs everyone's urgent
attention."
*******
NIPSA PAY STRIKE
The NIPSA civil service strike moved this week from meat inspectors
to the DVLNI (motor tax). The DVLNI workers in central offices will
continue their action until February 27, and the level of support has
so far been in excess of 90%.
Following a meeting of NIPSA's Civil Service Executive, it has been
decided that action shall be extended over the coming weeks with a
large number of offices ear-marked for action on a weekly
basis. Obviously the names of the offices affected cannot be
divulged at present, as this would give management prior
warning. However, all socialists are asked to give support to
NIPSA rallies, which will accompany the walkouts, as and when they
happen.
*******
PSNI SHOW THEIR TRUE COLOURS
Last Saturday (14 February) a NIPSA member on picket duty in Derry
was deliberately run down by a scab intending to break NIPSA's
overtime ban. Having indicated that he intended to slow down to talk
to the pickets, the scab then deliberately speeded up into the member
concerned causing him severe back injuries. The PSNI officers present
at the scene made no effort to intervene, and indeed when contacted
by the injured member after his release from hospital, expressed
doubt as to whether what had happened amounted to a traffic offence!
*******
VICTORY FOR LEFT IN NIPSA ELECTIONS
As trailed last week in the Plough, the results of NIPSA's General
Council elections were published on Tuesday (February 17). They
represent a massive success for the left coalition "Time for Change."
Of the 14 Time for Change candidates standing, nine were successful,
and with the support of the non-aligned, the grouping can now look
forward to a year in control of the largest union in the north.
*******
NIPSA WATCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Chair of NIPSA's Watch Committee of activists wrote a long letter
of complaint on Wednesday 18 February to DSD direct-rule minister Ian
Pearson that concluded as follows:
"Basically you wish to quash the rising tide of trade union activism
- an activism borne out of mismanaged government funds - borne out of
opposition and frustration at the treatment of their members by the
bigwigs and fat cats so out of touch with reality they are beginning
to believe their own hype, and who are beginning to believe that
their lies and half-truths will mislead the general public.
"Mr Pearson, you need to remember that WE DO CARE about those most
vulnerable in society. You need to stop your attempts to pull on the
heart strings of the public. Nearly every member of the public will
be related to, or know, a Civil Servant. They will know how badly
paid they are! You need to spend less time attempting to play on the
conscience of the public and the most vulnerable in our society. You
need to stop and look at your own. We, be assured, ARE watching."
WC.
*******
Subject: Mick Hegarty ACTION REQUEST
Date: Friday, February 20, 2004
Irish Political Prisoner MICK HEGARTY continues to suffer apallingly
at Portlaoise Prison and would very much welcome your get-well cards
and letters. (ADDRESS BELOW).
Mick Hegarty was admitted to hospital twice recently to have a new
feeding tube inserted into his stomach. Over the past year, Mick
has been forced to feed himself intravenously for eighteen hours a
day, from 8:00 PM at night until 2:00 PM the following day, under
very unsanitary conditions at Portlaoise prison.
Mick's doctors have warned him that he must gain several stone
immediately or he may not survive. Mick continues to lose weight,
and should immediately be released to recover in the healthier
environment of home.
The IFC is making an urgent appeal for your EMAILS AND LETTERS to the
DUBLIN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT on Mick Hegarty's behalf; urging his
immediate compassionate parole to be allowed to recover at home.
Please voice your humanitarian concerns for the suffering and grave
endangerment this man is enduring. Mick is very weak, and
extremely ill, and is hardly an escape risk or a threat to the public.
Please go HERE for sample letter and INSTANT E-MAIL ACCESS to the
Dublin Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform:
http://members.freespeech.org/irishpows/bb3/mick_hegart_urgent_appeal.htm
(from the IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST
http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/)
*******
Letter/E-Mails
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition:"Defend the Rights of
Irish Citizen Children" hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the
free online petition service,
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/dric1954/ . I personally agree with
what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you
can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.
Best wishes,
Fergus O' Hare
*******
What's On?
*
Anti Racist Network
A number of persons have expressed an interest in holding a vigil or
something similar in the Botanic area, this after the recent attacks
on three persons from the Minority ethnic community. It was suggested
that rather than the ARN [umbrella] organise something that the local
branches in South Belfast organise something - that is, the
S/Belfast and Queens Uni branch. This was one of the reasons
discussed as to why local branches should be established, that is, to
work and deal with issues on and at a local level. {Our press
statement on these attacks was carried in the main press and on
radio, so we would get coverage to highlight the points we make in
relation to these attacks}
Update - I was recently asked to speak at a meeting at Queens Uni.
Some students there took the initiative {well done} to set up a
local ARN branch and invited me along to speak. At the meeting they
then formally decided to affiliate to the ARN. This was covered in
the newsletter newpaper who attended the meeting.
The W/Belfast branch held its second meeting with up to 25 persons in
attendance from a whole host of local campaigns and organisations. A
number of proposals came out and full report can be given at next ARN
meeting, again the press attended the launch of the first meeting.
Like the ARN meetings it was agreed to try and host the meetings at
various office venues of the local ARN participants
So the W/Belfast branch has been established as has the South {again
press expressed interest in covering its launch}, with the North this
week or early next, as similar East. Like Queens, others are taking
their own initiatives and I have also been asked to speak at a number
of other meetings to launch other ARN groups inside and outside of
Belfast, this though should be discussed as we will need more
speakers as and when requested as I am up to my eyes {like many of
us}.
The sub committee for race awareness week met with a dozen people in
attendance. Organisers from the community arts {we are to hold the
next meeting of this sub committee at their offices in the Arts
Quarter of Belfast}. Amnesty international, project workers on
community initiatives and others were there, at a well represented
meeting. We agreed on a number of Πparticipation activities'
that highlights the positive to be worked on primarily for that week.
A full report will be provided at next weeks meeting.
We are also now to get down to organising the gigs. As Dan has been
anyway for a while {back soon}we now have the relevant info as so
to be able to move forward.
Next ARN meeting is next Wed 25th at 7pm the Chinese welfare
association {133 - 135 university street}. Any issues for agenda
e-mail, antiracism_ni@hotmail.com
Regards, D. Carlin
*
The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services - Current and Future
Challenges in Northern Ireland
This seminar is organised by the Coalition Against Water Charges
(Irish Congress of Trade Unions, The Water Service Trade Union Group,
the Northern Ireland Anti-poverty Network and Communities Against the
Water Tax) and hosted by Belfast City Council. The event will be
held on 25 February 2004 from 9.30am to 1.00pm at Belfast City Hall.
The seminar will profile the implications of Water Charges in
Northern Ireland and will:
-provide a forum bringing together individuals and organisations who
are stakeholders in the provision of water and sewerage services;
-provide information on the proposed format of water charges and the
Government's Water Reform Programme for Northern Ireland; and
-anticipate future social, economic and political implications
surrounding water charges.
A wide range of speakers will address the seminar. This event will be
attended by all relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland society
including policy makers, politicians, trade unions, voluntary and
community groups, and the general public.
For more information contact Alisa Keane on tel: 028 9024 7940 or
email: alisa.keane@ictuni.org
*
From: "redflaremist"
Dublin Grassroots present: "No Borders, No Nations", a street theatre
play in 3 acts.
Thursday March 4th - assemble at 5pm at the Central Bank on Dame
Street.
After the popular success of "No Justice, No Peace!", performed
during the EU Justice Ministers summit, activists from the Dublin
Grassroots network are organising a street theatre event,
entitled "No Borders, No Nations". The EU circus is rolling into
Dublin Castle again, this time for a high-level working meeting of
the "Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers, and Asylum"
(SCIFA).
The consolidation of the EU's immigration policy has led in one
direction: Fortress Europe. This is the policy of a Europe that cares
only about profit and economic expansion, at the detriment of human
life. Ireland in recent months has shown itself no longer to be the
island of "Céad Mile Fáilte," taking whatever steps neccessary,
through the courts, to expel people who do not meet its stringent
guidelines that define 'legality'. No human being is illegal!
The Fortress Europe policy manifests itself in the refusal to grant
asylum to over 90% of the applicants. It means the arrest, harassment
and deportation of men, women and children back to their country of
origin - regardless of the circumstances. It means that people who
travel here trying to build a better life are treated inhumanely.
What have we become? For years Irish people were 'economic migrants',
travelling across the world wherever work could be found. The Irish
State cries foul when the US tightens its laws when it threatens
Irish immigrants working without permits, but when it comes to
allowing people to live and work here, we do not apply the same
standards. Hypocrisy at the highest level - it would be hilarious
if people were not suffering as a result.
The State's recent deportation of 64 Romanians and Moldovans,
including 12 children, ranks as a low point in respect for human
rights and dignity. These people were spied on and followed by the
Immigration Bureau, rounded up in dawn raids reminiscent of a police
state, and escorted on a plane by 35 Gardai. The flight alone is
understood to have cost the State more than ?120,000. Is this what
the Gardai spend their time and resources on? Arresting ordinary
working men and women, and shipping them en masse like cattle?
According to Pat Guerin of the Irish Refugee Council, "The term
Fortress Europe has been for some years used by human rights groups
and other critics to describe the gradual dismantling of the rights
of asylum-seekers, the increasing hostility of EU states to persons
seeking refuge, as reflected in the introduction of draconian asylum
rules and regulations, and the ongoing attempt at closing Europe's
borders to those who wish to apply for protection as refugees.
"The measures that combine to make Europe resemble a fortress include
the effective militarisation of the EU's external frontiers, both on
land and at sea; policies of destitution, detention and deportation;
punitive sanctions for airlines, shipping companies and road hauliers
who fail to police their passengers by applying rigid documentation
standards that ignore the often desperate need of refugees for
clandestine travel; and the setting of ever higher refugee
recognition hurdles on an asylum track of shrinking legal
protections. Such policies do not augur well for the development of a
humane approach to people seeking refuge in what is fast becoming one
of the largest social, economic and political blocs in the world."
We believe in No Borders and No Nations. Everyone should be free to
travel, work, and live wherever they wish on this planet. Allowing
people from different cultures to freely associate will lead to
tolerance and understanding - and create a better world for all of us
to live in.
Borders are raised by those who control us, to create fear and
suspicion between us. Nationalism is an ideology that fosters racism
and hatred - we are all human beings, regardless of our religion,
skin colour, ethnicity, place of origin. We are all different - and
all equal.
Join with us on Thursday March 4th at 5pm, at the Central Bank on
Dame Street, for the street theatre production "No Borders, No
Nations", to deliver a message to the EU that we will not accept
their Fortress Europe.
[From the Irish anarchism discussion list - "Dublin Grassroots" is an
anti-authoritarian grassroots coalition]
*
Friday March 12th
Protest Against Anti-War Activists Arrests
4pm City Courthouse
Public Meeting: The War, Occupation and Resistance
7.30pm Grosvenor House (Glengall St. next to Europa Hotel) Special
Guest speaker Ex-Labour MP (now RESPECT coalition) George Galloway
Panel includes Eamonn McCann - Journalist - Carmel Gates -
President NIPSA - Jamal Iweida - Belfast Islamic Centre - Anti-Racism
Network speaker to be requested
*
Saturday March 20th
International Day of Action Against the Occupation of Iraq and
Palestine Rally
2pm Arts College, Belfast
For more information 07742 531 617 - 07748571269
*
COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION OF GREECE - KOE
Dear Comrades,
You are all aware of the "EU Constitution" drafted by the so-
called "Assembly of Europe" one more arbitrary and non-elected
body of the European Union. This draft EU Constitution is the most
reactionary and antidemocratic fabrication ever produced by the EU.
In the reality it is another Treaty, but one that puts an official
footing on neoliberalism and imposes it as the official and unique
economic system of the EU member states, and wipes out even the last,
typical, rights of the "small" member states. At the same time, as
far as the democratic rights are concerned, it is more reactionary
than the most reactionary national Constitution, even on the level of
declarations.
The peoples of Europe did not ask for such a EU Constitution, nor
they want it. Despite the monstrous propaganda in its favor and the
concealment of its real character, this draft does not appeal to the
people's masses. Already in a series of mobilizations, in Rome, Paris
and elsewhere, the progressive and left movements have condemned it.
Even the European Social Forum recently, in its Second Assembly that
took place in Paris at the end of 2003, adopted a resolution
expressing its opposition to this draft, and called for a day of an
all-European mobilization against it. In Greece, a series of left and
progressive organizations have started campaigning against the EU
Constitution. Moreover, the Greek Social Forum, which regroups a
large spectrum of social and political organizations, adopted a
crystal-clear position against the EU Constitution.
At the same time, various forces of the enemy camp are also
expressing their opposition to the draft EU Constitution not, of
course, because they wish to follow a different course, but because
the concrete draft does not serve their interests. The contradictions
between big and smaller member states, and the internal
contradictions within the dominant classes in several member states
as far as the support of the draft EU Constitution is concerned, are
expressed in a quite clear manner.
The above lead us to the reasonable estimation that it is possible,
although not easy at all, to avert the adoption of this reactionary
and antidemocratic EU Constitution. In order to achieve such a goal,
it is necessary that the popular forces will build a broad front all
over Europe, and this independently of the position they adopt on the
EU itself. The left and progressive forces have a valuable role to
play in the creation and the orientation of this broad front, as well
as in exploiting the contradictions expressed within the dominant
classes. This will permit to give, under the best possible
conditions, a battle that is important for the future of our peoples.
It is clear that the conditions are different in each European
country. For example in Greece, the first battle concerns to win the
very holding of a referendum. However, it is equally clear that a
coordinated all-European mobilization and mutual support of the
national campaigns will bring better results. A possible rejection of
the EU Constitution, even in a few member states, will be a great
encouragement for the progressive movements and the peoples of the
whole Europe.
For all the above reasons, the Communist Organization of Greece (KOE)
takes the initiative to convene in the immediate future an All-
European Meeting of Left Parties. We propose its holding in Athens,
from Friday 19 until Sunday 21 March 2004. Our Organization will
arrange the technical preparation and will bear the financial cost of
its realization. The invited Parties and Organizations will have to
bear the traveling cost of their delegations. The board and lodging
of the delegations during the duration of the Meeting will be covered
by our Organization.
We hope that the communist, left and progressive forces to which we
are addressed will positively welcome this initiative of our
Organization. We hope that it will contribute to our practical
collaboration on this important issue. Please inform us until the
20th of February for your initial disposal/possibility to participate
and, if possible, for the composition of your delegation. The
concrete dates and hours of arrival may be communicated later.
KOE - The Bureau of the Leading Committee
Proposal for the Program of the Meeting
We are proposing the following program:
With communist greetings,
[Thursday 18 March - morning of Friday 19 March: Arrival of the
delegations.]
19 March
2pm-2.30pm Opening of the Meeting. Short welcome on behalf of
KOE. Adoption of the program.
2.30pm-8.30pm Interventions of the delegations on the issue of
the EU Constitution and the possibilities of a coordinated campaign
against it.
8.30pm-9pm Creation of a committee responsible to write a draft
resolution based on the interventions.
9pm-10pm Dinner.
20 March
9am-9.30am Presentation of the draft resolution(s).
9.30am-11.30am Discussion on the draft resolution(s).
11.30am-2pm Participation in the International Anti-Occupation
Mobilization.
2pm-3pm Lunch.
3pm-7pm Submission and discussion of modifications and other
proposals.
7pm-9pm Elaboration of the final draft on the basis of the whole
discussion.
9pm-10pm Dinner.
21 March
9am-12pm Adoption of the resolution. Technical arrangements for its
realization.
12pm-2pm Lunch. End of the Meeting.
[Evening of 21 March - 22 March: Departure of the delegations.]
Please send your reply by fax to +30 210 6430024
or by email to international@arister.gr, with copy to koe@email.lu
Communist Organization of Greece/Kommounistiki Organosi Elladas/KOE
Isaia Salonon 6, GR-11475 Athens, Greece
Phone: +30 210 6441745, Fax +30 210 6430024
international@arister.gr, aristera@arister.gr, laokratia@yahoo.com
http://www.koel.gr/ - http://www.arister.gr/
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
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The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
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*******
A new 2004 full colour glossy calendar is available now on the RSM
online shop.
It celebrates the brilliant work undertaken by the Teach Na Failte
Memorial Committees this past year throughout the six counties with
full colour photographs on each page.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year this calendar can be
viewed online by clicking the link below
http://www.cafeshops.com/rsmshop.8844526
Republican Socialist Online Merchandise - New Website
A new website that offers a central place to go on the Internet to
find good quality items with a distinct Republican Socialist theme.
Proceeds from sales from this effort go towards the IRSM and it's
various projects.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishshop/
20 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. Nothing Surprising and Nothing New - The Left Convention
2. Convention of the Left Query
3. COVER UP OF NEGLECT IN SUICIDE DEATHS
4. The IRSP and Ardoyne
5. NIPSA PAY STRIKE
6. PSNI SHOW THEIR TRUE COLOURS
7. VICTORY FOR LEFT IN NIPSA ELECTIONS
8. NIPSA WATCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
9. Political Prisoner Mick Hegarty
10. What's On?
Apologies for the lateness of The Plough this week - family
commitments.
*******
Nothing Surprising and Nothing New
The article on the "Convention of the Left" in last week's Plough was
nothing if not timely. It also represented an acknowledgement of what
the likely outcome of the Convention meeting in the VAC in Derry last
Saturday was going to be.
A non-party socialist described the course of the meeting as follows:
1. IRSP delegates, who had turned up in good faith, amounted to over
20% of those present.
2. The SEA platform displayed a willingness to allow speakers to
discourse at great length, unless they happened to be republican, and
more specifically, IRSP.
3. Discussion of the necessity of an anti-imperialist, anti-partition
basis to any class struggle, or indeed campaign, in the North, was
effectively precluded, despite the feeling of the meeting that it
should be dealt with.
4. When it appeared that Republican Socialists were swaying the
meeting, a member of the platform pronounced that they would object
on principle to being a part of a grouping which included the IRSP.
The outcome of the meeting at VAC was, should we have needed it, a
lesson in the primacy of principled politics.
Those who criticise the IRSP for being "part of the problem" might be
better advised to examine the bankruptcy of their own solutions:
A) While these pure Marxists might find the writings of Connolly,
Larkin and Costello too parochial to deserve study; they can hardly
disown the writings of Marx (or indeed Lenin).
B) For Marx, Ireland was a classic example of a colony. The unity of
the working class in such circumstances was almost impossible, as a
large proportion of them were wedded to the imperialist ideal. The
descendants of the colonists saw themselves in the main as a class
apart, because of the privileges, which the British state had
provided for them in return for their support. This contradiction
between these two, artificially created, sections of the Irish
working class could, according to Marx, only be overcome by the
removal of the problem: The British colonial presence in Ireland.
C) Despite the (relative) independence achieved by the 26 counties,
the problem, and solution, has not changed in any meaningful
way. "Northern Ireland" remains a colony, maintained for no other
purpose than to perpetuate the divisions within the working class
outlined by Marx over 150 years ago.
D) These are the facts, and no attempt to avoid them will make them
any less true. However, avoidance has a long history, most famously,
and disastrously, following the Second World War. Both the CPNI, the
small Trotskyite groups, and eventually the NILP sought to build
class politics in the North as part of an internal solution. These
efforts were of course made in good faith, but they were based on the
flawed assumption that if the border issue was skirted around it
would simply go away.
E) It would be pointless to comment on this analysis, other than to
ask where these groups are now, except that this is the same solution
as is now being put forward as a programme by the
putative "Convention of the Left."
That this exercise has developed into a debacle will come as a
surprise to few. However, like all experiences it has had its uses,
in that it has clearly drawn the line between the radical left and
the reformists. This line is National Liberation.
The "mainstream left" (as they would wish to be perceived) in the
North, believe that they can convince loyalist workers to abandon
generations of prejudice by not broaching the subject, which most
concerns them. One has to wonder at the arrogance of those who think
that the working class are stupid, but who seek to lead them in any
case!
Loyalist/unionist workers are part of our class. They also happen to
be wrong. There is no quick fix to this contradiction within our
class. However, honesty about our goals, AND specifically our
republicanism, are necessary prerequisites for our interaction with
them. We have nothing to hide.
Finally, there is no such thing as "normal" politics.
There is only politics that serves the working class, and politics
which do not.
Clearly, and unfortunately, the current "Convention of the Left"
falls into the latter category.
{COLIN CRAIG}
*******
Convention of the Left Query
The following e-mail was sent to the Communist Party of Ireland, The
Green Party, The Socialist Workers Party, and the Socialist
Environmental Alliance.
Comrades,
At the Convention of the Left Conference in Derry on February 14th,
two people, Colm Bryce and Barbara Muldoon both publicly said that
they would not work with the IRSP. Their stance was not condoned nor
condemned by the Chair. Barbara Muldoon had spoken at the conference
representing the Anti Racist Network.
We are seeking clarification. Is their position the official position
of the Socialist Environmental Alliance?
We are also asking the political parties that we know to be involved
in the SEA, i.e. The Socialist Workers Party, The Communist Party of
Ireland and the Green Party, what their own position is in relation
to this question.
We in the IRSP were under the impression that the Convention of the
Left was an open conference. However our comrades encountered
hostility and negativity from some people from one political party.
The reason for this hostility is unclear to us, as these people have
never raised any issues of concern to us as a Party, before the
conference.
We went to that conference with an open mind, prepared to argue our
views and listen to what others had to say. We strongly believe in a
united left. We left that conference very disappointed at what had
occurred.
Yours fraternally,
John Martin
Political Secretary
Irish Republican Socialist Party.
*******
IRSP SLAM ALLIANCE SPOKESPERSON BELL FOR FACILITATING COVER UP OF
NEGLECT IN SUICIDE DEATHS
The IRSP have reacted angrily to comments made in a statement by
Alliance Party spokeswoman Eileen Bell, accusing her and her party of
using smoke and mirrors to deflect attention from the urgent need for
an inquiry into Mental Health resources in the North and the decision
process that lead to one of the dead being denied an acute bed in a
local hospital even though he told staff he would take his own life
if refused.
"'Pathetic and unconvincing,' I think was the phrase she used," IRSP
spokesman Terry Harkin said today. "I'll tell you what I find
pathetic and unconvincing, the fact that there are 13 and very
possibly 16 deaths across North Belfast and it takes the most tenuous
of links to an armed group in just two of the cases to make this an
issue of media interest."
"Why is this? There seems to be a certain amount of hand washing,
buck passing and diverting from the real issues going on. There are
13 dead in 6 weeks, that is a fact, the INLA seem to have acted
against two of these following pressure from the local community over
antisocial issues. What about the other 11? Are their deaths not
worthy of note? Do those deaths not point to a serious social problem
in the North of the city? Who was responsible for the decisions to
send young O'Neill home when he was plainly ill and in need of care?
And, when they sent him away was there any after care planed, was
there a care plan, a CPA meeting? What did the toxicology reports on
all 13 say, what was the role-if any-of drink and recreational drugs
in all this? Most importantly, why, when it is a statistical proven
fact and well known in the NHS that suicide is a cluster phenomena
were precautions not being taken and support being offered to the
friends and family of the deceased and just why is it Ms Bell and her
party not asking these questions?"
"These are questions that need answering," Mr Harkin said, "but don't
hold your breath, these are partly funding issues and the Alliance
among others had a chance to provide those funds when they
administered the Whitehall budget for the North through the Assembly.
They had the chance to press the British to implement change in the
as yet un reformed and overtly sectarian paramilitary police force.
Can Ms Bell and her colleges really believe that members of the
public in these communities would go to the armed groups if they had
access to an acceptable policing service? They need to grow up and
live in the real world with the rest of us, a world where a suicidal
young man can be sent home to die because there's no bed and
exasperated communities are forced to turn to armed revolutionaries
instead of the police for protection."
"This whole thing about the INLA is a diversion, smoke and mirrors to
divert attention from appalling lack of services or planning on the
part of the local Health Trust, the neglect into which the NHS has
fallen in the North having been raped for years to pay for tax cuts
for middle England. And then we have the fact that Ms Bell has a
colleague well placed to help with this issue, is the brother of a
certain Lord not only a party member but also a consulting
psychiatrist at the hospital that sent the O'Neill boy home to die?
These and the immediate provisions of funds to set up community
mental health services and provide more acute beds are the real
issues. But sure nobody's worried about that because it was all the
fault of the Irps and every thing else in the garden's, while not
quite rosy, good.
"The only people in this to play a straight hand of all the pro-
agreement parties is Sinn Fein. Fra McCann has worked for years to
expose the underlying trends of suicide in the North and Gerry Kelly
by his comments proved that at least one of the pro-agreement parties
know what needs to be done if Stormont is ever revived. Until that
time maybe Ms Bell and her party could spend their time trying to
press the British for more money for services and the reforms needed
to make policing acceptable to the indigenous population of the
island."
*******
The IRSP and Ardoyne
The IRSP has issued a statement calling on the community sector and
statutory bodies to work together in order to resolve mounting
tensions in the Ardoyne area over the recent deaths of young men
through suicide.
Hitting back at media allegations that the INLA were solely
responsible for Anthony O'Neill & Bernard Cairns taking their own
lives, IRSP spokesman Paul Little said there were many factors, which
contributed to their despair.
"These young men had fallen foul of the community and that is quite
obvious. The job is now to focus on not letting other young men in
similar circumstances slip through the hands of the community
again. We will continue to do work with all sections of the
community during this difficult time and we would like to assure the
community that the IRSP would not be exacerbating the situation in
any way.
"However, we would like to issue an appeal to children and teenagers
in the area. We're asking those who are hell bent on engaging in anti-
social behaviour to please stop. Look at the destruction and hurt you
are bringing on other members of the community. If we had a better
structure and system to deal with this then other agencies would not
have to step in.
"There are many factors which have damaged this community's
infrastructure, not least the policing vacuum. At the moment we have
a discredited PSNI who are supposed to be one of the main statutory
bodies tackling this sort of crime.
"Instead of tackling the scourge of death driving and drugs, which
are being openly sold on our streets, they are arresting these youths
in cars and turning them into informers.
"The immense pressure alone of this is enough for anyone. We cannot
be complacent about this situation and it needs everyone's urgent
attention."
*******
NIPSA PAY STRIKE
The NIPSA civil service strike moved this week from meat inspectors
to the DVLNI (motor tax). The DVLNI workers in central offices will
continue their action until February 27, and the level of support has
so far been in excess of 90%.
Following a meeting of NIPSA's Civil Service Executive, it has been
decided that action shall be extended over the coming weeks with a
large number of offices ear-marked for action on a weekly
basis. Obviously the names of the offices affected cannot be
divulged at present, as this would give management prior
warning. However, all socialists are asked to give support to
NIPSA rallies, which will accompany the walkouts, as and when they
happen.
*******
PSNI SHOW THEIR TRUE COLOURS
Last Saturday (14 February) a NIPSA member on picket duty in Derry
was deliberately run down by a scab intending to break NIPSA's
overtime ban. Having indicated that he intended to slow down to talk
to the pickets, the scab then deliberately speeded up into the member
concerned causing him severe back injuries. The PSNI officers present
at the scene made no effort to intervene, and indeed when contacted
by the injured member after his release from hospital, expressed
doubt as to whether what had happened amounted to a traffic offence!
*******
VICTORY FOR LEFT IN NIPSA ELECTIONS
As trailed last week in the Plough, the results of NIPSA's General
Council elections were published on Tuesday (February 17). They
represent a massive success for the left coalition "Time for Change."
Of the 14 Time for Change candidates standing, nine were successful,
and with the support of the non-aligned, the grouping can now look
forward to a year in control of the largest union in the north.
*******
NIPSA WATCH COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Chair of NIPSA's Watch Committee of activists wrote a long letter
of complaint on Wednesday 18 February to DSD direct-rule minister Ian
Pearson that concluded as follows:
"Basically you wish to quash the rising tide of trade union activism
- an activism borne out of mismanaged government funds - borne out of
opposition and frustration at the treatment of their members by the
bigwigs and fat cats so out of touch with reality they are beginning
to believe their own hype, and who are beginning to believe that
their lies and half-truths will mislead the general public.
"Mr Pearson, you need to remember that WE DO CARE about those most
vulnerable in society. You need to stop your attempts to pull on the
heart strings of the public. Nearly every member of the public will
be related to, or know, a Civil Servant. They will know how badly
paid they are! You need to spend less time attempting to play on the
conscience of the public and the most vulnerable in our society. You
need to stop and look at your own. We, be assured, ARE watching."
WC.
*******
Subject: Mick Hegarty ACTION REQUEST
Date: Friday, February 20, 2004
Irish Political Prisoner MICK HEGARTY continues to suffer apallingly
at Portlaoise Prison and would very much welcome your get-well cards
and letters. (ADDRESS BELOW).
Mick Hegarty was admitted to hospital twice recently to have a new
feeding tube inserted into his stomach. Over the past year, Mick
has been forced to feed himself intravenously for eighteen hours a
day, from 8:00 PM at night until 2:00 PM the following day, under
very unsanitary conditions at Portlaoise prison.
Mick's doctors have warned him that he must gain several stone
immediately or he may not survive. Mick continues to lose weight,
and should immediately be released to recover in the healthier
environment of home.
The IFC is making an urgent appeal for your EMAILS AND LETTERS to the
DUBLIN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT on Mick Hegarty's behalf; urging his
immediate compassionate parole to be allowed to recover at home.
Please voice your humanitarian concerns for the suffering and grave
endangerment this man is enduring. Mick is very weak, and
extremely ill, and is hardly an escape risk or a threat to the public.
Please go HERE for sample letter and INSTANT E-MAIL ACCESS to the
Dublin Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform:
http://members.freespeech.org/irishpows/bb3/mick_hegart_urgent_appeal.htm
(from the IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST
http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/)
*******
Letter/E-Mails
Dear Friends,
I have just read and signed the online petition:"Defend the Rights of
Irish Citizen Children" hosted on the web by PetitionOnline.com, the
free online petition service,
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/dric1954/ . I personally agree with
what this petition says, and I think you might agree, too. If you
can spare a moment, please take a look, and consider signing yourself.
Best wishes,
Fergus O' Hare
*******
What's On?
*
Anti Racist Network
A number of persons have expressed an interest in holding a vigil or
something similar in the Botanic area, this after the recent attacks
on three persons from the Minority ethnic community. It was suggested
that rather than the ARN [umbrella] organise something that the local
branches in South Belfast organise something - that is, the
S/Belfast and Queens Uni branch. This was one of the reasons
discussed as to why local branches should be established, that is, to
work and deal with issues on and at a local level. {Our press
statement on these attacks was carried in the main press and on
radio, so we would get coverage to highlight the points we make in
relation to these attacks}
Update - I was recently asked to speak at a meeting at Queens Uni.
Some students there took the initiative {well done} to set up a
local ARN branch and invited me along to speak. At the meeting they
then formally decided to affiliate to the ARN. This was covered in
the newsletter newpaper who attended the meeting.
The W/Belfast branch held its second meeting with up to 25 persons in
attendance from a whole host of local campaigns and organisations. A
number of proposals came out and full report can be given at next ARN
meeting, again the press attended the launch of the first meeting.
Like the ARN meetings it was agreed to try and host the meetings at
various office venues of the local ARN participants
So the W/Belfast branch has been established as has the South {again
press expressed interest in covering its launch}, with the North this
week or early next, as similar East. Like Queens, others are taking
their own initiatives and I have also been asked to speak at a number
of other meetings to launch other ARN groups inside and outside of
Belfast, this though should be discussed as we will need more
speakers as and when requested as I am up to my eyes {like many of
us}.
The sub committee for race awareness week met with a dozen people in
attendance. Organisers from the community arts {we are to hold the
next meeting of this sub committee at their offices in the Arts
Quarter of Belfast}. Amnesty international, project workers on
community initiatives and others were there, at a well represented
meeting. We agreed on a number of Πparticipation activities'
that highlights the positive to be worked on primarily for that week.
A full report will be provided at next weeks meeting.
We are also now to get down to organising the gigs. As Dan has been
anyway for a while {back soon}we now have the relevant info as so
to be able to move forward.
Next ARN meeting is next Wed 25th at 7pm the Chinese welfare
association {133 - 135 university street}. Any issues for agenda
e-mail, antiracism_ni@hotmail.com
Regards, D. Carlin
*
The Reform of Water and Sewerage Services - Current and Future
Challenges in Northern Ireland
This seminar is organised by the Coalition Against Water Charges
(Irish Congress of Trade Unions, The Water Service Trade Union Group,
the Northern Ireland Anti-poverty Network and Communities Against the
Water Tax) and hosted by Belfast City Council. The event will be
held on 25 February 2004 from 9.30am to 1.00pm at Belfast City Hall.
The seminar will profile the implications of Water Charges in
Northern Ireland and will:
-provide a forum bringing together individuals and organisations who
are stakeholders in the provision of water and sewerage services;
-provide information on the proposed format of water charges and the
Government's Water Reform Programme for Northern Ireland; and
-anticipate future social, economic and political implications
surrounding water charges.
A wide range of speakers will address the seminar. This event will be
attended by all relevant stakeholders in Northern Ireland society
including policy makers, politicians, trade unions, voluntary and
community groups, and the general public.
For more information contact Alisa Keane on tel: 028 9024 7940 or
email: alisa.keane@ictuni.org
*
From: "redflaremist"
Dublin Grassroots present: "No Borders, No Nations", a street theatre
play in 3 acts.
Thursday March 4th - assemble at 5pm at the Central Bank on Dame
Street.
After the popular success of "No Justice, No Peace!", performed
during the EU Justice Ministers summit, activists from the Dublin
Grassroots network are organising a street theatre event,
entitled "No Borders, No Nations". The EU circus is rolling into
Dublin Castle again, this time for a high-level working meeting of
the "Strategic Committee on Immigration, Frontiers, and Asylum"
(SCIFA).
The consolidation of the EU's immigration policy has led in one
direction: Fortress Europe. This is the policy of a Europe that cares
only about profit and economic expansion, at the detriment of human
life. Ireland in recent months has shown itself no longer to be the
island of "Céad Mile Fáilte," taking whatever steps neccessary,
through the courts, to expel people who do not meet its stringent
guidelines that define 'legality'. No human being is illegal!
The Fortress Europe policy manifests itself in the refusal to grant
asylum to over 90% of the applicants. It means the arrest, harassment
and deportation of men, women and children back to their country of
origin - regardless of the circumstances. It means that people who
travel here trying to build a better life are treated inhumanely.
What have we become? For years Irish people were 'economic migrants',
travelling across the world wherever work could be found. The Irish
State cries foul when the US tightens its laws when it threatens
Irish immigrants working without permits, but when it comes to
allowing people to live and work here, we do not apply the same
standards. Hypocrisy at the highest level - it would be hilarious
if people were not suffering as a result.
The State's recent deportation of 64 Romanians and Moldovans,
including 12 children, ranks as a low point in respect for human
rights and dignity. These people were spied on and followed by the
Immigration Bureau, rounded up in dawn raids reminiscent of a police
state, and escorted on a plane by 35 Gardai. The flight alone is
understood to have cost the State more than ?120,000. Is this what
the Gardai spend their time and resources on? Arresting ordinary
working men and women, and shipping them en masse like cattle?
According to Pat Guerin of the Irish Refugee Council, "The term
Fortress Europe has been for some years used by human rights groups
and other critics to describe the gradual dismantling of the rights
of asylum-seekers, the increasing hostility of EU states to persons
seeking refuge, as reflected in the introduction of draconian asylum
rules and regulations, and the ongoing attempt at closing Europe's
borders to those who wish to apply for protection as refugees.
"The measures that combine to make Europe resemble a fortress include
the effective militarisation of the EU's external frontiers, both on
land and at sea; policies of destitution, detention and deportation;
punitive sanctions for airlines, shipping companies and road hauliers
who fail to police their passengers by applying rigid documentation
standards that ignore the often desperate need of refugees for
clandestine travel; and the setting of ever higher refugee
recognition hurdles on an asylum track of shrinking legal
protections. Such policies do not augur well for the development of a
humane approach to people seeking refuge in what is fast becoming one
of the largest social, economic and political blocs in the world."
We believe in No Borders and No Nations. Everyone should be free to
travel, work, and live wherever they wish on this planet. Allowing
people from different cultures to freely associate will lead to
tolerance and understanding - and create a better world for all of us
to live in.
Borders are raised by those who control us, to create fear and
suspicion between us. Nationalism is an ideology that fosters racism
and hatred - we are all human beings, regardless of our religion,
skin colour, ethnicity, place of origin. We are all different - and
all equal.
Join with us on Thursday March 4th at 5pm, at the Central Bank on
Dame Street, for the street theatre production "No Borders, No
Nations", to deliver a message to the EU that we will not accept
their Fortress Europe.
[From the Irish anarchism discussion list - "Dublin Grassroots" is an
anti-authoritarian grassroots coalition]
*
Friday March 12th
Protest Against Anti-War Activists Arrests
4pm City Courthouse
Public Meeting: The War, Occupation and Resistance
7.30pm Grosvenor House (Glengall St. next to Europa Hotel) Special
Guest speaker Ex-Labour MP (now RESPECT coalition) George Galloway
Panel includes Eamonn McCann - Journalist - Carmel Gates -
President NIPSA - Jamal Iweida - Belfast Islamic Centre - Anti-Racism
Network speaker to be requested
*
Saturday March 20th
International Day of Action Against the Occupation of Iraq and
Palestine Rally
2pm Arts College, Belfast
For more information 07742 531 617 - 07748571269
*
COMMUNIST ORGANIZATION OF GREECE - KOE
Dear Comrades,
You are all aware of the "EU Constitution" drafted by the so-
called "Assembly of Europe" one more arbitrary and non-elected
body of the European Union. This draft EU Constitution is the most
reactionary and antidemocratic fabrication ever produced by the EU.
In the reality it is another Treaty, but one that puts an official
footing on neoliberalism and imposes it as the official and unique
economic system of the EU member states, and wipes out even the last,
typical, rights of the "small" member states. At the same time, as
far as the democratic rights are concerned, it is more reactionary
than the most reactionary national Constitution, even on the level of
declarations.
The peoples of Europe did not ask for such a EU Constitution, nor
they want it. Despite the monstrous propaganda in its favor and the
concealment of its real character, this draft does not appeal to the
people's masses. Already in a series of mobilizations, in Rome, Paris
and elsewhere, the progressive and left movements have condemned it.
Even the European Social Forum recently, in its Second Assembly that
took place in Paris at the end of 2003, adopted a resolution
expressing its opposition to this draft, and called for a day of an
all-European mobilization against it. In Greece, a series of left and
progressive organizations have started campaigning against the EU
Constitution. Moreover, the Greek Social Forum, which regroups a
large spectrum of social and political organizations, adopted a
crystal-clear position against the EU Constitution.
At the same time, various forces of the enemy camp are also
expressing their opposition to the draft EU Constitution not, of
course, because they wish to follow a different course, but because
the concrete draft does not serve their interests. The contradictions
between big and smaller member states, and the internal
contradictions within the dominant classes in several member states
as far as the support of the draft EU Constitution is concerned, are
expressed in a quite clear manner.
The above lead us to the reasonable estimation that it is possible,
although not easy at all, to avert the adoption of this reactionary
and antidemocratic EU Constitution. In order to achieve such a goal,
it is necessary that the popular forces will build a broad front all
over Europe, and this independently of the position they adopt on the
EU itself. The left and progressive forces have a valuable role to
play in the creation and the orientation of this broad front, as well
as in exploiting the contradictions expressed within the dominant
classes. This will permit to give, under the best possible
conditions, a battle that is important for the future of our peoples.
It is clear that the conditions are different in each European
country. For example in Greece, the first battle concerns to win the
very holding of a referendum. However, it is equally clear that a
coordinated all-European mobilization and mutual support of the
national campaigns will bring better results. A possible rejection of
the EU Constitution, even in a few member states, will be a great
encouragement for the progressive movements and the peoples of the
whole Europe.
For all the above reasons, the Communist Organization of Greece (KOE)
takes the initiative to convene in the immediate future an All-
European Meeting of Left Parties. We propose its holding in Athens,
from Friday 19 until Sunday 21 March 2004. Our Organization will
arrange the technical preparation and will bear the financial cost of
its realization. The invited Parties and Organizations will have to
bear the traveling cost of their delegations. The board and lodging
of the delegations during the duration of the Meeting will be covered
by our Organization.
We hope that the communist, left and progressive forces to which we
are addressed will positively welcome this initiative of our
Organization. We hope that it will contribute to our practical
collaboration on this important issue. Please inform us until the
20th of February for your initial disposal/possibility to participate
and, if possible, for the composition of your delegation. The
concrete dates and hours of arrival may be communicated later.
KOE - The Bureau of the Leading Committee
Proposal for the Program of the Meeting
We are proposing the following program:
With communist greetings,
[Thursday 18 March - morning of Friday 19 March: Arrival of the
delegations.]
19 March
2pm-2.30pm Opening of the Meeting. Short welcome on behalf of
KOE. Adoption of the program.
2.30pm-8.30pm Interventions of the delegations on the issue of
the EU Constitution and the possibilities of a coordinated campaign
against it.
8.30pm-9pm Creation of a committee responsible to write a draft
resolution based on the interventions.
9pm-10pm Dinner.
20 March
9am-9.30am Presentation of the draft resolution(s).
9.30am-11.30am Discussion on the draft resolution(s).
11.30am-2pm Participation in the International Anti-Occupation
Mobilization.
2pm-3pm Lunch.
3pm-7pm Submission and discussion of modifications and other
proposals.
7pm-9pm Elaboration of the final draft on the basis of the whole
discussion.
9pm-10pm Dinner.
21 March
9am-12pm Adoption of the resolution. Technical arrangements for its
realization.
12pm-2pm Lunch. End of the Meeting.
[Evening of 21 March - 22 March: Departure of the delegations.]
Please send your reply by fax to +30 210 6430024
or by email to international@arister.gr, with copy to koe@email.lu
Communist Organization of Greece/Kommounistiki Organosi Elladas/KOE
Isaia Salonon 6, GR-11475 Athens, Greece
Phone: +30 210 6441745, Fax +30 210 6430024
international@arister.gr, aristera@arister.gr, laokratia@yahoo.com
http://www.koel.gr/ - http://www.arister.gr/
*******
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The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
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*******
A new 2004 full colour glossy calendar is available now on the RSM
online shop.
It celebrates the brilliant work undertaken by the Teach Na Failte
Memorial Committees this past year throughout the six counties with
full colour photographs on each page.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year this calendar can be
viewed online by clicking the link below
http://www.cafeshops.com/rsmshop.8844526
Republican Socialist Online Merchandise - New Website
A new website that offers a central place to go on the Internet to
find good quality items with a distinct Republican Socialist theme.
Proceeds from sales from this effort go towards the IRSM and it's
various projects.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishshop/
Friday 13 February 2004
The Plough Vol 01 No 26
The Plough #26
13 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. NIPSA ACTION
2. "Time for Change"
3. THE WATCH COMMITTEE
4. Convention of the Left
5. Loyalism and the Connolly Approach
6. Book Review: "In The Cause Of Labour"
7. New Voting System and Nomination Restrictions Are Undemocratic
8. Trade Unionist Harassment
9. Appeal from the Basque Country
10. Sacked Airport Shop Stewards to Start Hunger Strike
11. What's On?
*******
NIPSA ACTION
As outlined in last week's issue of The Plough, NIPSA, the largest
union in the North, are engaged in an increasingly active campaign of
industrial action over civil service pay.
Civil servants represent over 15% of workers in the six counties, and
also, uniquely, reflect almost exactly the gender and "community"
make up of Northern society.
The basis of the dispute were set forth last week, but basically they
amount to a management offer of a 0% pay rise to junior grades after
management had awarded themselves between 4 and 9%.
RISING MILITANCY
Following very successful isolated days of action, NIPSA decided to
introduce a programme of rolling weekly strikes amongst key sets of
workers (who were supported by their comrades by way of a levy).
The first branch to take such action was Strabane SSO, who engaged in
the action from 23/01/04. The response to the action was remarkable
with all but two staff in the office absenting themselves from work,
and upwards of 60% presenting themselves on the picket line each day.
However, it was the second week of selective action which caused the
current management reaction; during that week the telephone operators
based in, amongst other places, Stormont, refused to take calls. As
management had covered for this eventuality by bringing in Agency
scabs, all workers in civil service offices refused to answer phone
calls. This was not only a justified solidarity action by the workers
involved, but it was also entirely legal, even under the present
draconian employment laws.
In response to this spontaneous show of solidarity the management of
the Department for Social Development (DSD), which includes the
Social Security Agency and the Child Support Agency, began to
threaten workers involved with the arbitrary removal of the Flexible
Working Hours scheme. This scheme, which allows workers to work
their 8 hour day within a 12 hour window, was introduced particularly
to help women who have to juggle domestic responsibilities with home
life.
Upon hearing of this threat, as anyone who watched the television
last week will know, all NIPSA members in central Belfast walked out.
Whilst this was portrayed by both management and their paid liars in
the media as a "wild cat" action, in reality it illustrated the
determination of NIPSA grass roots members neither to be intimidated
themselves, nor to stand idly by whilst this was happening to their
comrades. It was a heartening, and unfortunately too infrequent,
show of class solidarity.
THIS WEEK
As planned the NIPSA action has now spread to meat processing
inspectors, an unlikely area, but one which has been completely solid
and successful. Next week the members in the DVLNI shall observe a
weeks stoppage.
However within the last two days the dispute has re focused on the
DSD. Without provocation, the DSD management have threatened to
suspend, without pay, any union member who abides by the NIPSA
instruction to work to rule (i.e. within the confines of their
contract).
*******
"Time for Change"
NIPSA activists have responded to the union leadership's poor
management of the civil service dispute by mounting a campaign to get
control of the union's ruling General Council. The coalition "Time for
Change" has put up a number of candidates, on a grass roots campaign,
and with a surprisingly tight internal discipline structure.
"Time for Change"includes the best left-wing, anti-bureaucratic,
element of the NIPSA active members. It is an alliance of independent
socialists in concert with members of various progressive political
parties, including the IRSP.
All involved are agreed that the union belongs to their members, and
the current campaign highlights the difference between the enthusiasm
of the membership in the current dispute, and the ultra conservative
and self-seeking bureaucrats who currently run the organisation on
the members' behalf..
It is vitally important that "Time for Change" win this internal
battle, as it shall determine the outcome of this dispute, the
largest in the North since 1932.
For the record the "Time for Change" candidates are:
Carol Barnett
Brian Booth
Brian Crawford
Paul Dale
Brian Forbes
Carmel Gates
Dooley Harte
Gerry Largey
Kevin Lawrenson
Maria Morgan
Janette Murdock
Patrick Mulholland
Ricki Reid
John Toal
The results of the election should be known by next week, and shall
be published in The Plough.
COLIN CRAIG
*******
THE WATCH COMMITTEE
In response to the bullying tactics of the NICS management,
particularly those in the Department for Social Development, a number
of NIPSA members formed a "Watch Committee" on Thursday 12 February.
The purpose of the committee is to "name and shame" those managers
who take disciplinary action against NIPSA members because of their
involvement in the current dispute, in order to alert the working
class to the presence of scabs in their midst.
The Committee intends to issue its first such list on Wednesday 18
February, and weekly thereafter, and have called on all socialist
publications to assist their campaign by publishing the names
involved.
*******
Convention of the Left
For a number of weeks The Plough has carried a statement from the
Socialist Environment Group, based in the North West of the North of
Ireland advertising a convention of the left. It is also carried in
this edition of The Plough.
It is time to spell out the position of the Irish Republican
Socialist Party. But first let us put on record a number of basic
principles that this party adheres to.
The IRSP is anti-sectarian, anti-racist, internationalist, socialist,
republican and anti-imperialist. We believe in the primacy of
politics. We believe that the Good Friday Agreement was a squalid
sectarian deal that was part of a process of pacification of the
wider anti-imperialist tradition in Ireland.
We have called for unity of republican and socialist forces in the
past. We want to see a united front of all of the working classes
standing up against oppression, injustice and poverty wherever it
exists. The unity of progressive forces is obviously desirable. But
we are not in favour of the widest possible unity based on the lowest
common denominator. For as the founder of the IRSP said,
"One of the principal reasons for lack of development of working
class or socialist politics is the existence of partition - the fact
that the British are still within the country. In the minds of most
people this has been the main question in Irish politics for 50
years. The main question which must be resolved is the struggle
against imperialism, so that the workers can think in terms of
confronting the native capitalist class. That is the principal reason
why we want to end imperialist intervention in the country. We want
to see a natural political situation develop, with the confrontation,
which you normally expect, between left and right, and in this way to
bring the Irish working class into control of the resources and the
wealth of the country."
Those clear words from Seamus Costello sums up our position. Any talk
of the unity of the left must be around some core principles. Any
unity behind a candidate who does not bring out the essential
contradictions of the continued existence of the Northern state and
only emphasises bread and butter issues, perhaps spiced up with
opposition to the neo-liberal agenda of globalisation, is a false
unity. We have had efforts like this before. We have had the Northern
Ireland Labour Party which because of its failure to confront
sectarianism and its acceptance of the border imploded. Surely Eamon
McCann, a former candidate for the Northern Ireland Labour Party,
does not want to repeat that experience?
Sinn Fein/The Workers Party ditched their opposition to partition,
and their republicanism, in a futile effort to reach out to the mass
of Protestant working-class people. They failed utterly. We could go
on.
However we ourselves are not above criticism and have made wrong
turns in the past. Those who fail to learn from mistakes are doomed
to repeat them. Is a convention of the left really the best way to
reach agreement? We have seen no agenda, no standing orders, no
policies. We fear the convention will be a chance for infantile
leftist slanging. Let's hope we are wrong.
*******
Loyalism and the Connolly Approach
Costello drew on both the experience and teachings of James Connolly
in his approach to the problem of "loyalism" among the Belfast
Protestant working class. When questioned in March 1975, about co-
operation with representatives of the Protestant workers on immediate
issues "which would appear to unite the people," he defined his
position clearly and succinctly. "Connolly had to face exactly the
same predicament. In Belfast prior to 1916, you had people who
classified themselves as socialists and who were also interested in
ending British rule in Ireland. Their approach to the Protestant
working class was on the basis of limited and immediate issues. One
of the principal issues which affected both sections of the working
class was the question of whether or not they could get gas and water
into their houses. Some very militant campaigns were engaged in on
these two demands - gas and water for the houses in the working class
districts. Republicans and socialists were involved in this campaign
on the basis that this was the way to unite the working class. At the
same time, these republicans and socialists refused point blank to
mention or even discuss the national question with the Protestant
working class, on the grounds that if they did, the Protestant
working class wouldn't listen to them and that they would lose their
co operation on the issue of gas and water for the houses. Connolly
was totally in opposition to this approach. He categorized them as
gas and water socialists. Today in Belfast we have what we call ring-
road socialists. They are exactly the same type of people. They are,
in fact, the leadership of the Official republican movement in
Belfast. We maintain that any co-operation with the Protestant
working class must be on the basis of a principled political
position. It must be on the basis of explaining fully to the
Protestant working class what all our policies are, not just our
policy on the ring-road. We must try and politicize them,
simultaneously with conducting a political campaign to get rid of
Britain. It will be primarily an educational function, or an
educational campaign directed towards Protestants in the hope at
least that some significant section of the Protestant working
class will understand."
*******
IN THE CAUSE OF LABOUR: A HISTORY OF THE BRITISH TRADE UNIONS
By Rob Sewell
Published by Wellred Books
REVIEWED BY PETER BLACK
"Were history what it ought to be, an accurate literary reflex of
the times with which it professes to deal", wrote James Connolly, the
great Irish trade union leader and Marxist, "the pages of history
would be almost entirely engrossed with a recital of the wrongs and
struggles of the labouring people, constituting, as they have ever
done, the vast mass of mankind."
But official history treats the working class with contempt,
derision, hatred and misrepresentation whenever it "dares to throw
off the yoke of political or social servitude".
There are many narrative histories of the struggles of Irish and
British workers. However Rob Sewell's book is different. The
purpose of his history is not only to recite the wrongs inflicted on
working people, or simply to describe their heroic struggles. It is
an attempt to draw out the lessons of the events that helped shape
the Labour movement, and made it what it is.
This history of trade unions is particularly relevant at the present
time. After a long period of stagnation, the fresh winds of the class
struggle are beginning to blow. We see growing industrial militancy
in many countries, which heralds a fundamental change in the
situation. Here and in Britain there is ferment in the trade unions,
characterised by a sharp turn to the left in one union conference
after another. New forces are emerging in the trade union and Labour
movement, and are beginning to challenge the dead hand of the old
leadership.
Rob Sewell's book was written clearly with these new forces in
mind. The British labour movement is the oldest in the world. More
than two hundred years ago, the pioneers of the movement created
illegal revolutionary trade unions in the face of the most terrible
violence and repression. A little later they established the first
workers' party in history, the Chartist Association. Later they
participated in the founding of the First International, in which
Karl Marx played a leading role. The Irish provided many leaders in
these early struggles, such as John Doherty and Feargus O’Connor.
In the course of the nineteenth century they built trade unions of
the downtrodden unskilled workers "those with "blistered hands
and the unshorn chins," as Feargus O'Connor called them. Finally,
the working class established a mass party of Labour based on the
trade unions, breaking the monopoly of the Tories and Liberals. The
book deals with the heroic Belfast strike and Dublin lockout led by
Larkin and Connolly, as well as the stormy years following the
Russian Revolution when they engaged in ferocious class battles,
culminating in the General Strike of 1926.
Nor did the achievements of the British trade union movement cease
with the Depression and the Second World War. The post-war upswing
served to strengthen the working class and heal the scars of the
inter-war period. By the time of the industrial tidal wave of the
early 1970s, they drove a Tory government from power, after turning
Edward Heath's anti-trade union laws into a dead letter. Those
years saw the demonstrations against the Industrial Relations Act
- the biggest workers' protests since the days of the Chartists.
Later, the miners, the traditional vanguard of the British working
class, waged an epic year-long struggle in 1984-85 against the
juggernaut of Thatcherism. (This brings a clear memory of the
solidarity for the miners, when I was for a time seconded to their
support group) They could have succeeded, had the right-wing Labour
and trade union leaders not abandoned them and left them isolated.
But though it was defeated the miners' strike, which at times had the
hallmarks of a semi-insurrection, showed the world the colossal
potential that exists in the British working class. It would require
a book to deal with the lessons of this strike alone, but Rob Sewell
has done it justice.
The foreword is written by Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the
National Union of Journalists and member of the General Council of
the TUC (personal capacity).
Price: £14.99 (special price for readers of Starry Plough of
£10 plus £2.50 p&p)
480 pages, illustrated
ISBN: 1 9000 07 14 2
Order your copy from Wellred Books, PO Box 2626, London N1 7SQ.
Or buy on-line at http://www.marxist.com/wellred/
(Peter Black is a leading member of the ATGWU, Iónadái, and
IRSP Ard-Chomhairle)
*******
New Voting System and Nomination Restrictions Are Undemocratic
Des Dalton, Vice President Republican Sinn Féin
February 5, 2004
"The introduction of electronic voting coupled with new
restrictions for independent candidates have placed serious question
marks over the electoral process in the 26 Counties. The new
electronic voting system, which is to be extended to all
constituencies in the 26 Counties for the forthcoming Local and
European elections has two fundamental flaws. In forcing a person who
wishes to 'spoil' their vote, to inform the returning officer,
violates the right to a secret ballot as well as denying people a
legitimate means of registering protest. Secondly, the system lacks
any transparency. It gives people no paper record that their vote was
cast as they intended, such a record could be kept and checked in the
case of a challenge. This is to ignore the serious concerns of the
international computer science community who are calling for the
introduction of a voter verified audit trail."
"On top of the introduction of electronic voting, new restrictions
have been imposed for Independent or Community candidates who wish to
contest the local elections under new nomination procedures which
require independent or on - registered candidates to be nominated by
15 people on the live register. This discriminates against people who
are not members of one of the major parties. These parties thereby
are being handed an advantage in that their candidates do not have to
take what amounts to a test, in order to contest the local elections.
Such restrictions are undemocratic, denying people who simply wish to
serve their communities, their right to participate in the electoral
process regardless of party affiliation."
*******
Trade Unionist Harassment
Paddy Kenneally, Munster Republican Sinn Féin
February 10, 2004
A trade union official in County Clare has publicly criticised the
activities of the Special Branch police for harassing people engaged
in legitimate union activity.
Paddy Kenneally from Crusheen, the secretary of the Clare Plasterers
Union, said today that he has personal experience of the increasing
level of police interference with trade union organising.
"On Monday afternoon in Shannon Airport I was pulled over by a car
with a blue flashing light and questioned by the Special Branch. That
morning along with the vice-chairman of the branch I had been
visiting local building sites in the interests of union members.
Obviously some builders have links with the police who threatened me
with arrest before going through my union briefcase and my trade
union papers.
"This type of harassment and intimidation by the police has no
place in a democratic society. In fact it is an attack on a trade
union and on the rights of workers to organise in their own
interests - a right recognised internationally and enshrined in
legislation.
"I feel that the fact I am also chairman of the Munster Executive
of Republican Sinn Féin is another reason why I am subject to this
type of harassment by the police. "
*******
Appeal from the Basque Country
Demonstration against torture in the Basque Country.
In the following text you can find the manifesto of the demonstration
against torture which is taking place in Donostia-San Sebastian on
the14th of February, "25 years on torture, enough is enough".
Please support this demonstration, which you can show by emailing us
at askida@stoptortura.com. As well we would welcome your friends and
contacts support if it is possible.
25 years of torture, enough is enough!
25 years since the Spanish Constitution was passed. 25 years during
which continuity has been shored up, a continuity that seeks to make
itself permanent over time. 25 years in order to certify that the
torture that existed in the Francoist dungeons has now been made
over, refined, perfected by a system that in essence is just more of
the same. 25 years of dirty war, brutality and denial against the
Basque Country.
Pacts were ratified, agreements were signed, shock and disbelief were
protested... The transition was complete, the mistakes amended, the
security establishment had been, finally, purged. The referendum. A
categorical "yes" in Spain. A definite "no" in the Basque Country.
Because we knew that the problem had not been solved. Because we were
aware that the jails would soon fill again and that the torture
complaints made by men and women from those provinces formerly deemed
to be traitors would amount to hundreds.
The pain and broken souls of Basques are still in piles of court
complaints, declarations, reams of paper lying under the dust on the
tables of the new Spanish courts. In November 1979, the Home Office
secretary of the time, Ibañez Freire, who was already operating
under the brand-new constitutional text, solemnly declared that the
torture claims were false.
From then on, the Spanish government and its regional branches
continue stubbornly in the same position. They have attempted to
cover up the stench, the festering in their system, with courts like
the Audiencia Nacional, with constitutional anti-terrorist laws, with
opaque spaces to allow beastly interrogation, or with shiny police
procedure protocols. Human Rights campaigns have been prepared while
the screams continued to issue from their dungeons. And Basque
society stands before this scenery. A lonely hand attempting to lift
the lid of the rubbish bin. A lonely pair of eyes trying to peek at
what is in there. A sorry heart that recognises its loved ones under
torment and brutality. A single mind that has learned to understand
the true message behind the official campaigns, behind the official
versions. A single voice, in the end, amplifying a unanimous cry. A
single body that will march through the streets of Donostia on
February 14. The Basque Country must raise that single voice so that,
once and for all, no more Basques cry in the solitude of torment. We
need all of you in Donostia on February 14, 2004.
(From: ASKIDA )
*******
Press Release
13.02.04
Sacked airport shop stewards to start hunger strike
"We want the T&GWU to agree an immediate inquiry into the role played
by our union officials at the time we were sacked. We will not come
off our hunger strike until we get it" Gordon McNeill
Two of the three airport shop stewards, who were sacked from Belfast
International Airport for taking strike action over pay, have decided
to start a hunger strike.
They are demanding that the T&GWU Executive agree to set up an
Inquiry, made up of rank and file members of the union, to uncover
the truth about the role played by their union official, Joe
McCusker, and other officials, at the time of their dismissal.
Gordon McNeill today commented:
"Madan Gupta and I have very reluctantly, and with heavy hearts,
taken this decision because we can see no other way of bringing this
long dispute to a resolution. All the sacked workers are totally
frustrated at the way in which an officer in the union and other
officers have treated us.
"The issue has dragged on for nearly two years and has taken a big
toll on us, badly affecting our health. Madan and I are determined to
bring it to a head now. We want an Inquiry but we want it to be made
up of rank and file members who will be prepared to look at what
happened in a truthful and independent way.
"It clearly states in the union code of practice that, where a shop
steward is dismissed, an immediate inquiry will be set up to
investigate. That's all we are asking for but we have been forced
to take this drastic action because, up to now, this right has been
denied us.
"In May 2002 our union official, Joe McCusker, called us out on
official strike. Then, when we were on strike, he told our employer
that he had repudiated our action and the company then used this as
their excuse to sack us. We have now found out that a week earlier he
had given the company an assurance that there would be no strike.
"We want to know why this happened. Were we set up? What links, if
any, existed between our official and our employer, ICTS? We have
been asking these question for nearly two years and have not been
given answers. That is why we need an inquiry.
We want Joe McCusker to sign an affidavit clarifying that he told us
that our strike was both legal and official. To date all the promises
that he would do so have been broken. We want to know why.
"Going on hunger strike might seem to many a desperate step to take
in order to get the union to take the very simple step of setting up
an inquiry. But we have been driven to this, we have been slandered,
vilified and threatened to the point that we feel our lives have been
ruined, and we want to get to the truth in order to clear our names.
The real question is why it takes such drastic action to get the
T&GWU leadership to concede an inquiry. We are asking union members
to support our action by putting this question directly to our
General Secretary, Tony Woodley"
Madan Gupta and Gordon McNeill will begin their hunger strike on
Monday 16th February inside Transport House Belfast.
Gordon McNeill can be contacted on 07719574338
Tony Woodley's mobile no is 07976828950
He may also be contacted at Transport House in London -
Tel: 02076112500
*******
What's On?
*
Convention of the Left - Derry February 14th 2004
Invitation
Socialist Environmental Alliance
Convention of the Left
Saturday February 14th
11-4pm
Verbal Arts Centre, Derry
We are writing to invite you to a Convention of the Left to be held
in Derry on February 14th 2004. The purpose is to discuss a united
Left slate in the June 2004 European election. The SEA sees it as an
imperative that there should be a left alternative in the field in
June. If no one else is willing to come along with us we are minded
to go forward on our own. In that circumstance, Eamonn McCann is
willing to stand. However, we realise that a broad alliance covering
the North would be hugely preferable. We are very open to argument
from others as to how best we can jointly achieve this.
We envisage an electoral alliance of different parties, campaigning
groups and individuals offering voters a radical, anti-sectarian
alternative to parties based on one or other of "the two
communities." The results of the SEA interventions in Foyle and East
Londonderry by Eamonn McCann and Marion Baur make plain that a
credible, united left campaign can attract a level of support, which
cannot be derided or ignored. Without such an intervention, the
European election, for practical purposes, will amount to yet another
referendum" to determine who will champion each community vis-a-vis
the other. It will take a united, broadly based campaign to make a
Left intervention credible.
The issues bringing together socialists, environmentalists, defenders
of the public sector, anti-racists, women's rights campaigners and
anti-war groups in other countries affect us here too. Millions of
Europeans rallied to these issues in 2003, particularly in anti-war
demonstrations on February 15th. Our Convention marks the first
anniversary of those huge protests - which saw one of the biggest
ever marches in Belfast that did not reflect sectarian divisions.
We must break out of the circular argument, which holds that Northern
Ireland is so polarised along communal lines that there's no point
trying seriously to challenge its communal politics. A June campaign
would offer a chance to link day-to-day local concerns to major
issues being fought out at European level. Issues of water charges
and environmental protection cannot be understood other than in a
European perspective. The rise in racism on our streets is connected
to the "Fortress Europe" project. Local civil rights issues now arise
in parallel with the crackdown across Europe associated with the "war
on terror." Privatisation schemes in our schools and hospitals are
entangled with European directives on freeing market forces.
It is only in the context of the fight for a social Europe and
against a neo-liberal Europe that we can pursue these issues in
Northern Ireland. The notion that a better Northern Ireland and a
better Ireland is possible is an element in the broader notion that
another Europe is possible. As to when and by whom a serious
political effort is to be made to bring this about---if not now,
when? If not us, who?
The Convention will be held at the Verbal Arts Centre, located on the
City Walls at Bishop Street, Derry. A crèche will be provided. A
more detailed Agenda will be issued shortly.
Marion Baur and Eamonn McCann
(SEA candidates in the Assembly Elections)
http://www.seaderry.co.uk/
*
TALKING AND TAKING PART
This course, hosted by Women into Politics (WiP), is responding to an
identified need and an interest expressed for women to meet, learn
and work with and from each other - beyond Northern Irish/Irish
borders. The programme is aiming for a 50/50 participation of women
from minority ethnic communities and the majority communities. It
will provide the opportunity for every participant to learn about
different cultures and to engage in discussion with women from a wide
range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. No earlier training
required. However, openness and an interest in each other's
culture and experience are necessary. The facilitators for the
programme are Felice Kiel from the Northern Ireland Council for
Ethnic Minorities and Catherine McCartney from Women into Politics.
The course will start on Monday, 23 February 2004, from 10.00am to
12.30pm and will run for ten consecutive mornings at WiP's premises,
109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast.
WiP will subsidise travel expenses and will provide childcare if
needed. The deadline for registration is 13 February 2004 and places
will be confirmed on 16 February 2004.
If you require any further information, please ring Catherine on tel:
028 9024 3363, mobile: 0774 311 8502 or email:
admin@womenintopolitics.org.
*
Thursday February 19th Public Meetings
Dr Stephen Cleghorn: US Military Families Against the War Speak
Out
1.30pm: Peter Froggatt Centre, Queens University
7.30pm: Unemployed Resource Centre (next to John Hewitt bar –
Donegal Street, Belfast)
*
THE IRISH ASSOCIATION
FOR CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS
President: Mr. Paul McErlean; Vice-President: Dr. Jean Whyte
SPRING SEMINAR
Policing the island: challenges, issues and co-operation.
Speakers
Hugh Orde, Chief Constable, P.S.N.I.,
Noel Conroy, Commissioner, of An Garda Siochana
Chairman - Paul McErlean, President Irish Association
Saturday 21 February, 2004, 10.30 -12.30
Holiday Express Inn, University Street, Belfast
All Welcome
Members - £2.00, Non-Members - £4.00
http://www.irish-association.org/
*
Friday March 12th
Protest Against Anti-War Activists Arrests
4pm City Courthouse
Public Meeting: The War, Occupation and Resistance
7.30pm Grosvenor House (Glengall St. next to Europa Hotel) Special
Guest speaker Ex-Labour MP (now RESPECT coalition) George Galloway
Panel includes Eamonn McCann - Journalist - Carmel Gates -
President NIPSA - Jamal Iweida - Belfast Islamic Centre - Anti-Racism
Network speaker to be requested
*
Charlie Donnelly Winter School
The Second Annual Charlie Donnelly Winter School will explore the
legacy of Charlie Donnelly, Dungannon's soldier poet, whose
phrase 'even the olives are bleeding' remains one of the most
powerful evocations of the Spanish Civil War.
The school encompasses conflict and conflict resolution within the
fields of art and literature and will include discussions, political
panel debate and poetry workshop. The school features readings from
the works of Charlie Donnelly.
The Return of the Earls is the vision for the next four-year term of
the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council. Within this theme the
Council will incorporate the overarching principle of reconciliation
across a wide diversity of interests.
For more information or to book a place, contact Emma Cox, Marketing
and Events Officer, on tel: 028 8772 0342, email:
emma.cox@dungannon.gov.uk, web: http://www.returnoftheearls.com/
Please reserve your place(s) before 20 February 2004.
*
Saturday March 20th
International Day of Action Against the Occupation of Iraq and
Palestine Rally
2pm Arts College, Belfast
For more information 07742 531 617 - 07748571269
*******
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The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
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*******
A new 2004 full colour glossy calendar is available now on the RSM
online shop.
It celebrates the brilliant work undertaken by the Teach Na Failte
Memorial Committees this past year throughout the six counties with
full colour photographs on each page.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year this calendar can be
viewed online by clicking the link below
http://www.cafeshops.com/rsmshop.8844526
Republican Socialist Online Merchandise - New Website
A new website that offers a central place to go on the Internet to
find good quality items with a distinct Republican Socialist theme.
Proceeds from sales from this effort go towards the IRSM and it's
various projects.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishshop/
13 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. NIPSA ACTION
2. "Time for Change"
3. THE WATCH COMMITTEE
4. Convention of the Left
5. Loyalism and the Connolly Approach
6. Book Review: "In The Cause Of Labour"
7. New Voting System and Nomination Restrictions Are Undemocratic
8. Trade Unionist Harassment
9. Appeal from the Basque Country
10. Sacked Airport Shop Stewards to Start Hunger Strike
11. What's On?
*******
NIPSA ACTION
As outlined in last week's issue of The Plough, NIPSA, the largest
union in the North, are engaged in an increasingly active campaign of
industrial action over civil service pay.
Civil servants represent over 15% of workers in the six counties, and
also, uniquely, reflect almost exactly the gender and "community"
make up of Northern society.
The basis of the dispute were set forth last week, but basically they
amount to a management offer of a 0% pay rise to junior grades after
management had awarded themselves between 4 and 9%.
RISING MILITANCY
Following very successful isolated days of action, NIPSA decided to
introduce a programme of rolling weekly strikes amongst key sets of
workers (who were supported by their comrades by way of a levy).
The first branch to take such action was Strabane SSO, who engaged in
the action from 23/01/04. The response to the action was remarkable
with all but two staff in the office absenting themselves from work,
and upwards of 60% presenting themselves on the picket line each day.
However, it was the second week of selective action which caused the
current management reaction; during that week the telephone operators
based in, amongst other places, Stormont, refused to take calls. As
management had covered for this eventuality by bringing in Agency
scabs, all workers in civil service offices refused to answer phone
calls. This was not only a justified solidarity action by the workers
involved, but it was also entirely legal, even under the present
draconian employment laws.
In response to this spontaneous show of solidarity the management of
the Department for Social Development (DSD), which includes the
Social Security Agency and the Child Support Agency, began to
threaten workers involved with the arbitrary removal of the Flexible
Working Hours scheme. This scheme, which allows workers to work
their 8 hour day within a 12 hour window, was introduced particularly
to help women who have to juggle domestic responsibilities with home
life.
Upon hearing of this threat, as anyone who watched the television
last week will know, all NIPSA members in central Belfast walked out.
Whilst this was portrayed by both management and their paid liars in
the media as a "wild cat" action, in reality it illustrated the
determination of NIPSA grass roots members neither to be intimidated
themselves, nor to stand idly by whilst this was happening to their
comrades. It was a heartening, and unfortunately too infrequent,
show of class solidarity.
THIS WEEK
As planned the NIPSA action has now spread to meat processing
inspectors, an unlikely area, but one which has been completely solid
and successful. Next week the members in the DVLNI shall observe a
weeks stoppage.
However within the last two days the dispute has re focused on the
DSD. Without provocation, the DSD management have threatened to
suspend, without pay, any union member who abides by the NIPSA
instruction to work to rule (i.e. within the confines of their
contract).
*******
"Time for Change"
NIPSA activists have responded to the union leadership's poor
management of the civil service dispute by mounting a campaign to get
control of the union's ruling General Council. The coalition "Time for
Change" has put up a number of candidates, on a grass roots campaign,
and with a surprisingly tight internal discipline structure.
"Time for Change"includes the best left-wing, anti-bureaucratic,
element of the NIPSA active members. It is an alliance of independent
socialists in concert with members of various progressive political
parties, including the IRSP.
All involved are agreed that the union belongs to their members, and
the current campaign highlights the difference between the enthusiasm
of the membership in the current dispute, and the ultra conservative
and self-seeking bureaucrats who currently run the organisation on
the members' behalf..
It is vitally important that "Time for Change" win this internal
battle, as it shall determine the outcome of this dispute, the
largest in the North since 1932.
For the record the "Time for Change" candidates are:
Carol Barnett
Brian Booth
Brian Crawford
Paul Dale
Brian Forbes
Carmel Gates
Dooley Harte
Gerry Largey
Kevin Lawrenson
Maria Morgan
Janette Murdock
Patrick Mulholland
Ricki Reid
John Toal
The results of the election should be known by next week, and shall
be published in The Plough.
COLIN CRAIG
*******
THE WATCH COMMITTEE
In response to the bullying tactics of the NICS management,
particularly those in the Department for Social Development, a number
of NIPSA members formed a "Watch Committee" on Thursday 12 February.
The purpose of the committee is to "name and shame" those managers
who take disciplinary action against NIPSA members because of their
involvement in the current dispute, in order to alert the working
class to the presence of scabs in their midst.
The Committee intends to issue its first such list on Wednesday 18
February, and weekly thereafter, and have called on all socialist
publications to assist their campaign by publishing the names
involved.
*******
Convention of the Left
For a number of weeks The Plough has carried a statement from the
Socialist Environment Group, based in the North West of the North of
Ireland advertising a convention of the left. It is also carried in
this edition of The Plough.
It is time to spell out the position of the Irish Republican
Socialist Party. But first let us put on record a number of basic
principles that this party adheres to.
The IRSP is anti-sectarian, anti-racist, internationalist, socialist,
republican and anti-imperialist. We believe in the primacy of
politics. We believe that the Good Friday Agreement was a squalid
sectarian deal that was part of a process of pacification of the
wider anti-imperialist tradition in Ireland.
We have called for unity of republican and socialist forces in the
past. We want to see a united front of all of the working classes
standing up against oppression, injustice and poverty wherever it
exists. The unity of progressive forces is obviously desirable. But
we are not in favour of the widest possible unity based on the lowest
common denominator. For as the founder of the IRSP said,
"One of the principal reasons for lack of development of working
class or socialist politics is the existence of partition - the fact
that the British are still within the country. In the minds of most
people this has been the main question in Irish politics for 50
years. The main question which must be resolved is the struggle
against imperialism, so that the workers can think in terms of
confronting the native capitalist class. That is the principal reason
why we want to end imperialist intervention in the country. We want
to see a natural political situation develop, with the confrontation,
which you normally expect, between left and right, and in this way to
bring the Irish working class into control of the resources and the
wealth of the country."
Those clear words from Seamus Costello sums up our position. Any talk
of the unity of the left must be around some core principles. Any
unity behind a candidate who does not bring out the essential
contradictions of the continued existence of the Northern state and
only emphasises bread and butter issues, perhaps spiced up with
opposition to the neo-liberal agenda of globalisation, is a false
unity. We have had efforts like this before. We have had the Northern
Ireland Labour Party which because of its failure to confront
sectarianism and its acceptance of the border imploded. Surely Eamon
McCann, a former candidate for the Northern Ireland Labour Party,
does not want to repeat that experience?
Sinn Fein/The Workers Party ditched their opposition to partition,
and their republicanism, in a futile effort to reach out to the mass
of Protestant working-class people. They failed utterly. We could go
on.
However we ourselves are not above criticism and have made wrong
turns in the past. Those who fail to learn from mistakes are doomed
to repeat them. Is a convention of the left really the best way to
reach agreement? We have seen no agenda, no standing orders, no
policies. We fear the convention will be a chance for infantile
leftist slanging. Let's hope we are wrong.
*******
Loyalism and the Connolly Approach
Costello drew on both the experience and teachings of James Connolly
in his approach to the problem of "loyalism" among the Belfast
Protestant working class. When questioned in March 1975, about co-
operation with representatives of the Protestant workers on immediate
issues "which would appear to unite the people," he defined his
position clearly and succinctly. "Connolly had to face exactly the
same predicament. In Belfast prior to 1916, you had people who
classified themselves as socialists and who were also interested in
ending British rule in Ireland. Their approach to the Protestant
working class was on the basis of limited and immediate issues. One
of the principal issues which affected both sections of the working
class was the question of whether or not they could get gas and water
into their houses. Some very militant campaigns were engaged in on
these two demands - gas and water for the houses in the working class
districts. Republicans and socialists were involved in this campaign
on the basis that this was the way to unite the working class. At the
same time, these republicans and socialists refused point blank to
mention or even discuss the national question with the Protestant
working class, on the grounds that if they did, the Protestant
working class wouldn't listen to them and that they would lose their
co operation on the issue of gas and water for the houses. Connolly
was totally in opposition to this approach. He categorized them as
gas and water socialists. Today in Belfast we have what we call ring-
road socialists. They are exactly the same type of people. They are,
in fact, the leadership of the Official republican movement in
Belfast. We maintain that any co-operation with the Protestant
working class must be on the basis of a principled political
position. It must be on the basis of explaining fully to the
Protestant working class what all our policies are, not just our
policy on the ring-road. We must try and politicize them,
simultaneously with conducting a political campaign to get rid of
Britain. It will be primarily an educational function, or an
educational campaign directed towards Protestants in the hope at
least that some significant section of the Protestant working
class will understand."
*******
IN THE CAUSE OF LABOUR: A HISTORY OF THE BRITISH TRADE UNIONS
By Rob Sewell
Published by Wellred Books
REVIEWED BY PETER BLACK
"Were history what it ought to be, an accurate literary reflex of
the times with which it professes to deal", wrote James Connolly, the
great Irish trade union leader and Marxist, "the pages of history
would be almost entirely engrossed with a recital of the wrongs and
struggles of the labouring people, constituting, as they have ever
done, the vast mass of mankind."
But official history treats the working class with contempt,
derision, hatred and misrepresentation whenever it "dares to throw
off the yoke of political or social servitude".
There are many narrative histories of the struggles of Irish and
British workers. However Rob Sewell's book is different. The
purpose of his history is not only to recite the wrongs inflicted on
working people, or simply to describe their heroic struggles. It is
an attempt to draw out the lessons of the events that helped shape
the Labour movement, and made it what it is.
This history of trade unions is particularly relevant at the present
time. After a long period of stagnation, the fresh winds of the class
struggle are beginning to blow. We see growing industrial militancy
in many countries, which heralds a fundamental change in the
situation. Here and in Britain there is ferment in the trade unions,
characterised by a sharp turn to the left in one union conference
after another. New forces are emerging in the trade union and Labour
movement, and are beginning to challenge the dead hand of the old
leadership.
Rob Sewell's book was written clearly with these new forces in
mind. The British labour movement is the oldest in the world. More
than two hundred years ago, the pioneers of the movement created
illegal revolutionary trade unions in the face of the most terrible
violence and repression. A little later they established the first
workers' party in history, the Chartist Association. Later they
participated in the founding of the First International, in which
Karl Marx played a leading role. The Irish provided many leaders in
these early struggles, such as John Doherty and Feargus O’Connor.
In the course of the nineteenth century they built trade unions of
the downtrodden unskilled workers "those with "blistered hands
and the unshorn chins," as Feargus O'Connor called them. Finally,
the working class established a mass party of Labour based on the
trade unions, breaking the monopoly of the Tories and Liberals. The
book deals with the heroic Belfast strike and Dublin lockout led by
Larkin and Connolly, as well as the stormy years following the
Russian Revolution when they engaged in ferocious class battles,
culminating in the General Strike of 1926.
Nor did the achievements of the British trade union movement cease
with the Depression and the Second World War. The post-war upswing
served to strengthen the working class and heal the scars of the
inter-war period. By the time of the industrial tidal wave of the
early 1970s, they drove a Tory government from power, after turning
Edward Heath's anti-trade union laws into a dead letter. Those
years saw the demonstrations against the Industrial Relations Act
- the biggest workers' protests since the days of the Chartists.
Later, the miners, the traditional vanguard of the British working
class, waged an epic year-long struggle in 1984-85 against the
juggernaut of Thatcherism. (This brings a clear memory of the
solidarity for the miners, when I was for a time seconded to their
support group) They could have succeeded, had the right-wing Labour
and trade union leaders not abandoned them and left them isolated.
But though it was defeated the miners' strike, which at times had the
hallmarks of a semi-insurrection, showed the world the colossal
potential that exists in the British working class. It would require
a book to deal with the lessons of this strike alone, but Rob Sewell
has done it justice.
The foreword is written by Jeremy Dear, general secretary of the
National Union of Journalists and member of the General Council of
the TUC (personal capacity).
Price: £14.99 (special price for readers of Starry Plough of
£10 plus £2.50 p&p)
480 pages, illustrated
ISBN: 1 9000 07 14 2
Order your copy from Wellred Books, PO Box 2626, London N1 7SQ.
Or buy on-line at http://www.marxist.com/wellred/
(Peter Black is a leading member of the ATGWU, Iónadái, and
IRSP Ard-Chomhairle)
*******
New Voting System and Nomination Restrictions Are Undemocratic
Des Dalton, Vice President Republican Sinn Féin
February 5, 2004
"The introduction of electronic voting coupled with new
restrictions for independent candidates have placed serious question
marks over the electoral process in the 26 Counties. The new
electronic voting system, which is to be extended to all
constituencies in the 26 Counties for the forthcoming Local and
European elections has two fundamental flaws. In forcing a person who
wishes to 'spoil' their vote, to inform the returning officer,
violates the right to a secret ballot as well as denying people a
legitimate means of registering protest. Secondly, the system lacks
any transparency. It gives people no paper record that their vote was
cast as they intended, such a record could be kept and checked in the
case of a challenge. This is to ignore the serious concerns of the
international computer science community who are calling for the
introduction of a voter verified audit trail."
"On top of the introduction of electronic voting, new restrictions
have been imposed for Independent or Community candidates who wish to
contest the local elections under new nomination procedures which
require independent or on - registered candidates to be nominated by
15 people on the live register. This discriminates against people who
are not members of one of the major parties. These parties thereby
are being handed an advantage in that their candidates do not have to
take what amounts to a test, in order to contest the local elections.
Such restrictions are undemocratic, denying people who simply wish to
serve their communities, their right to participate in the electoral
process regardless of party affiliation."
*******
Trade Unionist Harassment
Paddy Kenneally, Munster Republican Sinn Féin
February 10, 2004
A trade union official in County Clare has publicly criticised the
activities of the Special Branch police for harassing people engaged
in legitimate union activity.
Paddy Kenneally from Crusheen, the secretary of the Clare Plasterers
Union, said today that he has personal experience of the increasing
level of police interference with trade union organising.
"On Monday afternoon in Shannon Airport I was pulled over by a car
with a blue flashing light and questioned by the Special Branch. That
morning along with the vice-chairman of the branch I had been
visiting local building sites in the interests of union members.
Obviously some builders have links with the police who threatened me
with arrest before going through my union briefcase and my trade
union papers.
"This type of harassment and intimidation by the police has no
place in a democratic society. In fact it is an attack on a trade
union and on the rights of workers to organise in their own
interests - a right recognised internationally and enshrined in
legislation.
"I feel that the fact I am also chairman of the Munster Executive
of Republican Sinn Féin is another reason why I am subject to this
type of harassment by the police. "
*******
Appeal from the Basque Country
Demonstration against torture in the Basque Country.
In the following text you can find the manifesto of the demonstration
against torture which is taking place in Donostia-San Sebastian on
the14th of February, "25 years on torture, enough is enough".
Please support this demonstration, which you can show by emailing us
at askida@stoptortura.com. As well we would welcome your friends and
contacts support if it is possible.
25 years of torture, enough is enough!
25 years since the Spanish Constitution was passed. 25 years during
which continuity has been shored up, a continuity that seeks to make
itself permanent over time. 25 years in order to certify that the
torture that existed in the Francoist dungeons has now been made
over, refined, perfected by a system that in essence is just more of
the same. 25 years of dirty war, brutality and denial against the
Basque Country.
Pacts were ratified, agreements were signed, shock and disbelief were
protested... The transition was complete, the mistakes amended, the
security establishment had been, finally, purged. The referendum. A
categorical "yes" in Spain. A definite "no" in the Basque Country.
Because we knew that the problem had not been solved. Because we were
aware that the jails would soon fill again and that the torture
complaints made by men and women from those provinces formerly deemed
to be traitors would amount to hundreds.
The pain and broken souls of Basques are still in piles of court
complaints, declarations, reams of paper lying under the dust on the
tables of the new Spanish courts. In November 1979, the Home Office
secretary of the time, Ibañez Freire, who was already operating
under the brand-new constitutional text, solemnly declared that the
torture claims were false.
From then on, the Spanish government and its regional branches
continue stubbornly in the same position. They have attempted to
cover up the stench, the festering in their system, with courts like
the Audiencia Nacional, with constitutional anti-terrorist laws, with
opaque spaces to allow beastly interrogation, or with shiny police
procedure protocols. Human Rights campaigns have been prepared while
the screams continued to issue from their dungeons. And Basque
society stands before this scenery. A lonely hand attempting to lift
the lid of the rubbish bin. A lonely pair of eyes trying to peek at
what is in there. A sorry heart that recognises its loved ones under
torment and brutality. A single mind that has learned to understand
the true message behind the official campaigns, behind the official
versions. A single voice, in the end, amplifying a unanimous cry. A
single body that will march through the streets of Donostia on
February 14. The Basque Country must raise that single voice so that,
once and for all, no more Basques cry in the solitude of torment. We
need all of you in Donostia on February 14, 2004.
(From: ASKIDA )
*******
Press Release
13.02.04
Sacked airport shop stewards to start hunger strike
"We want the T&GWU to agree an immediate inquiry into the role played
by our union officials at the time we were sacked. We will not come
off our hunger strike until we get it" Gordon McNeill
Two of the three airport shop stewards, who were sacked from Belfast
International Airport for taking strike action over pay, have decided
to start a hunger strike.
They are demanding that the T&GWU Executive agree to set up an
Inquiry, made up of rank and file members of the union, to uncover
the truth about the role played by their union official, Joe
McCusker, and other officials, at the time of their dismissal.
Gordon McNeill today commented:
"Madan Gupta and I have very reluctantly, and with heavy hearts,
taken this decision because we can see no other way of bringing this
long dispute to a resolution. All the sacked workers are totally
frustrated at the way in which an officer in the union and other
officers have treated us.
"The issue has dragged on for nearly two years and has taken a big
toll on us, badly affecting our health. Madan and I are determined to
bring it to a head now. We want an Inquiry but we want it to be made
up of rank and file members who will be prepared to look at what
happened in a truthful and independent way.
"It clearly states in the union code of practice that, where a shop
steward is dismissed, an immediate inquiry will be set up to
investigate. That's all we are asking for but we have been forced
to take this drastic action because, up to now, this right has been
denied us.
"In May 2002 our union official, Joe McCusker, called us out on
official strike. Then, when we were on strike, he told our employer
that he had repudiated our action and the company then used this as
their excuse to sack us. We have now found out that a week earlier he
had given the company an assurance that there would be no strike.
"We want to know why this happened. Were we set up? What links, if
any, existed between our official and our employer, ICTS? We have
been asking these question for nearly two years and have not been
given answers. That is why we need an inquiry.
We want Joe McCusker to sign an affidavit clarifying that he told us
that our strike was both legal and official. To date all the promises
that he would do so have been broken. We want to know why.
"Going on hunger strike might seem to many a desperate step to take
in order to get the union to take the very simple step of setting up
an inquiry. But we have been driven to this, we have been slandered,
vilified and threatened to the point that we feel our lives have been
ruined, and we want to get to the truth in order to clear our names.
The real question is why it takes such drastic action to get the
T&GWU leadership to concede an inquiry. We are asking union members
to support our action by putting this question directly to our
General Secretary, Tony Woodley"
Madan Gupta and Gordon McNeill will begin their hunger strike on
Monday 16th February inside Transport House Belfast.
Gordon McNeill can be contacted on 07719574338
Tony Woodley's mobile no is 07976828950
He may also be contacted at Transport House in London -
Tel: 02076112500
*******
What's On?
*
Convention of the Left - Derry February 14th 2004
Invitation
Socialist Environmental Alliance
Convention of the Left
Saturday February 14th
11-4pm
Verbal Arts Centre, Derry
We are writing to invite you to a Convention of the Left to be held
in Derry on February 14th 2004. The purpose is to discuss a united
Left slate in the June 2004 European election. The SEA sees it as an
imperative that there should be a left alternative in the field in
June. If no one else is willing to come along with us we are minded
to go forward on our own. In that circumstance, Eamonn McCann is
willing to stand. However, we realise that a broad alliance covering
the North would be hugely preferable. We are very open to argument
from others as to how best we can jointly achieve this.
We envisage an electoral alliance of different parties, campaigning
groups and individuals offering voters a radical, anti-sectarian
alternative to parties based on one or other of "the two
communities." The results of the SEA interventions in Foyle and East
Londonderry by Eamonn McCann and Marion Baur make plain that a
credible, united left campaign can attract a level of support, which
cannot be derided or ignored. Without such an intervention, the
European election, for practical purposes, will amount to yet another
referendum" to determine who will champion each community vis-a-vis
the other. It will take a united, broadly based campaign to make a
Left intervention credible.
The issues bringing together socialists, environmentalists, defenders
of the public sector, anti-racists, women's rights campaigners and
anti-war groups in other countries affect us here too. Millions of
Europeans rallied to these issues in 2003, particularly in anti-war
demonstrations on February 15th. Our Convention marks the first
anniversary of those huge protests - which saw one of the biggest
ever marches in Belfast that did not reflect sectarian divisions.
We must break out of the circular argument, which holds that Northern
Ireland is so polarised along communal lines that there's no point
trying seriously to challenge its communal politics. A June campaign
would offer a chance to link day-to-day local concerns to major
issues being fought out at European level. Issues of water charges
and environmental protection cannot be understood other than in a
European perspective. The rise in racism on our streets is connected
to the "Fortress Europe" project. Local civil rights issues now arise
in parallel with the crackdown across Europe associated with the "war
on terror." Privatisation schemes in our schools and hospitals are
entangled with European directives on freeing market forces.
It is only in the context of the fight for a social Europe and
against a neo-liberal Europe that we can pursue these issues in
Northern Ireland. The notion that a better Northern Ireland and a
better Ireland is possible is an element in the broader notion that
another Europe is possible. As to when and by whom a serious
political effort is to be made to bring this about---if not now,
when? If not us, who?
The Convention will be held at the Verbal Arts Centre, located on the
City Walls at Bishop Street, Derry. A crèche will be provided. A
more detailed Agenda will be issued shortly.
Marion Baur and Eamonn McCann
(SEA candidates in the Assembly Elections)
http://www.seaderry.co.uk/
*
TALKING AND TAKING PART
This course, hosted by Women into Politics (WiP), is responding to an
identified need and an interest expressed for women to meet, learn
and work with and from each other - beyond Northern Irish/Irish
borders. The programme is aiming for a 50/50 participation of women
from minority ethnic communities and the majority communities. It
will provide the opportunity for every participant to learn about
different cultures and to engage in discussion with women from a wide
range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. No earlier training
required. However, openness and an interest in each other's
culture and experience are necessary. The facilitators for the
programme are Felice Kiel from the Northern Ireland Council for
Ethnic Minorities and Catherine McCartney from Women into Politics.
The course will start on Monday, 23 February 2004, from 10.00am to
12.30pm and will run for ten consecutive mornings at WiP's premises,
109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast.
WiP will subsidise travel expenses and will provide childcare if
needed. The deadline for registration is 13 February 2004 and places
will be confirmed on 16 February 2004.
If you require any further information, please ring Catherine on tel:
028 9024 3363, mobile: 0774 311 8502 or email:
admin@womenintopolitics.org.
*
Thursday February 19th Public Meetings
Dr Stephen Cleghorn: US Military Families Against the War Speak
Out
1.30pm: Peter Froggatt Centre, Queens University
7.30pm: Unemployed Resource Centre (next to John Hewitt bar –
Donegal Street, Belfast)
*
THE IRISH ASSOCIATION
FOR CULTURAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RELATIONS
President: Mr. Paul McErlean; Vice-President: Dr. Jean Whyte
SPRING SEMINAR
Policing the island: challenges, issues and co-operation.
Speakers
Hugh Orde, Chief Constable, P.S.N.I.,
Noel Conroy, Commissioner, of An Garda Siochana
Chairman - Paul McErlean, President Irish Association
Saturday 21 February, 2004, 10.30 -12.30
Holiday Express Inn, University Street, Belfast
All Welcome
Members - £2.00, Non-Members - £4.00
http://www.irish-association.org/
*
Friday March 12th
Protest Against Anti-War Activists Arrests
4pm City Courthouse
Public Meeting: The War, Occupation and Resistance
7.30pm Grosvenor House (Glengall St. next to Europa Hotel) Special
Guest speaker Ex-Labour MP (now RESPECT coalition) George Galloway
Panel includes Eamonn McCann - Journalist - Carmel Gates -
President NIPSA - Jamal Iweida - Belfast Islamic Centre - Anti-Racism
Network speaker to be requested
*
Charlie Donnelly Winter School
The Second Annual Charlie Donnelly Winter School will explore the
legacy of Charlie Donnelly, Dungannon's soldier poet, whose
phrase 'even the olives are bleeding' remains one of the most
powerful evocations of the Spanish Civil War.
The school encompasses conflict and conflict resolution within the
fields of art and literature and will include discussions, political
panel debate and poetry workshop. The school features readings from
the works of Charlie Donnelly.
The Return of the Earls is the vision for the next four-year term of
the Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council. Within this theme the
Council will incorporate the overarching principle of reconciliation
across a wide diversity of interests.
For more information or to book a place, contact Emma Cox, Marketing
and Events Officer, on tel: 028 8772 0342, email:
emma.cox@dungannon.gov.uk, web: http://www.returnoftheearls.com/
Please reserve your place(s) before 20 February 2004.
*
Saturday March 20th
International Day of Action Against the Occupation of Iraq and
Palestine Rally
2pm Arts College, Belfast
For more information 07742 531 617 - 07748571269
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
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Fighting Fund/Donations
To: The Starry Plough
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http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html (Pairtí Poblachtach Sóisialach na
h-Éireann)
http://www.wageslave.org/jcs/ (James Connolly Society)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/ (James Connolly Archive)
The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
*******
A new 2004 full colour glossy calendar is available now on the RSM
online shop.
It celebrates the brilliant work undertaken by the Teach Na Failte
Memorial Committees this past year throughout the six counties with
full colour photographs on each page.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year this calendar can be
viewed online by clicking the link below
http://www.cafeshops.com/rsmshop.8844526
Republican Socialist Online Merchandise - New Website
A new website that offers a central place to go on the Internet to
find good quality items with a distinct Republican Socialist theme.
Proceeds from sales from this effort go towards the IRSM and it's
various projects.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishshop/
Friday 6 February 2004
The Plough Vol 01 No 25
The Plough #25
6 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. UVF Leader Removed Over Racism
2. Workers on Strike
3. IRSP Anti-Racist Meeting
4. What's On?
*******
UVF Leader Removed Over Racism
The paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force has "stood down" a leader in
South Belfast. The move follows a recent spate of racial attacks in
the area where Chinese and Pakistani families, including pregnant
women, have been forced to leave their homes. Last week, David Ervine
of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the UVF, said a
small number of that organisation's members might have been involved
in the racial attacks. Senior paramilitary figures linked to both the
UVF and the Ulster Defence Association have said the ethnic
communities in South Belfast are not under any threat from them.
However, one source said community issues, including housing, had to
be addressed. This is of course a reference to the fact that the UVF
won't allow any more Chinese families to move into Donegall Pass.
Police statistics show 226 reported incidents of racism in the six
counties in the 12 months up to March 2003. These include graffiti,
verbal abuse and attacks. But 212 incidents took place in just nine
months between April and December last year. Only three people had
been arrested over racial incidents with one person charged.
The sight of the leaders of the UDA and of the UVF turning up at an
anti-racist rally recently in Belfast was enough to turn many sick.
These are the same individuals who give cover and succour to the
murder gangs who petrol bombed Catholic homes, drove large number of
Catholics from mixed areas, and engaged in a sustained murder
campaign against Catholics in an effort to destroy republicanism.
*******
Workers on Strike
Civil servants in the North have been involved in a pay dispute for
almost a year. For the last two months they have, through their union
NIPSA, been involved in industrial action. NIPSA is the largest union
in the North, and represents more low-paid workers in the 6 counties
than all other unions put together. Today, (Fri 6th Feb) there was a
massive response to the strike call following on Thursday spontaneous
walkouts following threats of sanctions by the management side.
The basis of the present dispute is that all previous agreements with
management, which include a yearly increment (the basis of all future
pensions), have been unilaterally abandoned, equal pay issues for
lower grades (who are predominantly women) have been ignored, and the
net rise for all employees (after inflation) amounts to 0%.
Inevitably even the reformist-bureaucratic leadership of NIPSA
refused such an offer. As a result it has been imposed by management.
In this, civil service management have made a massive tactical
mistake, in that they have awoken a sleeping giant.
The following is a quote from a NIPSA member at a mass meeting: "The
fact is evident for all to see that this is nothing in terms of an
actual pay rise and; when compared to all other public servants who
got their pay step plus at least a 3% rise in rates of pay, it shows
how badly treated the 20,000+ civil servants involved actually are.
Worse still, this treatment is on the back of the fact that the
Senior Civil Service awarded themselves an ample pay rise of up to 9%
inclusive of bonuses of £3,000 and £6,000 in their June
salaries. Yet they didn't bother getting round the table for formal
talks on our pay until 12th August.
"This is a legally balloted industrial action, yet today we have had
a circular from management threatening staff with Temporary Relief
from Duty (TRD) without pay (i.e. suspension) if they go along with
these actions.
"They are further attempting to mislead and intimidate staff by
insinuating that the actions called by NIPSA are unlawful. This
action is now being stepped up via selective strike action in certain
areas including Strabane SSO and the Industrial Tribunals Office,
along with further rallies of support and an all out strike on 6th
February. We shall not take this lying down!"
The full-time Belfast NIPSA activist Brian Crawford summarised the
dispute as follows: "The bottom line is that these people on very
ample wages need to be reminded that they get those monies on the
back of the work WE DO. In some cases they have awarded themselves a
yearly pay rise inclusive of bonuses that is MORE THAN THE TAKE HOME
PAY OF 30% OF WORKERS IN THE NORTH!!"
NIPSA activists seek the support of all the working class, and their
political representatives, in the north and throughout Ireland. This
battle is our version of the 1980's UK miner's strike. If we, as a
class, lose this, there may be little way back!
(Colin Craig)
(Next week we will carry amore detailed account of this industrial
dispute.)
*******
IRSP Anti-Racist Meeting
The IRSP held a very successful meeting on racism in West Belfast
last Tuesday where over 30 people heard a very interesting discussion
on racism in Ireland. Unfortunately the invited speaker, Davy Carlin
from the Anti-Racist Network, carried off sick (we were delighted to
see that Davy had recovered sufficiently to attend the ARN meeting on
Wednesday).
In Davy's absence a member of the IRSP Ard-Chomhairle led the
discussion. He pointed out the links between sectarianism and racism
and traced anti-Irish racism back to the 12th century. He drew out
the racism behind the attitude of the British ruling class during the
Great Famine and explained how one of the driving forces behind the
Ulster Unionist case against Home rule was racism and how some
unionists regarded the "Irish" as inferior beings to the white Anglo-
Saxons.
The notion that republicans and nationalists could be smug about
racist attacks in loyalist areas was strongly knocked on the head.
All of us could be liable to racist attitudes and republican
socialists needed to start challenging sexism, anti-gay prejudice and
racism in their daily lives. We had to live our personal lives by
practising our beliefs and challenging prejudice wherever we find it.
But we also needed to engage in mass political action against racism
and so we should be standing shoulder to shoulder with all those
under attack from the low-life reactionary storm troopers.
*******
Republican Socialist Prisoners of War
Castlerea Prison
----------------
Declan Duffy [9 years-20 August 1973-Armagh/Dublin-April 2008]
Dessie O'Hare [Life-N/A-South Armagh-No Fixed Date]
Number 2, The Grove
Castlerea Prison
Harristown
Castlrea, Co. Roscommon
Ireland
Portlaoise Prison
-----------------
Gerry Burns [5 years-7 October 1962-Dublin-May 2005]
Cathal Gartland [4 years-N/A-Dundalk-May 2007]
Kevin McLaughlin [4 years-13 November 1965-Belfast-August 2004]
Portlaoise Prison
Dublin Road
Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Ireland
Letters, cards, birthday greetings, and so forth are welcome.
http://www.irsm.org/irspows/
*******
What's On?
*
Public Meeting
Murder in Colombia
Blood on the hands of Coca-Cola
Why we should support the boycott
Room 2.03
Peter Froggatt Centre
Queen's University Belfast
7.30pm
Tuesday 10th February 2004
The Socialist Forum is hosting a meeting on the role of Coca-Cola in
the murder of trade unionists in its Colombian bottling plants and
the world-wide boycott campaign that has been launched in response.
The speaker will be Gearoid Ó Loingsigh of the Latin America
Solidarity Campaign (LASC) in Dublin, who was active on the campaign
to have Coke products banned at UCD. It is hoped that the meeting
will be the launch of a similar campaign at Queen's.
*
Reminder: Dublin Grassroots EU Public Meeting
Meeting to prepare for the Grassroots Mobilisation for Mayday's EU
knees-up
2 pm Saturday February 7th, Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin
1. Public Meeting Open to all.
This meeting is an initial organising meeting for a grassroots day of
action on May 1st, traditionally workers' day, when the EU leaders
all come to Dublin to celebrate the accession of the 10 new member
countries. We also intend to have a celebration!
There is now a WSM page on the EU and the summit at
http://struggle.ws/wsm/eu.html
*
Convention of the Left - Derry February 14th 2004
Invitation
Socialist Environmental Alliance
Convention of the Left
Saturday February 14th
11-4pm
Verbal Arts Centre, Derry
We are writing to invite you to a Convention of the Left to be held
in Derry on February 14th 2004. The purpose is to discuss a united
Left slate in the June 2004 European election. The SEA sees it as an
imperative that there should be a left alternative in the field in
June. If no one else is willing to come along with us we are minded
to go forward on our own. In that circumstance, Eamonn McCann is
willing to stand. However, we realise that a broad alliance covering
the North would be hugely preferable. We are very open to argument
from others as to how best we can jointly achieve this.
We envisage an electoral alliance of different parties, campaigning
groups and individuals offering voters a radical, anti-sectarian
alternative to parties based on one or other of "the two
communities." The results of the SEA interventions in Foyle and East
Londonderry by Eamonn McCann and Marion Baur make plain that a
credible, united left campaign can attract a level of support, which
cannot be derided or ignored. Without such an intervention, the
European election, for practical purposes, will amount to yet another
referendum" to determine who will champion each community vis-a-vis
the other. It will take a united, broadly based campaign to make a
Left intervention credible.
The issues bringing together socialists, environmentalists, defenders
of the public sector, anti-racists, women's rights campaigners and
anti-war groups in other countries affect us here too. Millions of
Europeans rallied to these issues in 2003, particularly in anti-war
demonstrations on February 15th. Our Convention marks the first
anniversary of those huge protests - which saw one of the biggest
ever marches in Belfast that did not reflect sectarian divisions.
We must break out of the circular argument, which holds that Northern
Ireland is so polarised along communal lines that there's no point
trying seriously to challenge its communal politics. A June campaign
would offer a chance to link day-to-day local concerns to major
issues being fought out at European level. Issues of water charges
and environmental protection cannot be understood other than in a
European perspective. The rise in racism on our streets is connected
to the "Fortress Europe" project. Local civil rights issues now arise
in parallel with the crackdown across Europe associated with the "war
on terror." Privatisation schemes in our schools and hospitals are
entangled with European directives on freeing market forces.
It is only in the context of the fight for a social Europe and
against a neo-liberal Europe that we can pursue these issues in
Northern Ireland. The notion that a better Northern Ireland and a
better Ireland is possible is an element in the broader notion that
another Europe is possible. As to when and by whom a serious
political effort is to be made to bring this about---if not now,
when? If not us, who?
The Convention will be held at the Verbal Arts Centre, located on the
City Walls at Bishop Street, Derry. A crèche will be provided. A
more detailed Agenda will be issued shortly.
Marion Baur and Eamonn McCann
(SEA candidates in the Assembly Elections)
http://www.seaderry.co.uk/
*
From: Irish Anti War Movement
Subject: Families of US Soldiers speak in Ireland against Iraq
occupation and use of Shannon airport
Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2004 15:00:31 +0000
Families of US Soldiers speak in Ireland against Iraq occupation and
use of Shannon airport
A representative of Military Families Speak Out will be speaking in
Ireland in February.
Stephen Cleghorn is the stepfather of a serving US soldier who is
currently deployed in Iraq. He is a Vietnam veteran himself and was
court martialled for objecting to that war. He is presently the
deputy executive director of the Community Partnership for the
Prevention of Homelessness in Washington. Military Families Speak Out
is an organisation of about 1,000 families and loved ones of US
soldiers.
Their mission statement states "as people with family members and
loved ones in the military, we have both a special need and a unique
role to play in speaking out against war in Iraq. It is our loved
ones who are, or have been, or will be on the battlefront. It is our
loved ones who are risking injury and death. It is our loved ones who
are returning scarred from their experiences. It is our loved ones
who will have to live with the injuries and deaths among innocent
Iraqi civilians."
Stephen Cleghorn will be highlighting the use of Shannon airport to
transport US troops to the war zone. Last year, 125,000 US troops
flew through Shannon making it a major hub in the transport of US
troops to Iraq.
The details of the tour is as follows:
Sunday 15th February: Drogheda: Connolly Hall, 8pm
Monday 16th February: UCD Arts Block, 1pm; Waterford Connolly Hall,
8pm
Tuesday 17th February: Cork venue to be confirmed, 8pm
Wednesday 18th February: Trinity College, 1pm; Maynooth College, 5
pm; Liberty Hall, 7.30 pm
Thursday 19th February: Queens University Peter Froggatt Centre, 1pm;
Belfast Unemployment Resource Centre, 8pm
Friday 20th February: Magee University, 1pm; Derry venue to be
confirmed
Saturday 21st February: Galway venue to be confirmed
*
AFGHANISTAN: CHRONOTOPIA
CHRONOTOPIA is a photographic exhibition documenting Simon Norfolk's
personal vision of the war-ravaged landscape of Afghanistan.
The exhibition opened on 24 January 2004 and will end on 27 February
2004 at Belfast Exposed, The Exchange Place, 23 Donegall Street,
Belfast. Admission is free.
Gallery opening times are: Mon-Fri 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sat 11.00
am to 5.00 pm. For more information, contact Belfast Exposed on tel:
028 9023 0965 or website: http://www.belfastexposed.com/
*
Grassroots Gathering - an alternative gathering of libertarian
socialists, anarchists and activists of the direct action persuasion
will take place in Cork at the beginning of March. Further details
on agenda/venue soon.....
*
Convention of the trade union left. Speakers include Billy Hayes,
Mark Serwotka, Bob Crow, Paul Mackney and Geoff Martin. Saturday 7th
Feb, 121 Merrow Street. Email tu_convention@yahoo.co.uk for more
information.
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
If you know of anybody who might wish to receive the Plough please
send his or her e-mail address to johnmartinps@eircom.net
If you wish to receive back copies of the "The Plough" Please e-mail
to johnmartinps@eircom.net stating which numbers you wish.
To unsubscribe to the Plough please send e-mail
entitled "unsubscribe" to johnmartinps@eircom.net
It is the policy of the Plough to acknowledge information and
articles from other sources.
Subscribe to the bi-monthly
"The Starry Plough/An Camchéachta"
P.O. Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX, Ireland.
THE VOICE OF REPUBLICAN SOCIALISM!
Email: starry_plough@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.irsm.org/irsp/starryplough/
Fighting Fund/Donations
To: The Starry Plough
First Trust Bank, Derry, BT48 6BU
Account No. 14986015 Sort Code No. 93-86-10
http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html (Pairtí Poblachtach Sóisialach na
h-Éireann)
http://www.wageslave.org/jcs/ (James Connolly Society)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/ (James Connolly Archive)
The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
*******
A new 2004 full colour glossy calendar is available now on the RSM
online shop.
It celebrates the brilliant work undertaken by the Teach Na Failte
Memorial Committees this past year throughout the six counties with
full colour photographs on each page.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year this calendar can be
viewed online by clicking the link below
http://www.cafeshops.com/rsmshop.8844526
Republican Socialist Online Merchandise - New Website
A new website that offers a central place to go on the Internet to
find good quality items with a distinct Republican Socialist theme.
Proceeds from sales from this effort go towards the IRSM and it's
various projects.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishshop/
*******
To all Party members, associates and friends
Donations or standing orders/direct debit to the Party can be paid
into: First Trust Bank
Account Name: Irish Republican Socialist Party
Branch: Andersonstown Belfast
Account Number: 70490-21
Sort Code: 93-84-75
6 February 2004
E-Mail Newsletter of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
1. UVF Leader Removed Over Racism
2. Workers on Strike
3. IRSP Anti-Racist Meeting
4. What's On?
*******
UVF Leader Removed Over Racism
The paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force has "stood down" a leader in
South Belfast. The move follows a recent spate of racial attacks in
the area where Chinese and Pakistani families, including pregnant
women, have been forced to leave their homes. Last week, David Ervine
of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the UVF, said a
small number of that organisation's members might have been involved
in the racial attacks. Senior paramilitary figures linked to both the
UVF and the Ulster Defence Association have said the ethnic
communities in South Belfast are not under any threat from them.
However, one source said community issues, including housing, had to
be addressed. This is of course a reference to the fact that the UVF
won't allow any more Chinese families to move into Donegall Pass.
Police statistics show 226 reported incidents of racism in the six
counties in the 12 months up to March 2003. These include graffiti,
verbal abuse and attacks. But 212 incidents took place in just nine
months between April and December last year. Only three people had
been arrested over racial incidents with one person charged.
The sight of the leaders of the UDA and of the UVF turning up at an
anti-racist rally recently in Belfast was enough to turn many sick.
These are the same individuals who give cover and succour to the
murder gangs who petrol bombed Catholic homes, drove large number of
Catholics from mixed areas, and engaged in a sustained murder
campaign against Catholics in an effort to destroy republicanism.
*******
Workers on Strike
Civil servants in the North have been involved in a pay dispute for
almost a year. For the last two months they have, through their union
NIPSA, been involved in industrial action. NIPSA is the largest union
in the North, and represents more low-paid workers in the 6 counties
than all other unions put together. Today, (Fri 6th Feb) there was a
massive response to the strike call following on Thursday spontaneous
walkouts following threats of sanctions by the management side.
The basis of the present dispute is that all previous agreements with
management, which include a yearly increment (the basis of all future
pensions), have been unilaterally abandoned, equal pay issues for
lower grades (who are predominantly women) have been ignored, and the
net rise for all employees (after inflation) amounts to 0%.
Inevitably even the reformist-bureaucratic leadership of NIPSA
refused such an offer. As a result it has been imposed by management.
In this, civil service management have made a massive tactical
mistake, in that they have awoken a sleeping giant.
The following is a quote from a NIPSA member at a mass meeting: "The
fact is evident for all to see that this is nothing in terms of an
actual pay rise and; when compared to all other public servants who
got their pay step plus at least a 3% rise in rates of pay, it shows
how badly treated the 20,000+ civil servants involved actually are.
Worse still, this treatment is on the back of the fact that the
Senior Civil Service awarded themselves an ample pay rise of up to 9%
inclusive of bonuses of £3,000 and £6,000 in their June
salaries. Yet they didn't bother getting round the table for formal
talks on our pay until 12th August.
"This is a legally balloted industrial action, yet today we have had
a circular from management threatening staff with Temporary Relief
from Duty (TRD) without pay (i.e. suspension) if they go along with
these actions.
"They are further attempting to mislead and intimidate staff by
insinuating that the actions called by NIPSA are unlawful. This
action is now being stepped up via selective strike action in certain
areas including Strabane SSO and the Industrial Tribunals Office,
along with further rallies of support and an all out strike on 6th
February. We shall not take this lying down!"
The full-time Belfast NIPSA activist Brian Crawford summarised the
dispute as follows: "The bottom line is that these people on very
ample wages need to be reminded that they get those monies on the
back of the work WE DO. In some cases they have awarded themselves a
yearly pay rise inclusive of bonuses that is MORE THAN THE TAKE HOME
PAY OF 30% OF WORKERS IN THE NORTH!!"
NIPSA activists seek the support of all the working class, and their
political representatives, in the north and throughout Ireland. This
battle is our version of the 1980's UK miner's strike. If we, as a
class, lose this, there may be little way back!
(Colin Craig)
(Next week we will carry amore detailed account of this industrial
dispute.)
*******
IRSP Anti-Racist Meeting
The IRSP held a very successful meeting on racism in West Belfast
last Tuesday where over 30 people heard a very interesting discussion
on racism in Ireland. Unfortunately the invited speaker, Davy Carlin
from the Anti-Racist Network, carried off sick (we were delighted to
see that Davy had recovered sufficiently to attend the ARN meeting on
Wednesday).
In Davy's absence a member of the IRSP Ard-Chomhairle led the
discussion. He pointed out the links between sectarianism and racism
and traced anti-Irish racism back to the 12th century. He drew out
the racism behind the attitude of the British ruling class during the
Great Famine and explained how one of the driving forces behind the
Ulster Unionist case against Home rule was racism and how some
unionists regarded the "Irish" as inferior beings to the white Anglo-
Saxons.
The notion that republicans and nationalists could be smug about
racist attacks in loyalist areas was strongly knocked on the head.
All of us could be liable to racist attitudes and republican
socialists needed to start challenging sexism, anti-gay prejudice and
racism in their daily lives. We had to live our personal lives by
practising our beliefs and challenging prejudice wherever we find it.
But we also needed to engage in mass political action against racism
and so we should be standing shoulder to shoulder with all those
under attack from the low-life reactionary storm troopers.
*******
Republican Socialist Prisoners of War
Castlerea Prison
----------------
Declan Duffy [9 years-20 August 1973-Armagh/Dublin-April 2008]
Dessie O'Hare [Life-N/A-South Armagh-No Fixed Date]
Number 2, The Grove
Castlerea Prison
Harristown
Castlrea, Co. Roscommon
Ireland
Portlaoise Prison
-----------------
Gerry Burns [5 years-7 October 1962-Dublin-May 2005]
Cathal Gartland [4 years-N/A-Dundalk-May 2007]
Kevin McLaughlin [4 years-13 November 1965-Belfast-August 2004]
Portlaoise Prison
Dublin Road
Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Ireland
Letters, cards, birthday greetings, and so forth are welcome.
http://www.irsm.org/irspows/
*******
What's On?
*
Public Meeting
Murder in Colombia
Blood on the hands of Coca-Cola
Why we should support the boycott
Room 2.03
Peter Froggatt Centre
Queen's University Belfast
7.30pm
Tuesday 10th February 2004
The Socialist Forum is hosting a meeting on the role of Coca-Cola in
the murder of trade unionists in its Colombian bottling plants and
the world-wide boycott campaign that has been launched in response.
The speaker will be Gearoid Ó Loingsigh of the Latin America
Solidarity Campaign (LASC) in Dublin, who was active on the campaign
to have Coke products banned at UCD. It is hoped that the meeting
will be the launch of a similar campaign at Queen's.
*
Reminder: Dublin Grassroots EU Public Meeting
Meeting to prepare for the Grassroots Mobilisation for Mayday's EU
knees-up
2 pm Saturday February 7th, Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin
1. Public Meeting Open to all.
This meeting is an initial organising meeting for a grassroots day of
action on May 1st, traditionally workers' day, when the EU leaders
all come to Dublin to celebrate the accession of the 10 new member
countries. We also intend to have a celebration!
There is now a WSM page on the EU and the summit at
http://struggle.ws/wsm/eu.html
*
Convention of the Left - Derry February 14th 2004
Invitation
Socialist Environmental Alliance
Convention of the Left
Saturday February 14th
11-4pm
Verbal Arts Centre, Derry
We are writing to invite you to a Convention of the Left to be held
in Derry on February 14th 2004. The purpose is to discuss a united
Left slate in the June 2004 European election. The SEA sees it as an
imperative that there should be a left alternative in the field in
June. If no one else is willing to come along with us we are minded
to go forward on our own. In that circumstance, Eamonn McCann is
willing to stand. However, we realise that a broad alliance covering
the North would be hugely preferable. We are very open to argument
from others as to how best we can jointly achieve this.
We envisage an electoral alliance of different parties, campaigning
groups and individuals offering voters a radical, anti-sectarian
alternative to parties based on one or other of "the two
communities." The results of the SEA interventions in Foyle and East
Londonderry by Eamonn McCann and Marion Baur make plain that a
credible, united left campaign can attract a level of support, which
cannot be derided or ignored. Without such an intervention, the
European election, for practical purposes, will amount to yet another
referendum" to determine who will champion each community vis-a-vis
the other. It will take a united, broadly based campaign to make a
Left intervention credible.
The issues bringing together socialists, environmentalists, defenders
of the public sector, anti-racists, women's rights campaigners and
anti-war groups in other countries affect us here too. Millions of
Europeans rallied to these issues in 2003, particularly in anti-war
demonstrations on February 15th. Our Convention marks the first
anniversary of those huge protests - which saw one of the biggest
ever marches in Belfast that did not reflect sectarian divisions.
We must break out of the circular argument, which holds that Northern
Ireland is so polarised along communal lines that there's no point
trying seriously to challenge its communal politics. A June campaign
would offer a chance to link day-to-day local concerns to major
issues being fought out at European level. Issues of water charges
and environmental protection cannot be understood other than in a
European perspective. The rise in racism on our streets is connected
to the "Fortress Europe" project. Local civil rights issues now arise
in parallel with the crackdown across Europe associated with the "war
on terror." Privatisation schemes in our schools and hospitals are
entangled with European directives on freeing market forces.
It is only in the context of the fight for a social Europe and
against a neo-liberal Europe that we can pursue these issues in
Northern Ireland. The notion that a better Northern Ireland and a
better Ireland is possible is an element in the broader notion that
another Europe is possible. As to when and by whom a serious
political effort is to be made to bring this about---if not now,
when? If not us, who?
The Convention will be held at the Verbal Arts Centre, located on the
City Walls at Bishop Street, Derry. A crèche will be provided. A
more detailed Agenda will be issued shortly.
Marion Baur and Eamonn McCann
(SEA candidates in the Assembly Elections)
http://www.seaderry.co.uk/
*
From: Irish Anti War Movement
Subject: Families of US Soldiers speak in Ireland against Iraq
occupation and use of Shannon airport
Date: Fri, 06 Feb 2004 15:00:31 +0000
Families of US Soldiers speak in Ireland against Iraq occupation and
use of Shannon airport
A representative of Military Families Speak Out will be speaking in
Ireland in February.
Stephen Cleghorn is the stepfather of a serving US soldier who is
currently deployed in Iraq. He is a Vietnam veteran himself and was
court martialled for objecting to that war. He is presently the
deputy executive director of the Community Partnership for the
Prevention of Homelessness in Washington. Military Families Speak Out
is an organisation of about 1,000 families and loved ones of US
soldiers.
Their mission statement states "as people with family members and
loved ones in the military, we have both a special need and a unique
role to play in speaking out against war in Iraq. It is our loved
ones who are, or have been, or will be on the battlefront. It is our
loved ones who are risking injury and death. It is our loved ones who
are returning scarred from their experiences. It is our loved ones
who will have to live with the injuries and deaths among innocent
Iraqi civilians."
Stephen Cleghorn will be highlighting the use of Shannon airport to
transport US troops to the war zone. Last year, 125,000 US troops
flew through Shannon making it a major hub in the transport of US
troops to Iraq.
The details of the tour is as follows:
Sunday 15th February: Drogheda: Connolly Hall, 8pm
Monday 16th February: UCD Arts Block, 1pm; Waterford Connolly Hall,
8pm
Tuesday 17th February: Cork venue to be confirmed, 8pm
Wednesday 18th February: Trinity College, 1pm; Maynooth College, 5
pm; Liberty Hall, 7.30 pm
Thursday 19th February: Queens University Peter Froggatt Centre, 1pm;
Belfast Unemployment Resource Centre, 8pm
Friday 20th February: Magee University, 1pm; Derry venue to be
confirmed
Saturday 21st February: Galway venue to be confirmed
*
AFGHANISTAN: CHRONOTOPIA
CHRONOTOPIA is a photographic exhibition documenting Simon Norfolk's
personal vision of the war-ravaged landscape of Afghanistan.
The exhibition opened on 24 January 2004 and will end on 27 February
2004 at Belfast Exposed, The Exchange Place, 23 Donegall Street,
Belfast. Admission is free.
Gallery opening times are: Mon-Fri 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and Sat 11.00
am to 5.00 pm. For more information, contact Belfast Exposed on tel:
028 9023 0965 or website: http://www.belfastexposed.com/
*
Grassroots Gathering - an alternative gathering of libertarian
socialists, anarchists and activists of the direct action persuasion
will take place in Cork at the beginning of March. Further details
on agenda/venue soon.....
*
Convention of the trade union left. Speakers include Billy Hayes,
Mark Serwotka, Bob Crow, Paul Mackney and Geoff Martin. Saturday 7th
Feb, 121 Merrow Street. Email tu_convention@yahoo.co.uk for more
information.
*******
Please feel free to comment on the contents of the Plough. We welcome
political comments and criticisms.
If you know of anybody who might wish to receive the Plough please
send his or her e-mail address to johnmartinps@eircom.net
If you wish to receive back copies of the "The Plough" Please e-mail
to johnmartinps@eircom.net stating which numbers you wish.
To unsubscribe to the Plough please send e-mail
entitled "unsubscribe" to johnmartinps@eircom.net
It is the policy of the Plough to acknowledge information and
articles from other sources.
Subscribe to the bi-monthly
"The Starry Plough/An Camchéachta"
P.O. Box 1981, Derry, BT48 8GX, Ireland.
THE VOICE OF REPUBLICAN SOCIALISM!
Email: starry_plough@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.irsm.org/irsp/starryplough/
Fighting Fund/Donations
To: The Starry Plough
First Trust Bank, Derry, BT48 6BU
Account No. 14986015 Sort Code No. 93-86-10
http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html (Pairtí Poblachtach Sóisialach na
h-Éireann)
http://www.wageslave.org/jcs/ (James Connolly Society)
http://www.marxists.org/archive/connolly/ (James Connolly Archive)
The new Republican Socialist Forum from Derry IRSP:
http://rsmforum.proboards23.com/
*******
A new 2004 full colour glossy calendar is available now on the RSM
online shop.
It celebrates the brilliant work undertaken by the Teach Na Failte
Memorial Committees this past year throughout the six counties with
full colour photographs on each page.
Just in time for Christmas and the New Year this calendar can be
viewed online by clicking the link below
http://www.cafeshops.com/rsmshop.8844526
Republican Socialist Online Merchandise - New Website
A new website that offers a central place to go on the Internet to
find good quality items with a distinct Republican Socialist theme.
Proceeds from sales from this effort go towards the IRSM and it's
various projects.
http://www.angelfire.com/folk/irishshop/
*******
To all Party members, associates and friends
Donations or standing orders/direct debit to the Party can be paid
into: First Trust Bank
Account Name: Irish Republican Socialist Party
Branch: Andersonstown Belfast
Account Number: 70490-21
Sort Code: 93-84-75
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