Support The Dessian Strikers

Northern Ireland:

Support The Dessian Strikers

AS WE reported in last week’s socialist, workers at the Dessian Products
PVC windows factory in Belfast have been on strike since 19 May. The strike
began over the sacking of Paddy McCloskey, one of the two TGWU shop stewards
in the plant.

Paddy was sacked for "refusing to carry out duties". In fact he was doing
three jobs at the time!

The real reason was to deal a blow at the union by victimising a shop
steward. It is no coincidence that the sacking took place just as pay
negotiations were opening.

This is a rerun of what happened two years ago when the management sacked a
shop steward in order to try and intimidate workers from joining or supporting
the union.

They got away with it then but this time the workforce has decided to make
a stand.

Last week the company declared 20 of the strikers and some other workers
redundant. They claim that some of those workers actually owe the company
money for holidays already taken!

On 24 June, the shop stewards went to the TGWU conference in Dublin, where
a resolution in their support was passed unanimously.

They spoke to TGWU general secretary Tony Woodley directly and are waiting
for the results of talks he was to have with Dessian management.

Please send messages of support and donations to Stephen Magee, 31 Ava
Crescent, Belfast BT7 3DU. Cheques should be made payable to the "Dessian
Fund".