Northern Ireland: Largest union backs fight against water charges
THE FOLLOWING press release from the ‘We Won’t Pay’ campaign, in
Northern Ireland, a campaign to organise mass non-payment of water
charges (taxes), which the government intends to introduce. The
Socialist Party (CWI) plays a key role in the campaign.
The WWP campaign today welcomed the decision of the NIPSA (Northern
Ireland Public Services Association) conference to back a mass campaign
of non-payment as the way to defeat water charges.
Campaign spokesperson, Jim Barbour said: "The We Won’t Pay campaign
has been getting a huge response in the communities for our clear
message that mass non-payment is the way to stop water charges.
"The fact that NIPSA, the largest trade union in Northern Ireland,
has come on board is a major boost for the non payment campaign. The New
Labour Ministers should take note of the growing support for the We
Won’t Pay campaign and bow to the wishes of the vast majority of people
in Northern Ireland by scrapping this charge."
The motion overwhelmingly passed by the NIPSA conference reads:
"Conference recognises that a mass campaign of non-payment is the only
way to defeat water charges. Conference calls on the General Council
(Union Executive) to publicly support non payment of water charges." (2
June)