Ireland

“For the young anarchists of the 30s, of whom I was one, and right until the 50s, Mat was our link with the traditional working class Anarchism of the past and our mentor as no other” - Albert Meltzer

29 part-time school bus drivers took part in the action, protesting increasing 'flexibility' in working practices. 2,000 children in Askeaton, Doon, Hospital, Kilfinnan, Newport and Pallaskenry were affected today as part-time school bus drivers carried out a strike at the Limerick bus depot for the second week running. The action also impacted on services in Tipperary and south Galway.

The meeting took place on Thursday 3rd of April 2008 in the Ulster Peoples College in Belfast and was addressed by Donnacha DeLong (NUJ National Executive Council New Media Rep) Jason Brannigan (Organise!) and Chekov Feeney (WSM).

“Freedom without socialism is privilege and injustice
Socialism without freedom is slavery and brutality”
Mikhail Bakunin

Socialism can be many, very different, things. For anarchists it must be libertarian, indeed class struggle anarchists often interchangeably describe themselves as libertarian socialists or libertarian communists.

Organise!

Organise! is a working class organisation. We seek to secure for all workers a full and equal share of the wealth and social benefits created by the combined labour of our class. We aim for the abolition of all hierarchy, and work for the creation of a world–wide classless society: libertarian communism.

Against Capitalism, Exploitation and Oppression

Twenty-five workers at the Bus Eirann bus company awaiting the implementation of a new pay deal took part in the stoppage as part of an ongoing dispute. The union, SIPTU, did not support the action, however, as it is still in negotiations at the Labour Relations Commission and urged the striking workers to go back to work.

Air traffic controllers in Ireland have voted for 24-hour strikes this Thursday after several weeks of unofficial overtime ban. The strike, organised by the Balpa union, is likely to ground flights at all three airports.

Workers have maintained an unofficial overtime ban this week, resulting in dozens of cancelled flights at Shannon airport this week which has now developed into a strike vote by the trade union IMPACT. It is unclear whether the vote will result in the overtime ban becoming official, or whether the union will call strike days - any official action will require two weeks notice.

The strike follows an unofficial overtime ban at Dublin airport last month. Ryanair claimed that flights from Dublin would also be affected by the strike.

Lionbridge specializes in translations and adapting products to local markets (so called “globalization services”). Lionbridge is one of many US-based companies which move jobs from the US to countries with lower wages and working standards.

Air traffic controllers said that no new employees have been hired since the 9-11 attacks over six years ago. Around a hundred workers work on a 24-hour roster.

Interview with Mandate shop steward

Part two of interview

The Irish Examiner reported that union SIPTU's 1,800 ground staff will be carrying out four-hour rolling stoppages in Cork, Dublin and Shannon on the two days. Last night, the severity of the action looked likely to intensify as company sources said the airline would suspend workers who took part.

Employees of the catering company Masterchef Munster are expected to mount a picket at 8am outside Cork County Hall today (November 5th) in protest over pay and non-recognition of their union by the company.

There are, at a very conservative estimate, currently thirty local campaigns against unwanted hazardous developments in Ireland.

This campaign against the plan to build an unprecedented high-pressure raw gas pipeline and refinery in Northwest Mayo is in its sixth year, but last spring took a turn towards popular protest and direct action and has shut down construction work.

During the years 1788-1868, 2,249 political prisoners were transported from Ireland to exile in Australia. Of that number, less than 20% belonged to the well commemorated nationalist rebellions and conspiracies of 1798, 1803, 1848 and 1867.1
Who were the rest?

Aer Lingus is planning to open a new hub at Belfast airport, which would involve some flights to and from London being diverted from Shannon. Aer Lingus is planning to use this as an opportunity to cut pay and conditions as it employs new staff at Belfast on lower pay and conditions than existing staff.

Introduction

On 21st January, 1919, Dail Eireann held its opening session and the Irish Volunteers drew their first mortal blood since 1916 at Soloheadbeg, Co. Tipperary. These facts have set the seal for subsequent historians of the first months of the year.