Northern Ireland
Traffic wardens sacked over wildcat strike
Almost 30 traffic wardens in Belfast were sacked today after taking unofficial strike action earlier this month.
The wardens had taken the wildcat action at the start of April over pay and conditions, including their rotas and sick-pay. The wardens were initially suspended by bosses, but today were sacked. Those involved make up one-third of Belfast's traffic wardens.
Hundreds rally in support of Belfast Visteon workers
Hundreds marched to a rally at Belfast City Hall in solidarity with the workers occupying the Visteon factory in west Belfast.
On Friday, members of Organise!, the WSM, trade unions and several hundred others marched from Transport House in central Belfast, to City Hall to attend a rally in support of the sacked Visteon workers at their Finaghy plant in west Belfast.
Visteon workers reject "insulting" offer
Sacked workers of car parts firm Visteon taking part in pickets and occupations against job cuts have rejected an "insulting" cash offer from bosses.
The workers have vowed to fight on until they get their contractual entitlements. Supporters are urged to donate to help the ex-employees continue their struggle, visit the occupied Belfast plant and assist with picketing the Enfield plant, which had its blockades strengthened following the announcement.
Report from the Belfast Visteon occupation
Interesting article with background information about the occupation of the West Belfast Ford Visteon plant, and how Ford ran it down.
Post-Fordism in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast: Hundreds rally in support of Visteon workers occupation
A report and audio recordings of the rally of hundreds of supporters of the Ford Visteon workers occupying their plant against their redundancies with no pay.
Over 200 people marched today from Andersonstown to the factory in Finachy for a rally, which was addressed by Unite Shop Stewards Charlie Maxwell and John Maxwell, including representatives from the SDLP and Sinn Fein.
Visteon support leaflet for Ford workers
Leaflet aimed at Ford workers asking them to support the workplace occupations by Visteon workers, and to black Visteon products.
Visteon workers’ occupation needs your solidarity to win
FORD Visteon car parts workers in Enfield, North London, have occupied our factory since Wednesday 1 April. The Belfast site is also in occupation.
Visteon occupations: Which way now?
A leaflet produced by supporters of the occupation aimed at the Visteon workers, suggesting possible ways to advance the struggle.
Which way now?
Some ideas from some supporters…
The main leverage and bargaining power is the occupation of the plant.
Visteon factory worker occupations mini documentary
Hundreds of workers occupied to Visteon car manufacturing factories in Britain after the management closed them down, laying off the entire workforce with no notice, violating their contracts.
Audio interview with Visteon occupier
Audio interview with Unite convenor at the occupied Visteon plant in Belfast, John McGuire.
Download the audio interview here: http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/apr2009/workers_occupation.mp3
Car factory occupations spread across the UK
Sacked workers from the car parts firm Visteon have been occupying three factories across the UK since Wednesday.
The action began with an overnight sit-in at the Visteon plant in Belfast and employees are continuing their protest at the factory. More than 100 workers have staged a sit-in, the Unite trade union has said. Earlier, it was announced that 565 staff would go at Visteon car components plants across the UK.
