Thomas Cook Protest

**Speedy** · 2nd-August-2009, 10:42

Interested to hear peoples views on this one. Seems they are in breach of a High Court Order, so should their Union be supporting them if their actions are illegal?

This is from the Irish Times
 Thomas Cook protest continues despite order Thomas Cook staff in Dublin are today continuing a protest in company offices over terms of a redundancy package despite being served with a High Court order yesterday that they leave the premises. More than 40 workers, including two pregnant women, have occupied the company's outlet in Grafton Street, Dublin, since Friday after management announced the immediate closure of the company’s two offices in the city at midday yesterday. The workforce is seeking an improved redundancy package. In a statement today, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) said the company was granted a temporary injunction yesterday that "left the protesters unmoved". "The full hearing tomorrow morning [at the High Court] will take place shortly after a demonstration of solidarity by Irish TDs and trade union leaders is held outside the Grafton Street store," the statement added. Gerry Doherty, general secretary of the TSSA, said he had been summoned to court tomorrow morning but added: "“Members are still inside, the mood is euphoric, we are fighting this . . . the support we are getting from the court of public opinion is huge. “The High Court will only rule on the legality of our actions,” he said. “We know we have already won the moral argument against a rich German-owned company which is treating its Irish staff like second class citizens.” Yesterday, the protest today had spread to a second store in Dublin’s Talbot Street. Mr Doherty added: “No strike breakers will be allowed into the shops while the sit-in continues. We are not moving until Thomas Cook agrees to sit down with us and reach a proper agreement. "We are not going to be bullied and threatened by a company which is deserting Ireland after 125 years.” He said that unless agreement was reached by Tuesday, he would ask the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to organise a boycott of Thomas Cook holidays by its 800,000 members. Caroline Cullen (30), a worker with Thomas Cook for eight years, said the protesters were not being put off by the court order. “Thomas Cook can come and talk anytime and we don’t need to go ahead with this,” she said. Ms Cullen, who has spent the past two nights in the Grafton Street store, said passers-by had provided them with food in support of their cause. <span style="font-sty

**davidos** · 2nd-August-2009, 11:59

If it was your job going, would the court's judgement influence your
decision?

**Speedy** · 2nd-August-2009, 12:28

Originally Posted by davidos

If it was your job going, would the court's judgement influence your

decision?

Probably not, but should the Union be supporting their actions if the actions are essentially illegal?

**davidos** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:20

Originally Posted by Speedy

Originally Posted by davidos

If it was your job going, would the court's judgement
influence your
decision?

Probably not, but should the Union be supporting
their actions if the actions are essentially illegal?

Should a union that accepted subs from these workers for god how
many years turn their back on them. Illegal activity by the union would
be to picket other businesses.

**No.11** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:23

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."

We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

**nuke** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:27

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."

We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

load of socialist drivel

**kermit** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:32

How many of the employees would be represented by this union anyway, given its name? Transport <SONG>Salaried</SONG> Staffs’ Association ?

**Blindsider.** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:32

I'm delighted that someone is making a stand about this sort of thing. The little people have suffered, and will for a long time to come because 'someone else knows better and you should do as you're told!'

Well, look where that got us.

Fair play to the employees for standing up for themselves - no-one else will!

The High Court might be theoretically correct in what they are saying - but morally it is contemptible!

It's obvious that the Judges' jobs are not on the line - nor their €200K salary and uber-generous pension!

By the way - any news on your voluntary pay cut, your Honour?

[img]smileys/mad.gif[/img][img]smileys/mad.gif[/img][img]smileys/mad.gif[/img]

If I was in Dublin, I'd be down there supporting them!

If you don't agree with me - what would YOU do if you went into work on Tuesday to find yourself in their position?

**bruffian** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:32

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

<SONG>As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."
</SONG>
We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

Eh...is this saying what i think its saying??

Namely that members of the Irish political system are telling people to forcibly oppose the Gardai?? People who actually represent the state??

**John123** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:33

Nuke, I'd agree with you in the way it's written but it's worrying that Thomas Cook just feel they can drop staff whenever they feel like it despite huge profit projections. I have no problem with companies letting staff go where needed but if those figures are correct this is just wrong!

**The Crimson King** · 2nd-August-2009, 13:56

Here are the important facts as I see them:

Thomas Cook Ireland is still operating at
a profit. Thomas Cook announced record profits just six months ago and
predict profits this year of over €4 million.

Manny
Fontenla-Novoa, CEO of Thomas Cook, recently received a 34% pay rise
and a 7 million Euro bonus. This was his reward for boosting profits by
making over 2,000 low paid workers redundant across the UK. Now he
wants to do the same to his loyal Irish staff.

I will be out supporting them tomorrow outside the Grafton Street store (Monday 3rd August, 10.30am) and will do so regardless of what politician/scum-sucker/hanger-on wishes to attach their name to the campaign.

We have accepted powerlessness as employees for far too long.

**Old Dog** · 2nd-August-2009, 14:45

Originally Posted by The Crimson King

Here are the important facts as I see them:

Thomas Cook Ireland is still operating at a profit. Thomas Cook announced record profits just six months ago and predict profits this year of over €4 million.

We have accepted powerlessness as employees for far too long.

Life is indeed cruel nasty brutish and short, Ms. Scarlet King - italways was, is and italways will be.

But answerme this: in 2009, do people still use high street travel agents to book their trips / holidays abroad or do they prefer to conduct such transactionsby phone or online?

I ask, because thisline from Speedy's quote caught my eye: Thomas Cook insisted [that] it would maintain its Irish business at its back office and call centre operation in Parkwest, Dublin, with 70 positions being retained.

Closing down a profitable retail operation seems foolhardy andI'd be interested in learning what proportion ofThos Cook's€4m profits was generated in the back office/call centre operation and what proportionin the retail operation.

**No.11** · 2nd-August-2009, 20:56

http://savevestas.wordpress.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxg47BBSY2A
<h2>Support for Vestas occupation from Thomas Cookoccupation</h2>

Received this evening:

This is a message of solidarity from the Thomas Cook workers in
Dublin who are occupying their shop after the company’s announcement to
close them down. 77 young men and women have locked themselves in for
the third day and have resisted a court order and nasty bailiff visits.

We are with you!! We will be giving you a ring this evening on loudspeaker when we have our end of day meeting!

Keep it up! We will win!

**Balla Boy** · 2nd-August-2009, 21:28

Originally Posted by bruffian

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

<SONG>As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."
</SONG>
We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

Eh...is this saying what i think its saying??

Namely that members of the Irish political system are telling people to forcibly oppose the Gardai?? People who actually represent the state??

Why would elected representatives not be allowed to support non violent direct action?

It's not a police state.

**Speedy** · 2nd-August-2009, 21:41

Originally Posted by Balla Boy

Originally Posted by bruffian

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

<sOng>As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."
</sOng>
We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

Eh...is this saying what i think its saying??

Namely that members of the Irish political system are telling people to forcibly oppose the Gardai?? People who actually represent the state??

Why would elected representatives not be allowed to support non violent direct action?

It's not a police state.

Because this non violent direct action is in breach of a Court Order. Essentially Higgins is telling people to obstruct Gardai when they try to enforce a Court Order. I don't think that's on.

**bruffian** · 2nd-August-2009, 22:08

Originally Posted by Speedy

Originally Posted by Balla Boy

Originally Posted by bruffian

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

<SONG>As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."
</SONG>
We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

Eh...is this saying what i think its saying??

Namely that members of the Irish political system are telling people to forcibly oppose the Gardai?? People who actually represent the state??

Why would elected representatives not be allowed to support non violent direct action?

It's not a police state.

Because this non violent direct action is in breach of a Court Order. Essentially Higgins is telling people to obstruct Gardai when they try to enforce a Court Order. I don't think that's on.

Also when they're saying things like " defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out", non-violence doesnt neccessarily spring to mind.

**The Crimson King** · 3rd-August-2009, 06:50

Originally Posted by Old Dog

Life is indeed cruel nasty brutish and short, Ms. Scarlet King - italways was, is and italways will be.

But answerme this: in 2009, do people still use high street travel agents to book their trips / holidays abroad or do they prefer to conduct such transactionsby phone or online?

I ask, because thisline from Speedy's quote caught my eye: Thomas Cook insisted [that] it would maintain its Irish business at its back office and call centre operation in Parkwest, Dublin, with 70 positions being retained. 

Closing down a profitable retail operation seems foolhardy andI'd be interested in learning what proportion ofThos Cook's€4m profits was generated in the back office/call centre operation and what proportionin the retail operation.

Lord High Dog, how brilliant to see you!!! [img]smileys/smiley31.gif[/img] Hope you're enjoying the cricket, it's as impenetrable as ever to me.

You raise an absolutely fair question from a business point of view, and I'd be very interested to hear that myself - there's no question but that with the travel market having gone largely online, from a cost perspective (I spent long enough as a corporate shill myself [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]) there are likely very good reasons to shut high street branches, particularly somewhere like Grafton St. where e.g. rent overheads are obscene.

My objection is more to do with the obscenity of awarding this schmoe a giant bonus while turfing dedicated employees out in such a shoddy manner, if it takes protesting to get decent redundancy terms at least, then so be it.

I'm not unaware of the irony that I don't even have a union - you know the nature of my business, the unions stay well away from us because we're likely to cause them trouble, us and our contracts that are renewed the day before we're needed, (or not).

'sides, I do like a good protest, me. Reckon they'd take me down at the Corrib Gas Field? I suspect I don't smell bad enough. [img]smileys/wink.gif[/img]

ETA I do realise this is part of the ineluctable 'logic' of capitalism; the shareholders are all, the workers are disposable, untramelled growth of profit is the only aim; however when TCK rules the world, we will have more co-operatives. This is a very interesting documentary about how they've gone about it in Argentina after their economic collapse (yes, Naomi Klein, but still).

http://www.thetake.org/

**manofmunster** · 3rd-August-2009, 07:24

Originally Posted by Speedy

This is from the Irish Times
 Thomas Cook protest continues despite order The company said it was offering five weeks per year of service as a redundancy package, which will drop to two weeks if the workers do not accept it.

speaking as someone who's been made redundant twice in the last 5 years -I'd actually say that 5 weeks salary per yearof service is a prettygenerous redundancy payment

**dell** · 3rd-August-2009, 07:35

Originally Posted by manofmunster

Originally Posted by Speedy

This is from the Irish Times
 Thomas Cook protest continues despite order The company said it was offering five weeks per year of service as a redundancy package, which will drop to two weeks if the workers do not accept it.

speaking as someone who's been made redundant twice in the last 5 years -I'd actually say that 5 weeks salary per yearof service is a prettygenerous redundancy payment

Not to far of the norm, they are looking for 8 weeks, start high and find a middle ground. I have no idea what kind of pay they would be on, but I would say its very low and they work off commision {guessing here}.

**Kerry-Exile** · 3rd-August-2009, 07:39

Originally Posted by Old Dog

Originally Posted by The Crimson King

Here are the important facts as I see them:Thomas Cook Ireland
is still operating at a profit. Thomas Cook announced record profits
just six months ago and predict profits this year of over €4 million.
We have accepted powerlessness as employees for far too
long.

Life is indeed cruel nasty brutish and short, Ms. Scarlet King -
it*always was, is and it*always will be.**

But answer*me this: in 2009, do people still use high street travel
agents to book their trips / holidays abroad or do they prefer to
conduct such transactions*by phone or online?*

I ask, because this*line from Speedy's quote caught my eye: Thomas Cook insisted [that] it would
maintain its Irish business at its back office and call centre operation
in Parkwest, Dublin, with 70 positions being retained. 

Closing down a profitable retail operation seems foolhardy and*I'd
be interested in learning what proportion of*Thos Cook's*€4m profits
was generated in the back office/call centre operation and what
proportion*in the retail operation.

*

I would say high street presence is still important. Although I agree
that more and more the bookings will be online when myself and my
partner went on holiday earlier in the year we went through a travel
agents. Although the branch itself may just be breaking even I'd
imagine the fact it's there is probably directing a lot of traffic that
would be lost to other companies through their website and phone
operations. A lot of people will go to the shop first and then order
online. I often do

**Tony Soprano** · 3rd-August-2009, 08:04

Originally Posted by Balla Boy

Originally Posted by bruffian

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

<SONG>As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."
</SONG>
We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

Eh...is this saying what i think its saying??

Namely that members of the Irish political system are telling people to forcibly oppose the Gardai?? People who actually represent the state??

Why would elected representatives not be allowed to support <SONG>non violent direct action?</SONG>

It's not a police state.

Please explain how this will end in non-violence if a large mob try and prevent the Gardai from doing their duties? This is the same type of s**t that has been going on in Mayo for the last few years. At least Higgins is showing his true colours. If the Shinners had said this....???

**Tony Soprano** · 3rd-August-2009, 08:04

And BTW. 5 Weeks is fair enough imho.

**Balla Boy** · 3rd-August-2009, 08:11

Originally Posted by Tony Soprano

Originally Posted by Balla Boy

Originally Posted by bruffian

Originally Posted by No.11

Solidarity with the Thomas Cook Occupation

Thomas Cook's decision to add to the jobs slaughter by closing their shops in Ireland is outrageous. This is a company which is projected to make a profit of £400 million worldwide this year, with over €4 million made in Ireland. Yet the management arrived at 10am yesterday morning and expected the workers to be gone in less than an hour.

However, the workers have not given in so easily. Their heroic occupation should be supported by all. They are taking a crucial stand against their scandalous treatment by this profitable company.

Socialist Party MEP, Joe Higgins has given his support, saying "I urge all working people to show their support. One only needs to look at the stark difference in treatment of the CEO and the workers to see the agenda that is being pursued here. Thomas Cook's CEO recently received a 34% pay rise and a seven million euro bonus for boosting profits by slashing thousands of jobs in Britain. Yet the low paid workers are to be thrown onto the dole, with minimum redundancy pay and no notice."

Not content with their significant profits, this company want to push them up even further at the expense of workers' livelihoods by consolidation and shutting of shops. The workers' occupation is vital to resisting this agenda.

The High Court order for workers to end their occupation and the threat of Garda action is a disgrace. The Gardai must not be used against these workers and there attempt to defend their livelihoods.

<SONG>As the Socialist Party Councillors stated in a press release: "The trade union movement must mobilise to prevent the Gardai being used against these workers. Supporters and trade union activists should come to the offices to support the workers' action and defend the occupation against any attempt to force them out."
</SONG>
We urge everyone reading this site to make every effort to go down to the site to show your solidarity. This is an important battle for all as the occupiers are taking an heroic stand against the sort of treatment which many workers now face.

Eh...is this saying what i think its saying??

Namely that members of the Irish political system are telling people to forcibly oppose the Gardai?? People who actually represent the state??

Why would elected representatives not be allowed to support <SONG>non violent direct action?</SONG>

It's not a police state.

Please explain how this will end in non-violence if a large mob try and prevent the Gardai from doing their duties? This is the same type of s**t that has been going on in Mayo for the last few years. At least Higgins is showing his true colours. If the Shinners had said this....???

In exactly the same way that many, many protests end in non-violent dispersion by the police? They'll nick a few people, who will be passively non-cooperative.

It's a sit in, for f**ks sake. You'd swear they were stocking up with molotovs or something.

**parnell333** · 3rd-August-2009, 08:41

Interesting those here defending illegal action.

Wait and see - it'll only serve to continue to drive business out
of the country.

**Dave Cahill** · 3rd-August-2009, 08:58

Are the guards not duty and honour bound to protect Irish citizens, like
those protesting? When did they become bailiffs for foreign capital? I
must have missed a constitutional amendment somewhere.

**Balla Boy** · 3rd-August-2009, 08:58

Originally Posted by parnell333

Interesting those here defending illegal action.

Wait and see - it'll only serve to continue to drive business out
of the country.

Like the massive flight of businesses out of France?

More groundless corporate propaganda from the "take what you're given" wingof the 21st Century Peasant Revival Committee.

You realise that in Burma they're allowed to shoot people who go on strike? How will we compete?

**dell** · 3rd-August-2009, 09:02

Originally Posted by parnell333

Interesting those here defending illegal action.

Wait and see - it'll only serve to continue to drive business out
of the country.

Do you really think its just Irish workers who protest over job losses, heres just a few healdlines from around the world.
<H2>Germany: ThyssenKrupp workers demonstrate against job losses and wage cuts</H2>

Egland; Oil workers continue protest over job losses.

Russia; Hundreds of people protested in Russian cities on Saturday in demonstrations against the wave of job losses sweeping the country in the wake of the economic crisis

**parnell333** · 3rd-August-2009, 09:18

Originally Posted by dell

Originally Posted by parnell333

Interesting those
here defending illegal action. Wait and see - it'll only serve
to continue to drive business out of the country.

Do you really think its just Irish workers who protest over
job losses, heres just a few healdlines from around the
world.
<H2>Germany: ThyssenKrupp
workers demonstrate against job losses and wage
cuts</H2>

Egland; Oil workers continue protest over job losses.

Russia; Hundreds of people protested in Russian cities
on Saturday in demonstrations against the wave of job
losses sweeping the country in the wake of the economic
crisis

No problem at all with protests - you can protest all you
want - just do it within the law.

**nuke** · 3rd-August-2009, 09:19

yes lets all protest about the worldwide job losses and that will make them stop, some real sharp posters here

I think 5 weeks salary per year is a good offer for redunacy when they are only obliged to pay two. It was a fair offer which unions may have gotten improved through legal protests and negotiation. No chance of that now.

As for the illegal occupation of the building, i'd see that as a firing offense so no need to pay redundancy to anyone in the building at all, just fire them and let them take their chances in court if they believe they are right

**dell** · 3rd-August-2009, 09:22

Originally Posted by parnell333

Originally Posted by dell

Originally Posted by parnell333

Interesting those
here defending illegal action. Wait and see - it'll only serve
to continue to drive business out of the country.

Do you really think its just Irish workers who protest over
job losses, heres just a few healdlines from around the
world.
<H2>Germany: ThyssenKrupp
workers demonstrate against job losses and wage
cuts</H2>

Egland; Oil workers continue protest over job losses.

Russia; Hundreds of people protested in Russian cities
on Saturday in demonstrations against the wave of job
losses sweeping the country in the wake of the economic
crisis

No problem at all with protests - you can protest all you
want - just do it within the law.

Is it not ture that they are still fighting this in the courts today, it is common for protest and even people to continue doing as they please {bail}as court cases are still being held.

Thread: Thomas Cook Protest

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