IWU Branch sets up in West Cork
cork |
worker & community struggles and protests |
news report 
Tuesday September 12, 2006 07:12
by Shipsea
Good news for people who are worried about the direction some unions are going in. Cosy relationships with management are leaving workers and employees in the wilderness. Welcome to the IWU.
How many people have had the experience of approaching their union rep for help only to find that they are made to feel that they and their problem are like a bad smell? NATFHE are a case in point - a useless and spineless union when it comes to challenging the encroachment of attrocious employment practices on academics/lecturers and others, most of whom are coping with some of the most unfair employment practices in the country. They have sold third level education in Ireland down the river in the process. And that's just one union.
At a well attended meeting in O Donovan,s Hotel, Clonakilty, on Friday September 7th September, the Independent Workers Union formally established a West Cork Branch of the organisation.
The Independent Workers Union was founded in 2001, as many Trade Unionists felt completely disillusioned with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and felt more effective change could be brought about by a truly independent general workers union. Prior to last Friday s meeting, West Cork based members were in the Cork General Branch. Due to the size of the region, this was seen as unwieldy and the possibility of establishing a West Cork Branch had been examined in recent months.
The meeting elected a Chairperson and Secretary and discussed ways in which the new branch can bring home the importance of workers rights to people in the West Cork area. Anyone wishing to join the West Cork Branch or who would like further information can contact the Branch Secretary on 087-6221078.
Comments (12 of 12)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12How many members has the IWU and how many workplaces has it organised?
http://www.union.ie/iwucontents.htm
Unions are past there sell by dates, they have been exposed as money grabbing management lick arses that do sweet fa
the heads of the unions now ponce around in suits extracting nice fat fees from the sheep
We have about 2,000 members north and south, just over 200 in the Dublin Branch of which I am a member.
The Dublin Branch has unionised two workplaces I know of. Don't know outside of Dublin.
Thanks, IWU member. Which are the two workplaces in Dublin?
I'm fed up of non independent unions. The idea of a general independent one that spans all places of employment is how it should be. Is there a western branch and a contact number / website?
Coincedentally, got an email this morning announcing the establishment of a new branch of the IWU.
The Cork City & County branch, which I think is the largest in the union, has split itself to create a West Cork branch based in and around Skibbereen and Clonakilty due to a combination of increasing numbers in the union and the size of the county.
Amazed that people are still conned by the myth that is the IWU:
Some salient facts need first to be cited and questions asked:
(1) The IWU is three years in existence but have yet to stage industrial action with an employer - We hear of no strike clauses surely this is a case of the 'no strike union'
First question for posters is why is this the case for a so called radical union?
(2) The IWU claim 2000 members. At a a very economical estimate of €4 per member that works out at €8000 per week.
Question number two is, with two full time officials to be paid where is the rest of the dosh going?
(3) Question number three Why are the accounts of the Union not published as is the case with other Unions.
(4) Question number 4 is why have the IWU never achieved a collective deal for their members that delivers a better rate of pay than any national wage agreement even though they promise the sun the moon and the stars to workers?
(5)Question number 5 is why are the IWU and IBEC both in agreement on the issue that closed shops and collective agreements are not the correct strategy and that the individual vindication of employment rights is the way to go?
See the transcripts and reports of last year's IWU conference on Indymedia for this bizarre strategy from a Union that claims to follow in Larkin's and Connolly's footsteps!
(6) Question number six is why will the hysterical postings by IWU members to this post will have everthing but answers to the above questions?
Wow! 2,000 members this year from 1,000 last year see http://www.indymedia.ie/article/75309.
Suppose we'll be getting the extra organisers as promised last year seeing that membership is up 100%. Jaysus comrades I can here the shivers already from Liberty Hall!
Any chance of an 'oul strike or is that asking too much...just asking.
I attended a meeting of the iwu in west cork and the only membership they seemed to be interested in was that of individuals. What about collective bargaining? It seemed to me that they were just more interested in getting as many individuals to pay contributions than to try to organise groups. it is a money racket. I work in a shop in a west cork town where i earn the minimum wage. What is the iwu going to do for me? The answer is nothing. Why? Because my employer wouldn't even answer a phonecall from them.
Non Union,
I am sorry if you feel that way. The IWU in West Cork is only starting out, so you have to allow for time for building. Any grievances you have, the union will fight hard for you. If things seem a little slow, that is a case of establishing ourselves. Perhaps if you could persuade other workers in your shop to join the IWU, your boss' hands would be more tied. If an employer won't deal with the IWU, that is not the union's fault. However, if we are in a stronger position as an organisation, there is more we can do for individual workers. If you were there the last night, you will know that many excellent initiatives were discussed and individual cases were looked at.
I must admit I am a little confused, the IWU (as far as I know) have only had two meetings in West Cork and at both of those the only people there were very enthusiastic.
West Cork Secretary
I understand the union is only begining and it will take time but i still cannot see what the iwu can do for me. I have spoke to my fellow workers about it but they see it the same way as me. I have also inquired from other people who are in a union and they say that they have never heard of the iwu. Maybe if i was in a different shop and others were interested I might consider joining.
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