RETIRED WORKERS ARE NOT RETIRED VOTERS!. Make sure your local TD knows this and does not block the PBP Bill for Retired Workers Rights next Wednesday (Its called “Amendment to the Industrial Relations Act Retired Workers Bill”). Pensions, and pension rights for future workers, as well as currently retired workers, have taken a huge hit since the economic crash; and they’re still being undermined. It has to stop. Please view and share this video – it explains why support for the bill is important for ALL workers.

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Ryanair sackings are attempt intimidate staff in union dispute

TD claims Spanish dismissals show Ryanair contempt for its workers.
 
Bully boy tactics will not defeat Ryanair workers” says Brid Smith TD.
The dismissal of four cabin crew at Ryanair in Spain has been slammed by Brid Smith TD as another example of the real intent of Ryanair’s management in the ongoing dispute with its workforce.
Deputy Smith rejected the company’s justification of the sackings and said fatigue and overworking are real issues at the  airline and workers should have a legal entitlement to refuse to operate outside the hours they are contracted to work.
These sackings highlight the core issues at the heart of the pilots dispute; its about workers having some security and control over the hours and shifts they work; its a basic trade union issue and this fits a pattern where Ryanair attempt to browbeat and bully its workers”Read more »

People Before Profit TD Brid Smith has welcomed another large vote for industrial action by Dublin bus drivers who are members of SIPTU. This follows a similarly large majority in favor of industrial action in the other major union, the NBRU.
Deputy Smith said the votes represented a great example of workers standing up after many years of cuts, wage freezes and austerity measures.
“The case for a decent pay rise for all workers is very stark, but especially with Dublin Bus workers; over 8 years of a pay freeze, with cuts to earning’s of 6 million euro on top of two major cost cutting plans; their case is totally justified”.
She also pointed out that the company had posted over 23 million euro in profits over the last three years despite huge cuts in public funding over the last 8 years.
Deputy Smith urges other workers to understand that that it is in their interests to support the battle of Dublin Bus workers.
“The establishment in this country are terrified of workers standing up for themselves after the years of austerity. That is why they will try to foster divide and rule and play workers against each other. I would urge all workers to support the bus drivers. A victory for them can inspire other workers to seek decent pay rises and put some fairness back in to this so called recovery”.1001980_654590657954175_3704541394509848734_n (2)