Reclaim the Unions! IRSP Via NY Transfer News * All the News That Doesn't Fit Sun, 30 Apr 2000 23:04:14 -0700 Reclaim The Unions - IRSP In its annual May Day Message the IRSP urged the need of workers to reclaim our unions. Spokesperson, Fra Halligan commented that traditionally, May 1st has been a day celebrated by the Labour Movement. A day to remember past struggles and to demonstrate worldwide solidarity for our class interests and common goal The Emancipation of Labour! On May 1st back in 1886 the American Federation of Labour had called a General Strike in support of an eight-hour day. The cops during a picket at a factory whose workers were on strike murdered some days later in Chicago four labour activists. In response a local workers paper called a mass demonstration and rally to be held in the Haymarket area of the city the following evening. During the demonstration a police agent threw a bomb into the middle of the crowd killing several workers and cops. The attack was then used by authorities to discredit the growing Labour movement. As many strikers and labour activists were arrested and tortured with eight of them finally being wrongfully charged for the bombing. As a result four were hanged, one committed suicide and three spent seven years in prison before receiving a pardon for a crime the did not even commit. The campaign for an eight-hour day was stepped up and on July 14th 1889 in Paris the International Labour Congress adopted May 1st as a =D4workers holiday=D5. In conclusion the IRSP representative said: As we enter a new millennium the class war is basically still the same, with middle class bosses on the attack and the Trade Unions failing to fight back effectively for our class. Instead they like the left generally, are only seen leaving their offices once a year to dust off their mouldy banners to parade them through the streets before inflicting boring meaningless speeches by boring well paid union officials. The spokesperson added, what hope does this give those of our class who they are supposed to represent? The truth of the matter is that most workers are either afraid to take action or they don't think that they can win, even though the rank-and-file membership is what Trade Unions are supposed to be all about. The unions seek to soften the edges of capitalism rather than do away with it. At present we have numerous workplace disputes around the country. Dublin Bus workers have brought the capital to a halt over wage levels and it looks likely that this could get out of hand as the pressure is increased. As republican socialists we are be playing our part in encouraging the fight back against job destruction and encouraging workplace militancy. International Workers Day (May Day) like the labour movement itself must be taken back from the filth such as those comfortable union officials who at the end of the day have a vested interest in the system. The future of the labour movement lies not with those hidden in offices but in reclaiming its hidden past and openly creating a real fighting alternative which has got to be republican socialism. Lastly we call on all republican socialsts to turn out in strength in every town and city throughout the country celebrating May day to add our support for workers in struggle. In the Words of Connolly "The great only appear great because we are on our knees -- let us arise!" source - IRSP ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytire-05.01.00-12:54:22-22584