Support for Striking Electricians
8 Jul 2009
Delegates gathered in Tralee for BDC 2009 heard outgoing Congress President Patricia McKeown voice her strong support for the TEEU strikers, currently dispute with electrical contractors over unpaid monies owed to them.
She told conference that: "I pledge the full support of this conference to the TEEU and its members, who are now exercising their fundamental human right to strike having exhausted all other legitimate means. I dismiss with contempt the claims that this strike action is damaging the economy – others have done that job to stunning effect. Whatever disingenuous headlines the press may run with about an 11% pay rise, we know that they are out on strike because the employers have walked off with the money owed to them for their pay and their pensions. We wish them well and we will be with them to the end."
TEEU General Secretary Owen Wills later expressed thanks to conference for the pledges of support and solidarity which he said he had received "by the bucketful" from delegates and others in attendance at BDC 09.
Meanwhile Congress Secretary David Begg angrily dismissed the characterisation of striking electricians as 'lunatics' by construction industry boss, Tom Parlon. Mr Begg said the comments were "stupid, irrational and intemperate" and advised Mr Parlon to take a "Trappist vow of silence" if he had nothing helpful or constructive to add.
Last night (July 7) Congress agreed to ballot affected members on an application for an all-out picket that has been lodged by the TEEU.
Earlier, Patricia McKeown strongly condemned the recent arrest and detention of Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan and others, following their attempt to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza.