Ireland: Occupying workers violently evicted

Issue 

Thirty Thomas Cook workers involved in a four-day occupation of the travel companies Graffon Street premises in Dublin were forcibly evicted by police., the August 4 Irish Times said.

The workers are in dispute with Thomas Cook over redundancy packages resulting from the office's planned closure.

The Irish Times said staff were seeking a deal that would give them eight weeks redundancy pay per year of service. Thomas Cook is only offering five weeks per year.

The article said: "The former workers claim that Thomas Cook is a hugely profitable company which paid its chief executive £7 million last year and can afford an enhanced redundancy deal."

The trade union Unite said the workers' arrest was "a dark stain on the history of industrial relations in Ireland".

Unite regional secretary Jimmy Kelly said: "These are ordinary working people standing up for their rights. They have a right to be treated with respect and for their employer to hold to a standard of engagement that, in this case, has merely been cast aside."

A High Court judge released the arrested workers the following day on the grounds they agreed not to resume the occupation. A nine-month pregnant former employee, who was the first arrested by police, was whisked straight to hospital following the raid, where she gave birth to a baby girl.

The judge acknowledged the workers had been badly treated, the Irish Times said.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.